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

Wednesday, July 29th, 2026
	Cy-Hawk football series extended through 2031 Iowa and Iowa State have verbally agreed to extend the Cy-Hawk football series through 2031, pushing past the original contract expiration in 2027.
	Rock Island trying to regulate small offroad vehicles driving in city streets Since March 1, Rock Island Police have received about 75 complaints involving dirt bikes, mini-bikes and ATVs driving recklessly.
	Rock Island wants to regulate small offroad vehicles on city streets Since March 1, Rock Island Police have received about 75 complaints involving dirt bikes, mini-bikes and ATVs driving recklessly.
	Silvis officials want public input on first comprehensive plan update since 1998 Silvis city leaders are updating their comprehensive plan for the first time since 1998. Officials say the new plan could unlock state and federal grants for aging infrastructure and park expansion. Public input is open now.
	Cuts to Illinois school mental health programs blocked A federal judge stepped in to protect school mental health programs serving more than 50,000 Illinois students. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 15 states secured a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from cutting congressionally-approved mental health grants. The move comes just days before U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon [...]
	Trump administration to end subsidies for Medicare Plans from the Trump administration will end federal subsidies that help pay for Medicare. The administration claims the subsidies benefit insurance companies more than enrollees.The subsidies for Medicare Part D established during the Biden administration expire at the end of the year and will not be offered next year. Medicare Part D is optional prescription [...]
	Golfing for Good: UnityPoint Health Cup returns to TPC Deere Run Sept. 11 The 2026 UnityPoint Health Cup returns Sept. 11 to TPC Deere Run, raising funds for Trinity’s Area of Greatest Need Fund through a public golf outing with morning and afternoon shotgun starts.
	Paddle, decorate, float: Floatzilla expands its tradition Aug. 15 Floatzilla returns Aug. 15 with a full day of paddling, a new boat‑decorating contest and the signature mass raft‑up photo at Lake Potter. Participation supports River Action’s mission to promote and protect local waterways.
	Davenport daycare provider plans overnight expansion to meet childcare demand Jennifer Conner with Adventures and Lullabies Daycare and Nursery plans to offer five openings for children with parents who work overnight.
	Knox County Board approves countywide transportation agreement with Galesburg The proposed partnership would expand public transportation beyond Galesburg by introducing an on-demand transit service throughout Knox County.
	Heartland British Autofest returns to LeClaire for 39th year The 39th Annual Heartland British Autofest returns to the LeClaire riverfront on Aug. 1, showcasing classic British cars, food, music and awards during a free, family‑friendly event hosted by the Quad Cities British Auto Club.
	Dubuque County probationer charged in Davenport shooting A Davenport man on probation in Dubuque County has been charged in connection with a Davenport shooting in which one person was wounded.
	Empty shelves, high need: Henderson County food pantry struggles to keep up with demand Henderson County ranks number one in child and food insecurity rates within the River Bend area, according to a report.
	Traffic Alert: Additional street closers in Muscatine amid sanitary and storm sewer separation project Drivers are encouraged to use caution near the work zone and followed posted traffic control.
	Illinois bill targets predatory tow trucking Predatory tow trucking businesses in Illinois could face tougher punishments under a bill sent to Governor JB Pritzker. House Bill 4843 expands Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ authority to suspend or revoke certificates and special registration plates issued to tow truck and wrecker operators who fraudulently obtain registrations, illegally use tow truck plates or violate [...]
	Judge rules on witness testimony in upcoming Trudy Appleby trial On Wednesday, a judge ruled on what witness testimony will be allowed in the upcoming trial of a man suspected in the death of an 11-year-old girl. Additionally, the trial may be moved from Henry County to a different county. During Wednesday's pretrial hearing, 51-year-old Jamison Fisher appeared in Henry County Court. Our Quad Cities [...]
	ImpactLife says blood donation are decreasing ImpactLife officials have seen blood donation decrease during the summer months in the QCA.
	Iowans with disabilities say Medicaid is now failing them, 61 years after program became law Sixty-one years after Medicaid became law, Iowans with disabilities say the program is now failing them.
	Animal spillover? Lab leak? What the science says about the origins of COVID-19 The release of Dr. Anthony Fauci's pandemic diaries has rekindled the debate over the origins of SARS-CoV-2. Here's how scientists have weighed in.
	Judge rules majority of witness testimony is evidence that can be used in Jamison Fisher's murder trial Jamison Fisher is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in Trudy Appleby's 1996 disappearance.
	Retirements, hirings and other Davenport schools personnel news from July 13 See the personnel items from the July 13 agenda of the Davenport Community School District.
	1 killed, 3 injured in head on collision in rural Dubuque County A woman has died and 3 people are injured after a head-on collision in rural Dubuque County.
	Illinois law protects from genetic discrimination Advocates for Alzheimer's patients are celebrating a new Illinois law they say will protect people from genetic discrimination. Governor JB Pritzker signed an update to the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act, adding biomarker testing. The tests can help detect diseases like Alzheimer's by identifying signs in the body. Advocates say the law prevents that information [...]
	City of Burlington breaks ground on new fire station Shovels hit the dirt to celebrate the start of construction for a new fire station in Burlington. The station will cost $6.9 million. Voters approved a $7 million budget in a ballot referendum three years ago. City leaders spent more than 30 years trying to build a station on the northwest side of the city. [...]
	City of Burlington seeks public input on Cascade Bridge project Burlington city leaders want to know what people think about the future of a bridge that's been closed for more than seven years. The Cascade Bridge will be torn down and replaced. People who live there can respond to a survey available on the city's website. The new bridge will have a historic center. People [...]
	Trudy Appleby's father, 12 other requested witnesses can testify in Jamison Fisher's trial A judge ruled Wednesday about who can give testimony in the trial of the man accused of killing Trudy Appleby in 1996.
	Illinois Department of Transportation wants feedback on proposed U.S. 30 project A proposed $23 million reconstruction project could transform one of Morrison’s busiest roadways as the Illinois Department of Transportation continues gathering public feedback before selecting a final design.
	Maquoketa secures funding for new splash pad The project is expected to be ready by June 2027.
	Clinton City Council appoints interim city administrator The Clinton City Council appointed Police Chief Kevin Gyrion to serve as interim city administrator July 28. According to a release from the City of Clinton: The appointment is effective immediately. For more information, click here.
	Free admission offered for Thursday's River Bandits game against the Dayton Dragons! Fans can attend Thursday’s River Bandits game for free, with complimentary amusement rides for kids and rewards for donating books.
	Quad City Fire Wire hosting community Touch-a-Truck event The family-friendly event is from 12 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Camden Centre in Milan.
	Illinois state elections board tells DOJ it follows federal law on voting integrity The Illinois State Board of Elections told the U.S. Department of Justice this week it is complying with all federal laws governing voter registration and the maintenance of voter rolls, and it pushed back against threats by the Trump administration to prosecute state and local authorities for allowing illegal election activity.
	Man killed in Depue motorcycle crash 24-year-old Joan Garcia of Depue was killed in a crash along Arlington Drive on Tuesday.
	Free photos and resources available to families at ‘Babies & Bumps’ event EveryChild’s “Babies & Bumps” event is made to celebrate families and connect them with resources and support, according to a media release.
	“Disney's Frozen,” August 7 through 16 Based on the Oscar-winning modern classic that stands as one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, Disney's Frozen enjoys an August 7 through 16 run at Moline's Spotlight Theatre, this magical family enchantment a three-time Tony Award nominee hailed by The Guardian for its "theatrical razzmatazz" and "the sense of a real, beating heart in the relationship between the two tortured sisters."
	1 dead in Bureau County crash, officials investigating A motorcyclist died in a crash in Bureau County Tuesday.
	Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know! Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: TYLER COPELL, 27, 5'7" 171 pounds. Wanted by IDOC 7th District High Risk Unit for burglary 3rd degree, possession of a controlled substance. MICHAEL [...]
	The Trump administration's move to end subsidies for Medicare drug plans could cost consumers Federal subsidies that have helped defray insurers' Medicare drug costs will disappear at the end of the year. Millions of beneficiaries could face higher premiums in 2027.
	Former Quad City Arts interim director appears in court on child sexual abuse material charges Benjamin Morris was arrested Monday night on 30 charges related to possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
	3 new outdoor sirens to replace Colona’s second-hand siren from 1950s Colona officials said they have a grant to buy three outdoor sirens.
	Oregon is on track for its worst wildfire season yet Wildfires in central and eastern Oregon are prompting evacuations and forcing ranchers to scramble to move cattle and find feed as public range land burns. More than a million acres have burned so far. Most fires have little or no containment.
	River Bend Food Bank report growing demand amid rising fuel and food costs The food bank serves a 23-county area distributing over 17 million meals across its 400 hunger-relief partners according to data from its most recent fiscal year.
	Man charged with possession of child sex abuse material His bond was set at $200,000, court records show.
	Pedestrian hit by vehicle side mirror while walking near New London A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle’s side mirror while walking on Highway 34 near New London.
	Rock Island-Milan School Board approves funds for remediation, repairs at Denkmann The approval covers expenditures for repairs done last year after a July storm and further needed repairs, which are expected to be completed by the end of the summer.
	Government Bridge reopened after semi gets stuck The Government Bridge was closed late Wednesday morning after a semitruck got stuck on the Davenport side.
	Sing it loud, New Hampshire: ‘We’re No. 1! We’re No. 1!’ Oh, wait, we’re not? Gov. Kelly Ayotte celebrates the signing of a pair of bills at the State House in June 2025, one to broaden "parental rights" and the other to expand the voucher-like education freedom accounts program. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin)Over the past three decades, New Hampshire Republicans have held trifecta power over the State House — or simultaneous control of the governor’s office, House, and Senate — for 11 years, including the past six. Democrats, meanwhile, have held trifecta power for just four years in that span. And while Democrats had a decade-long run of success winning the governor’s seat starting in 2005, since 1995 Republicans have held majority control of both branches of the state Legislature at the same time for a staggering 22 years. So, for better or worse, it’s fair to say the state of the state belongs to the Republican Party. That’s why they get so excited when the U.S. News and World Report “Best States” rankings come out every year. The great thing about rankings as far as a Republican politician is concerned (and you may remember that I’ve written about their love of WalletHub lists, too) is that they can cherry-pick the good categories, deliver the news to voters without defining context or methodology, and essentially suggest that the ranking is more real than the reality of personal experience. As Gov. Kelly Ayotte and other state Republicans proved this week, it can be a politically dangerous game to play. In separate press releases about the U.S. News and World Report rankings, Ayotte touted the state’s top rankings in a pair of subcategories, safety and economic opportunity. She did not, however, mention that on her watch New Hampshire dropped in the overall rankings from No. 2 in 2025 to No. 6 this year, most likely dragged down by a No. 41 ranking for affordability, No. 40 ranking for higher education, No. 39 ranking for fiscal stability, and a No. 32 ranking for the state’s economy (which also includes a No. 49 subcategory ranking for growth). Even when you discount the latest lists and rankings, and we probably all should, July as a whole hasn’t been particularly kind to Republicans. A couple of weeks ago, the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute released a report outlining the toll of $51 million in back-of-the-budget cuts for the state Department of Health and Human Services in the 2026-2027 biennium. Among the programs most affected are: community mental health services, family intervention and prevention-related services, food assistance programs, and child and maternal health services. Importantly, Health and Human Services was just one of 11 state departments hit with such cuts. “Policymakers faced significant expenditure needs, potential costs and federal policy shifts, and decreases in State revenue due in part to the previous choices of legislators,” wrote report author Jessica Williams, a senior policy analyst, “which resulted in more difficult funding tradeoffs for State Fiscal Years (SFYs) 2026 and 2027 than in the prior four budget cycles.” So purposeful self-sabotage, in other words. The timing of the NHFPI report wasn’t great for Republicans. Days earlier Ayotte had vetoed the 10-year state transportation plan, upsetting lawmakers in both parties. The governor’s big beef was with a proposed toll increase aimed at out-of-state drivers, which was meant to help address a $400 million funding shortfall. See a pattern? “You want your roads, we’ve got to do something about it,” said Republican Rep. David Milz, who called the toll increase “almost a no-brainer.” That’s an important, and too rare, lightbulb for the state’s majority party. You see, if you want the things that make everybody’s life better, like roads, public education, childcare, healthcare, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc., you do have to pay for them. And for that you need revenue. But the pattern keeps repeating. New Hampshire cuts off, reduces, or claws back funding for needed services and investments, calls it fiscal responsibility, and life gets a little harder not just for low-income residents but a middle class that can’t keep up with a deluge of higher prices, from gas and groceries to healthcare and housing. I suspect that part of the slide under Republicans’ watch is due to the elevation of fringe voices with disparate axes to grind, with targets ranging from immigrants and LGBTQ+ people to vaccines and literature that offends them. But there has to be some responsibility taken by the Republican traditionalists who have not only embraced the anti-government dreams of the many Free Staters in their ranks but continue to peddle the idea that we don’t actually owe anything to each other. Low (or no) taxes, small government, and an unrestrained free market are all we need, and the resulting tide will raise all boats, they argue. Except it hasn’t, and it won’t. What has happened is that more and more boats sink every day, and just so a few more rich guys can buy super yachts. When you hear economists fret over the historic levels of wealth inequality, that’s precisely what they’re talking about. Should a majority of the Republican Party ever come to disavow the presidency of Donald Trump, my guess is that they will try to paint him and his Cabinet as accidents of their movement, as outliers. The perfect crime was committed in broad daylight by a sitting president, they’ll say, and fully at the expense of the poor, innocent people he was elected to serve. If only we had had the ability then, they will lament, to see his actions for what they really were. To that end, they could easily cite the obscene profits he and his family have collected while in power, or the way he greedily sabotaged the nation’s post-pandemic economic recovery through a thoughtless war, misguided tariffs, a violent and destabilizing mass deportation campaign, Elon Musk’s DOGE rampage, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which primarily exists to reward the rich at the expense of those below them on the wealth ladder. But if you look at what’s happening in New Hampshire, in every red chamber in every red state, it’s clear that Trump was no accident, and he certainly is not an outlier. He is the fulfillment of what the right’s movement has long held as its primary, but often unspoken, tenet: The only way forward is to leave many behind. Maybe that sounds just fine to a lot of Republican and independent voters in New Hampshire, as they peer back at the abandoned rabble in their dust. But what they’ll realize when they at last turn around is that the caravan has left without them, too. They will see that they were always among the “others” meant to be culled. Courtesy of New Hampshire Bulletin
	United Way Quad Cities announces new president and CEO The social change organization has tapped former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Augustana College, Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow, as its next leader. Hilton-Morrow will begin her new role on September 14th.
	United Way Quad Cities names new president and CEO Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow, former provost and vice president for academic affairs at Augustana College, will start with United Way on Sept. 14.
	Traffic Alert: Part of Central Avenue closed for resurfacing project A section of Central Avenue is closed for a resurfacing project Wednesday.
	Purina Incredible Dog Team coming to Alternating Currents Alternating Currents and Purina are bringing Purina's Incredible Dog Team to downtown Davenport this August to celebrate Dog Chow's 100th anniversary and Purina's nearly century-long connection to the Quad Cities. Purina's Incredible Dog Team will perform three free, high-energy shows during the 2026 Alternating Currents festival on Saturday, August 15 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Residents [...]
	Moline Municipal Election packets now available, signature collection begins Moline’s 2027 Municipal Election candidate filing packets are now available online or at the City Clerk’s Office for candidates to start collecting petition signatures.
	Confusion over Trump changes to graduate student loan limits hurting Oregon programs Oregon Health & Science University's hospital, located in the southwest Portland hills. The university is grappling with a potential loss of enrollment from new limits on federal loans for graduate student borrowers that don't cover the full costs of degree programs for many students who hope to attend. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Bieleck/OHSU)PORTLAND — Enrollment in some graduate education and healthcare programs at Oregon’s public universities is expected to be down this fall, in part because students who might have enrolled face confusion and uncertainty over whether they can get the federal loans they need to attend, according to school leaders. The issue stems from new rules congressional Republicans passed last summer in their massive tax and spending cut bill, which caps the amount of federal student loans graduate students can borrow from the U.S. Department of Education. They allowed for higher caps on some degree programs, such as those for doctors and dentists, but did not include many high-demand, high-cost medical and education degree programs, such as nursing, physical therapy, social work and counseling. Republicans hope loan caps can, over the next few years, spur universities to lower graduate tuition costs, which have risen considerably over the past four decades as unrestricted borrowing from the federal education department rose, and states pulled back public university funding in the nearly two decades since the 2008 recession. A 2020 Brookings Institute study found that graduate students held about half of all outstanding student loan debt despite making up about one-quarter of borrowers. But none of the university leaders in Portland at a Tuesday panel convened by Portland-area U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat representing Oregon’s 1st Congressional District, said the move would cause graduate tuition to decline at their institutions. Instead, they said, would-be students will likely take on private loans with higher interest rates than federal loans, or forgo programs altogether. Eli Herr, financial aid and scholarships director at Oregon Health & Science University, described the risks to Oregon’s universities as “astronomical.” He and leaders from the University of Oregon, Portland State University and Oregon’s largest nursing and teachers unions said the changes are made more challenging by lawsuits temporarily blocking the caps, meant to hit on July 1, from taking effect until a final judgement can be issued by the end of the year. Dr. Susan Bakewell-Sachs, dean of OHSU’s School of Nursing, said incoming students have already told financial aid officers that they don’t have cosigners for private loans they think they need to take out to supplement what is expected to be inadequate federal loan amounts. Others have said they’re struggling to figure out how they would be able to afford the interest rates on private loans, often up to three times more than interest rates on federal loans. Fall enrollment in Oregon State University’s graduate school of education is down, according to Dean Susan Gardner, because students thought they would not have access to adequate loan amounts. Many are part-time students, and the new loan limits would be pro–rated to a borrower’s credit hours in school, rather than allowing them to borrow the same amount as a full-time student. “In some ways, I worry the damage has already been done,” she told Bonamici. Loan changes Graduate student loan borrowers were previously allowed to borrow the full cost of tuition for their degree programs. Under the changes, annual borrowing would be capped at $20,500 per year with a total $100,000 limit, unless the program is a “professional” program, which includes 11 specific categories such as medical doctor and dentist but doesn’t include nursing. For those professional programs, borrowers can take out $50,000 a year in loans, with an overall $200,000 cap. Republicans defending the caps have argued that many academic programs come with unjustifiably high price tags given the jobs and salaries that exist for their graduates. Bakewell-Sachs said that logic doesn’t make sense for nursing, where demand is high and earnings post-graduation are high enough to justify the average $40,000 to $45,000 of debt that most nurses leave school with. Bonamici said a lot of bipartisan outcry over the changes in Congress came in response to the caps on loans for nurses. She recently submitted a proposal to undo the loan cap rules under the Congressional Review Act, which members can use to pass legislation that overturns a federal agency rule. She so far has 60 cosponsors in the House, she said, and Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, also a Democrat, is leading the campaign to overturn the loan caps in the Senate. If the limits survive federal lawsuits, they would not impact current borrowers but students who enroll in programs in the next three years. Many university leaders said they’re most concerned that limiting loans will result in fewer first-generation and low-income college students enrolling in graduate education programs, leading to a lack of diversity in fields that need more of it. Research shows Black students who have during their academic career at least two Black teachers are 32% more likely to enroll in college, and Black men are more likely to get preventative healthcare if they are assigned a Black doctor. Bonamici encouraged university leaders to talk to their representatives in the Oregon Legislature, who control the purse strings for the bulk of public funding that goes to universities from Oregon’s general fund. About 25 years ago, state funding accounted for up to 75% of the cost of each full-time employee at an Oregon university, according to a 2022 report commissioned by lawmakers from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, a nonprofit think tank in Colorado. Now, the state pays about 50% or less of those costs, the researchers found. Oregon’s per-pupil funding for full-time college students is significantly less than what California and Washington provide per student. Today, student tuition and fees make up more than half of revenue at every Oregon university. That’s one of the highest proportions in the nation, according to the report. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle
	Morrisey: 52K kids applied for school clothing assistance before program ran out of money Gov. Patrick Morrisey holds a press conference about the state’s foster care system on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Charleston, West Virginia. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey)Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office says 52,000 children in West Virginia applied for the school clothing assistance program before funds ran out by Monday night. Applications were open for seven days after the program launched July 20, which was later than expected. “Applications were to be accepted through August 15 or until available funding was fully allocated. This year, demand for the benefit was extraordinarily high, and the available funding was exhausted before the application period ended. As a result, approximately 52,000 eligible children applied for school clothing allowance vouchers,” said Lars Dalseide, the governor’s communications director. Last year, the state’s school clothing assistance program has typically served more than 57,000 children, according to the governor’s office. Eligible families can use the vouchers to shop for shirts, pants, shoes, coats and more at retail stores before school starts. West Virginia pays for the program through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Family, or TANF, program. Earlier this year, lawmakers authorized $177 million in TANF funding for the state Department of Human Services to spend this current fiscal year on programs that help low-income children and families. “While the Legislature appropriated spending authority for the voucher program (and other programs supported by the state’s TANF allotment), spending authority is not the same as funding,” Dalseide said. “West Virginia has been spending significantly more on TANF programs each year than it receives in recurring federal TANF dollars, with the difference covered by reserve funds accumulated over time. At the current spending rate, those reserves were projected to be exhausted in approximately 13 months.” Due to the projected $43 million TANF deficit, Morrisey has been reviewing the state’s use of TANF dollars. The review caused a delay in launching the school clothing assistance program.. In the past, the program typically began accepting applications July 1. “This year’s School Clothing Allowance program was administered with a defined funding allocation as part of the administration’s broader review of TANF spending. The goal is to ensure these critical services remain available not only this year, but for years to come, while placing the program on a more sustainable financial footing by not spending more TANF dollars than we receive,” Dalseide said. “West Virginia cannot continue relying on one-time reserve funds to support ongoing programs,” he continued. “The administration is committed to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and federal assistance while continuing to work with the Legislature to evaluate every available option to support West Virginia families and preserve essential TANF-funded services for the future.” West Virginia uses TANF funds to also pay for foster care services, the child care assistance program, family support centers and to support nonprofits focused on helping needy families. The Morrisey administration has not yet publicly shared budget documents that could provide additional details about the deficit. During the budget approval process earlier this year, lawmakers based their TANF authorization amount on Morrisey’s request. DoHS officials never alerted lawmakers that the state could face a deficit in TANF funds, some lawmakers noted. Members of the House of Delegates Finance Committee plan to ask the Morrisey administration for details about their TANF spending during legislative interim meetings in August. 3:16 pmThis story was updated to say that 57,000 children received the school clothing assistance program in 2025. Courtesy of West Virginia Watch
	Muscatine refreshes residents on refuse and recycle cart placement, city waste guidelines Muscatine’s Public Works and Solid Waste Division wants to reiterate the proper guidelines for refuse and recycling container curbside placements to local residents.
	Muscatine refreshes residents on refuse and recycle cart placement, city waste guidelines Muscatine’s Public Works and Solid Waste Division wants to reiterate the proper guidelines for refuse and recycling container curbside placements to local residents.
	'Taiwan Travelogue' rethinks history, colonialism, and identity The author and translator of Taiwan Travelogue, the winner of the 2026 International Booker Prize, discuss identity and history amid the debate over Taiwan's colonial ties to Japan and escalating geopolitical pressure from China.
	United Way Quad Cities announces new CEO, set to start in September She is joining United Way from Augustana College, where she teaches communication studies and journalism.
	Government Bridge closed after semi gets stuck The Government Bridge is closed late Wednesday morning after a semitruck got stuck on the Davenport side.
	How online predator hunters pointed police to a former Quad City Arts leader Benjamin Morris, former interim executive director at Quad City Arts, was arrested on 30 felonies relating to child pornography Monday night.
	Rock Island announces Thursday Night Groove schedule The Thursday Night Groove Concert Series returns to the Ellis Kell Stage at Schwiebert Riverfront Park, 1st Avenue and 18th Street in Rock Island, next month. Concerts are free and appropriate for all ages. Concerts start at 6 p.m. with food and beer sales. A featured food truck will be on site each week, along [...]
	Brattleboro drops idea of tax hike meant to aid its hospital’s endangered birthing center Supporters of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s birthing center march in the town’s recent Fourth of July parade. Photo by Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger BRATTLEBORO — A week after proposing a municipal tax hike to help Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s fiscally ailing birthing center stay open, the town selectboard dropped the plan Tuesday night upon the suggestion of leaders at the southeastern Vermont healthcare hub. “I’m worried about this tax,” Dr. Tony Blofson, the hospital’s acting co-CEO, told the selectboard at a special meeting. “People say, ‘I can’t afford it,’ and this is going to be a divisive issue at a time when we really need to all be together.” The not-for-profit facility, facing a multiyear, multimillion-dollar budget deficit after recent management upheaval, has announced it will close its obstetric services in the next six to nine months if it can’t find a way to cover estimated annual unit losses of $4.8 million. At a meeting last week, the five-member selectboard introduced the idea of an unspecified one-time special tax above the town’s current $27 million annual budget, proposing it could raise somewhere between $100,000 and $1 million. Municipal leaders said the tax would give the hospital more time to search for a long-term financial solution and save expectant mothers a potential half-hour drive to the nearest maternity care option in Keene, New Hampshire. But observers ranging from local social media commenters to state government officials have questioned the idea, with Gov. Phil Scott noting at his most recent press conference, “That’s not going to fix the problems.” Hospital leaders, meeting with town officials privately and publicly Tuesday, voiced appreciation for local interest while stressing their desire to find a state-level fix. “This actually is an opportunity, I think, that we see for our state to tackle rural healthcare issues that one institution can’t do alone,” said Chloe Learey, chair of the hospital’s board of directors. A recent letter by seven Vermont medical groups urged the state Agency of Human Services to help the hospital by raising Medicaid obstetric reimbursement rates to match those paid for other primary care services. Medicaid pays for nearly half of Windham County births, the groups noted — a ratio higher than the state average of 36.9%. Both Scott and Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson have spoken encouragingly about the idea, although the state has yet to decide anything. State regulators, for their part, have said they’ll address the hospital’s financial situation at an Aug. 14 hearing of the Green Mountain Care Board, which assesses and approves hospital budgets. The hospital has operated with acting administrators since former President Christopher Dougherty exited without explanation in November and former Chief Financial Officer Laura Bruno departed amid similar silence in December. The hospital’s new leaders haven’t publicly addressed the reasons for the changes in administration and accounting but have acknowledged receipt of a $1 million state grant to study and help stabilize its finances. They’ve also yet to confirm a total for their multiyear budget deficit, although tax filings show a fiscal year 2022 net income loss of $2.9 million, an FY23 net income loss of $1.5 million and an FY24 net income loss of $3.2 million. Administrators recently reported a $16 million shortfall for FY25 — four times their initial loss estimate, or 13% of a $119 million budget. They’ve also projected a $14.5 million deficit for the current year’s $130 million budget, although Blofson said Tuesday without offering a figure, “It’s going to be considerably less.” Read the story on VTDigger here: Brattleboro drops idea of tax hike meant to aid its hospital’s endangered birthing center. Courtesy of VT Digger
	Country singer, ‘The Voice’ finalist Morgan Myles to perform in Cambridge “The Voice” finalist and country singer Morgan Myles will sing at in Cambridge on Wednesday night.
	'Odyssey' translator Emily Wilson says Nolan shouldn't have written the movie himself The renowned classics scholar caused a stir when her critical review of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey went viral. Wilson explains her reaction to the film and why she's translating the poem again.
	Dr. Heather A. Wakefield joins Hammond-Henry Hospital staff Hammond-Henry Hospital is expanding its surgical team. Dr. Heather A. Wakefield, general surgeon, will join Dr. James Schrier at Hammond-Henry Hospital, 600 N. College Avenue in Geneseo, starting September 1. A public open house in Dr. Wakefield’s honor will be held on Thursday, August 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Hospital Dining Room. [...]
	The back-to-school shopping money strategy wealthier parents are turning to The back-to-school shopping money strategy wealthier parents are turning toA third of parents will use a credit card as their primary payment method for back-to-school shopping this year, according to a Motley Fool Money survey of 2,000 parents of K-12 students in the U.S. conducted in July 2026.With back-to-school shopping expected to average around $864 per family this year, according to the National Retail Federation, that is a significant expense to put on a credit card, though most parents said they would only charge a portion of their total spending on one.Higher-income families—those making $150,000 or more a year—are largely choosing to use a credit card for back-to-school shopping, citing rewards and convenience as their top reasons. Tellingly, they're also the least likely income group to say they're spreading payments out over time, the clearest sign their credit card use is a choice, not a cash-flow crutch. Lower-income earners, who earn less than $50,000 a year, by contrast, are more likely to say they're concerned about affording their back-to-school shopping bill. For a third of American parents in 2026, back-to-school shopping is as much a financing decision as a spending one.Back-to-school shopping trends in 2026: A third of parents are financing with a credit cardBack-to-school spending is projected to reach $43.3 billion this year, an average of $864 per family, according to the National Retail Federation. Motley Fool Money’s survey finds a clear divide in how parents are paying for it.Debit cards remain the default back-to-school payment method, but credit cards are a close second. Nearly half (49%) of parents name a debit card as their primary back-to-school payment method this year, compared with 34% who pick a credit card, 12% who plan to pay mostly in cash, and 5% who point to a buy now, pay later service as their primary payment method, the survey finds.Credit card use for back-to-school shopping rises sharply with income and is skewed toward males. At least 1 in 5 (22%) parents earning under $50,000 name a credit card as their primary back-to-school payment method, compared with 58% of parents earning $150,000 or more. Fathers are also more likely than mothers to rely on credit for this type of shopping (42% versus 25%).The income divide points to two different reasons parents reach for a credit card for back-to-school shopping: one driven by need, one by preference. The next section explores why. Motley Fool Money Higher earners are financing more of the back-to-school bill, and it's by choice, not necessityNearly half of parents earning $150,000 or more (49%) expect a credit card to cover 76% to 100% of their back-to-school spending this year, compared with just 11% of parents earning under $50,000.Picture two families buying the same back-to-school list. For a family earning under $50,000, leaning on a credit card for most of that bill tends to come with real financial stress: This income group is also the most likely to say it is extremely concerned about affording the season at all. For a family earning $150,000 or more, the same choice looks more like optimization than necessity: This group is the least likely to be worried about their back-to-school shopping bill and the most likely to say convenience or rewards, not need, is the reason for using a credit card.Extracurricular costs and electronics push up back-to-school spending. More than 3 in 5 (62%) parents will use a credit card for back-to-school extracurricular costs like sports fees or instruments, separate from core school shopping. Electronics, the priciest back-to-school category at $293 per buyer this year according to the National Retail Federation, are likely driving that reliance on credit cards.Concern about affording the back-to-school bill runs in the opposite direction from credit use. More than 2 in 5 (43%) parents overall are very or extremely concerned about affording back-to-school costs this year, and parents earning under $50,000 are far more likely to say they are extremely concerned (26%) than parents earning $150,000 or more (14%).Convenience and rewards outrank every other reason parents give for using a credit card. Among parents who use a credit card for back-to-school shopping, 50% cite convenience and 48% cite rewards or cash back, both well ahead of the 31% who cite spreading payments out over time. Both reasons are more common among higher-income parents, and convenience breaks sharply at the top: 65% of parents earning $150,000 or more cite it, compared with 44% to 51% at every other income band."Depending on where you shop, category rewards cards can give your rewards a real boost," said Joel O'Leary, a Motley Fool Money personal finance expert. "For example, if you're grabbing most of your supplies on Amazon, lean on a card that pays extra for online purchases. And if you're opening a new card to snag a welcome offer, travel cards tend to carry the biggest offers, an easy chunk of cash toward your next family trip."Some parents are actively seeking out new credit for the back-to-school shopping season, not just using what they already have. Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) opened a new credit card specifically for back-to-school shopping, and another 32% considered it, including some weighing a 0% intro APR credit card. Gen Z parents are twice as likely as Gen X parents to have opened one (28% versus 14%).Back-to-school shopping's tight timeline can also make hitting a new card's welcome offer easier than usual. "Most welcome offers are designed so an average family can earn one through regular monthly spending. School shopping just speeds up the timeline," O'Leary said. "If you're going to drop, say, $850 on school supplies over the next couple months, you're most of the way to a $1,000 minimum spend requirement. The bigger your budget, the easier the math works."Preference more than necessity explains the pattern: Higher-income parents aren't financing more of their back-to-school shopping because they need to. They're doing it because a credit card pays them back.9% of parents took at least four months to pay off last year's back-to-school shoppingLast year's back-to-school shopping offers a preview of how this year's charges are likely to play out.Most parents who financed last year paid it off within a few months, according to Motley Fool Money’s survey. Two in 5 parents who used a credit card for back-to-school shopping last year paid it off within a month, and 24% took two to three months.A combined 9% needed at least four months to clear last year's back-to-school credit card charges. Roughly 4% took four or more months to pay it off, and another 4% still have not finished, a year later.A quarter of parents skipped credit entirely last year. One in 4 parents did not use a credit card for back-to-school shopping.For families weighing whether to pay off charges over several months rather than in one shot, the type of card matters. "If you can clear the balance in a month or two, a regular card is perfectly fine," O'Leary said. “But if a big electronics haul will take several months to pay off, a card with a 0% intro APR on purchases buys you that time with zero interest. Just make sure you pay that debt off as quickly as you can, so you don't get stuck with the regular APR after the promo period ends.”For parents still carrying last year's charges into this year's shopping season, there's a specific fix worth considering. "A balance transfer can absolutely reset the clock, and it's one of my favorite moves for old debt," O'Leary said. “It makes the most sense when the balance is big enough that a transfer fee, usually 3% to 5%, is worth paying. If you're staring down 20%-plus interest and need several months, pausing that interest can save you real money. Small balances you'll clear quickly probably aren't worth the fee.”This slow-payoff pattern is not unique to the back-to-school shopping season. Outside of back-to-school shopping, 45% of parents say they pay their credit card balance in full every month, and 19% regularly carry a balance month to month, according to Motley Fool Money’s survey. For the roughly 1 in 5 that carry a balance each month, adding at least part of a nearly $864 back-to-school bill to a balance that's already accruing interest can make the season cost more than the sticker price suggests. Motley Fool Money 1 in 4 parents is using buy now, pay later for back-to-school shoppingBuy now, pay later (BNPL) has moved from a niche checkout option to a mainstream one for many parents, and back-to-school shopping makes it an easy service to reach for.BNPL has moved well past the experimental stage. One in 4 parents are using or plan to use BNPL for back-to-school shopping, and 40% considered it but opted not to, according to Motley Fool Money’s survey.10% of parents were not aware that BNPL was an option for back-to-school shopping.Younger parents are driving BNPL adoption. Combining current use with serious consideration, 79% of Gen Z parents and 68% of millennial parents are using or have considered BNPL for back-to-school shopping, compared with 54% of Gen X parents and 50% of baby boomers, according to the survey. Younger parents are once again the most open to a financing option that older generations are more likely to pass on entirely. Motley Fool Money's broader buy now, pay later research tracks this shift across categories beyond back-to-school shopping. Motley Fool Money The bottom lineThe clearest divide in back-to-school financing is not between parents who use credit and parents who do not. It is between parents using a credit card by preference and parents using one by necessity. High-income families are choosing a credit card for back-to-school shopping for convenience and rewards. Low-income families are the ones most anxious about the bill.For families feeling the squeeze rather than chasing the rewards, building a budget for back-to-school costs ahead of time may matter more than which payment method they use.MethodologyMotley Fool Money's 2026 Back-to-School Shopping Financing Survey was designed to measure how parents of K-12 students are financing back-to-school shopping this year, including credit card usage, carried balances, and buy now, pay later adoption.The survey was conducted via Pollfish on July 14, 2026, and included 2,000 American parents, aged 18 and older, who reported having already made or planning to make back-to-school purchases for a K-12 child this year. Pollfish reaches respondents through apps and websites they already use, rather than through opt-in survey panels, which helps reduce the self-selection bias common in online research. Results were weighted by age and gender to reflect the U.S. adult population, using U.S. Census Bureau benchmarks. The margin of error for the full sample is approximately 2.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.Income tiers referenced in this piece reflect the household income bands collected in the survey and are defined as follows: low income (under $50,000), middle-low income ($50,000 to $99,999), middle-high income ($100,000 to $149,999), and high income ($150,000 or more).Generational definitions used throughout: Gen Z (born 1997-2012), millennials (born 1981-1996), Gen X (born 1965-1980), baby boomers (born 1946-1964).This story was produced by Motley Fool Money and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	When families disagree on senior care: How to find common ground When families disagree on senior care: How to find common groundFamily disagreements about an aging parent’s care are more common than many caregivers realize. One sibling may see growing safety concerns, while another sees a parent determined to remain independent. These conflicts often involve more than care decisions alone — they can reflect different experiences, responsibilities, fears, and family dynamics. Experts say that while families may not always agree, learning how to communicate through disagreement can help them navigate changing care needs and make difficult decisions together.A Place for Mom shares these tips on how to find common ground.Key TakeawaysFamily disagreements about senior care are common, with nearly 3 in 10 caregivers reporting conflict over the best care options.Different perspectives often reflect different experiences, responsibilities, and relationships — not a lack of love or concern.Families make the most progress when they focus on understanding one another rather than trying to achieve perfect agreement.Care needs change over time, so strong communication skills are often more valuable than finding a single “right” solution.Why families disagree about senior careWhen an aging parent begins needing more help, families often assume the hardest part will be deciding what kind of care is needed. But for many people, the more difficult challenge is navigating the emotions, disagreements, and family dynamics that emerge along the way.In the Spring 2025 Senior Care Search Trends Survey, a survey of family caregivers commissioned by A Place for Mom, 28% of caregivers say their families disagree about what care options are best, and another 33% say that conversations about alternative care options are among the most difficult aspects of caregiving and planning. A Place for Mom Those disagreements can take many forms. One adult child may notice new dents on the car and worry that their parent should stop driving. Another may insist that things aren’t that serious yet. Their parent may refuse to discuss it at all.Those numbers don’t surprise mediator and conflict coach Katharina W. Dress, M.A., who works with families navigating these disagreements every day in her family mediation business, Aging in Harmony.“In my experience, the families that go through this process smoothly are the exceptions,” she says.Dress, who specializes in mediation and facilitates family conversations around aging and caregiving, says family conflict during caregiving is rarely just about assisted living, home care, or finances. Instead, disagreements often involve long-standing family roles, grief, guilt, fear, and different beliefs about independence, safety, and responsibility.But Dress sees conflict as potentially very productive.“Conflict is an opportunity for learning and growing,” she says. “Its function is to produce something better.”Why senior care decisions become emotionally chargedIn Dress’ experience, several overlapping factors complicate agreement among family members, including generational differences, the unfamiliar realities of aging, family dynamics, differing ideas of responsibility, and practical caregiving realities.Core to each of these is the reality that no one sees or experiences a situation in exactly the same way.“We’re dealing with different people, and it’s normal for different people to have different perspectives,” Dress says.She compares this dynamic to people standing on opposite sides of a sculpture. One person sees curves and bright colors. Another sees sharp edges and darker tones.“That doesn’t mean the person on the other side is lying,” Dress says. “That’s what they are seeing.” A Place for Mom Generational differencesFrom the Silent Generation to baby boomers to Generation X, attitudes and ideas about independence, privacy, conflict, and communication vary widely.“The Silent Generation values independence and privacy immensely,” Dress says. “But their children, the baby boomers, want to talk about things. They think things will get better by talking them out. Adult children don’t understand where the parents are coming from, and the parents don’t understand where the adult children are coming from.”Erin Martinez, Ph.D., CFLE, an associate professor of gerontology at Kansas State University who works with families navigating aging-related transitions, says the generational disconnect often extends beyond communication styles.“Older generations often carry a strong ethic around self-sufficiency,” Martinez explains. “Asking for help can feel like a personal failure, not just an inconvenience.”Meanwhile, she says, many adult children grew up in a culture that more openly embraces outside support, whether through professional services, community resources, or conversations about personal challenges.“Neither is wrong,” Martinez says. “They’re just operating from very different frameworks about what it means to be a capable adult.”Aging: An unknown and moving target“The problem with aging is that we don’t know what it’s like until we get there,” says Dress. “So, younger family members — adult children, grandchildren, and so on — they don’t understand what their parents are going through.”Martinez points out that adult children often focus on practical issues while overlooking the emotional realities of aging.“One of the most common misunderstandings I see is that families treat aging like a problem to be solved rather than an experience being lived,” she says.Adult children may be focused on safety concerns, driving ability, medications, or household management. But older adults may be grappling with changes to their identity, independence, social connections, and sense of purpose.“When we’re too quick to fix the issue and focus only on logistics, we completely miss the emotional side of these changes,” Martinez says. “That’s where breakdowns in communication and frustration often begin.”And there’s the matter of change over time.“Families come to me with one set of problems and we work through those. But they often come back in two years with a new set,” she says.Martinez notes that many families underestimate how quickly concerns can evolve.“A family might spend years quietly watching an aging parent, reassured that things seem manageable,” she says.Early conversations may center on driving or keeping up with household tasks. But after a fall, hospitalization, or new diagnosis, discussions often shift toward in-home care, relocation, or who will take responsibility for care decisions.“The challenge is that families often haven’t talked through any of this in advance,” Martinez says. “They’re making high-stakes decisions under stress, sometimes for the first time.”Family dynamicsAging changes family relationships in ways many people aren’t prepared for, according to Dress. Family caregiving often reveals that the original family roles are still very much present. For instance, “the parent wants to be the parent until the last breath,” she says. “They want to be the ones making decisions and they want to take care of their children.”Also, sibling roles established decades earlier are still in force. One sibling may have been an organizer and decision-maker. Another may have avoided conflict or disengaged. Another may have felt unheard or overlooked. Those dynamics don’t necessarily change over time. And they can intensify, Dress says, when parents assign powers of attorney or decision-making responsibilities unevenly.“For example, the oldest child may think they should be in charge,” she says.But if the parent appointed the middle child as their power of attorney, that upset to the historical order may cause conflict.Finally, caregiving decisions can force families to confront unresolved issues that existed long before anyone needed care.“Nobody can push our buttons better than family members,” Dress says, “because family members are the ones who installed them.”Different ideas of responsibilityAccording to A Place for Mom’s research, 55% of family caregivers say their senior loved one is resistant to receiving professional care. Another 40% say a major concern about senior living is that their loved one doesn’t want to move or prefers to stay home.When an elderly parent resists professional care, siblings may be of different minds about how, or whether, to engage. Some relatives may believe a parent’s wishes should be respected at all costs. Others may believe safety concerns require more intervention.According to Dress, these disagreements are often rooted in different interpretations of what responsibility looks like.“One half says, ‘Mom and Dad aren’t incompetent, and if they say they’re okay, we should respect that,’” Dress says. “The other half says, ‘They have mild cognitive impairment, and it’s our responsibility now to respectfully support them, even if they don’t think they need it.’”Personal and practical realitiesGeographic distance, finances, personal history, and caregiving capacity all influence how family members experience the reality of aging parents. Often, the adult child who lives closest to the parent becomes the default caregiver. That person may handle doctor appointments, grocery shopping, medication management, or emergencies.“The local child sometimes feels stuck with taking care of Mom or Dad,” Dress says.Martinez says unequal caregiving responsibilities are one of the most common sources of family tension.“When siblings live in different places, the one who’s geographically closest often ends up carrying a disproportionate share of the day-to-day caregiving,” she says.That imbalance can become especially difficult when caregivers are also managing jobs, children, finances, and their own health concerns. “The practical load doesn’t always distribute evenly,” Martinez says, “and that inequity, more than anything, tends to fracture family relationships over time.”At the same time, long-distance siblings may have a different perspective about what’s needed. Dress points out that both perspectives can be valid. “If you’re around somebody every day or see them every week, you see different things than if you just visit once or twice a year,” she explains. Dress says conflict becomes more productive when families stop treating disagreements as proof that someone is wrong. Instead, families can begin recognizing that each person may be responding to different fears, experiences, and responsibilities.Caregiving disagreements often feel bigger than the practical decisions themselves because they touch deeply emotional experiences. Guilt and grief, for example, are common factors.GuiltSome adult children feel guilty because they live far away or can’t contribute as much time. Others may feel conflicted because their relationship with a parent has always been strained.That guilt can influence caregiving decisions in unexpected ways. One family member may push themselves beyond their limits because they feel obligated to do more. Another may avoid conversations about care altogether because they feel ashamed of how little they’re able to help. Family disagreements can sometimes reflect competing feelings of responsibility rather than differences in how much people care. “Sometimes adult children aren’t motivated, but they feel they should be,” Dress says.Grief“Grief doesn’t start when somebody dies,” Dress says. “Grief starts as soon as you start realizing that you’re going to lose somebody.” Caregiving often involves a series of losses that occur long before the end of life. Adult children may be coming to terms with changes in a parent’s health, independence, memory, or personality. Parents may be grieving the loss of abilities, routines, or roles that once defined them.Grief over those losses may show up as fear, frustration, anger, denial, or avoidance. Even families that are close and loving can struggle under the emotional pressure of caregiving. “Family relationships are difficult,” Dress says. “The idea that just because it’s family, it should be easy … I think that’s a myth.”What can help families find common ground?The emotions behind caregiving disagreements can be complex, but conflict itself isn’t necessarily a sign that a family is failing. According to Dress and Martinez, families often find common ground not by eliminating disagreement but by learning how to navigate it. The following strategies can help make conversations more productive and decision-making more manageable. A Place for Mom Redefine success in caregiving conversationsMany families assume success means reaching complete agreement about what should happen next. But experts say families often make the most progress when they focus less on winning an argument and more on understanding one another’s concerns.“Oftentimes, people come into mediation with the idea that resolutions or decisions define success,” Dress says. “But it’s much more important for people to learn to talk to each other and listen to each other and understand each other.”While some families eventually reach consensus, Martinez says agreement itself isn’t what distinguishes successful conversations.“Agreement on every decision isn’t the goal,” she says. “A shared commitment to the parents’ well-being, expressed through clear and honest communication, is what actually moves things forward.”Dress endorses a similar view: Success isn’t defined by whether everyone chooses the same solution. Instead, it’s about whether family members learn to listen to one another, understand different perspectives, and continue working together as circumstances change.Strengthen communication and mutual understandingDress believes conflict becomes more productive when family members move beyond fixed positions, or what each person wants to happen, and instead explore the needs, fears, and experiences driving those views.“People’s positions are just their personal strategies to meet their feelings and needs,” she explains.That shift often requires family members to spend less time defending their own viewpoints and more time trying to understand others’. Asking questions, listening without interrupting, and acknowledging another person’s concerns can help family members uncover the motivations behind a disagreement. What appears to be disagreement about a parent’s living situation, for example, may actually reflect concerns about safety, independence, finances, or caregiving capacity.Lead with care, not persuasionDress encourages adult children to frame their concerns for their aging parents through personal feelings rather than trying to convince them they can no longer manage independently.For example, instead of saying, “You shouldn’t be driving anymore,” an adult child might say, “When I notice another dent in your car, I feel scared because I care about your safety. I spend sleepless nights worrying about it.”That approach allows parents to respond to their child’s concern without necessarily feeling forced to admit weakness or incapacity. In this example, agreeing not to drive at night is “a gift they give to their children,” Dress says.Take a similar approach when talking with siblings and other family members. Rather than arguing for a specific outcome, such as “Dad needs to be in assisted living,” explain the need or concern behind your position. Saying “I’m worried about Dad’s safety after his recent falls” invites a conversation about safety, whereas proposing a solution may invite a simple “yes” or “no” response.Preserve trust during disagreementWhile disagreements can feel personal, Dress encourages families to remember that different perspectives don’t necessarily reflect bad intentions.Family members may be responding to different experiences, responsibilities, fears, and priorities. That doesn’t mean anyone is wrong or acting out of a lack of concern.“When people really care about each other, the conflict is just a bump in the road,” she says.Trust can be easier to maintain when family members assume good intentions, follow through on commitments, and avoid treating disagreements as evidence that someone doesn’t care.This can be especially important because conversations about caregiving may go on for many years.But Dress has also worked with people who say, “We just have to get through this. After Mom or Dad are dead, I don’t care if I never talk to my brother or sister again.”In her experience, that mindset can make conflict harder to navigate because it shifts the focus away from solving problems and toward winning arguments. Even when families don’t agree, preserving enough trust to continue working together can make future decisions easier.Create structure around caregiving decisionsMany caregiving resources assume family members have strong relationships and a shared desire to work together. But not every family starts from that place. Some siblings have longstanding tensions. Others rarely communicate except during emergencies. In some cases, family members may disagree about senior care because they’ve spent years disagreeing about other things.While close relationships can make conflict easier to navigate, Martinez says families don’t necessarily need to repair decades of family history before making caregiving decisions.“For families without a strong emotional foundation, I’d shift the initial focus away from the relationship entirely,” she says.Instead, she recommends creating structure. Clarifying who communicates with physicians, who manages finances, and how information will be shared can reduce confusion and prevent misunderstandings. When expectations and responsibilities are clearly defined, families may be able to function effectively even if personal relationships remain complicated.“It’s not about repairing the family dynamic,” Martinez says. “It’s about creating a workable system that doesn’t require everyone to like each other to function.”When it’s time to bring in outside supportMany families wait until a disagreement reaches a breaking point before seeking help. But Dress encourages families to involve outside support long before conflict becomes deeply entrenched.“Get outside help,” she urges. “This is a bigger job than we can do ourselves sometimes.”According to Dress, waiting can make disagreements more difficult to resolve. As misunderstandings accumulate and frustrations grow, family members may become more defensive and less willing to trust one another.“The longer conflict goes on and festers, the more trust gets undermined,” Dress cautions.That help could come from a mediator, therapist, social worker, geriatric care manager, physician, or another trusted professional. In A Place for Mom’s 2025 Senior Care Search Trends Survey research, 66% of caregivers agree that a third-party advisory service can provide unbiased and expert opinions when families disagree. Bringing in an outside perspective early can help families communicate more clearly, reduce misunderstandings, and create space for everyone’s concerns to be heard before positions harden and relationships become strained.In Dress’ experience, as boomers become “seniors,” they increasingly initiate these conversations themselves. “I want you to facilitate a family meeting about my future,” some clients tell her.Those conversations can help families clarify expectations, discuss future wishes, identify potential disagreements early, and create a shared understanding before a crisis forces difficult decisions.The conversations families may regret avoidingDress says many people eventually regret waiting too long to address difficult conversations.“People have regrets about not seeing a mediator or another professional sooner,” she says.Some regret not asking for help earlier. Others regret unresolved tension with parents or siblings after a loved one dies.“That’s one reason to deal with these conflicts while the parents are still alive,” Dress says. “So, you don’t have regrets later when you can’t make up with your parents anymore.”Families may never handle every conversation perfectly. They may not always agree. But many can still find ways to move forward together. And according to Dress, that doesn’t mean conflict has failed. Sometimes, it means families are finally confronting the difficult realities they’ve been avoiding and learning how to navigate them together.For families in the middle of caregiving conflict, Dress encourages compassion for each other and for themselves.“Recognize that you can only do what you can do,” she says.Why some families wait until there’s a crisisMany families sense changes long before they begin seriously discussing care. A parent may start falling more often, forgetting appointments, struggling to manage medications, or showing signs of cognitive decline. But, Dress says, “many people don’t start dealing with these things until there’s a crisis.”That crisis might be hospitalization, a fall, a dementia diagnosis, or a sudden health event that makes living independently unsafe. Unfortunately, she says, “that’s the worst possible time to have rational conversations with each other.”Stress, urgency, fear, and exhaustion can narrow options quickly. Family members who already disagree may become more defensive or emotionally reactive. The parents may also feel frightened, overwhelmed, or angry about losing their independence.FAQsHow do you start a conversation about senior care when family members avoid the topic?Focus on a recent concern or observation rather than a major decision. Starting with one specific issue can feel less overwhelming than discussing long-term care all at once.How do you handle disagreements when one sibling is doing most of the caregiving?Unequal caregiving responsibilities can create stress and resentment. Open conversations about expectations, limitations, and available support can help families share responsibilities more effectively.Can family conflict affect an aging parent’s well-being?Yes. Ongoing conflict can create stress for both older adults and caregivers, making it harder to make decisions and work together on care plans.What does a family mediator do in caregiving situations?A mediator helps families communicate more effectively, understand different perspectives, and work toward solutions without taking sides or making decisions for them.How can families support a parent who refuses help?Experts often recommend focusing on concerns and feelings rather than ultimatums. Respectful conversations may be more effective than trying to force agreement.This story was produced by A Place for Mom and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Geneseo Moose Lodge hosting annual Moose Carnival Geneseo Moose Lodge #990 is hosting its annual Geneseo Moose Carnival from Thursday, Aug. 6 through Saturday, Aug. 8 on the grounds of the Geneseo Moose Lodge #990, 1025 S. State Street. The carnival is open to the public and will offer amusement rides, interactive games and fair vendors serving popcorn, candy and other fan-favorite [...]
	Not so terrible, after all – 2-year-olds just want to be independent A 2-year-old is lying on the floor yelling, with their socks pulled off after spending 15 minutes trying to get them on in the first place. A caregiver might take a deep breath and think, “Here we go again – another ‘terrible two’ tantrum.” What is really going on? Toddlers are developing autonomy and a growing sense of self. They are becoming aware that they are separate from other people and can make their own choices. As 2-year-olds and other young children develop this understanding of themselves, they may express strong emotions when decisions are made for them, tasks are completed on their behalf, or they are quickly moved from one activity to another. These reactions are often a response to their growing desire for independence and their inexperience calmly communicating their emotions. What you might call a “temper tantrum” may instead be a young child communicating their emotions in the best way they know how. These expressions of emotion may continue when they are not supported or understood from a different perspective. As an assistant professor in early childhood education, I have worked alongside young children for more than 25 years. I feel it’s important to recognize that supporting young children, especially 2-year-olds, takes time. Caring for a toddler can be challenging and requires patience. There are strategies that caregivers and teachers can consider to support young children, with some degree of ease, as they navigate those big emotions and enthusiastic quests for independence. When adults can help establish routines and listen to what young children are trying to actually communicate, it becomes easier to understand that a toddler screaming and thrashing on the floor is actually trying to express themselves. Two-year-olds are developing a clear sense of their own autonomy, and strong feelings often accompany that recognition of independence. Ron Nickel/Design Pics via Getty Images Plus Meeting young children where they are Children typically begin gaining autonomy around age 2. When a child reaches this milestone, parents and other caregivers may notice they begin saying “no” more often. This increase in “no” shows that the child is developing an understanding of themselves as separate from others and is recognizing their ability to make choices. While you might find it challenging when young children refuse to have their diaper changed or insist on getting dressed themselves, it is also a healthy sign of independence. Offering choices whenever possible also supports a youngster’s growing independence. Children could choose between two outfits for the day, for example. Or they could pick between three snack options and make many other simple decisions throughout the day. Adults could let young children know that it is time to wash their hands, for example, and then ask whether the child would like to wash independently or have help. Because 2-year-olds are eager to assert their independence, they will often choose to do it themselves. However, if they choose help, or choose not to easily transition at all, it is important to calmly follow through by providing assistance and encourage them through the transition. This kind of consistent follow-through helps children learn what is expected of them, while still respecting their growing independence. Sticking to schedules is also helpful in helping young children get through the day and minimizing their emotional roller coasters. When children anticipate that they will get dressed right after they eat breakfast every day, for example, they begin to anticipate the next step and may even complete parts of the routine independently. When the routine changes and a parent has to leave early for a morning meeting, for example, or a child will be skipping breakfast at home, preparing the child in advance can ease the transition. Talking through the change the night before and offering a reminder the next morning helps the child adjust, even if the change is still challenging. Letting a child know, “In three minutes it will be time to clean up your toys for your nap,” gives them time to process what is coming next and shift more successfully from one activity to another. Letting 2-year-olds do simple tasks on their own, like washing their hands, can help reaffirm their growing independence. 10'000 Hours/DigitalVision via Getty Images via The Conversation Reaffirming with language they don’t yet have Toddlers often express their emotions before they have the language to explain how they are feeling. Helping young children name their emotions and describing a given situation can help them develop the vocabulary to articulate their feelings. Narrating the situation also can create a shift in perspective for the adult, encouraging them to focus on what the child is communicating rather than simply reacting to the behavior. After an emotional situation has been resolved, it can be helpful to talk through what happened, discuss strategies for next time and provide opportunities to practice those skills. Children are more able to process and retain new information when they are calmer. Remaining supportive, offering choices that are appropriate for both the adult and the child, and talking through emotions and how they can be expressed in the future create an environment that supports a 2-year-old’s growing independence. These strategies also encourage caregivers to approach challenging moments with a growth mindset, viewing behaviors as opportunities to teach and support rather than simply problems to correct. Are the socks really necessary? Maybe they are, or maybe they are not. An independent 2-year-old benefits from opportunities to make simple choices and practice doing things on their own, as do 1-year-olds and older children. When possible, give them that opportunity. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Lindsay Barnhart, University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic Read more: Everyone experiences loss and grief – but that doesn’t make it any easier to talk with kids about it Children understand far more about other minds than long believed Free preschool, longer school days and affordable day care help keep moms in the paid workforce Lindsay Barnhart does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
	Half of America's real estate agents sold one home or none in 2023 Half of America's real estate agents sold one home or none in 2023Around 4 million homes have been sold in the U.S. each year going back to 2023, which might superficially suggest that the real estate agents overseeing this vast volume of property transactions are overburdened. However, this vast industry comprises more than 1.5 million members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In that context, learning that 49% of licensed realtors sold one or fewer homes in 2023 is an easier fact to grasp.Of course, the data tells a more complex story than that, and while it may seem that this top-level figure represents a sector in crisis, it’s important to understand where further misconceptions might arise. Offerpad, a real estate technology company, put together an analysis to examine this frequently cited figure and determine whether it’s truly as worrying as it first appears. Offerpad The State of Play in Real Estate SalesThe Consumer Federation of America (CFA) highlighted the low-or-no sales discrepancy in its 2024 report, which based the 49% figure on a random sample of 2,000 agents working at large, reputable realty businesses across various states and regions. Furthermore, 70% of agents included in the study had five or fewer home sales to their name during the 12-month period.Since then, the CFA has found the same, consistent pattern of vanishingly small sales figures for what is effectively the majority of licensed real estate agents. Its 2026 report on the impact of referral fees confirms this and also hints at the main reason behind the trend: With too many agents and brokers serving too few clients, the focus is on earning commission from referrals rather than sales.Referral-related commission earnings averaged between $10,000 and $50,000 a year for 42% of registered realtors. And with 80% of home sales relying on some form of referral, it’s easy to understand the market mechanics that enable this.Also known as a finder's fee, a referral payment can equal up to 50% of the total commission that the agent who actually sells the house will earn. And with 87% of agents signed up to networks that facilitate referrals between realtors and brokerages in different regions, there’s clear mutual benefit to the current state of play.The controversy around referral fees is encouraging homeowners to explore alternatives when selling their property. Consumer demand for greater transparency into how referral fees affect selling prices will further push people to consider going outside the traditional real estate agent ecosystem.An NAR CounterpointWhile not all real estate agents operating nationwide are NAR members, this body has a monopoly on professionals legally allowed to use the term ‘realtor’ to describe themselves. It also publishes annual data on a random sample of members, which is a useful counterpoint to the CFA’s claimed figures.The most recent NAR Member Profile reveals that in 2025, the median number of transactions handled by members was nine, while the median number of properties managed over the 12-month period in question was 32. A median sales volume of $2.5 million implies that, on average, the nine transactions are for properties priced below the roughly $400,000 national median home price.Historically, the NAR Member Profile is consistent with this, and shows a median of roughly 10 to 12 transactions per year for members, so 2025 was not an outlier by any means. However, because this survey is voluntary, it suffers from a heavy selection bias: Highly successful full-time agents are far more likely to complete it than the thousands of inactive or part-time agents.The Reality of Realty for ConsumersRegardless of whether you rely on the CFA’s data or the NAR’s Member Profile, the true takeaway remains the mechanics of how referral fees impact property transactions.Buyers and sellers deserve clarity on how agents will be compensated, whether they’re the ones selling the home or referring clients to counterparts better positioned to help them. Critics claim that agents are perpetuating high commissions by charging high referral fees and failing to be transparent about this aspect of homebuying. It’s also argued that an oversupply of licensed realtors means it's harder for consumers to find experienced, effective agents.Other market pressures, including rising interest rates and house prices, contribute to the generally challenging conditions. Homeowners are encouraged to research prospective agents thoroughly and ask explicitly about referral fees so that they’re fully informed before committing.This story was produced by Offerpad and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Crisis pregnancy centers fight for ultrasound use in clinics without government oversight Brandi Swindell, founder and CEO of the Stanton Healthcare network, examines items waiting to be given out to new mothers in the storeroom at the flagship crisis pregnancy center in Meridian, Idaho. Stanton, which unlike many other centers has a medical accreditation, offers traditional crisis pregnancy center services as well as free medical services including limited obstetric ultrasounds and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment. (Otto Kitsinger for States Newsroom)The auditors trying to learn how a dozen crisis pregnancy centers in Louisiana had spent nearly $1.2 million ultimately could not figure it out. Despite a new law, the state had failed to establish a process for the centers or to track how they spent taxpayer dollars. That was surprising enough, auditors said. But then they learned something else: Every center they reviewed offered ultrasounds and other medical services. Yet none was licensed as a healthcare facility. “They were providing medical services, and no, they were not licensed by our Department of Health,” said Gina Brown, performance audit manager for the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, who oversaw the review. There was no way to confirm the centers had a licensed medical director on staff, she said. She said Louisiana’s crisis pregnancy centers are not subject to regular inspections to ensure providers have the proper licenses to perform specific medical services. And patients have no one with whom to file a complaint should something go wrong. Anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers in Louisiana and elsewhere have received hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars just in the past few years. Yet there is little oversight — not only on how they’re spending the money, but also on how they’re caring for patients. OB-GYNs, state lawmakers, government officials, reproductive health advocates, and current and former pregnancy center staffers told States Newsroom – as part of our ongoing series, Billion Dollar Baby Bump – that internal protocols are likely not enough to ensure all centers are offering high-standard health care to girls and women potentially unsure what to do about their pregnancies or facing difficult circumstances. “I kind of wanted to get out of this whole movement, because I’ve seen more than I want to see now,” said Shari Richard, a registered diagnostic medical sonographer who has been teaching sonography courses and making videos for crisis pregnancy centers for decades. She said some ultrasound training programs within the program are robust, but that other classes do not require much hands-on experience to pass. “The thing is, these nurses, they have good hearts,” Richard said of the staffers trained to offer ultrasounds. “They don’t know what they don’t know. So they are assuming they are in good hands, and that these people are going to train them on what they’re supposed to learn, and they come out knowing nothing.” Quotation I kind of wanted to get out of this whole movement, because I’ve seen more than I want to see now. – Shari Richard, a registered diagnostic medical sonographer who has trained crisis pregnancy center workers Most of the centers have joined a national affiliate and membership organization for funding, guidance and support. But centers operate independently as nonprofits and create their own boards and policies, where ultrasound and pregnancy tests may be the only medical services offered, in addition to often religious-based counseling and material support like diapers and formula and baby clothes. Centers can voluntarily join accreditation organizations subject to audits, but most states don’t have credentialing or disclosure requirements for the centers. And now, the honors system structure of the crisis pregnancy movement is increasingly under scrutiny at a time when centers report providing more free obstetric ultrasounds than ever before. ‘What’s your plan for this pregnancy?’ Comfort, shame and a missed diagnosis At least 100 pregnancy centers across 49 states advertise that their free ultrasounds can “rule out” dangerous ectopic pregnancies, according to a review by the watchdog advocacy group Campaign for Accountability, which supports abortion rights. Such pregnancies, which happen when an embryo implants in the wrong location, usually in a fallopian tube, are medical emergencies that can kill a pregnant woman if they aren’t taken care of. Almost all ectopic pregnancies are nonviable and potentially fatal, requiring immediate medical attention, often surgery, to end the pregnancy. Some experts in the anti-abortion movement have warned pregnancy centers against making claims that could open themselves up to legal liability if the paid or volunteer nurse or sonographer misses an ectopic pregnancy or if the, often off-site and volunteer, medical director does not promptly review or accurately interpret the scan. The centers aren’t equipped to provide the multiple blood tests and ultrasounds needed to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, said Anne O’Connor, the vice president of legal affairs for NIFLA, during a webinar last year for “The ProLife Team Podcast.” “Do not advertise ‘We can rule out an ectopic,’” O’Connor said. “We really don’t like to see that language because it is near impossible to rule out an ectopic.” ‘We agree that ultrasound is the practice of medicine’ During pregnancy, obstetric ultrasounds are used to determine a living pregnancy in the uterus, gestational age, and signs of complications, such as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Obstetric ultrasounds are also used in routine medical care to identify polyps and signs of cancer, or to place or remove an intrauterine device. Obstetric ultrasounds on TV are typically noninvasive transabdominal ultrasounds. But in the earliest stages of pregnancy, to be able to see the embryo, the healthcare provider who performs a transvaginal ultrasound inserts a wand-like transducer into the patient’s vagina. It can be a sensitive procedure, especially for people who have experienced sexual assault, said Dr. Abigail Liberty, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health & Science University. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); A researcher currently studying people’s experiences at crisis pregnancy centers, Liberty said internal protocols are likely not enough to ensure every center has properly trained and trauma-informed staff and produces timely sonography reviews. She also noted that blood serum tests are required in addition to ultrasounds to determine ectopic pregnancies. “Transvaginal ultrasonography is a unique skill, and it’s a newer skill,” said Liberty. “It requires a trauma-informed approach, and it requires a certain technical aspect to read ultrasounds.” Louisiana is among 21 states that between 2022 and 2025 collectively allocated nearly a half-billion dollars to crisis pregnancy centers, as States Newsroom has reported. In some cases, patients and OB-GYNs have described missed ectopic pregnancies or a lack of information about needed care. Earlier this year, Brown and auditor Emily Braun testified during two Louisiana legislative hearings for a bill that, as introduced, would have required all crisis pregnancy centers in the state that provide ultrasounds and other medical services to obtain licensing through the state health department. It was amended down to require centers to disclose they are not licensed. In a joint phone interview, they recalled that the final Health and Welfare Committee hearing on the bill in April was surprisingly contentious. Some lawmakers argued against licensing, saying that if an ultrasound’s purpose is to show a woman that she’s carrying a baby and to dissuade her from an abortion, then that sonogram scan is not the practice of medicine. “When someone goes to a crisis pregnancy center, what do you think the purpose of the ultrasound is? The baby, right? So, not to provide medical advice, to show them the baby, right?” said Republican state Rep. Raymond Crews during the April hearing. His office did not respond to requests for comment. Quotation When someone goes to a crisis pregnancy center, what do you think the purpose of the ultrasound is? The baby, right? So, not to provide medical advice, to show them the baby, right? – Louisiana state Rep. Raymond Crews But state and national lobbyists representing the crisis pregnancy centers have made a different argument: These centers are providing medicine, they’re doing it under the license of a medical provider, and that’s regulation enough. “We agree that ultrasound is the practice of medicine. There’s no question there,” said Angie Thomas, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, during the Louisiana hearing. Her organization has for the past decade helped crisis pregnancy centers push back state attempts to require a disclosure that they are not licensed medical clinics. “Centers operate under the license and supervision of medical directors in providing these services,” Thomas said at the hearing. Alliance Defending Freedom declined a request to interview Thomas and to comment for this story. ‘No way to know’ Braun said of the 12 centers that she surveyed in April 2025, nine reported they had a physician with an active license from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners on staff, but she noted that she did not verify this. “There’s just no way to know if you actually do have a licensed medical director at your facility,” Braun said. “That’s the point of being regulated, and that’s what we were trying to say in committee, but it just seems like that idea was not resonating.” For decades, crisis pregnancy centers that offer ultrasounds across the country have operated within a structure of loose connections with other centers, most of them umbrellaed by one of the three large networks that all claim that centers follow appropriate medical standards and are associated with a licensed medical director. In most states, who those directors are is not public information, and centers often do not name their medical directors on their websites. That structure has allowed for the provision of services such as ultrasounds largely outside the bounds of state oversight. Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans Pregnancy Services is one of 12 crisis pregnancy centers in Louisiana that received public taxpayer funding from 2024-2025 and offers ultrasounds without being licensed by the state health department. (Photo by Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator) Just a few states require specific healthcare facility licenses for health facilities that provide ultrasounds and other medical services, including California and Massachusetts. In California, 92 of 161 pregnancy centers were licensed in 2023, according to a report from the University of California Los Angeles School of Law Center on Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy. Massachusetts had four out of about 30 in 2024, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. With the help of the Alliance Defending Freedom, crisis pregnancy centers have overturned or prevented disclosure laws from being enforced or blocked investigations in California, New Jersey and, most recently, Delaware. As a form of oversight, attorneys general in California, Massachusetts and New Jersey have issued consumer alert warnings about crisis pregnancy centers. In Hawaii — one of the few states to require crisis pregnancy centers that advertise and offer prenatal sonography to comply with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, known as HIPAA — a proposed resolution to have the attorney general investigate whether pregnancy centers in the state are complying with this 2017 law died in committee last year. States Newsroom’s investigation is ongoing. If you have had an experience with a crisis pregnancy center, please get in touch. cpcproject@statesnewsroom.com Months before the Louisiana Health and Welfare Committee rejected the licensing proposal, the legislature approved new state funding for the Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative – agreeing to $2.26 million from the state’s pot of funding from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. At least eight states have given TANF funds to crisis pregnancy centers in recent years, more than $102 million between 2017 and 2023, according to data from the consulting firm Health Management Associates. “Why wouldn’t we be putting this in our hospitals and training our OB-GYNs if we’re going to be using state funds?” said Louisiana Democratic Rep. Aimee Adatto Freeman, who sponsored the pregnancy center licensing bill after reading the auditors’ report. She told States Newsroom the state has many maternal health deserts and she worries about the lack of oversight at crisis pregnancy centers offering prenatal care. “One of my main concerns is always going to be when someone is practicing medicine without a license,” Adatto Freeman said. ‘We need to get them in earlier’ Richard was just starting out as a sonographer specializing in obstetrics in the 1980s when she realized the procedure could make a difference in discouraging abortions. She had experienced traumatic pregnancy losses, but had not thought much about a first-trimster abortion she’d had. “When I got into ultrasound, I had no idea that that heart was beating as early as six weeks post (the last menstrual period), or four weeks conception,” said Richard, who is now 72. “And then I started flashing back to my own abortion. And I thought, whoa, I didn’t know.” In contradiction to instructions from hospital supervisors, Richard said she would deliberately face the monitor toward women leaning toward termination. She made a VHS recording of an ultrasound of a 10-week fetus that she showed to congressional members in 1990 in arguing against never-passed abortion-rights legislation known as the Freedom of Choice Act. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); “God just took and used me. He used that video in 12 languages around the world before internet days, and it went all over the world,” said Richard, noting she became pregnant soon after with her first child, which she took as a sign from God to keep spreading the ultrasound gospel. In 1990, she founded Sound Wave Images producing ultrasound footage and started working with a physician to train staff at crisis pregnancy centers in southeast Michigan. For nearly four decades she has taught ultrasound courses designed for crisis pregnancy centers to offer limited obstetric ultrasounds and has spoken at the national pregnancy center conferences. And now, Richard said, the purpose of ultrasounds at crisis pregnancy centers is also to change the woman’s mind by helping her visualize the life inside of her. In her trainings in recent years, she said she has encouraged centers to perform transvaginal ultrasounds early in pregnancy to compete with abortion pills, which are approved for use up to 10 weeks’ gestation. “We’re going to get them in earlier because now they got a need for earlier ultrasounds, because they’re making decisions for the chemical abortion,” Richard said. “This is why we need to get them in earlier.” Yet Richard and other pregnancy center movement leaders also acknowledge that crisis pregnancy center staffers typically lack the necessary training to diagnose dangerous complications — especially early on when they are difficult to see — and caution centers against doing so for liability reasons. “You go in and you’re not seeing that gestational sac at like four weeks, five weeks, how do you know if it didn’t get stuck in the tube, or is she just a couple days early?” said Richard, noting she tells trainees, “‘You guys are not equipped to find an ectopic.’ Ectopics are very difficult to find. A lot of times they hide behind bowel gas. And learning how to do a limited ultrasound doesn’t teach you how to find an ectopic.” That means pregnant women may be offered a fuzzy, black-and-white image of a developing embryo — but no hint of danger should something be going wrong. Richard says she tells trainees if they can’t confirm an intrauterine pregnancy, they should ask the patient to come back in a few days, to caution the woman about the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy and to instruct her to visit an emergency room if she experiences severe pain. A system of self-regulation In 1998, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates developed a national ultrasound training program for crisis pregnancy centers in the late 1990s. According to its website, NIFLA represents more than 1,800 pregnancy centers and says more than 1,600 of them operate as licensed medical clinics. The organization did not respond to requests for comment. Other national religious right organizations, including Focus on the Family and the Knights of Columbus, are funding some of the expensive equipment and training needed to provide ultrasounds. And more anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers provide obstetrical ultrasounds than ever before — according to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm of the anti-abortion lobbying group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which conducts periodic surveys of pregnancy centers throughout the country. States pass laws allowing pregnancy centers to evade regulation and countersue for damages Robyn Chambers, who has overseen Focus on the Family’s ultrasound grant-funding program, Option Ultrasound, since it started in 2004, agrees with Richard that not all ultrasound training and funding programs available to crisis pregnancy centers are equally rigorous. And she said some centers balk when told grantees will receive on-site inspections from Focus representatives. The grants range from $3,000 for a 2D ultrasound system, to $50,000 for a 3D or 4D system, she said, and about $15,000 for a two weeks of hands-on training. “We’ve actually been accused of having too many hoops to jump through,” Chambers said in an interview. But she said her organization takes the medical aspect of ultrasounds as seriously as the anti-abortion mission. “Yes, it’s a ministry, but this is a medical procedure and must be done by a medical professional under the supervision of a medical doctor,” Chambers said. There are thousands of crisis pregnancy centers across the country — an estimated 2,400-2,800, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office. The Charlotte Lozier Institute estimates that in 2010, about 5 in 10 of the country’s crisis pregnancy centers offered ultrasounds and collectively performed an estimated 230,000 ultrasounds, compared with 7 in 10 centers and a collective total of 400,100 in 2017. The institute reported that in 2024, 81% of the 2,775 centers surveyed reported offering ultrasounds and performing a collective total of 636,514 ultrasounds. The reports do not indicate whether the ultrasounds are transabdominal or transvaginal, and at what gestational ages they are being performed. The majority of crisis pregnancy centers are umbrellaed under one of three powerful nonprofits: Care Net, Heartbeat International, and the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates. Some are referred to as pregnancy resource centers and offer over-the-counter pregnancy tests and counseling and material support. But the majority of centers these days claim to offer ultrasounds that are limited to confirming a positive pregnancy, estimating the gestational age of the embryo or fetus, and confirming that it’s growing inside the uterus. Some centers offer more extensive medical services such as sexually transmitted infection testing and prenatal visits. “Approximately 75% of our affiliates are pregnancy help medical clinics,” wrote Andrea Trudden, Heartbeat International’s vice president of communications and marketing in an emailed statement. “Those clinics operate under the supervision and guidance of their own medical directors, who are responsible for overseeing the scope and delivery of medical services.” The Charlotte Lozier Institute says medical pregnancy centers perform “limited ultrasounds” and follow the guidelines of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine; Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; the American College of Radiology, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Representatives from Care Net and NIFLA did not respond to requests for comment. A framed medical affiliation hangs by a window at Stanton Healthcare in Meridian, Idaho, across a parking lot from a Planned Parenthood. Unlike many center crisis pregnancy centers, Stanton pays for accreditation with and receives audits from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger/States Newsroom) Defending ‘limited’ ultrasounds The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine’ recommends ultrasounds be interpreted by a physician and the reports finalized “within 24 hours of completion of the examination or, for nonemergency cases, by the next business day.” But not all centers adhere to this standard. Brandi Swindell, who founded the Stanton Healthcare network of pregnancy centers a decade ago, said their medical director, Dr. Gary Gregerson, reviews ultrasound scans within 72 hours. Unlike many centers, Stanton’s flagship center in Meridian, Idaho, pays for accreditation with and receives audits from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, and offers tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. The organization lists the first names of medical staff but not its medical director. Like many pregnancy centers, Stanton offers a controversial and unproven treatment known as abortion pill reversal. While acknowledging her center’s standards are self-imposed, Swindell said the pregnancy center movement has an undeservedly negative reputation as “fake clinics” that is not representative of the majority of centers. And she defended pregnancy centers’ use of limited obstetric ultrasounds, as long as women are cautioned about potential complications. A monitor displays an ultrasound image at Stanton Healthcare in Meridian, Idaho. (Otto Kitsinger for States Newsroom) “There’s nothing wrong with providing a limited ultrasound,” Swindell said. “There’s paperwork that the clients sign so they understand this is non-diagnostic. We are simply determining gestational age, you know how far along you are, and that it’s a viable pregnancy. That’s a very good standard of care.” But the crisis pregnancy center movement has in recent years had to answer to high-profile stories of alleged adverse outcomes at pregnancy centers. A Massachusetts crisis pregnancy center, Clearway Clinic, settled a malpractice lawsuit in 2023 related to a missed ectopic pregnancy. Since the suit was filed, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates has been discouraging affiliates from diagnosing suspected ectopic pregnancies, scanning someone they expect to be ectopic or advertising that they can diagnose ectopic pregnancies. Earlier this year a patient who went to Abundant Life Pregnancy Resource Center in Athens, Texas, said she was told her pregnancy was healthy, then days later went to the emergency room with an ectopic pregnancy. The organization did not respond to a request for comment. Many centers continue to advertise diagnostic ultrasounds and suggest women should come in for their own safety to confirm the embryo is in the uterus. That includes half of the centers in Louisiana that received state funding in the first year of the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative. “In rare cases, a pregnancy can develop outside the uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and requires immediate medical attention,” reads the website of Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center in Thibodaux, which did not respond to a request for comment. “After a positive pregnancy test, you may qualify for a limited diagnostic ultrasound if you’re considering abortion or are uncertain about your options. This scan will confirm whether your pregnancy is progressing and if it’s in the uterus.” In June the Campaign for Accountability sent a letter to Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James, asking her to investigate whether centers that are making these claims in her state may be violating the unauthorized practice of medicine or deceptive advertising laws. The New York attorney general’s office confirmed to States Newsroom that it is investigating the complaint. This story is part of a reporting fellowship sponsored by the Association of Health Care Journalists and supported by the Commonwealth Fund. States Newsroom’s investigation is ongoing. If you have had an experience with a crisis pregnancy center, please get in touch at cpcproject@statesnewsroom.com. Stateline reporter Sofia Resnick can be reached at sresnick@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Stateline
	Tick bite symptoms: What to watch for in the days after a bite Tick bite symptoms: What to watch for in the days after a biteA tick latches onto the skin, feeds for hours or days, and can transmit dangerous pathogens. Knowing what symptoms to watch for in the days after a tick bite can mean the difference between early treatment and serious complications. Tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis, each with distinct but often overlapping symptom profiles. The body's response to these infections follows predictable patterns, and recognizing warning signs early leads to better outcomes.Key TakeawaysMost tick bites cause minor redness and irritation that resolves within a few days, but certain symptoms signal infection and require medical attentionThe erythema migrans rash appears in approximately 70% to 80% of Lyme disease cases, typically developing three to 30 days after the biteFlulike symptoms, joint pain, and severe headaches following a tick bite indicate your body may be fighting a tick-borne illnessDocumenting the bite site with photos and noting any changes helps doctors make accurate diagnosesCertain red-flag symptoms, including an expanding rash, fever above 101 F, or neurological signs, require urgent medical attentionNormal Reactions vs. Warning Signs in the First HoursLocal Skin Irritation and Small Red BumpsA small red bump at the bite site is completely normal. The body reacts to tick saliva, creating localized irritation similar to a mosquito bite. This reaction typically appears within hours of removing the tick and measures less than two inches across. The area may feel slightly itchy or tender to the touch. These normal reactions usually fade within a few days without treatment.The Difference Between Normal Healing and Early InfectionNormal healing shows steady improvement: the redness decreases, swelling goes down, and discomfort fades. Infection looks different. The redness expands rather than shrinks, the area becomes increasingly painful, or new symptoms appear. Warmth radiating from the bite site, pus formation, or red streaking away from the wound all suggest bacterial infection requiring antibiotics.Monitoring the Bite Site for Rashes and Skin ChangesThe Classic Bullseye RashThe erythema migrans rash is the most recognizable sign of Lyme disease. It begins at the bite site after a delay of three to 30 days, with most appearing around day seven. The rash starts as a red area that expands outward, often developing a clear center, creating the distinctive bullseye appearance. It can grow quite large, sometimes reaching 12 inches or more across. The rash rarely itches or hurts, which causes some people to overlook it.Not every bullseye rash develops the classic circular pattern, and atypical expanding redness warrants the same medical evaluation as a textbook bullseye.Atypical Rashes and Discoloration PatternsNot every Lyme rash looks like a bullseye. Some appear as solid red or blue-red patches without central clearing. Others show multiple rings or an oval shape rather than a circle. Southern tick-associated rash illness produces a similar expanding rash but stems from a different tick species. Any expanding rash following a tick bite warrants medical evaluation, regardless of its exact appearance.How Your Body Responds to Systemic SymptomsFlulike Aches, Chills, and FeverTick-borne infections often trigger whole-body responses that mimic the flu. Fever, chills, body aches, and general malaise typically appear within one to two weeks of an infected bite. These symptoms reflect the immune system's response to invading pathogens. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis all begin with flulike presentations. Flulike symptoms appearing in warm months after outdoor activity should raise suspicion for tick-borne illness.Joint Pain and Persistent FatigueLyme disease has a particular affinity for joints. Pain may begin in one knee, then shift to the other, or affect ankles, wrists, and elbows. This migratory joint pain distinguishes Lyme from typical arthritis. Fatigue accompanying tick-borne illness feels different from normal tiredness: it persists despite adequate sleep and interferes with daily activities.Neurological Indicators and Severe HeadachesTick-borne pathogens can affect the nervous system. Severe headaches, neck stiffness, facial drooping, and numbness or tingling in the extremities all signal potential neurological involvement. These symptoms may appear weeks after the initial bite. Any neurological symptoms following a tick bite require immediate medical attention.Timeline of Symptom ProgressionWhat to Document in the First 48 HoursThe first two days after discovering a tick bite establish a baseline for monitoring. Take a clear photo of the bite site with a ruler or coin for scale. Note the exact date, time of tick removal, and location on the body. Write down how long the tick was attached if known. Save the tick in a sealed container if possible, as some laboratories can test ticks for pathogens.The Critical 3- to 30-Day Window for Lyme and STARIMost tick-borne illness symptoms emerge within this window. Check the bite site daily for expanding redness or rash development. Monitor for fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches. Keep a simple log of any symptoms with their onset dates and severity. This documentation proves invaluable during medical consultations.When to Seek Medical AttentionRed Flag Symptoms Requiring Urgent CareCertain symptoms demand immediate medical evaluation:Expanding rash of any pattern at or near the bite siteFever above 101 F appearing within two weeks of the biteSevere headache with neck stiffnessFacial weakness or droopingHeart palpitations or chest painDifficulty breathingMultiple joint swellingConfusion or difficulty concentratingEarly antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease is highly effective, while delayed treatment can lead to long-term complications such as arthritis or neurological problems.Preparing for Your Doctor's VisitArrive prepared with specific information. Bring photos showing the bite site's progression over time. Note the geographic location where the bite occurred, as different regions harbor different tick species and diseases. List all symptoms with their onset dates and mention any medications currently being taken. If the tick was saved, bring it in a sealed container.Best Practices for Safe Tick Removal and PreventionProper tick removal reduces infection risk. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure without twisting or jerking.Prevention strategies include:Wearing long pants tucked into socks in wooded or grassy areasApplying EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET or picaridinTreating clothing and gear with permethrinConducting full-body tick checks after outdoor activitiesShowering within two hours of coming indoorsFrequently Asked QuestionsHow long after a tick bite do symptoms appear?Symptoms typically develop between three and 30 days after an infected tick bite. The erythema migrans rash typically appears within about seven days. Flulike symptoms usually emerge within one to two weeks.Can a tick bite cause symptoms without a rash?Yes. Approximately 20% to 30% of Lyme disease cases never develop a visible rash. Other tick-borne illnesses, such as anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, rarely cause rashes.Should antibiotics be taken after every tick bite?Not necessarily. Prophylactic antibiotics may be recommended when the tick was attached for 36 hours or longer, the bite occurred in a high-risk geographic area, and treatment can begin within 72 hours of removal. A healthcare provider can assess individual circumstances.What does an infected tick bite look like?An infected bite may show an expanding area of redness, warmth, swelling, or the characteristic bullseye pattern. The rash typically grows larger over days rather than improving.The Bottom LineMonitoring tick bite symptoms in the days after a bite enables early treatment before complications develop.This story was produced by Doctronic and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Parents would rather go into debt than have to say no to their kids this back-to-school season Parents would rather go into debt than have to say no to their kids this back-to-school seasonBack-to-school season has always stretched family budgets, but this year, parents are starting from a deeper hole.Key takeaways:57% of parents are entering back-to-school season with credit card debt, and nearly half (48%) have opened or plan to open a new credit card—or increase their credit limit—to help cover back-to-school expenses.45% of parents plan to take on debt to pay for back-to-school shopping this year, up from 34% in 2024.Social media is widening the gap between kids’ wish lists and parents’ budgets. Six in 10 parents (60%) say their children are asking for non-essential items they’ve seen trending online, and 54% say they’d rather put something on a credit card than tell their child they can’t have what their classmates have.One-third of parents (33%) are asking their children to contribute their own money toward back-to-school purchases this year.37% of parents are simultaneously supporting a K–12 student and paying for an older child’s college education, and two-thirds (67%) say the combined costs feel unmanageable.According to new data from Intuit Intuit Credit Karma, more than half of parents with kids under 18 (57%) are entering back-to-school shopping season with credit card debt, and 63% expect to add to their existing balance to cover this year’s back-to-school purchases.Compared to 2024, parents appear to be entering the new shopping season in worse financial shape across several measures:Cost of living: 65% now say the high cost of living will push them to spend more this year, up from 59% in 2024.Dreading the season: 54% say they dread the season because of the financial stress it causes, compared to 44% in 2024.Taking on debt: 45% plan to take on debt for back-to-school shopping, up from 34% in 2024.Entering the season already underwaterEven before back-to-school shopping begins, more than half of parents (57%) are currently carrying credit card debt.Here’s how much: Intuit Credit Karma Even though existing credit card debt is making 64% of parents anxious about taking on more spending, 48% have opened or plan to open a new credit card, or have increased/plan to increase their credit limit, specifically to cover back-to-school expenses.Spending more, borrowing moreA majority of parents (64%) expect to spend more on back-to-school shopping this season compared to last. Close to half (47%) plan to spend up to $500 and two-thirds (67%) up to $750, 15% plan to spend between $1,000 and $2,000.That expectation comes as nearly three-quarters (72%) say back-to-school items like clothing, school supplies and electronics feel noticeably more expensive this year than last, while 52% say their child’s school is requiring more technology purchases than in previous years.To help soften the financial blow, many parents are changing when they shop. Six in 10 (61%) say they’re starting their back-to-school shopping earlier than usual this year so they can spread purchases across multiple paychecks (37%) and avoid taking on debt all at once (27%).Despite those efforts, many parents still expect to lean on credit or other sources of funding. More than four in 10 (43%) plan to rely on a credit card for their back-to-school purchases. Others will look for cash elsewhere:22% will work overtime18% will take on additional income, such as gig work or a second job16% will use buy now, pay later (BNPL) services15% will dip into their savings or emergency fundFor many parents, these strategies aren’t enough to avoid borrowing altogether. In fact, 45% of parents plan to take on debt (e.g. credit card, BNPL, personal loan) for back-to-school shopping, up from 34% two years ago. Among those planning to take on debt: Intuit Credit Karma Back-to-school costs are forcing difficult choicesRoughly one in five parents (19%) don’t have any money saved for back-to-school expenses this year, and 52% say back-to-school costs make it difficult to maintain an emergency fund at all.The pressure of back-to-school shopping is forcing many parents to rethink household priorities. One-third of parents (33%) say they can’t afford back-to-school shopping this year, and as a result, nearly half (49%) expect to sacrifice essentials like groceries or bills to make room in their budgets, while 38% will depend on hand-me-downs or borrowed items.Back-to-school budgets spark money conversationsParents are taking different approaches to managing the growing gap between back-to-school costs and their budgets. Many are trying to protect their children from the financial strain: Nearly two-thirds (63%) hide the stress of back-to-school shopping from their kids, and more than half (54%) say they’d rather put something on a credit card than tell their child they can’t have what their classmates have.Others are using the season as an opportunity to talk openly about money with their kids. More than half (58%) set a firm budget before shopping begins, 55% have direct conversations about what they can and can’t afford, and one-third (33%) are asking their children to contribute their own money toward back-to-school purchases.Those conversations often extend beyond this school season’s shopping trip. Parents say back-to-school costs have prompted discussions with their kids about comparing prices (38%), waiting for sales (37%), the difference between needs and wants (34%), creating and following a budget (29%), saving for something they want (27%), their household’s overall financial situation (20%), and even using credit cards or buy now, pay later (20%).The financial strain is taking a toll at home. Nearly four in 10 parents (39%) say back-to-school costs have caused tension or arguments in their household.Kids’ wish lists collide with tight budgetsFor many parents, back-to-school shopping is no longer just about checking off a school supply list. Social media trends and peer influence are shaping children’s wish lists, often adding wants that stretch already-tight budgets. Six in 10 parents (60%) say their children are asking for non-essential items they’ve seen trending on social media, and nearly half (48%) say their child’s wish list is very far apart from what their budget allows.As for specific requests, parents report their kids have either already asked for, or they expect them to ask for things like backpack charms/accessories, collectibles, fidgets, and blind-box toys (53%), trendy sneakers such as the Adidas Samba Janes or Puma Speedcats (50%), and trendy water bottles and bottle charms (39%).Paying for K–12 and college at the same timeFor many families, back-to-school shopping is only one of the financial hurdles they face this time of year. More than one-third of parents (37%) are simultaneously supporting a child under 18 while also helping pay for an older child’s college or post-secondary education.For these parents, the overlap is creating difficult financial tradeoffs. Two-thirds (67%) say the combined cost of back-to-school shopping and college expenses feels unmanageable this year, while 60% feel they’re being forced to choose between meeting their younger child(ren)’s back-to-school needs and paying for their older child’s education.Those tradeoffs are impacting spending. Nearly two-thirds (63%) say they’ve had to cut back on back-to-school purchases for their younger child(ren) in order to afford their older child’s college expenses.And for many families, education-related costs extend well beyond school supplies and tuition. Nearly half of parents (49%) say they feel pressure to spend more on extracurricular programs, such as tutoring, SAT prep and private college counseling to improve their children’s academic performance or chances of getting into a competitive college.AI becomes a back-to-school shopping assistantAs parents navigate back-to-school season, many are turning to AI as a shopping and planning assistant. Parents are using AI to:Find deals or discounts – 36%Compare prices across retailers – 33%Create a shopping list – 31%Develop a back-to-school budget – 25%Find lower-cost alternatives to requested products – 23%Planning school lunches – 19%The costs don’t stop after checkoutEven after checking everything off the back-to-school shopping list, many parents find themselves reaching into their wallets again. Looking back at the most recent school year, more than half (52%) spent more than $250 on additional school-related requests or expenses after school had already begun, including 29% who spent more than $500 and 16% who spent more $750.“Parents are facing difficult tradeoffs this back-to-school season,” said Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Intuit Credit Karma. “This year’s findings show many parents are entering the season already carrying debt, and many are willing to take on more to give their kids what they need—or what they feel they need—to start the school year on equal footing with their peers. It’s encouraging to see many families using back-to-school shopping as an opportunity to talk with their children about budgeting and the difference between needs and wants. Setting a realistic budget before you start shopping, prioritizing essentials and setting expectations early can help families navigate the season without taking on more debt than they can reasonably repay.”MethodologyThis survey was conducted online within the United States by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma between June 30, 2026 and July 6, 2026, among 1,032 parents with at least one child under 18.This story was produced by Intuit Credit Karma and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Survey: Millions of Americans struggle to access hormone care Survey: Millions of Americans struggle to access hormone careAt 28, Logan became what he calls a "walking zombie." He had crushing fatigue, no sex drive, little emotion, and no motivation. Blood tests from his primary care doctor showed a testosterone level around 180 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), well below the standard diagnostic cutoff for low testosterone. But because his doctor wasn't experienced in prescribing hormone therapy — or the careful monitoring it requires — he referred Logan to an endocrinologist.Logan, who lives in rural Michigan, waited three months for an appointment and drove 90 minutes to get there. After reviewing multiple blood tests over several months showing testosterone levels between 100 and 302 ng/dL, the endocrinologist told him his numbers were fine and his symptoms must have another cause. "I felt hopeless," Logan said. "I knew what I was feeling, and no one was willing to help me."Logan lives in what longevity platform Hone Health calls a ”hormone desert” — a geographic area where residents lack access to qualified hormone health providers. These hormone deserts are ubiquitous across the country, especially in the South, the Midwest, and in rural areas, according to a new analysis by Hone Health comparing U.S. Census data with registries of menopause-certified physicians and board-certified urologists."Your ZIP code shouldn't determine whether your hormones get treated, but for millions of Americans, that's exactly what's happening," said Jim Staheli, D.O., medical director of Hone Health and a family medicine doctor who specializes in longevity and hormone optimization. "When people can't access qualified hormone care, they don't just live with symptoms longer — they miss opportunities for early diagnosis, losing the chance to reduce their risk of chronic diseases before they become much harder to treat."Hormone Care Availability Across the U.S.Many less densely populated states such as Mississippi, Idaho, Oklahoma, Iowa, Wyoming, and Nevada have become hormone deserts, according to the analysis, but even more densely populated states may have regions where patients struggle to find qualified care.Top hormone deserts for menNevada and Wyoming each have only 1 board-certified urologist per 10,000 men aged 40–64.Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah have 2 urologists per 10,000 men.California has 2.5 urologists per 10,000 men, but providers are concentrated in San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles, while most of the San Joaquin Valley is a desert.To understand the impact of these hormone deserts, consider Nevada as an example. With one urologist for every 10,000 men, and testosterone deficiency affecting an estimated 1 in 4 men ages 40-64, each urologist in Nevada would need to see 10 patients per day to meet annual demand. And that's on top of all their patients with other urological symptoms, including prostate cancer, kidney stones, and bladder disorders. Hone Health Top hormone deserts for womenMississippi has roughly 1 menopause-certified physician for every 79,000 women aged 40–64.Alabama, Idaho, and Oklahoma each have roughly 1 menopause-certified physician for every 50,000 women in that age bracket.Alaska, Iowa, Nevada, South Carolina, and Tennessee each have roughly 1 menopause-certified physician for every 33,000 women in the target age range.Colorado, which has 1 provider for roughly every 12,000 women 40-64, lacks trained physicians in the highly rural northeast region of the state.The landscape of specialized hormone care in the U.S. is even bleaker for women, leaving many without help around perimenopause and menopause, a time when symptoms can severely compromise quality of life and chronic diseases often begin to take hold.With one menopause-certified physician for every 79,000 women in Mississippi, for example, and an estimated 75% of women experiencing symptoms significant enough to affect quality of life, a single specialist would need to see 237 patients per day to meet annual demand — more than 10 times what a full clinical schedule allows. Hone Health Where hormone providers are more abundantOverall, OB-GYNs and urologists are most concentrated in parts of New England, the mid-Atlantic, and major cities like Seattle; Olympia, Washington; San Francisco; San Jose, California; New Orleans; Minneapolis; Cleveland; Chicago; and Charlotte, North Carolina. However, rural parts of those states and many Mountain States have virtually no providers. Some densely populated states, like New York and New Jersey, don’t make the list because even though they have many qualified providers, patients still need to wait weeks or months for an appointment.Rural areas have fewer hormone providersRural areas across the country have lower concentrations of medical providers generally. The American Urological Association reports that rural residents travel an average of 50 miles to see a urologist — more than five times farther than patients living in cities need to travel.This means residents of rural towns go months between the time they book an appointment and when they see their specialist. A 2022 AUA study found rural residents wait 10 weeks longer than urban patients for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.Cities can have long wait times, tooEven in major cities, most men and women have to wait at least two weeks to see a hormone specialist. A two-week wait is the federal criterion for health deserts — an area, population group, or facility that the secretary of Health and Human Services determines has a shortage of health professionals.Patients have to wait an average of 42 days to see an OB-GYN in a major metropolitan area, according to a survey by AMN Healthcare.In a 2022 AUA study, the average wait in the Chicago metropolitan area to see a urologist about blood in the urine (a serious symptom that could indicate a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, kidney disease, or urinary tract cancers) was 15 days.Not all physicians are trained in hormone careThese provider numbers and wait times don’t even take into account that not all OB-GYNs are knowledgeable about menopause, and not all urologists recommend testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). That means even where there are accessible doctors, they may not be qualified to provide midlife hormone care.Hone Health's patient data validates what the provider maps suggest: When qualified local care isn't available, people may look elsewhere, and many turn to telehealth.Nevada and Wyoming — the two worst urologist deserts in the country — rank first and second in male patients, with more than double the national average. Idaho, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, all bottom-tier for urologist access, also show well above-average representation. The inverse is also true: States with the strongest urologist networks show the lowest concentrations in states where Hone operates.The women's data tells the same story. Among women who seek hormone care, the highest per capita demand comes from the state of Nevada, where hormone specialists are scarce. Oklahoma and Tennessee — both severe hormone-specialist deserts — also rank above average in telehealth patients.Why Hormone Deserts ExistHormone deserts exist for many of the same reasons other specialty care deserts do: Physicians want to live where reimbursement rates are higher and caseloads are more varied, leaving rural and low-income areas underserved. In hormone care specifically, this preference for denser, wealthier geographic areas is made worse by gaps in provider training, inconsistent prescribing guidelines, and narrow insurance coverage for hormone testing.Only 31% of OB-GYN residency programs in the U.S. include menopause training, and a quarter of those programs don’t have dedicated menopause clinics. That means residents don’t get hands-on experience with OB-GYN patients, leaving them feeling underprepared to treat this life stage.Primary care providers (PCPs) are even less informed, with 20% of family medicine residents receiving zero menopause education, and less than 7% saying they feel qualified to help patients manage menopause.PCPs are similarly ill-equipped to manage TRT. Differing prescribing guidelines on testosterone therapy from the AUA, American College of Physicians, and other organizations causes confusion and may contribute to the fact that PCPs are less likely than urologists or endocrinologists to prescribe testosterone."Primary care doctors get maybe a few hours of training on testosterone therapy in their entire residency, and then we hand them three different sets of guidelines that don't agree with each other,” said Joshua Calvert, M.D., a urologist who specializes in male infertility and low testosterone management. “The safe move, from where they're sitting, is to do nothing. I don't blame them but it means the guy with textbook low-T symptoms sits in a waiting-room loop for months before he ever gets to see someone who treats this every week."Compounding the problem is that insurance reimbursement for hormone testing is narrow: Most plans cover lab tests only when a patient has certain qualifying symptoms or is already on therapy. That policy creates a structural disincentive for comprehensive testing — even though optimal treatment requires a multihormone baseline established early and rechecked regularly. Hone Health The Compounding Cost of Hormone DesertsWhen people can't access hormone care from experienced providers, they often live with symptoms that seriously compromise their quality of life. Over time, they're more likely to develop diagnoses that are harder to treat.For women, menopause brings hot flashes, mood shifts, brain fog, and other symptoms, but it’s also a health inflection point, where decreasing estrogen levels begin to negatively impact cardiovascular health, bone density, and cognitive function. Long-term untreated menopause symptoms are linked to increased rates of chronic disease as well as reduced work productivity, relationship strain, depression, and anxiety.Men are often unaware that their fatigue, low libido, muscle loss, and weight gain can be hormonal. "Almost every week I have a man in his 40s tell me he thought his fatigue and brain fog were just ‘getting older,’” Calvert said.Waiting years to check a number that takes one blood draw comes at a real cost, Calvert noted. Without TRT, men with low testosterone are 86% more likely to develop depression, and more than twice as likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which is the on-ramp to diabetes and heart disease. On the flip side, men with testosterone levels above 450 ng/dL have a 42% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than men whose levels are lower.Even men who suspect their symptoms are due to a testosterone deficiency may be denied hormone therapy if their levels are above the 300 ng/dL cutoff suggested in the guidelines from organizations like the Endocrine Society or the AUA. But doctors who specialize in health optimization note that men with testosterone levels slightly above this can be highly symptomatic and often benefit from TRT. That’s in part because you can have high total testosterone but low free testosterone, which is the type your body actually uses."Some testosterone is bound so tightly to proteins that your body can't use it. What's more important is how much testosterone is available to your tissues,” Calvert said. “I've seen men with a ‘normal’ total testosterone level around 400 who still had symptoms because their bioavailable testosterone was low. If you look only at the total number, it can seem like nothing’s wrong."Men with lower levels of testosterone may simply struggle with symptoms, or they may turn to unregulated testosterone clinics with minimal oversight, or online gray-market suppliers. Taking testosterone from unproven sources and without physician monitoring can be dangerous, leading to cardiovascular issues, infertility, and other side effects from excessively high testosterone.Closing the GapGetting care to residents of hormone deserts requires action by medical schools, insurance companies, and telehealth providers, says Staheli:Medical education reform: Integrating menopause and hormone health into residency training and continuing medical education requirements would help equip more providers, especially those in primary care, to diagnose and treat these concerns. Not having to refer patients to specialists would dramatically improve access to care.Credentialing expansion: Increasing awareness of the Menopause Society's certification program, particularly among nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and encouraging urology practices to train midlevel providers in testosterone management would expand the pool of qualified hormone care providers.Reimbursement reform: An initial hormone workup can take 20-45 minutes or longer, Staheli says, but primary care visits budget for only 10-18 minutes on average. Policy changes — such as adding hormone-related diagnoses to chronic care management billing codes and creating time-based billing pathways for the initial workup — would help make these time-intensive visits more financially viable for PCPs.High-quality telehealth: Optimal hormone and midlife care requires comprehensive blood testing of related biomarkers, ongoing monitoring, and one-on-one video calls with physicians who are menopause-certified or up on the latest evidence for hormone replacement therapy, TRT, and other hormone protocols, such as thyroid therapies.What people in hormone deserts can do right nowAsk your primary care physician for a referral or check the Menopause Society's directory to find the nearest qualified menopause practitioner. (There’s no equivalent directory for urologists — the AUA recommends checking directories like Healthgrade.) You can also explore high-quality telehealth options from anywhere in the U.S. "Patients shouldn't mistake a lack of access for a lack of options," Staheli said. "If qualified care isn't available where you live, there are still ways to connect with experienced hormone specialists."Logan eventually started testosterone replacement therapy in 2024, at age 34. “Within three weeks, I noticed an energy that I had not felt in a long time,” he said. “It was a deep energy, like a fire in my soul that was rekindling. Around six months into therapy, I was literally a new person. I felt happiness, deep love, and an intense drive unlike I ever have in my life.”MethodologyTo qualify the definition of a hormone desert, Hone Health compared U.S. Census data of the population of women and men ages 40-64 in each state to the number of menopause-certified physicians (per the Menopause Society's directory) and the number of board-certified urologists (per the American Urological Association's 2025 Census) in each state, respectively. Researchers then used the FutureDocs Forecasting Tool from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research to create maps of the number of OB-GYNs and urologists per 10,000 people (a standard baseline used by the World Health Organization to measure physician density) in each geographic area served by a major medical center in 2025.This story was produced by Hone Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to tell if your fuel pump is bad How to tell if your fuel pump is badYour car, truck, or SUV may not always perform as expected. If your vehicle is sputtering, hesitates when you press on the gas, or feels like there’s insufficient power, your fuel pump may be to blame.The signs of a failing fuel pump are varied, but your driving experience is the best place to start diagnosing the issue. If your car feels less powerful and responsive, checking the fuel pump’s performance should be on your list.A fuel pump can’t always be fixed, but there are things you can do to remedy poor performance. If the fuel pump is faulty, there’s a good chance it’ll just need to be replaced.Here, RealTruck.com will explain how and when to test fuel pump performance, the signs of a bad fuel pump, and the cost of replacing it.Signs of a Bad Fuel Pump: What to Look ForSome signs of a bad fuel pump are painfully obvious, while others might lead you to believe something else is the root cause of your problems. These are some signs your fuel pump may need to be replaced.Your Car Won’t StartA car that won’t start is often caused by a faulty fuel pump. Your fuel pump pushes fuel into your engine, which is then combusted to power the vehicle. If it’s not getting fuel—because the fuel pump won’t deliver it—it can’t turn over.If this is happening to you, chances are it’s the fuel pump—especially if you feel everything else is operating correctly. One telltale sign that your fuel pump is the cause of your vehicle not starting is a popping sound, like your engine is not getting enough fuel, which hints that the fuel pump is just fading fast.Your Vehicle has a Whining NoiseCar whining noises are often attributed to the belt system, but that’s not always why your car whines. Be mindful of where you hear the whine coming from!If you hear a whine emanating from the fuel tank, it’s typically a precursor to a loss of pressure, which means a total failure of your fuel pump is on the horizon. This whining noise may last months, too. If you hear a whining noise, have your fuel pump checked.Your Car is StallingA car stall is frustrating, embarrassing, and can be dangerous.When a car stalls due to a bad fuel pump, it’s often because the pump isn’t delivering enough fuel at idle, a sign that it’s near the end of its life. If it can’t deliver an essential volume of fuel to keep your engine purring, it’s faulty.Your Vehicle’s Performance is LackingDo you feel like your car isn’t as responsive or quick as it used to be? The problem could be the fuel pump.Your vehicle is an orchestra of mechanics, and the fuel pump plays a vital role. When you want your car to perform, the fuel pump delivers fuel quickly to the engine so it can do what you want. Your car feels lethargic if the fuel pump can’t spring into action.Your Vehicle’s Performance is Better than ExpectedConversely, your fuel pump might not be regulating fuel delivery properly, leading to excess fuel delivery to the engine. Your engine is designed to burn through the fuel it’s given, so if it’s getting too much, it’ll try to use it, leading to surging performance and your car “jumping” forward when you least expect it.You’re Experiencing Loss of Power, Especially when the Vehicle is StressedIf you’re going up a hill or trying to overtake someone on the road, but your car won’t speed up appropriately, or at all, this could be because the fuel pump is faulty.Decreased Fuel EfficiencyYour car’s fuel efficiency is directly tied to the fuel pump’s performance. If the pump delivers too much fuel, your miles per gallon will plummet, costing you more at the gas station.How to Test Fuel Pump PerformanceYou can test your fuel pump with a fuel pressure gauge. It’s also suggested to have a friend available, as diagnosing your fuel pump issues will require someone to read the gauge while another person steps on the accelerator.Here’s How to Test Your Fuel PumpStart your car and let it idle for 10-15 minutes.Install the fuel pressure gauge.Activate the fuel pump by lightly pressing on the accelerator.Observe the pressure reading on the gauge.Compare the readings to your vehicle's recommended pressure specifications. If anything is amiss, your car may need further testing or a trip to the mechanic.Troubleshooting and AdviceCan a Fuel Pump be Repaired, or Must I Always Replace It?A fuel pump can’t truly be repaired. If you’re experiencing issues that are found to be caused by the fuel pump, replacement is necessary. Keeping your car’s fuel filter clean is the best way to avoid a costly fuel pump replacement.How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Fuel Pump?This depends on the vehicle, but fuel pumps typically cost between $400 and $1,000.How Long Do Fuel Pumps Last?This is hard to know and depends on the type of fuel pump you have. Older vehicles have mechanical fuel pumps that fail faster, while newer cars have electrical fuel pumps that are more reliable. In newer cars, it’s common to go over 100,000 miles without a fuel pump replacement.What Else Could be Causing My Issues?Depending on the issue you’re having, your issue may be caused by one or more of the following issues:An empty or nearly empty fuel tankIgnition switch issuesClogged fuel filterClogged or faulty fuel lineFaulty fuel injectorsMalfunctioning fuel pressure regulatorMisfiring spark plugsThis story was produced by RealTruck.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	West Burlington deputy city clerk, finance manager earn state certification Katie Willeford, deputy city clerk with the City of West Burlington, has successfully earned her Iowa Certified Municipal Finance Officer and Iowa Certified Municipal Clerk designations through the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association (IMFOA), demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence in municipal financial management and professional development, a news release says. Finance Manager Angela Moore [...]
	Wendy Hilton-Morrow named new president, CEO of United Way Quad Cities United Way Quad Cities has a new president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow has been announced as its next president and Chief Executive Officer. She will begin serving in the role on September 14, succeeding Rene Gellerman, who has led the organization since 2018. Hilton-Morrow was Provost and Vice President for Academic [...]
	Greetings from an isolated region in northern Pakistan's Hindu Kush mountains Chitral borders Afghanistan and isn't easy to reach. Breathtaking views abound in this remote mountainous region — as do rockslides and avalanches.
	Traffic alert: I-80 lane closed after 2-car crash in Henry Co. One lane of traffic is closed after a two-car crash Wednesday morning.
	Splitting your 2026 festival tickets into payments? Here’s how to do it right Splitting your 2026 festival tickets into payments? Here’s how to do it rightSplitting a music festival ticket into payments with buy-now-pay-later apps isn’t necessarily reckless. It might be one of the smarter money moves to make right now, Intuit TurboTax reports.Here’s how to do it right.Key takeawaysFor many, epic memories are replacing traditional milestones.Experiences make you happier than stuff, and research agrees.The risk with buy now pay later (BNPL) is using it to avoid deciding whether you can actually afford something.Why choose memories over milestonesCall it a different set of priorities than a few years ago, but the rise of buy now, pay later is real.And it turns out, breaking up payments for summer plans isn’t exactly a unique experience. According to a recent Credit Karma survey, more than a quarter of young adults have used BNPL to cover summer expenses this year.And it’s not hard to see why.It’s hard not to put a little more value on the things that can be enjoyed in the present.More than half of Americans say it’s the most financially stressful summer they can remember, yet the desire to make memories hasn’t disappeared. Concert tickets still go on sale. Friends still plan trips. Weddings, festivals, and long weekends still fill the calendar. For many, BNPL has become a way to make those moments fit into a budget that feels tighter than ever.But the challenge isn’t just fitting a concert ticket into the budget. It’s fitting it into a budget that’s already being pulled in a dozen different directions. Because fun isn’t the only thing that’s gotten more expensive.Housing prices keep climbing.Student loans have resumed.Retirement is one of those things that often gets pushed behind more immediate priorities.For many, the milestones they grew up expecting to reach have started to feel a little farther away than they once did.And the numbers reflect that shift: Nearly half of surveyed respondents say they’re making financial compromises to enjoy life now over long-term financial security, and 40% of those living at home say they do so specifically to free up money for experiences like travel, dining out, and festivals.That’s a recalibration of what’s worth spending on, and research backs up the logic behind it. Studies have found that people get more lasting happiness from experiences than from things.BNPL fits the way people actually earnPart of what makes BNPL appealing is that many aren’t getting the same predictable paycheck every two weeks. Between freelance projects, side hustles, gig work, and part-time jobs, income can fluctuate from month to month.Spend in a way that doesn’t cost more than the memory was worth.Nearly half of workers under 30 participate in the gig economy, relying on independent work or side hustles as an additional source of income. This summer, 59% say they plan to take on extra work just to afford the season they want.When money comes in at different times and in different amounts, spreading out a purchase can feel a lot more manageable than paying for it all at once.For many, it’s less about spending more and more and more about planning better. A fixed payment schedule can be easier to budget for than a credit card balance you’re gradually paying down, which may help explain why over half of Gen Z say BNPL helps with managing finances.That music festival may be $600, but if you break it into payments, it’s basically $50 a month.How to make sure BNPL works for youBNPL can be a real tool, but like any tool, it’s important to know how to use it. Here are a few ways to help make sure BNPL keeps working for you:Go in with a payoff timeline. Before splitting up a purchase, ask yourself whether you’d buy it if you had to pay the full amount today. Not to guilt yourself out of it, but to make sure you’re actively choosing to spread the payments, rather than using the plan to avoid making the decision at all.Keep active plans to one or two at a time. Stacking multiple BNPL plans with overlapping due dates can turn things messy fast.Keep an eye on your credit. FICO announced in 2025 that some BNPL payment behavior would be incorporated into its credit scoring model. It’s worth knowing before a missed payment shows up somewhere you didn’t expect.For many, using BNPL is a solid response to a real squeeze, where life has gotten more expensive. But spending on what makes us feel good isn’t the problem. Just make sure to spend in a way that doesn’t cost more than the memory was worth.This story was produced by Intuit TurboTax and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Drone delivery sees AI take to the skies, but not everyone’s buzzing about it Drone delivery sees AI take to the skies, but not everyone’s buzzing about itIn the summer of 2018, Bobby Healy was sitting in his garden in a Dublin suburb, enjoying a glass of wine, when he decided he wanted nothing more than a bag of fries to go along with his drink. But there was a problem.“It was impossible to get a delivery here on the weekend, or if the weather’s bad,” he told The Infinite Loop by Nebius. “There’s just not enough drivers to work for delivery companies, so you could be waiting an hour for your bag of chips.”Rather than just settling for a piece of toast, Healy did what any self-respecting serial entrepreneur would do: He set out to found Manna Air Delivery, a drone delivery company that has completed more than 250,000 jobs to date.As of July 2026, Manna is delivering everything from takeout food to medicine and defibrillators, as it takes on the $180 billion last-mile logistics market, aiming to make deliveries faster, greener, and more affordable.But turning flying delivery robots into reality means fitting powerful AI systems onto small aircraft while meeting stringent safety and regulatory requirements. There are also societal barriers to overcome, as some fear a future of skies crowded with noisy, privacy-invading drones, raising questions of whether more technology in the world is always a good thing.‘We have to optimize the hell out of the stack’Healy described how the drone delivery sector has walked a long road to proving that the idea is viable, both to regulators and the companies that use these services, and that the U.S. market has been the fastest to adopt the technology.“The top companies: ourselves, Google Wing, Amazon Prime Air, and Zipline—we're all now regulated and ready to grow,” he said. “We’re live in about 40 locations this year in Oklahoma and Texas, and our friends at Google and Amazon are the same, so collectively there'll be about 10 million deliveries this year, nearly all in the USA.”Manna’s drones are supervised by human operators on the ground but use autonomous obstacle detection to fly safely. Healy said the system relies on streams from multiple sensors, processed by a mix of computer vision and more deterministic AI systems, all running on onboard compute. Manna Air Delivery “There would never be a scenario where you would have anything safety related needing to go off the aircraft and rely on a network, because networks can never be reliable,” he said. “The compute has to be on the edge, which is a difficult challenge because of the energy it consumes. We have to be sacred with our battery and energy, and also weight on the aircraft.”Healy said that Manna has achieved this by relentlessly fine-tuning both the software and hardware on its drones to deliver maximum compute with minimal weight and energy use: “We have to optimize the hell out of the stack.”When a pizza becomes a wingOther drone delivery companies are solving more item-specific challenges. Flytrex, founded in Tel Aviv in 2013, focuses solely on food delivery. One of its early partnerships with Little Caesars in Dallas created an engineering problem: the drag of a large flying pizza.“Delivering large pizzas has been a big challenge for us, because now you're flying with this huge sail,” said Amit Regev, cofounder and CEO at Flytrex.The company has tackled this by developing a system that holds the pizza at a consistent angle to minimize drag while in the air.“It’s designed to keep the pizzas at about five degrees. When you’re flying forward, you’re actually getting almost a wing shape, so rather than having a sail, you’re almost generating lift,” said Regev. “With that design, when you do endurance testing, you can actually fly even further with the pizza than without it.” Flytrex Flytrex is also delivering sandwiches for the New Jersey-founded chain Jersey Mike’s and signed a partnership with Uber Eats in September 2025. Regev said the sector has now moved from proof of concept and regulatory approval to making the unit economics work at scale.“How do you get drones, which are sophisticated devices with a lot of technology, to deliver burritos at $5 and actually have enough margin to be profitable and run a healthy business? My personal opinion, just by looking at the competition, is that nobody’s solved the economics yet. I think we’re getting very close,” he said.Regev said a big part of bringing costs per delivery down involves using AI to improve the management of Flytrex’s fleets.“Optimizing drone routes is not as easy,” he said. “We have a huge team that deals just with how to get the most efficient route.”Concerned communitiesBeyond optimizing fleets and onboard compute capacity, drone delivery companies have another challenge on their hands: winning over communities who are suspicious of the technology. In June 2026, Texas residents protested outside Amazon’s drone facility to voice concerns over noise, safety, and privacy, following demonstrations in Georgia and Australia.Healy believes some people’s concerns over noise pollution are based on a negative perception around smaller drones, which make a higher-frequency sound than Manna’s vehicles.“The typical drones that most people are used to naturally generate really angry, buzzy bee frequencies that we don’t. We're much bigger aircraft, so much lower frequency noise,” he told The Infinite Loop.Addressing privacy concerns, Healy said that onboard computing means that no data from Manna drones’ sensors ever reaches a cloud server, adding that safety conversations around delivery need to take the status quo into account.“To make money, delivery drivers have to go fast. Delivery drivers are six times more likely to be involved in a collision than a normal driver,” Healy claimed.Healy and Regev both believe that drone delivery will lead to a more convenient, greener, and safer society, with fewer vehicles on the roads. The key question will be whether companies like Manna and Flytrex can make the unit economics of cutting-edge technology work for the low-margin business of last-mile delivery.This story was produced by The Infinite Loop by Nebius and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Glen Hansard, Irish songwriter and 'Once' star, dies at 56 Glen Hansard, the Irish singer who won an Oscar for the musical movie Once and the led the bands The Frames and The Swell Season, died on Wednesday. He died following a motorcycle crash in Dublin.
	Businesses using AI are hiring, not firing, new report finds Businesses using AI are hiring, not firing, new report findsFor years, the warning has been the same: AI is coming for jobs. But the data from businesses actually using it shows otherwise. Small businesses using AI are four times more likely to say it helped them hire than say it led to cuts, according to the 2026 AI Impact Report from Intuit QuickBooks. It’s a sign that the technology is fueling growth, not layoffs.This finding comes at a moment when more Americans than ever are betting on themselves. One in 3 U.S. adults (33%) says they plan to start a new business or side hustle in 2026, a 94% jump from last year, according to the Intuit QuickBooks Entrepreneurship in 2026 report. Entrepreneurship now ranks as the number one wealth-building strategy in the U.S., ahead of saving, investing, or earning more at a traditional job.But there's a difference between starting a business and building one that grows. Of the 473,679 business applications filed in August 2025, only about 28,725 are projected to become employer businesses within 12 months, according to the Census Bureau. Hiring is the leap that separates a side hustle from a growth business, and the businesses that grow in 2026 will be the ones that use AI to make that leap with confidence.Investing in AI is a way to grow your team, not make cutsThe 2026 AI Impact Report, built on surveys of more than 34,000 small and midsize businesses conducted from July 2024 to January 2026, combined with anonymized data from more than 5.3 million QuickBooks businesses, found that businesses using AI are far more likely to report gains than losses:More hiring, not less: The most striking finding is what AI is doing to hiring across all four countries tracked in the report. In these countries, businesses using AI are more likely to say it has increased employment than decreased it. In the U.S., four times as many businesses report AI-driven hiring as report cuts. Intuit QuickBooks The gains don't stop at headcount. Among U.S. businesses using AI:Higher productivity: 78% say it has improved their productivity, up from 46% when tracking began in July 2024.Revenue growth: 43% report that AI increased their revenue, versus just 2% who report a decrease, a gap of more than 20 to 1.Time back in the day: 27% say AI has shortened their workday, compared with 8% who say it's gotten longer.That changes the math on hiring. When the same team can produce more, serve customers faster, and win back hours in the day, every dollar you invest in an employee works harder.Hiring is the moment your business gets realAspiring business owners routinely misjudge what things cost. According to the Entrepreneurship in 2026 report, Americans believe it takes an average of $28,000 to start a business, while current owners report a median actual startup cost closer to $12,000, less than half the imagined number.Employee costs get misjudged the same way, but in the opposite direction. A salary is only the visible part. The true cost of an employee also includes:Payroll taxes, which cover local, state, and federal taxes like Social Security, Medicare, and unemploymentEmployee benefits, such as health insurance and paid time offOverhead expenses and ancillary costs, like equipment, supplies, and trainingThat's not a reason to hold off on hiring. But it’s important to know your number before you make a new hire. The report found that more than half of aspiring entrepreneurs (52%) say they lack confidence in essential financial tasks like managing cash flow and handling taxes. And 71% say that lack of financial knowledge makes it harder to reach their financial goals. Getting a clear picture of your per-employee cost is one of the fastest ways to close that confidence gap.Why the number matters: Payroll is personalMore than half of business owners (54%) say they’ve skipped or reduced their own pay at least once in the past year to keep bills or payroll covered, according to the 2026 Intuit QuickBooks Business Owner report. And the margin for error is thin: A single late payment from a customer threatened payroll or bills for 39% of owners in the past year. For 12% of owners, a late payment of less than $1,000 was enough to cause financial trouble.When margins are that close, guessing at your labor costs is a risk you can't afford. Knowing the full cost of each employee helps you set prices that actually cover your costs, protect payroll through slow months, and time your next hire with confidence.The work you should never automate: Your peopleIf AI is doing more of the routine work, what's left for people? According to owners: everything that matters most.Across every country tracked in the 2026 AI Impact Report, employee management and legal decisions consistently rank at the bottom of AI use cases. Businesses are deliberately drawing a line, keeping judgment-heavy, relationship-driven work in human hands even as AI takes on more of the routine tasks around it.The Intuit QuickBooks Business Owner report tells the same story from a different angle. When it comes to high-stakes decisions like cutting costs or growing revenue, 37% of owners say they'd trust a human expert, compared with just 20% who would trust an AI tool alone (another 34% would trust both equally). And looking ahead five years, the largest share of owners (42%) predict an AI-assisted future, one where they still lead the business, and AI provides leverage. Only 6% expect AI to drive the majority of their decisions.The takeaway for employers: Your competitive advantage in 2026 isn't the tools. It's investing in people whose judgment, creativity, and relationships can’t be replicated by technology.Hiring to help your business and your community growInvesting in people is how small businesses build the communities around them.Three in 4 owners (76%) say they plan to strengthen their local communities in the next five years, and job creation leads the way: 41% plan to hire local residents, according to the Business Owner report.The bottom lineRunning a business takes a well-documented toll. The Business Owner report found that 82% of owners made significant personal sacrifices in the past year, with half (50%) giving up sleep or rest. A well-planned hire isn't just a growth strategy but how owners get back their own time, health, and headspace, and build a business that can eventually run without them, which is how the largest share of business owners (35%) now define success.But growth in 2026 means people, and people cost more than their wages — payroll taxes, benefits, and overhead all add up. The data suggests the businesses that thrive will be the ones that know their real numbers and invest anyway.This story was produced by Intuit QuickBooks and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to navigate peak rental season How to navigate peak rental seasonEach year, July is one of the peak times for moving.In recent years, moving in July has typically involved some sticker shock. High home prices and equally lofty rental costs have left young adults between a rock and a hard place as they try to find a place to launch out on their own.But now, the rental market is finally softening. In fact, in this year’s first quarter, average rents at professionally managed properties declined by 0.5% year-over-year, according to new data from Harvard’s Joint Center on Housing Studies.“Looking nationally at the rental market, we’ve seen a wave of new multi-family supply, and we’ve seen rental demand slip because of economic uncertainty,” says Peyton Whitney, a JCHS research analyst who worked on the report. “So we’ve been seeing rent averages starting to decline.”May marked the 34th consecutive month of declines for studio to two-bedroom apartments across the nation’s 50 largest metros, according to Realtor.com’s Rental Report. The median rent across those areas is now $1,686, down 4.4% from its peak in the summer of 2022.That means renters might finally be getting the upper hand again when it comes to price, negotiations about terms or upgrades, and whether or not your application is likely to get accepted in the first place.As with any dealmaking, you should go in armed with as much data as possible. You should also be bolstering your own case, stashing savings and boosting your credit score, so that you’re an easy candidate for potential landlords to choose.Current, a consumer fintech banking platform, shares a few key tips for peak rental season:Information is your friend. Do your due diligence in researching the trends of your local market, comparable rents for the apartments you’re targeting, and how long listings have been sitting on the market.National figures aren’t really helpful, since all real estate is inherently local. Your leverage depends on where you live. Whitney says: “We’re seeing the most downward pressure on rents in the South and West, where a lot of new housing supply is concentrated, and where vacancy rates are highest.”To help you figure out whether renting or buying is the savvier financial option in your particular location, check out Zillow’s Rent vs. Buy calculator.Make yourself an attractive candidate. For an appealing rental apartment, a landlord will likely have a few options for tenants. So you want to make your application a no-brainer for them to choose.How to do so? “Getting finances in order,” suggests Zillow chief economist Mischa Fisher. “The median household would spend 26.7% of their income on a new rental, so documenting income at or above that threshold reassures landlords of stability.“Having references, pay stubs, and ID documents ready signals a serious, low-risk tenant, which matters especially when landlords are offering concessions and want to ensure the tenant they’re subsidizing will stick around.”Have enough cash on hand to cover traditional requirements like first and last month’s rent, and potentially other charges like security deposits or broker’s fees. To earn interest on those savings until you find the perfect spot, look into higher-yielding accounts. Landlords will also check your credit score to ensure you’re not a risk for non-payment, so make sure that number is in a zone that will make them comfortable. A score above 740, for instance, is considered very good. To get to that level, secured charge cards could be a great option to help increase your score, but minimize your risk of debt, as you can only spend the amount of money available in your account. Look for one that reports your monthly payments to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).Negotiate. Now that renters have more leverage than they used to, you should definitely dust off those negotiating skills.You have the most power before you’ve actually signed on the dotted line, but even if you’re already in an apartment, you could negotiate a discounted renewal (especially if rents in the community are falling). Landlords might be more flexible when offered longer terms, or they could be open to temporary price cuts, such as during non-peak months.“Nearly 40% of rental listings are now offering concessions, the most deals ever recorded for this time of year,” says Zillow’s Fisher. “These are incentives like free rent, waived fees, and discounted move-in costs.”Also look at nonmonetary items that might make your life easier, like upgraded appliances, or a monthly parking spot, or needed repairs. When it comes to negotiation, as the saying goes: The worst they could do is say no. And if they do say no, you now have more options than you did before.This story was produced by Current and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What are the first steps after discovering a roof leak? What are the first steps after discovering a roof leak?Whether your roof is dripping steadily during a heavy storm or you notice a water stain on your ceiling, a leak can cause immense stress. If not tackled properly and on time, water intrusion can have severe consequences, some of which can affect your home’s structural integrity and your insurance claim.While your first instinct may be to panic, your best bet is to act immediately to limit the damage, protect your home and minimize repair costs. Rhode Island Restoration has compiled this guide outlining the immediate first steps you should take after discovering a roof leak.How Serious Is a Roof Leak?You’ll want to address signs of a roof leak as soon as you can, as these problems can lead to costly and even dangerous consequences.Prompt action can help prevent further deterioration and damage, such as:Extensive mold and mildew infestations: Damp environments are breeding grounds for mold and mildew. Ignoring a leak, even a small one, allows these issues to spread rapidly throughout your home. Besides being unsightly and causing unpleasant odors, mold can trigger allergies and severe respiratory problems. Plus, professional remediation can be costly.Pest infestation: Damp areas created by roof leaks can become breeding grounds for pests and rodents, causing significant discomfort.Complications with insurance claims: Insurance policies often include clauses requiring homeowners to take reasonable steps to limit harm from an incident. Delays can significantly increase the risk of more extensive issues after a leak, potentially contributing to reduced or even denied insurance claims.Damage to personal property: Leaks can ruin clothing, important documents, furniture and other personal belongings. In severe cases, the harm can be irreversible.Electrical hazards: Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Even a minor leak can rapidly escalate into a severe electrical hazard, causing short circuits, system failures or, most critically, electrical fires.Worsening structural damage: Prolonged water exposure can cause rotting wood framing and weakened ceiling joists. This deterioration can manifest as sagging ceilings, warped walls or partial collapse over time.Increased energy costs: Delaying repairs reduces home efficiency, leading to increased energy costs.What to Do When Your Roof Is LeakingWhen you discover a roof leak, whether through an active drip, a water stain, or another sign, it’s advisable to take the following steps immediately. Rhode Island Restoration 1. Prioritize Safety HazardsRoof leaks can create dangerous conditions that pose a threat to safety. To keep yourself and other occupants out of harm’s way, take these steps:Address electrical risks immediately: Even a small amount of water can create a risk of electrocution and fire. Turn off the specific circuit breaker that powers the affected area, and turn off the main power switch for the entire house if you’re unsure.Evacuate the area if necessary: If there are visible signs that the ceiling may collapse, evacuate the area.Avoid contact with contaminated water: If the leak originates from a pest-infested attic space, the water may be contaminated, so avoid direct contact.Mitigate slipping and falling hazards: Wet floors increase the likelihood of slips and falls. Place towels or absorbent mats on wet spots in affected areas and avoid them whenever possible.2. Contain the Water and Minimize the DamageOne of your first steps should be to stop the leaking water from spreading and damaging your surrounding possessions.Place buckets or other suitable containers directly under the dripping water spot. It can also be useful to place towels or rags around the base of the container to soak up excess moisture.Clearing the area around the leak helps to minimize water damage to your possessions. Move electronics, books, furniture and other items away from the affected zone. You can also temporarily cover them with waterproof materials to protect them from splatter.3. Locate the SourceAfter containing the water and prioritizing safety, your next step should be to locate the leak’s source. This step can be challenging because the water might have traveled along various pathways before becoming visible inside your home.Do the following to locate the source:Check the attic for water trails: If accessible, the attic is the best place to start looking for leaks. Examine the underside of the rafters, insulation and roof decking for dampness, discoloration or water stains. Mold and mildew concentrations can also point to leak sources.Inspect roof features and penetrations: Skylights, chimneys and vents are typical sources of leaks. Look for visible signs of damage, such as loose metal strips, rusty flashing and compromised seals.Examine external roof surfaces: You can do this from the ground or safely from a ladder. Check for missing or damaged shingles, as well as punctures or holes.4. Document Everything for Insurance PurposesIt’s easy to overlook this step, especially when you’re busy looking for solutions. However, failing to document everything can complicate the insurance claim process.Here’s how to approach insurance documentation:Capture the leak and its source: Photograph and video the active leak, water stains, peeling paint, and the exact source if identifiable.Record damaged property: Before moving items, take clear photos and videos of all damaged possessions, showing the extent of each item’s damage.Evidence mitigation efforts: Document your steps to prevent further damage with photos and videos, as most policies require reasonable mitigation.Ensure quality documentation: Take well-lit photos and videos from various angles, ideally with date and time stamps.5. Contact a Qualified Roof Repair ProfessionalBe sure to reach out to a roofing professional. They can provide expert guidance and determine the best course of action to repair your home.After initial contact, a repair professional will typically schedule an on-site visit to inspect the roof and assess the damage. This will be followed by a detailed explanation of their findings and a written quote, after which they will prepare for repairs.Working with an experienced roofer offers several advantages:Accurate diagnosis: Professionals possess the expertise and tools to pinpoint hidden and multisource leaks, preventing costly misdiagnosis.Insurance optimization: Certified experts adhere to industry standards, addressing root causes and facilitating optimal mitigation and restoration, which helps maximize insurance coverage and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.Safety assurance: Roof work involves inherent dangers, such as heights and unstable surfaces. Professionals are trained to perform repairs safely, significantly reducing accident risks.Structural awareness: Beyond simple patching, roof repair specialists understand how factors, like expansion and contraction, weight distribution and environmental conditions, impact the entire roof system, ensuring comprehensive and lasting repairs for complex leaks.6. Implement Short-Term Solutions for Exterior Roof Leak ManagementWhile waiting for comprehensive roof repairs, securing your property from further water intrusion is critical. Engaging a roofing professional for immediate tarping and temporary fixes is highly recommended.These interim solutions require expertise to be effective and safe:Professional tarping: Experts can safely and effectively apply heavy-duty, waterproof tarps over damaged areas. They know how to properly secure the tarp — often extending well beyond the leak zone — using methods that prevent further damage to your roof and ensure it withstands adverse weather conditions. This professional application is crucial for maximizing its protective capabilities and can be important for insurance claims.Emergency patching: For smaller, isolated issues like cracks or holes, a professional can apply appropriate roofing sealants or patches. They ensure the area is properly prepped, clean and dry, and select the right material for a temporary seal that minimizes immediate water ingress without compromising future permanent repairs.Safety and effectiveness: Attempting temporary fixes yourself, especially on a damaged roof, can be dangerous. Professionals are equipped and trained for safe roof access and can implement these solutions quickly and correctly, preventing personal injury and ensuring the temporary fix actually holds up.Preventing further damage: Incorrectly applied temporary measures can sometimes exacerbate existing damage or create new problems. An expert ensures that short-term solutions protect your home without causing unintended complications.Remember, these expert-applied short-term solutions are designed to manage the immediate risk of water intrusion and are not a substitute for permanent roof repairs. They buy you time and peace of mind until full, lasting repairs can be completed.What Are the Signs of a Roof Leak?A roof leak may be very obvious, or the issue may reveal itself over time through subtle indications that are easy to overlook.Knowing the signs will help you spot them early and take immediate action.Active DrippingOne of the most common signs of a roof leak is water dripping or pooling, especially during or immediately after rain. Water may drip directly from ceilings, run down walls or collect in hidden spaces. Even a very small leak indicates a compromised roof structure.Water StainsNext to dripping water, water stains are often the most obvious signs of a roof leak. Stains can be either brown, greenish or yellow. You may notice them as patches, streaks, or rings on your interior ceilings or walls.Some areas more prone to water stains include those just below the roof structure and at the corners where walls and ceilings meet.Sagging CeilingsCeilings sag when water accumulates in the roof structure over an extended period. The weight of the trapped water is what causes the sagging.Sagging ceilings are a serious visual sign that should be treated as urgent, as they can indicate compromised structural integrity. Left unaddressed, they pose a risk of collapsing, releasing large volumes of water, ceiling materials and other debris. Such an accident can be extremely dangerous, posing a threat to occupants and property.Bubbling or Peeling PaintOne effect of water leaking into paint is that it causes it to blister, bubble or peel. If you notice these signs on your ceiling or wall, there is a high chance they’re the result of an unresolved roof leak.Roof leaks can affect both interior and exterior paint. Regularly inspecting your wall paint can help you catch a leak before it causes significant damage.Mold or Mildew GrowthRoof leaks, especially ongoing ones, create the conditions for mold and mildew to grow. These infestations may appear as discolored patches on ceilings, walls, insulation or wood.They may also cause a persistent, musty or damp smell, especially in enclosed rooms and areas with limited airflow, such as attics or crawl spaces.Common Causes of Roof LeaksActing promptly after discovering a roof leak is essential, but knowing what causes them empowers you to respond more effectively. A basic understanding of the causes of roof leaks can help you make sense of what you’re seeing as you track down the source.Outlined below are some common culprits behind leaks. Rhode Island Restoration Damaged or Missing ShinglesShingles play an essential role in protecting your roof decking and other vital components from the elements. When a shingle is missing or damaged, the underlying materials are left exposed to rainwater, ice and snow, which can ultimately lead to leaks.Aging Roof MaterialsAs roof materials age, they are more susceptible to wear and tear. This can manifest as cracked or dried-out underlying membranes, worn granular coatings and brittle shingles. A roof system with aged materials is more prone to water intrusion.Clogged Gutters and DownspoutsWhen gutters and downspouts are blocked, water can back up and overflow. Standing water can seep beneath the eaves of shingles, increasing the likelihood of leaks, particularly in freezing temperatures when ice dams form.Compromised FlashingFlashings are thin metal strips installed at the connections between the roof and other surfaces, such as skylights, vent pipes and chimneys. Cracks, rusts and bends in these flashings can create openings for water to seep into the roof.Punctures and Impact DamageDuring severe weather, falling branches and debris can be blown onto the roof, puncturing or damaging it. The direct holes and weak spots created by these accidents can allow water to enter the roof.Condensation in the AtticAttics are often vulnerable to high humidity when roof systems are poorly ventilated. This causes condensation when moist air from living spaces below rises into a cold, unventilated space.Condensation doesn’t necessarily compromise your roof to the extent of letting water in. However, it can create water in your attic that mimics a real roof leak.Failure to address it promptly can lead to structural damage that eventually exposes the roof to external leaks.Take Action to Secure Your Home TodayYour home is your sanctuary, and protecting it is essential. Swift action, whether through expert-assisted temporary fixes or comprehensive repairs, ensures the safety and well-being of your household and preserves the integrity of your most valuable asset. Don’t delay. Addressing a roof leak without hesitation protects your investment and provides invaluable peace of mind.This story was produced by Rhode Island Restoration and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Kansas attorney general asks three cities to undo conversion therapy bans Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach wrote demand letters to three Kansas cities, giving them 60 days to repeal their bans on conversion therapy for minors. He appears here at a press conference on Oct. 1, 2025. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — The Kansas attorney general demanded three cities repeal their bans on conversion therapy for minors following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that found such bans violate the First Amendment. Attorney General Kris Kobach sent letters Thursday to city officials in Lawrence, Prairie Village and Roeland Park, requesting they respond within 60 days to indicate whether they nullified their bans on conversion therapy. The collection of practices known as conversion therapy were designed to attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It is banned in 27 states and more than a dozen other countries, and it has been discredited by major American medical and psychological associations. An estimated 698,000 LGBTQ+ adults have received conversion therapy in the United States, and more than half of them received it as a minor, according to the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles School of Law. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Chiles v. Salazar in March that a conversion therapy ban in Colorado violated therapists’ constitutionally protected free speech. “The First Amendment applies to everyone — therapists, patients and everyone else,” Kobach said last week. “A city violates the Constitution when it attempts to forbid a therapist from providing the counseling that the therapist believes is in the best interest of the patient.” The Lawrence City Commission and the Prairie Village City Council passed bans in 2021. Roeland Park was the first city in Kansas to pass a ban in 2020. Legislation to codify a conversion therapy ban statewide has repeatedly failed to progress in the Kansas Legislature. The latest attempt came in 2025 from Democratic Rep. Susan Ruiz, an openly gay legislator from Shawnee, but the bill never received a hearing. Keith Moody, city administrator for Roeland Park, told Kansas Reflector its city council passed the attorney general’s letter to the city attorney, who is completing a legal review. It will be shared with elected officials once it is finished, he said. Cori Wallace, a spokesperson for the city of Lawrence, declined to answer questions about whether the city will repeal the ban. “We are in receipt of the letter from the Attorney General’s Office and have noted the 60-day timeline,” she said in an emailed statement. A spokesperson for the city of Prairie Village did not return Kansas Reflector’s request for comment. The U.S. Supreme Court held that the Colorado law violated the First Amendment, the conversion therapy practices at the heart of the case were protected speech, and the state law censored therapists’ speech based on viewpoint. “Lawrence’s ordinance seeks to control speech in a nearly identical way,” Kobach wrote in a letter to Lawrence Mayor Brad Finkeldei. Lawrence’s law bans “any practice, counseling or purported treatment that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.” It also bars professionals from advertising or using the terms “conversion therapy, ex-gay therapy, sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts, or any substantially similar wording.” “The government may not declare that some words and ideas are forbidden,” Kobach wrote. “And now the Supreme Court of the United States has squarely ruled on the subject.” Kobach called both pieces of the law “equally disturbing.” Violations of Lawrence’s law are punishable by a maximum $500 fine, and penalties in Prairie Village can include an up to $1,000 fine. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Man accused of murdering Trudy Appleby in court Wednesday Jamison Fisher, the man accused of murdering 1996 death of 11-year-old Trudy Appleby, is due in court Wednesday afternoon.
	Nearly 2 in 5 US workers have put company information into personal AI accounts, and most don't know it can be illegal Nearly 2 in 5 US workers have put company information into personal AI accounts, and most don't know it can be illegalThe confidential company document has a new address: someone's personal chatbot history. In a July 2026 survey of 500 employed U.S. adults commissioned by Kolmogorov Law, a California business-litigation firm, and conducted through the Pollfish research platform, 38% admitted they have entered at least one type of work information into a personal AI account their employer does not control. Additionally, 64.4% did not know that doing so can, in some circumstances, break the law.The amount of sensitive company data moving into personal AI accounts is not trivial. Nearly a quarter of all workers surveyed (23%) say they have pasted internal emails, memos, or documents into a personal AI account. More than one in ten admit to entering financial or sales figures (12.4%), customer or client information (11.8%), contracts or legal documents (11.4%), or employee and HR information (10.6%); 9% have entered computer code or technical materials. Among only the workers who admitted putting anything into a personal account, internal documents lead at 60.5%.The survey asked workers directly about behavior that company security monitoring has already suggested is happening. Monitoring firm Cyberhaven, analyzing millions of employee prompts, has reported that roughly 11% of what employees paste into chatbots is sensitive material, and that the overwhelming majority of workplace chatbot use runs through non-corporate accounts invisible to employers. The new data suggests workers themselves will confirm the pattern when asked: 57.6% use AI tools for work, and 36.8% do so at least partly through a personal account.Workplace AI policies remain unclearWorkplace policy has not kept up. According to the Kolmogorov Law survey, only 35.8% of workers say their employer has a clear, written policy on what work information may be shared with AI tools. Forty percent say no such policy exists, and another 24.2% aren't sure — meaning nearly two-thirds of the American workforce (64.2%) is improvising. A further 6.6% say their employer bans AI tools outright, a rule past statistics suggest is not airtight.The survey's starkest finding may be what happens when workers leave. When asked to imagine departing a job while their personal AI account contained chats with work material (drafts, analyses, perhaps customer details), 16.2% of respondents said they would keep the account as it is, on the theory that "the chats are mine." Another 31.6% admitted they had never thought about the question until the survey posed it. Just 19% would ask their employer what to do. For decades, the signature trade-secret dispute began with a departing employee and a copied customer list. The data suggests the new dispute may be a chat log that simply walks out the door by default.Workers are uncertain about the legal risksWhether any of this is unlawful depends on what was shared and how. Under the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Civil Code section 3426 et seq.) and the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act, disclosing information that derives value from secrecy can constitute misappropriation. Courts have not treated the fact that information was shared with an AI chatbot instead of a competitor as a legal defense. California Penal Code section 502 separately addresses knowingly taking, copying, or using data from an employer's computer system without permission and carries both civil remedies and criminal penalties. Yet, according to the Kolmogorov Law survey, only 35.6% of workers surveyed know that entering confidential company information into a personal AI account can be against the law. Fourteen percent believe it is at most a company policy issue, 6% see no problem at all, and a striking 44.4% simply aren't sure.Employees expect to bear responsibilityWhen asked who should bear the most legal responsibility when company information leaks through a personal AI account, survey respondents pointed first at themselves: 42.8% chose the employee, 22.4% said employee, employer, and AI company should share responsibility equally, 16% chose the employer, and just 6.8% blamed the AI company. Workers, in other words, largely accept that the person doing the pasting owns the consequences — they just don't know how serious those consequences can be.The findings suggest AI adoption in many workplaces is outpacing both formal governance and employee understanding of applicable policies and law. For employers, the numbers argue that an unwritten AI policy is now a measurable liability: Two-thirds of employees either have no rules to follow or don't know the rules exist. For workers, the numbers describe a risk most of them are carrying blind: More than a third of the workforce has already put company information somewhere the company cannot reach, and most of them believe the worst that can happen is a policy violation.MethodologyThis article is based on a survey of 500 employed U.S. adults age 18 and older, conducted July 8, 2026, through the Pollfish online research platform. Respondents were screened by Pollfish audience targeting to include only adults employed for wages (full- or part-time) or self-employed. The survey included two segmentation questions and eleven substantive questions covering workplace AI use, handling of confidential information in personal AI accounts, employer AI policies, awareness of applicable law, experiences with AI meeting notetakers, and recording-consent expectations, plus an attention-check question that 100% of the final sample answered correctly. Questions about consent in meetings where an AI notetaker was present were asked of the 167 respondents who reported such meetings; percentages for that subsample carry a wider margin of error of approximately plus or minus 7.6%. The margin of error for the full sample is approximately plus or minus 4.4% at a 95% confidence level.This story was produced by Kolmogorov Law and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	City of Muscatine reminds residents about guidelines for refuse, recycling containers The City of Muscatine Public Works Department and Solid Waste Division remind residents of the proper guidelines for placing refuse and recycling containers at the curb ahead of scheduled collection days, a news release says. After these placement rules helps protect resident property, ensures the safety of collection crews, and allows collection vehicles to operate [...]
	Spray paint sensors, cameras: How Bettendorf is trying to deter park vandalism After testing a sensor that detects THC and spray paint in a Bettendorf park bathroom, the city hopes to expand its efforts to deter vandalism.
	How one tool can help boost your confidence this school year (BPT) - Academic excellence isn't just about gaining knowledge. When students finally grasp a tough concept or ace a challenging test, they begin to feel more confident in their ideas, their future and, ultimately, themselves.That said, navigating the sheer volume of information, assignments and deadlines from multiple classes can be overwhelming, leading some students to lose their momentum. Fortunately, students can turn these hurdles into important moments of learning and growth with one simple tool: the power of the pen.A pen can be an active partner in how students process information. Here are three key ways the right writing tool can transform how students learn, study and manage stress this school year.Color: A catalyst for energy and focusColor is more than just an aesthetic choice. Strategically choosing colors for taking notes in class, making notecards at home and taking quizzes and tests can shift your mood, energy and mindset.This isn't speculation; it's color science. Many studies have shown that different hues can evoke certain emotions and stimulate specific brain functions:Blues can help in soothing nerves and supporting focusPinks encourage warmth and positive thinkingGreens are thought to foster balance and harmonyPurples can help fuel imagination and creativityReds, oranges and yellows promote energy, ideas and motivationPilot Pen, the makers of America's favorite gel ink pen, understands the importance of color. Their G2 Boost Collection makes it easy to put color science into practice with five curated assortments that help students organize ideas, color-code notes and study with intention.Need a finer-point pen for condensing information onto a single index card? Precise pens are engineered for pinpoint precision and come in a gorgeous range of vibrant colors, so even your smallest handwriting can shift your mood and help with retention.Unlock mental freedom with the power to eraseBecause traditional inks are permanent, note-taking, drafting and test prep can feel daunting. This fear of mistakes can cause students to hesitate and stress before they even put pen to paper.Instead of staying stuck and frazzled, students can use an erasable pen to overcome the fear of failure. Designed for self-expression without the pressure of perfection, the FriXion erasable pens give students the power to write, erase and reorganize as they study. When a student knows they have the freedom to erase a mistake, reorganize their notes and fix equations on a note card, they can write fearlessly and gain the confidence to try again.Sensory moments matterSensory experiences can have a profound impact on the brain. Tactile stimulation like soothing textures, visual input like vibrant colors and sensory feedback like the smooth glide of a pen on paper can help students move from fight-or-flight mode into a focused and grounded state. That's because these sensory stimuli activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for the body's relaxation response. Incorporating subtle sensory tools into daily life is a practical, simple way to manage stress levels and return to a sense of calm focus.To navigate tense moments while learning, studying or taking a test, students should choose the G2 Edge Metallics. This fine-point multisensory pen is available in black ink and five colored metallic inks, and is specifically designed to engage a student's visual, auditory and tactile senses. The click of the pen, the curve of the clip, the textured barrel, the grounding grip and the smooth glide of the ink work together to keep a student calm, focused and clear-headed.Transforming stress and frustration into resilienceInstead of backing down from confusing assignments, disorganized notes and difficult tests, students can meet these challenges head-on with writing instruments designed to boost confidence and improve learning.When looking for the right writing tool this school year, pick pens that deliver the power of color, erasability and sensory design like the tools from Pilot Pen. By intentionally pairing learning with tools that offer curated colors, limitless do-overs and sensory benefits, Pilot Pen is helping students take ownership and pride in their educational journey. To find the smart tools that fit your student's study style, visit StudySmartWithPilot.com.
	Southern Nevada medic group bridges gaps in homeless community with ‘Sidewalk Sundays’ The People’s Medic was created to provide free health screenings, street medicine, food, and other resources to unhoused individuals, including during "Sidewalk Sundays" on the Historic West Side. (Photo: Leilah Ortega/Nevada Current) Down in the Historic Westside, behind a mosque, stand two tents and an RV that operate a medical clinic for unhoused individuals every week. With limited equipment and a volunteer system, The People’s Medic supplies medical care to Las Vegas’ most vulnerable communities. Tomi Love and her wife, Jasmine Lazaro, are both registered nurses who created The People’s Medic to provide free first-aid education, health screenings, street medicine, food, and resources to unhoused individuals. After working in hospitals for over five years, they both decided to take health care into their own hands. Following the No Kings protests in June 2025, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers dispersed tear gas on protesters; Love and Lazaro prepared themselves and others the next day while protesting. They brought supplies to the protests and started classes teaching people how to protect themselves from tear gas. Love said she wanted to provide the public with the skills and education she learned as a registered nurse to prepare them for medical emergencies. “I would do a lot of research, and I would just be out [at protests] with all my flyers,” Love said. From there, Love and Lazaro attended more protests, including anti-ICE protests in January where they carried medical kits, N95 masks, and milk of magnesia to administer if needed. Lazaro says her own experience of growing up in the Philippines also inspired the birth of The People’s Medic. “When I was 17 years old in the Philippines, I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and we did a lot of community health work,” Lazaro said. “We would visit people’s houses and communities, and we would do health fairs. I was the president of the nursing organization, Southville International Organization for Nursing Students, and we would organize helpers such as this, and that was really my inspiration.” The People’s Medic slowly grew, and Love filed for a business license in February. Love said the name came to her in the middle of the night, reflecting the organization’s purpose. The birth of Sidewalk Sundays In March, the day after the third “No Kings” nationwide protests, The People’s Medic was invited by the Las Vegas chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to join their Sunday Solidarity event to distribute resources to the local unhoused community. Love said DSA “knew that there was some people out there who hadn’t had health checks.” During their visit, they noticed people suffering from heat illness, insufficient hydration, wounds on their feet, and several other health issues. DSA’s Sunday Solidarity occurs every month, but Love and Lazaro saw the need for someone to be out there every week to check on the health of the unhoused community. “We went back the next Sunday just by ourselves with another friend,” Love said. “It kinda spiraled from there. People would want to stay in the shade because anywhere there’s a ‘no trespassing’ sign, they can’t hang out in the shade; they’ll get arrested.” The People’s Medic named their own operation “Sidewalk Sundays” and has consistently shown up at the same location DSA first invited them to in the Historic Westside at the intersection of W McWilliams Ave. and G St. The location is on a street behind a mosque, which Love said had no problem with their operation. The organization is currently seeing 50-75 people every Sunday. Sidewalk Sundays occur in the early morning for three hours to avoid the blazing Southern Nevadan sun. The People’s Medic has a table full of various foods and resources for visitors to grab. Volunteers assist in health check-ins and distributing the free goods, some even providing the supplies themselves. While they do not administer or prescribe medication, Love and Lazaro also operate Releaf PLLC, a separate entity created to treat non-emergency primary care needs. Through Releaf PLLC, Lazaro can prescribe medication to individuals regardless of insurance or documentation status. The Pet’s Medic, a branch of The People’s Medic, is also part of Sidewalk Sundays to give out food and resources for the pets of unhoused individuals. (Photo: Leilah Ortega/Nevada Current) Love and Lazaro said when they began, the people who came to see them were “walking heart attacks.” Love recalled a story of having to restore an unhoused man’s breathing with six doses of Narcan. “This guy, I was watching his chest to see if he [was] breathing,” Love said. “But I could tell he was pretty zonked on something. So towards the end of the day, we tried to wake him up and we couldn’t. And, so, I mean, I knew right away because I’ve been teaching it, fentanyl was probably in his drugs.” Love said that the man’s friends tried to dissuade her from administering Narcan as it was “bad for his heart.” Love said she then taught the crowd surrounding the man that Narcan does not cause or worsen heart problems. After administering the doses of Narcan, the man woke up with a smile, and he now comes to visit them every Sunday. “He has not had access to healthcare for two years, and he doesn’t have insurance,” Love said. “His main source of income was donating blood; he couldn’t donate blood anymore because his blood pressure was too high.” The man came to The People’s Medic after the incident seeking help to lower his blood pressure and secure his source of income once again. Lazaro was able to get his blood work done and prescribe him medication. “Within three days of him picking up those meds, his blood went from 210 over 108, which is a walking heart attack, to 140 over 70, which is almost perfect,” Love said. “That’s just a night-and-day difference (for) someone who just needed access.” The connections formed between the unhoused individuals and The People’s Medic create a system of trust. Individuals return every week, knowing they can find refuge within that small section of the sidewalk. The People’s Medic receives donations through visibility on social media and partnerships with other organizations. DSA members donate medical kits and supplies, and Shine a Light Foundation, which provides assistance to people living in the Las Vegas tunnels, donates Narcan. Love and Lazaro said they have also personally contributed to cover costs But as is the case with most public assistance organizations, whether public or private, the challenges are greater than the resources. “We wanted to do sugar checks …just to see if their sugar was high,” Love said. “And then when their sugars were high, my first question was, ‘Hey, do you have your insulin?’ And they don’t. They can’t afford their insulin.” Because Lazaro can only prescribe the medication, and not provide it, Love said it almost feels like their hands are tied. “I can check their sugars for diabetes, but unless we have the equipment, we have the tools, there’s not much else we can bring forward,” Love said. Love said a pharmacist volunteer recently joined their organization and is working towards registering them as a pharmacy entity to start accepting donated medication for those who need it. Bridging the gap On top of running The People’s Medic and Releaf PLLC, as well as The Pet’s Medic, a branch of The People’s Medic which also appears on Sidewalk Sunday to give out food and resources for the pets of unhoused individuals, Love and Lazaro also work at a local outpatient healthcare clinic. Disillusioned by the health care system, the couple say they sought to make a difference on their own. After moving from California to Las Vegas, the two saw the desperate need for accessible healthcare for all individuals. “When you go on the streets like this, you see that they are in and out [of the healthcare system], pump and dump,” Love said. “They don’t have access to their meds; they can’t afford their meds. There’s just so many gaps that we are even still learning about and trying to work around.” Along with Love and Lazaro, their volunteers also help in any way they can. David Roman protested during the No Kings rally and saw how he could use his expertise as a health insurance agent to aid The People’s Medic. “I’m certified for Medicare, so I have resources where if they’re not sure if their benefits are active, if they have Medicaid, if they’re disabled and eligible for Medicare, they can fill out a scope of appointment, and then I can look into that stuff for them and report back to them,” Roman said. “I think a lot of us use our careers and see where it fits into this project.” Roman also brings water, food, clothes, and even socks gifted to him during Christmas to give out to the community. Since volunteering with The People’s Medic, he has seen the impact in the local community. “It’s been just a massive outpouring of support, especially in this neighborhood,” Roman said. “I mean, what you see here is probably a good five, six times [what] they started. So more people coming out, and more people bringing food and supplies. It’s absolutely grown.” The People’s Medic has also expanded to Reno, hosting a medic preparedness class in partnership with DSA and Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN). As the organization grows, Roman said they’re continuing to make the experience better for the community. “We’re talking and texting, ‘How can we make it better?’” Roman said. “We want to add stations to make this kind of like a full experience for people to figure out if they have their benefits, get a checkup, sit down, have something to eat, maybe talk to each other with a little less survival mode in the back of their mind.” Love and Lazaro say what started as Sidewalk Sundays became a way for the pair to help make a mark on the world. “We were getting so frustrated with what’s happening in our society… if you want to see the change in the world, you gotta start with yourself,” Lazaro said. “And that’s what we did.” Courtesy of Nevada Current
	IowaWORKS to host Eastern Iowa Success Fair on August 12 More than 100 employers and community organizations are expected to participate, offering information on thousands of job opportunities throughout the Quad Cities region.
	Empowering Abilities earns Three-Year CARF Accreditation Three-Year Accreditation is the highest level of accreditation awarded by the internationally recognized nonprofit accrediting organization.
	A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency. It’s led to delays, incorrect information and privacy concerns. Kinney Drugs in Essex Junction on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger In voicemails, spam folders and text messages across Vermont, an artificial intelligence tool is filing through years of pharmaceutical records, incoherently listing drugs and requesting the wrong refills on sensitive medication. And customers often have no idea they agreed to it. “He calls you all the time, and he doesn’t say what the drug is,” said Kathy Callaghan, a Vermont customer of Kinney Drugs, referring to a new AI tool recently put to use by the Vermont and New York pharmacy chain. Nearly every day, she recalled, her phone rings, and she hears an incomprehensive mutter of a drug from the AI voice. Confused, she approves the refill order, thinking the request is legitimate and she really is out of a prescription. So far, it hasn’t been, she said. “I’ve got four bottles of something that I take twice a week sitting here,” Callaghan said. Earlier this summer, amid a nationwide wave of AI technology entering healthcare systems, Kinney Drugs implemented a new AI assistant for prescription refill services, lauding the tool as a way to improve communication and efficiency. But customers say it’s doing the opposite. According to nearly a dozen Kinney Drugs customers across its stores in Vermont and New York who spoke to VTDigger, the AI rollout has coincided with a range of problems. Delays have grown between physicians ordering drugs and the pharmacy processing them. The system has been unable to locate longtime customer accounts, has ordered incorrect dosages, and has failed to notify customers when refills were ready for pickup. And these inaccuracies are raising privacy concerns amongst customers. Their mounting frustrations towards the AI is leading some customers to leave the pharmacy entirely, they said, and forcing others to continue using a system they distrust due to a lack of pharmaceutical options in rural areas. As AI pops up in healthcare systems across the country, several lawyers told VTDigger that the technology is outpacing regulation, leaving consumer protections thin. “There’s a delay in laws that are coming onto the books, so we’ve not seen a detailed picture of how companies are going to comply or how states are going to enforce the laws,” said Cody Venzke, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU. In Vermont, a new data privacy bill, S.71, signed by Gov. Phil Scott on June 16, takes effect in two years. That delay creates a gap in compliance to a bill that privacy advocates say is already too weak to protect consumers. “Even if it were in effect, I’m not sure that it would necessarily cover the situation,” said Ryan Kriger, a Vermont lawyer and resident who testified on the bill. ‘No value, no benefit’ Kinney Drugs implemented the AI virtual assistant for patient communication and refill services in May. Soon after, its customers began to experience problems, they said. “My first impression was it was just more complicated and cumbersome than the previous recording and service,” said Matt Penney, who’s been receiving medication at a Kinney Drugs in Vermont for around two years. Previously, to refill a prescription at Kinney Drugs, a customer would call a prompt-based, touch-tone, phone system that would give them the opportunity to navigate a keypad to reach a pharmacist. Customers who spoke to VTDigger said this old system worked smoothly, and they had no problems. Not so much with the new system, they said. “It’s just something that wastes time and delays customer service. As far as I’m concerned, it has absolutely no value, no benefit to the customer,” Vermont Kinney Drugs customer Dave Bellini said. The AI assistant, which Kinney Drugs named Burt, after its founder, was built by third-party AI pharmaceutical company, Synerio. In the pharmacy’s terms, Kinney Drugs states that “Burt may not be accurate, complete or up-to-date and may be misleading or contain errors and omissions.” Any customer who provides their telephone number to Kinney Drugs automatically consents to interacting with the tool, though they may later opt out, according to the pharmacy’s terms. While some customers recalled signing onto a new refill system earlier this summer, others said they didn’t realize the company implemented the new tool until they called for a refill and heard the AI voice. “Burt demands that you talk to him,” said Maria Aveni, a Vermont Kinney Drugs customer who has worked in healthcare as an anesthesiologist. “There’s no option to use a keypad to enter what you want to, which has been the case with other telephone interactions I’ve had. So it’s more of a talk to Burt or don’t get your drugs.” According to Aveni and other customers who spoke to VTDigger, Kinney Drugs did not communicate about the tool before implementation. When this month Aveni experienced a delay in receiving medication that her physician had ordered, she felt grateful it was not a lifesaving drug. Nevertheless, she was alarmed. Since then, she said she only goes in person to her pharmacy for refills in order to avoid AI interactions. But for others, who live in rural areas and have limited access to transportation, going in person to receive refills as a way around the AI is impossible. A Kinney Drugs representative who did not want to be identified by name, wrote in a statement to VTDigger that the company is “aware that some patients have experienced frustration with Burt, especially during rollout,” and that it is reviewing each concern and attempting to reach each patient. While customers said they were confused over why Kinney Drugs switched to the AI, the company cited a clear reason: to eliminate repetitive tasks and free up time for its pharmacists. Its leaders believe the AI has helped in achieving this goal, with one director saying that “it’s definitely doing the trick and handling those phone calls in such a nice manner that it’s reducing the calls to our pharmacy.” But customers’ experience with the tool has led to an oftentimes opposite effect. As they encounter problems with the AI, many are turning to pharmacists more for help. In Vermont, pharmacists are already overburdened due to a chronic worker shortage. “It’s slowing down productivity of an already stressed staff, and because that staff has treated me for a long time, and I feel loyalty, it isn’t just a financial concern for me, it’s an inhumane way to treat the staff,” Aveni said. ‘Privacy is just about out the window’ While the AI tool’s reported inaccuracies are the primary frustration for many customers, others are citing privacy concerns for leaving the chain. “Once I went into the store and actually read the privacy policy, I was shocked, and immediately transferred my prescriptions to UVM Hospital,” Tuan Green, a former Vermont Kinney Drugs customer, said. The pharmacy’s privacy policy, released the same month as the AI assistant, discloses, for example, that customers’ protected health information may be used in AI tools to improve the pharmacy’s operations. “These days, privacy is just about out the window,” Stephen McArthur, a Vermont Kinney Drugs customer, said. Beyond Kinney Drugs, customers and privacy experts have also raised concerns with Synerio, the Texas-based technology company that supplies the AI tool to the pharmacy. Joseph Near, an associate professor of computer science at the University of Vermont, said that, privacy-wise, the AI tool is worse than the pharmacy’s previous refill system because this additional company, Synerio, now also has access to customers’ health data. “If I just interact with my healthcare provider, I’m relying on the security that they have. If they now start interacting with many other organizations, I now have to start worrying about all the security issues with each of them,” Bradley Malin, a professor of biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said, referring to Synerio. The Kinney Drugs representative said that the company maintains “multiple layers of security controls,” invests in “information security technologies to help protect sensitive data” and has the protocols in place to respond to potential data breaches. AI in healthcare settings also raises a host of concerns surrounding the federal health privacy law HIPAA, several lawyers and data privacy experts said, pointing to possible data sharing of protected health information. However, as long as the pharmacy has a business associate agreement — the contract under HIPAA that establishes that third-party vendors securely handle protected health information — the companies are contractually obliged to handle data securely. The Kinney Drugs representative declined to share the agreement, citing an inability to disclose private vendor contracts, but wrote that the company “maintains the appropriate agreements.” Synerio did not respond to multiple requests for comment, but also says on its webpages that the tools it creates are built to be compliant with HIPAA. While Synerio did not respond to VTDigger’s questions about customer protections, Kinney Drugs’ pharmacy management system, McKesson, acknowledged them in public filings, writing that “reliance on third-party AI tools and solutions may expose us to risks that are outside of our control, including compliance gaps.” ‘Consent is not a realistic solution’ As states move to create laws aimed at protecting data privacy, burgeoning AI tools, like the one Kinney Drug’s implemented, could serve as a test case for how effective these laws are. Zach Tomanelli, a privacy advocate with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, said that customers’ experience with AI is an example of why the Vermont data privacy bill should have gone further. The law gives residents the right to know what information is being collected about them, correct inaccurate data and opt out of their data being sold. But lawyers and advocates say it includes too many exemptions for companies collecting data. Near, the UVM computer science professor, said that regulations like the new Vermont law are inherently flawed simply because they are based on consumer consent. Kinney Drugs, for instance, spreads its terms and conditions across 11 documents. “I think that people absolutely do not understand what they’re consenting to, and so basing our regulation and what we think is okay on the idea of consent is not a realistic solution to these kinds of privacy concerns nowadays,” he said. Stacey Tovino, a University of Oklahoma professor who teaches HIPAA, said the privacy law lets patients petition to correct inaccurate health information. But the process is so cumbersome that Tovino herself said she would just switch pharmacies to avoid the exposure. Customers in rural areas of Vermont, however, may not have an accessible option to switch to, and even those who do say they don’t want to, citing the personal connection they’ve built with the small-scale pharmacy chain and the people who work there. “I don’t want to leave the pharmacy that I can walk to, that I really like,” Aveni said. “But I will if it doesn’t sort itself out.” Read the story on VTDigger here: A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency. It’s led to delays, incorrect information and privacy concerns.. Courtesy of VT Digger
	Two more dry days for the Quad Cities It feels much more comfortable across the Quad Cities with less humidity in the air. Dry weather today and Thursday gives way to a much-needed rain event Friday into Saturday. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	Bench trial set to start for former Mercer Co. superintendent The bench trial for former Mercer County school superintendent Timothy Farquer is set to begin Wednesday.
	Everyday People: Rockridge two-sport star chooses Western Illinois University Cullen Schwigen said he chose the Leathernecks because of his love for football.
	MultiCare, Premera reach deal to keep coverage for over 100K WA patients (Photo by Getty Images)MultiCare, which operates more than a dozen hospitals in Washington, has agreed to keep charging Premera Blue Cross insurance customers in-network rates after months of negotiations that threatened their coverage. The hospital system and insurer are still hashing out the details, Bill Akers, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Premera, said Tuesday. Both parties declined to provide further information about the preliminary agreement. “We appreciate the patience of our members and customers, and the work both organizations invested to reach this point,” Akers said in a statement. “We’ll share more when the contract is finalized and look forward to continuing our relationship with MultiCare and serving our communities together.” A MultiCare spokesperson confirmed the deal. “We value our longstanding partnership with Premera and are pleased to continue providing high-quality, locally accessible care to the communities we serve,” spokesperson Scott Thompson said in an email Tuesday. Earlier in the contract talks, Premera had to notify roughly 100,000 households that MultiCare services may result in out-of-network costs for patients. Over 16,000 get insurance through the School Employee Benefits Board, or SEBB, for example. In the past couple years, about 163,000 people with Premera coverage have had claims in the MultiCare system, the insurer has said. Based in Tacoma, MultiCare operates 13 hospitals and many other primary care and urgent care clinics. This includes Yakima Memorial Hospital, Tacoma General Hospital and Capital Medical Center in Olympia. While Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue is part of that system, it isn’t subject to the agreement that was subject to negotiations, so patients there would be covered either way. These negotiations with providers usually come every two or three years, mostly over how much insurers will pay hospitals for caring for policyholders. This was the main sticking point here, as hospitals brace for cuts to Medicaid and more uninsured patients that could hurt their bottom line. MultiCare had said Premera’s reimbursement rates are “among the lowest” compared to other insurers. Hospitals are already dealing with rapidly rising costs outpacing inflation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. On the other side, the Mountlake Terrace-based insurer saw this as an affordability issue, with increased reimbursements potentially trickling down, contributing to higher premiums for enrollees and added costs for employers. “Throughout these discussions, Premera’s focus has been protecting access to care while helping keep healthcare affordable,” Akers said. Premera said earlier MultiCare proposals would result in thousands of dollars in added costs for routine procedures. For example, $17,000 more for a knee replacement. As the contract talks dragged on, MultiCare and Premera, which are both nonprofits, had to extend a previous contract multiple times to ensure it didn’t lapse, which would have meant patients with Premera insurance would have had to pay out-of-network costs. An earlier deadline would’ve allowed the agreement to end starting in June. The current cutoff is the end of this month. The negotiations had been ongoing since November. There still would’ve been exceptions even if the agreement ran out. Emergency care is covered in-network under federal law. Premera customers with Medicare Supplement plans wouldn’t have been affected. And a 60-day grace period under state law would’ve allowed patients to remain in-network after notice of a contract termination. Courtesy of Washington State Standard
	2025 Iowa State Fair BBQ champion is now a Quad-Cities food truck From brisket to ribs to sausages and pork, Rural Rumps has a little something for everyone.

Wednesday, July 29th, 2026