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

Thursday, March 12th, 2026
	Bam Adebayo's 83-point night was one to remember. But not everyone was pleased Detractors point to Adebayo's one-of-a-kind stat line — 43 field goal attempts, 22 3-point attempts and, most of all, NBA records of 36 free throws and 43 attempts — as proof of stat-padding.
Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
	Trump says Democrats must cheat to win. What do his supporters think? NPR spent several days traveling across a pair of swing districts in Pennsylvania to find out. The answers show how much has changed since the 2020 election.
	Community picks up the pieces after storms roll through Tuesday People in Stark Co. picked up the pieces after severe weather Tuesday evening.
	Crews respond to truck crash in Davenport on Wednesday evening A News 8 journalist spotted the crash near the intersection of West Fifth Street and Brady Street on Wednesday, March 11.
	‘My Heart Sank’: Family of student speaks out after bus crash in Whiteside County Four students were taken to the hospital after a Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico school bus went off the road in Whiteside County Tuesday afternoon.
	From 75° this Monday to below 0° wind chills next Monday! High temps have been all over the place lately in the Quad Cities. We had a record high of 75° on Monday and couldn't even make it out of the lower 40s Wednesday! We'll be close to normal for the next few days, but then it gets REALLY cold for March early next week...
	Man accused of murdering Trudy Appleby asks judge to recuse herself In a handwritten motion, Jamison Fisher requested that Judge Norma Kauzlarich recuse herself from the case, claiming unfair treatment.
	Victim identified in fatal Blue Grass crash 59-year-old Lisa Johannsen of Blue Grass was killed in a crash on Monday, March 9.
	What do precinct committee people do? Dozens of political party volunteers help distribute candidate information in their neighborhoods.
	Victim identified in fatal Blue Grass crash 59-year-old Lisa Johannsen of Blue Grass was killed in a crash on Monday, March 9.
	Contest of champions: Special Olympians battle United Township It was a battle for the ages as the United Township High School Panthers' varsity basketball teams took on the challenge of some Special Olympians. Our Quad Cities News photojournalist Mike Colón brought the action of the contest of champions. (Mike Colón, OurQuadCities.com)
	Here’s what three Iowans did to become statewide candidates Two candidates for the U.S. Senate and one for governor submitted thousands of signatures to the Iowa Secretary of State's office on Wednesday.
	The government is investigating new claims that DOGE misused Social Security data The fallout from DOGE staffers' efforts to access sensitive Social Security data continues as an agency watchdog disclosed a new investigation into "potential misuse" reported by a whistleblower.
	Police identify Blue Grass pedestrian killed after being struck by vehicle on Monday The crash occurred shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Monday in the 13200 block of 65th Avenue.
	Deputies identify person killed after being struck by vehicle Scott County deputies have identified the person who died after being struck by a vehicle Monday.
	Iowa bills would expand mental health care Mental health advocates in Iowa are pushing for two bills to expand care for people who need the attention. House File 2292 would require the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to double the number of inpatient psychiatric beds at two mental health institutes. House File 2543 would expand subacute care and eliminate the [...]
	East Moline Police warn of door-to-door scam The Moline Police Department is warning residents of a door-to-door scam.
	Trivia night helps Quad Cities Bicycle Club fund a special sculpture Trivia buffs - you can enjoy a great night of helping the Quad Cities Bicycle Club raise money for a special piece of art to honor Dean “Bareback” Mathias. Dawn Wohlford-Metallo joined Our Quad Cities News with more info on the Quad Cities Bicycle Club upcoming trivia night. For more information, click here.
	Man accused of murdering Trudy Appleby asks judge to recuse herself In a handwritten motion, Jamison Fisher requested that Judge Norma Kauzlarich recuse herself from the case, claiming unfair treatment.
	Unresponsive Johnson County Jail inmate has died A Johnson County Jail inmate found unresponsive has died. According to a release, on March 11 at 4:05 a.m. during a routine head count in the Johnson County Jail, staff discovered an unresponsive inmate in their cell. Jail staff attempted lifesaving measures and called for an ambulance. The inmate was later pronounced dead. The incident [...]
	Epstein's longtime accountant testifies he was 'not aware' of sex offender's crimes Richard Kahn testified to the House Oversight Committee that he did not know about Epstein's crimes. He said monetary gifts that Epstein made did not raise any red flags.
	Inside MAC.BID: How this new shopping trend is faring in the Quad Cities An online bargain shopping trend has made its way to the Quad Cities and is seeing a lot of growth in popularity. MAC.BID is an online bidding website/app that resells overstocked and returned products from major online retailers like Amazon and Wayfair. They have 28 locations across the country, with the only one in the [...]
	Linda's favorites of 2025: The Cookie Awards This was such an entertaining year, full of films that defy categorization, teach, and allow audiences insight into communities and situations both true and fictional. Not all my favorite films made it into Oscar nominations. So here, based on the 250-plus films I saw last year, are the Cookie Awards – movies that deserve to [...]
	Iowa announces service grant funding for victims of violent crime The Iowa Attorney General’s Office will release three competitive victim service grant opportunities through its Victim Assistance Section.
	Gov. Kim Reynolds signs ban on local civil rights ordinances Local governments in Iowa will no longer be able to protect civil rights that are not protected by the state.
	Iowa announces grant funding for violent crime victim services The Iowa Attorney General’s Office will release three competitive victim service grant opportunities through its Victim Assistance Section.
	'Honky Tonk Angels' celebrates women in country music at Circa '21 Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse is continuing its 49th season with "Honky Tonk Angels" running March 11th through April 25th. The show features feel good country music at the Rock Island theatre with professional actors and musicians. Performances will take place on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30p.m. as well as Sundays at 5:30p.m. and [...]
	The Great Loop proves to be a great achievement for two QC natives Evan and Karly Nietzel both grew up on the muddy banks of the Mississippi River in Bettendorf. Fishing, water skiing, tubing, and just hanging around on small fishing boats whenever they could. They wouldn't have believed that on Feb. 13, 2025, they would embark on a nearly 13-month trip around the eastern part of North [...]
	City of Moline accepting Statements of Interest for city council vacancy The City of Moline is accepting Statements of Interest to fill a vacancy on the city council representing Ward 1.
	Flood safety: Know the difference between river flooding and flash flooding Meteorologist Kevin Phelps explains the difference between river flooding and flash flooding, and what residents can do to stay safe.
	City of Moline looking to fill First Ward vacancy The City is accepting Statements of Interest for the Ward 1 city council vacancy after Alderperson Debbie Murphy stepped back to focus on family.
	2 killed and homes damaged after tornadoes tear through Illinois and Indiana, more storms moving in Officials say several tornadoes have torn through parts of Illinois and Indiana, downing trees and power lines.
	New entrepreneurship summer camp coming to Whiteside County Students grades 6-8 are invited to join the inaugural Young Creators Camp June 10 through July 1. They'll pitch, develop and learn how to execute business ideas.
	Halpin bill would let retired Illinois teachers work more as substitutes State Senator Mike Halpin's (D-Rock Island) bill comes as 87% of surveyed IL districts say they have teacher shortages and 91% struggle to fill substitute positions.
	Davenport man arrested for allegeldy possessing, sharing child sex abuse materials Tips made by X to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has led to charges against a Davenport man alleging he possessed and shared child sex abuse materials.
	Fire destroys garage in East Moline A garage was destroyed by fire Wednesday morning in East Moline.
	St. Patrick's Day Events across the Quad Cities After some active weather from last night with showers and severe thunderstorms with hail, things are easing up for the rest of the week. One of the things to look forward to is the upcoming events this weekend. While St. Patrick's Day is on Tuesday, the 17th, most of the festivities will be this weekend. [...]
	Rebecca Gayheart Dane on caring for her late husband, Eric Dane, and synthetic voices The wife of 'Grey's Anatomy' actor Eric Dane says caring for him gave her an "extra dose" of compassion for others.
	Rock Island's Elderly Services Officer protects resident from losing nearly $40K in scam Ofc. Spencer Brooks has served as the department's ESO since the program was revived in July 2024.
	Halpin bill would let retired Illinois teachers work more as substitutes State Senator Mike Halpin's (D-Rock Island) bill comes as 87% of surveyed IL districts say they have teacher shortages and 91% struggle to fill substitute positions.
	Sin, Lose, or Draw: Predicting the 2026 Academy Award Winners How am I feeling about my Academy Awards predictions this year? Actually pretty good … except in, you know, most of the major categories.
	Former Knox County Jail administrator faces felony charges over alleged commissary theft A former Knox County Jail administrator accused of profiting personally from the jail commissary appeared in court Wednesday, facing multiple felony charges.
	New summer camp in Sterling will help students launch their own business ideas Students grades 6-8 are invited to join the inaugural Young Creators Camp June 10 through July 1. They'll pitch, develop and learn how to execute business ideas.
	Quad Cities Chamber earns U.S. Chamber of Commerce accreditation The designation awards the organization's sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the Quad-Cities community.
	Four decades of green: QC’s bi‑state St. Patrick’s Grand Parade celebrates milestone The St. Patrick Society’s Grand Parade XL returns March 14, marking 40 years of marching from Rock Island to Davenport as the nation’s only bi‑state St. Patrick’s Day parade.
	Chile turns right: Kast inaugurated as nation's most conservative leader since Pinochet Chile has sworn in its most right-wing president in decades — and his rise, and ideology, are rooted in a small town beneath the Andes.
	City of Moline looking to fill First Ward vacancy The City is accepting Statements of Interest for the Ward 1 city council vacancy after Alderperson Debbie Murphy stepped back to focus on family.
	East Moline warns residents of door-to-door water testing solicitors East Moline city officials are warning residents about individuals going door-to-door offering water testing and selling treatment systems.
	Catch 'Bluey's Big Play' at Adler Theatre in August Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are coming to the Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third Street in Davenport, with "Bluey's Big Play" for two shows, August 11th and August 12th at 6 p.m. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting Tuesday, March 11 at 10 a.m. exclusively for Bluey newsletter subscribers. General ticket sales open on Friday, [...]
	Iran's soccer team cannot participate in the FIFA World Cup, Iranian minister says Iran is set to play three games in the U.S. this June. But amid the U.S.-Israel military campaign that has killed Iran's supreme leader, Iran's sports minister said the team would pull out.
	Meet Rock Island Co. Sheriff candidate: Tim Gillette Four people are running--three Democrats and one Republican--in the March 17th Illinois Primary Election.
	EF-1 tornado confirmed in southeast Iowa during Tuesday storms The National Weather Service continues to survey damage across the greater Quad Cities region.
	Pentagon probe points to U.S. missile hitting Iranian school A military assessment suggests a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile was responsible for at least 165 deaths at an Iranian girls' school, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.
	Muscatine housing triplex offers support for Jefferson Elementary families Some Jefferson Elementary School families in Muscatine are moving into a new housing triplex for families who are seeking affordable housing at the corner of Orange and Fifth Streets next week, March 16th.
	Illinois announces wild turkey harvest totals Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary statewide total of 882 wild turkeys during the 2025-2026 fall archery turkey season, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The total compares with last year’s record harvest of 1,045 birds and the five-year average of 824 birds harvested. This season 26,787 permits were sold, excluding landowner permits, [...]
	Preliminary NWS survey finds EF1 tornado near Donnellson, Iowa A preliminary National Weather Service survey indicates an EF1 tornado occurred southwest of Donnellson, Iowa.
	How the Collaborative Care Model is closing the mental health gap in rural America How the Collaborative Care Model is closing the mental health gap in rural AmericaNearly half of Americans live in an area without adequate mental health services. More than 85% of these so-called Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas are located in rural communities. This imbalance leaves over 150 million Americans without reliable access to psychiatric care.Rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse disorders, and suicide remain high, and even sometimes higher than in urban areas, so seeking help has never been more important. However, for many rural residents, getting vital treatment means waiting months for an appointment or driving hours to the nearest psychiatrist, often across county or state lines.These barriers can have major consequences. Untreated depression is known to cause worsened outcomes for those with chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. Anxiety and substance abuse disorders can also strain families, workplaces, and already overburdened rural hospitals. On top of all of this, stigma that is deeply embedded in some close-knit communities can further discourage people from seeking help, especially when doing so requires a visible trip to a distant mental health clinic.A growing body of evidence suggests that rural America’s mental health access problem is not insurmountable. April Health research shows how the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM), an evidence-based approach that embeds behavioral health services directly into primary care, can deliver high-quality mental health treatment without asking patients to leave their communities.In this article, April Health examines the potential of CoCM to close the mental health gap in rural America. By bringing psychiatric expertise into the family doctor’s office, CoCM is reshaping how rural health systems can identify, treat, and manage mental illness.What is the Collaborative Care Model?At its core, the Collaborative Care Model is a structured and team-based approach to mental health treatment that operates within primary care settings. Rather than referring patients out to specialty mental health clinics, CoCM integrates behavioral health care into the place where most rural patients already receive care: their primary health clinic.As outlined by the AIMS Center, the CoCM model is built around a three-person care team:The primary care provider: The PCP will remain the patient’s main point of contact under this model, but they will also identify any mental health concerns through routine screening and initiate treatment while working closely with the rest of the care team.The behavioral health care manager: This individual, typically a masters level mental health professional will provide brief, evidence-based psychotherapy services while tracking patient progress with standardized tools. They will also maintain regular contact with the patient via phone or telehealth services.The consulting psychiatrist: Finally, the consulting psychiatrist will not see patients directly in most cases. Rather, they will review cases weekly with the care manager to provide diagnostic and treatment recommendations while supporting the primary doctor.This structure allows one psychiatrist to support dozens of patients across multiple clinics. This is a critical advantage in regions where psychiatrists may be scarce. The model also emphasizes measurement-based care, meaning a patient’s symptoms are tracked over time and treatment is adjusted until improvement is achieved.CoCM is not a pilot concept or experimental framework. It is one of the most rigorously studied models in behavioral health. Decades of randomized controlled trials and real-world implementation data have gone into creating it.The evidence for why CoCM worksThe strength of the Collaborative Care Model lies not only in its design but also in the consistency of its outcomes across populations, diagnoses, and care settings. A 2002 peer-reviewed article from the Center for Health Care Strategies covering a randomized trial found that, after 12 months, older adults using the CoCM method were three times more likely to have reduced symptoms of depression.Over the years, 80 more randomized control trials, as outlined by the National Library of Medicine, have led to similar results. Patients treated under the model are more likely to experience symptom remission, adhere to treatment plans, and remain engaged in care over time. Importantly, these benefits extend to adults of all ages, patients with multiple chronic conditions, and populations traditionally underserved by the mental health system.From a cost perspective, the Collaborative Care Model also demonstrates strong value. While the model requires a greater upfront investment, it reduces overall healthcare spending by lowering potential emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and downstream complications associated with untreated mental illness.For rural communities, these findings are particularly significant. Rural hospitals and clinics naturally operate on thinner margins due to fewer resources, and untreated mental health conditions can drive costly utilization. By addressing behavioral health needs early, within primary care, CoCM helps stabilize patients before crises emerge.The model is also designed to help to reduce stigma. Receiving mental health care in a familiar primary care setting can feel less threatening to many patients compared to visiting a specialty clinic. In small towns where “everyone knows everyone,” this discretion can matter. Patients may be more willing to accept treatment when it feels like a routine part of overall health care rather than a separate labeled service.CoCM in action: Rural implementation profilesCoCM is nothing new. There are some helpful pilot programs across rural regions in the U.S. that show just how beneficial the model can be for patients:Rural South Carolina Clinics (MUSC Telehealth Pilot)In South Carolina, rural clinics partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina to implement a CoCM model supported by telepsychiatry. Primary care practices screened patients for depression and anxiety, while care managers coordinated treatment locally and psychiatrists provided consultation remotely. While initial results from the 2024 program kickoff have yet to be analyzed, experts are hoping to report improved symptom outcomes, high patient satisfaction, and a greater continuity of care.AIMS Center Rural Mental Health Integration Initiative (Washington and Alaska)In Washington and Alaska, the AIMS Center supported rural and frontier clinics serving isolated populations in their regions. These included fishing villages and more remote communities. These clinics faced extreme workforce shortages and logistical barriers, such as weather disruptions and limited broadband. By adapting the CoCM workflow to local realities, such as flexible visit formats and asynchronous psychiatric consultation, clinics were able to sustain behavioral health services where none had existed before.River Valley Health / Cherokee Health Systems (Tennessee)In Tennessee, River Valley Health (formerly Cherokee Health Systems) has spent decades building an integrated primary and behavioral health model across rural communities. While efforts like these demonstrate what long-term integration can achieve at a health system level, most primary care practices don't have the institutional history or resources to replicate that kind of build from scratch.Native American/Alaska Native CoCM ImplementationCollaborative Care has also been adapted for Native American and Alaska Native populations. Historical trauma, chronic disease, and limited access to specialty care intersect in these regions, creating unique medical issues. Tribal health systems have used CoCM to integrate culturally responsive behavioral health into primary care support, often combining traditional healing practices with evidence-based treatment.Barriers to widespread adoption of CoCM modelsDespite sweeping success in many regions across America over the years, CoCM models are not immune to implementation challenges. Several persistent barriers continue to slow adoption, with three prominent ones topping the list:Funding and reimbursement challenges: While CoCM has dedicated billing codes under Medicare, the reimbursement process can be complex. Practices must track time meticulously, as seen in this sample billing model from Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. They must also document psychiatric consultation and meet specific reporting requirements, which can overwhelm small rural clinics with limited administration staff. Additionally, coverage under Medicare varies wildly by state, with some reimbursing fully and others offering partial coverage, if at all.Workforce and staffing constraints: Even though CoCM extends psychiatric reach, it still requires trained behavioral health care managers and willing primary care doctors. Rural areas already facing a shortage of nurses, social workers, and clinicians may find recruitment to be daunting. Training is another hurdle given that successful Collaborative Care depends on adherence to specific workflows and measurement-based care principles that may be new.Digital infrastructure gaps: Many Collaborative Care programs rely on telepsychiatry, electronic registries, and secure communication platforms to protect data. In rural areas with unreliable broadband, these tools can be difficult to deploy consistently.Digital inequities can also affect patients seeking care. Older adults or low-income residents may lack access to devices or private spaces for telehealth visits, limiting the model’s reach unless clinics offer flexible or in-person alternatives.Policy changes that could accelerate the adoption of CoCMAddressing these barriers to entry will require coordinated policy action at both the federal and state levels. First, simplifying and standardizing reimbursement across Medicaid programs would significantly expand access. A case study by the Bowman Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of those living with mental illness, noted clearer guidance, higher payment rates, and support for startup costs could help rural clinics overcome initial financial hurdles.Workforce development initiatives, such as loan repayment programs, rural training, and expanded scope-of-practice policies, could increase the supply of behavioral health care managers or primary care doctors trained in CoCM models. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has already laid the groundwork for grants, but such offerings will need to be more widespread for CoCM to gain a foothold.Sustained investment in rural broadband and telehealth infrastructure at the state level will also be essential. Recent federal telehealth flexibility has shown what is possible when regulatory barriers are reduced, so taking this down to the macro-level of the state can help. Expanding existing programs and aligning them with long-term reimbursement strategies could help to move Collaborative Care from pilot projects to standard practice.A model that meets patients where they areThe mental health gap in rural America is not solely a problem due to shortages, but rather a problem of systems designed around urban epicenters. Long travel distances, limited specialists, and deep-rooted stigma require solutions that fit the realities of rural life. The Collaborative Care Model does exactly that.By embedding mental health care into primary care, leveraging psychiatric expertise efficiently, and keeping patients connected to treatment close to home, CoCM offers a practical and evidence-based path forward. As rural communities continue to grapple with rising mental health needs, the question is no longer where Collaborative Care works. The question is whether state and federal policymakers and health systems will move quickly enough to ensure that it reaches the communities that need it most.This story was produced by April Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How the South Carolina measles outbreak grew from 5 to almost 1,000 cases How the South Carolina measles outbreak grew from 5 to almost 1,000 casesThe South Carolina measles outbreak is one of the largest in the United States in decades.It started with just five known cases in October, but by January exploded to 847 — becoming larger than last year’s deadly outbreak in Texas. As of March 10, the outbreak had further grown to 993 known cases.Along the way, hundreds of additional people in South Carolina — many of them children at schools with low vaccination rates — have had to stay in home quarantine for up to 21 days because they aren’t immunized and have been exposed to contagious people.South Carolina’s state epidemiologist, Dr. Linda Bell, has said there are likely many more people who aren’t in quarantine, but should be. They are unaware they’ve been exposed during the normal course of their lives: Going to work, school, and church, shopping for groceries, dining in restaurants, and visiting museums.Measles spreads through the air and can linger in a room for two hours after an infectious person has left. The people who are spreading the disease often don’t know they have it: They are contagious for four days before they develop the virus’ hallmark rash.A Healthbeat review of the outbreak’s history provides a detailed timeline of how the South Carolina Department of Public Health worked to trace and contain new infections. For a while, the outbreak smoldered with few new cases. Then the holiday season supercharged the spread in January.The South Carolina outbreak is far from over.In this article, Healthbeat retraces how it happened.October 2, 2025 - South Carolina announces measles outbreakTotal outbreak cases: 5.The South Carolina Department of Public Health announces it has confirmed a measles outbreak in the Upstate region, the northwest part of the state that includes Spartanburg County. During 2025, the state had only identified three earlier measles cases: two in July and one in early September — and those were linked to exposures during international travel, plus one close contact of a traveler who became infected. “We now have identified five cases in a little more than a week,” Bell said. “This sharp uptick in cases and the unknown source of two of the recent cases indicates unrecognized community spread.”October 7, 2025 - Two schools have early outbreak casesTotal outbreak cases: 7. New cases: 2.Two additional cases of measles are identified in Spartanburg County, raising to seven outbreak cases that had been reported since Sept. 25. None have an identified source, state health officials said, “suggesting that measles is circulating in the community.” Two schools — Global Academy of South Carolina, a public charter school where state data show only 21% of students had all their school vaccinations, and Fairforest Elementary, a public school where 82% of students were up-to-date on their school shots — are locations with confirmed measles cases. Health officials identified 153 unvaccinated students at the two schools who were exposed and at risk of measles infection, resulting in their required exclusion from classes until the 21-day period of potential disease transmission was over. The school exclusion periods were over on Oct. 21 for the Global Academy students, and on Oct. 22 for the Fairforest students.Vaccination coverage of 95% is needed in local communities to stop the spread of measles. Across Spartanburg County, the state health department estimates that just 90% of school-age children are fully vaccinated. Rates at some schools are even lower, state data show.October 9, 2025 - A child in Greenville County has measlesTotal outbreak cases: 8. New cases: 1.State health officials announce another case of measles, a child in Greenville County, which borders the west side of Spartanburg County. While it was not immediately clear whether the child’s illness was related to the Spartanburg County outbreak, health officials eventually included the case in the outbreak count. “What this case tells us is that there is active, unrecognized community transmission of measles occurring in the Upstate, which makes it vital to ensure that the public have received their measles vaccinations,” the state health department said. The department would later identify the Crunch Fitness gym at 1332 S. Pleasantburg Dr. in Greenville as the source of the child’s exposure on Sept. 30.The total case count of eight includes this Greenville County child, whose measles case was later determined to be an outbreak case on Oct. 21.October 14, 2025 - School exposures result in more casesTotal outbreak cases: 13. New cases: 5.Five new measles infections are confirmed among unvaccinated students who were already in quarantine at home because of previously reported school exposures. The department previously identified exposures at Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary. “Because they were quarantining before they became infectious, no additional exposures occurred with these new cases,” state health officials said. The state health department announces the next day that it will be sending its mobile measles vaccination unit to hold five events at four locations in Spartanburg County — including churches, a community center, and a library.The total case count of 13 includes a Greenville County child whose measles infection was announced on Oct. 9 as being under investigation, and was later determined to be an outbreak case on Oct. 21.October 17, 2025 - Three cases among contacts in quarantineTotal outbreak cases: 16. New cases: 3.Three new cases are identified among close contacts of people with measles who were already in quarantine at home. State health officials said the new cases show how early quarantine after an identified exposure “is highly effective in preventing community spread.”The total case count of 16 includes a Greenville County child whose measles infection was announced on Oct. 9 as being under investigation, and was later determined to be an outbreak case on Oct. 21.October 21, 2025 - Four new cases in Spartanburg CountyTotal outbreak cases: 20. New cases 4.Two new cases are confirmed among close contacts of people already in home quarantine. And two additional measles cases are identified in association with a business in Spartanburg that had “no public exposures,” health officials said. They also announce that the Greenville County child exposed at a gym whose case was announced on Oct. 9 is now being considered an outbreak case “due to ongoing unrecognized community transmission.”October 24, 2025 - Two more sickened with measlesTotal outbreak cases: 22. New cases 2.Two new measles cases are confirmed in Spartanburg County; both are linked to close contacts of people with measles who had been in quarantine at home, state health officials announced.October 28, 2025 - Mobile clinics give 24 shots as more fall illTotal outbreak cases: 30. New cases: 8.As state health officials announce eight new measles cases in Spartanburg County among close contacts of people already in home quarantine, they continue to send their mobile vaccination clinic to offer free measles shots at more locations. Multiple vaccination events have been offered in the community since Oct. 16, but only 24 vaccines have been administered: 19 to adults and five to children, state health officials said. Thomas Wilburn // Healthbeat October 31, 2025 - State emphasizes isolation, quarantineTotal outbreak cases: 34. New cases: 4.Four new measles infections were confirmed in Spartanburg County. All were linked to close contacts of previously known cases. “No public exposures have been identified from these cases,” state health officials said. “We continue to rely on isolation and quarantine measures for those who have been exposed and are unvaccinated to prevent the spread of measles in the community to contain this outbreak.” The state health department added that its “additional response” to the outbreak “is to encourage protection with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine for those who are not immune.” With free mobile vaccination clinics ongoing, just 28 doses of MMR vaccine — 23 to adults and five to children — have been administered since the outreach events began on Oct. 16.November 4, 2025 — No new cases as holiday season loomsTotal outbreak cases: 34. New cases: 0.No new measles cases were identified by health officials since the previous Friday. Yet they cautioned that 34 people were still in quarantine because they were unvaccinated and had been exposed to someone who was contagious. The latest end date for those in quarantine to no longer be at risk of developing measles is Nov. 24. “We are reminding people that travel for the upcoming holidays increases the risk of exposures greatly for those traveling and for those accepting visitors,” the state health department said. “Consider getting vaccinated now to prevent measles from disrupting your holiday plans.”November 7, 2025 — Another case confirmed, more expectedTotal outbreak cases: 35. New cases: 1.State health officials announce they have identified one new measles case and are still investigating how many people may have been exposed to the virus by this person. “We also expect more cases to come in the days ahead from exposed family members of known previous cases,” the state health department said, noting that there are 31 people in quarantine.November 10, 2025 — Restaurant mistakenly flagged for exposureWhile investigating the ongoing outbreak, state health officials put out a press release saying a person who was infectious with measles was at the Kanpai of Tokyo restaurant at 2300 Winchester Pl. in Spartanburg on Nov. 2 from 3 to 6 p.m.; they urged anyone who believes they were exposed — particularly those without immunity — to contact their health care providers. But a mistake was made, and the health department said it had been given the wrong date: The person actually dined at the restaurant in late October — at a time when they weren’t infectious.“Our business went down for a good two months. We lost sales, we lost wages,” general manager Nick Nakincheng told Healthbeat. “People thought we closed, and then people were just scared to even come at all.” Business is finally returning, he said in January. But the state health department, while acknowledging the error to the Post and Courier in December, still had not corrected its press release as of Jan. 26. The department declined to answer Healthbeat’s questions about the error or explain why the press release remained posted on its website without correction — even though it had corrected at least one other outbreak press release. After Healthbeat published this timeline, the department added a correction to its Kanpai of Tokyo press release.November 12, 2025 — Eight new measles cases identifiedTotal outbreak cases: 43. New cases: 8.Of the eight new measles cases announced by state officials, six were household members of known cases who were in quarantine. But the source of the infection for the other two cases, who were people from the same household, is unclear. “The unidentified source of the two new cases reinforces our concern about potential ongoing community transmission,” the state health department said.November 14, 2025 — One new measles caseTotal outbreak cases: 44. New cases 1.Just one new measles case has been identified since the state’s last update and the extent of others exposed to the person is still under investigation, state health officials said; 18 people are currently in quarantine because of outbreak exposures.November 18, 2025 — More cases, more public exposuresTotal outbreak cases: 49. New cases: 5.While two of the five new cases are household members of known measles cases in quarantine, the source of the infection of the other three people is unknown, state health officials said. “The initial investigation of contacts of the new cases has determined potential exposures in public settings. Additional information will be provided once more details are obtained,” the department said, noting that 84 people are in quarantine and that direct contacts and facilities that have been impacted are being notified about the potential exposures.November 21, 2025 — School, church, airport exposuresTotal outbreak cases: 52. New cases: 3.State health officials announce the confirmation of three new measles cases — and that as a result of contact tracing by health workers, there are now 137 people in quarantine because they are unvaccinated and have been exposed, plus one person in isolation because of infection. Many of these people are from schools in Spartanburg County: 57 are from Lyman Elementary School (where 89% of students were up-to-date on school vaccines); 55 are from Boiling Springs Middle School; and one attends D.R. Hill Middle School (where 88% of students were up-to-date on vaccines). Health officials also warned that an employee at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport who was infected with measles may have exposed airport visitors between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 11. They also said an infectious person attended the Way of Truth Church in Inman, S.C., which is in Spartanburg County, from 7 to 11 p.m. on Nov. 7 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 9.November 25, 2025 — Public exposure at county treasurer’s officeTotal outbreak cases 55. New cases: 3.On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the state health department announces they have identified three additional measles cases. Two of the people are household members of known cases. The source of the third person’s infection is still being investigated. Meanwhile, the department warns of another public exposure location: An infectious person was at the Spartanburg County Treasurer’s Office on Nov. 17 and 18 during the hours the office was open.November 28, 2025 — Public exposure event at CostcoTotal outbreak cases: 62. New cases: 7.Of the seven new measles cases announced, six were household members of known cases who were in quarantine, and one was a person exposed in a school setting who also was in quarantine. Total people currently in quarantine: 144; six in isolation. State health officials also warn there was a potential measles exposure event at a Costco store and tire center at 211 W. Blackstock Rd. in Spartanburg on Nov. 18 between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.December 2, 2025 - More school exposures, 14 new casesTotal outbreak cases: 76. New cases: 14.Eight of the 14 new measles cases announced by state health officials were the result of the previously reported exposure at the Way of Truth Church in Inman. Three of the new cases were exposed in a school setting, and the other three are still under investigation. Based on public health investigations of the new cases, the public was alerted that four Spartanburg County schools were the sites of additional measles exposures, requiring dozens of unvaccinated students to be excluded from school and quarantined. The schools involved: Hendrix Elementary School, where state data show 87% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines (40 students in quarantine); Mabry Middle School, where 81% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (13 students in quarantine); Chapman High School, where 87% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (5 students in quarantine); and Tyger River Elementary School, where 89% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (17 students in quarantine).December 5, 2025 — Measles quarantines hit more schoolsTotal outbreak cases: 84. New cases: 8.Eight new measles cases are announced by state health officials, but the number of people in quarantine and at risk of developing measles has jumped to 281. Based on public health investigations of the new cases, the public was alerted to new measles exposures at four additional Spartanburg County schools: Fairforest Elementary School, where 82% of students were up-to-date on their school vaccines (44 students in quarantine); Rainbow Lake Middle School, where 82% of students were up-to-date on vaccines (61 students in quarantine); Fairforest Middle School, where 90% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (fewer than 5 students in quarantine); Dorman Freshman Campus, where 93% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (15 students in quarantine). This is the second round of quarantines at Fairforest Elementary, which was one of the earliest sites of known measles cases in early October. Thomas Wilburn // Healthbeat December 9, 2025 — Earlier church exposure fuels new infectionsTotal outbreak cases: 111. New cases: 27.Of the 27 new measles cases announced, 16 resulted from previously reported exposure incidents in November at Way of Truth Church in Inman. Eight of the new infections were among household members of known cases. One infection was from a school exposure, one had an unknown source, and one was from an exposure in a health care setting. State health officials said the new cases have resulted in additional public exposures at Inman Intermediate School, where state data show 83% of students were up-to-date on vaccines (43 students in quarantine). Officials continue to encourage those who may have been exposed to measles to alert their health care provider in advance of going to their office, so that measures can be taken to protect against additional exposures.December 12, 2025 — More than 300 in quarantine, 15 new casesTotal outbreak cases: 126. New cases: 15.As state health officials investigate the contacts of 15 new measles cases, they identified two more Spartanburg County schools where public exposures have occurred: Campobello Gramling School, where state data show 80% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines (67 students in quarantine), and Boiling Springs Elementary School, where 80% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (16 students in quarantine). Overall, 303 people are in quarantine, many of them students at 11 schools. The large number in quarantine is a potential warning sign of the magnitude of future measles cases because there is a lag time between when people are exposed and when they start feeling sick — typically seven to 10 days, but sometimes as long as 21 days.Of the 15 new cases, 13 involved exposures within households with known measles cases; one infection involved a neighborhood contact; and the source of one is unknown and under investigation.December 16, 2025 - Nine new cases, another school exposureTotal outbreak cases: 135. New cases: 9.Of the nine new measles cases announced, five were the result of a previously reported exposure at Way of Truth Church in Inman. Three cases involved known household exposures and one involved a neighborhood contact. Investigations of the new cases identified an additional Spartanburg County school with public exposures: Berry Shoals Elementary School, where 93% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines (44 students in quarantine).December 19, 2025 — Another school with measles exposuresTotal outbreak cases: 144. New cases: 9.State health officials announce nine new measles cases: Four were infections of household members of known cases; one was from a previously identified school exposure; one was from a previously identified exposure at Way of Truth Church in Inman; and the source of three infections is unknown. Contact investigations for the new cases identified an additional school where measles exposures have occurred: New Prospect Elementary School in Inman, where 82% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines (56 students in quarantine).December 23, 2025 — Nine new measles cases identifiedTotal outbreak cases: 153. New cases: 9.Of the nine new cases announced, five resulted from household exposures to known cases; two involved a previously known school exposure; the source of one is unknown; and another is still being investigated.December 26, 2025 — Three new measles cases identifiedTotal outbreak cases: 156. New cases: 3.Amid the holiday season, three new measles cases were reported between Tuesday and Friday. All were the result of a previously reported school exposure, state officials said. There are 252 people in quarantine and three in isolation. The latest end date for those in quarantine is Jan. 15.December 30, 2025 — As cases rise, 3 hospitalized from measlesTotal outbreak cases: 176. New cases: 20.Since Friday, state health officials identified 20 new measles cases and learned of three people — including adults and children — who required hospitalization because of complications from the disease. Citing patient privacy, health officials would not provide additional details about the hospitalized cases. The measles virus can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, risks of premature births for pregnant mothers and it also can weaken a person’s immune system. Of the new cases, seven involved household exposures, five involved a previously known school exposure, two involved a church exposure, and one resulted from an exposure at either school or church, the state health department said.January 2, 2026 — Nine more measles cases identifiedTotal outbreak cases: 185. New cases: 9.Of the nine new cases detected, four were household exposures of known measles cases; one involved a previously reported school exposure; one case is still being investigated; and the source of three cases is unknown. The number of people in quarantine because they lack immunity and have been exposed: 223; three are in isolation for infections.January 3, 2026 — Exposures at Best Buy, restaurant, libraryThe state health department announces that a person who did not know they were infectious with measles visited multiple public locations during the previous week. On Dec. 24, they visited the Nose Dive Restaurant, a gastropub at 116 S. Main St. in Greenville, then went to a Best Buy store at 1125 Woodruff Rd. in Greenville. A few days later, on Dec. 27, they attended an afternoon planetarium show about solar superstorms at the Spartanburg County Public Libraries headquarters library in downtown Spartanburg, which in October opened a new planetarium learning center with a 135-seat domed theater. Todd Stephens, the county’s librarian, said a public health official called him the day before the state’s press release went out and let him know someone with measles had been in the library’s theater a week earlier. “We have a response plan on Covid. We don’t have a document like that for this,” Stephens told Healthbeat. “But I can say we applied some of those principles that we’ve learned.” He said he’s not received any calls or concerns from library patrons about the potential exposure and he is not aware of anyone becoming infected.January 6, 2026 — Public exposures at more schools, churchesTotal outbreak cases: 211. New cases: 26.Among the 26 new cases identified by state health officials, 19 involved exposures in households with known cases and at schools with previously announced exposures. Four of the new infections resulted from an exposure at church. One case has an unknown source, and two are still being investigated. Another 144 people without immunity are in quarantine because of exposures. Investigations of recent cases identified multiple locations of public exposures. Nine students are in quarantine at two Spartanburg County schools where these exposures occurred: Sugar Ridge Elementary, where 78% of students are up-to-date on vaccines, and Boiling Springs Elementary, where 80% of students are up-to-date on vaccines. It was the second time during the outbreak that students at Boiling Springs Elementary had to be quarantined; the previous quarantines were in December. Churches where public exposures occurred, health officials said, included: Tabernacle of Salvation Church, Slavic Pentecostal Church of Spartanburg, Ark of Salvation Church, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg.January 7, 2026 - Health alert sent to providers, facilitiesThe state department of public health sent out a statewide alert to all health care providers and facilities about the importance of having “heightened awareness” for measles and providing advice on the recommended measures for the use of masks and rapid isolation of people suspected of having measles infections to protect others in health care settings from being exposed.January 9, 2026 — Measles cases spike with 99 new infectionsTotal outbreak cases: 310. New cases: 99.Between Tuesday and Friday this week, state health officials identified 99 new cases of measles. They said another 200 people were in quarantine because of exposures. Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, warned it was becoming increasingly difficult to identify likely sources of infection because of the increasing number of public exposure sites. “The number of those in quarantine does not reflect the number actually exposed,” Bell said. “An increasing number of public exposure sites are being identified with likely hundreds more people exposed who are not aware they should be in quarantine if they are not immune to measles.” The department flags one new public exposure site: Jesse S. Bobo Elementary School, where state data show 94% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines.January 13, 2026 - Surge continues with 124 new measles casesTotal outbreak cases: 434. New cases: 124.Health officials announce another surge in cases, with 124 new infections identified in recent days. They said another 409 people are in isolation because they were exposed and lacked vaccination or immunity from previous infection; 17 were in isolation. Investigators have learned of more than 30 public locations where infectious people have potentially exposed others to measles in recent days, Bell said. Besides schools, these locations have included churches, restaurants, and many health care settings, she said. But the department is only naming locations where details about exposure dates and times are available to allow the public to take informed actions, she said.Adding to concerns: Health officials learned that a person who didn’t know they were infectious had visited the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia — the state’s capital city, which is about 95 miles southeast of the outbreak area in Spartanburg County. No measles cases have been identified outside the Upstate region, officials said. “Circulation of the measles virus is increasing in numerous community settings in the Upstate, and the risk of infection to those who are not immune to measles by vaccination or previous disease is increasing,” Bell said. “This includes people who may be traveling to the upstate region. So [the Department of Public Health] strongly encourages those who are not protected to consider getting vaccinated now to protect against unexpected exposures, against illness, and possible complications.”January 15, 2026 — S.C. residents spark Washington, N.C. casesThe Snohomish County Health Department in Washington state announces that an infectious family from South Carolina who was visiting the area two weeks ago is now connected to three new measles cases among local children. The three cases are considered an outbreak and a sign the virus is spreading in the community, the department said. The South Carolina family members, one adult and two children, were infectious while visiting multiple locations in Everett, Marysville, and Mukilteo — including schools — from Dec. 27, 2025 through Jan. 1, 2026. They also flew through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. “We are hoping to contain it, but unfortunately there have been a number of exposure sites already and there are likely more cases in the community that we do not know about yet,” said Dr. James Lewis, the Snohomish County health officer.In North Carolina, state health officials announce that the South Carolina outbreak is connected to two cases of measles in unvaccinated siblings Buncombe County, N.C.January 16, 2026 — Schools hit with repeated quarantinesTotal outbreak cases: 558. New cases: 124.Another 124 new measles cases are announced by state health officials; 531 people are in quarantine; and 85 are in isolation. The outbreak continues to be centered around Spartanburg County, they said.Based on investigations of the newest cases, health officials said public exposures have occurred at nine schools: Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary, where state data show 80% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines (53 students in quarantine); Campobello Gramling School, where 80% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (46 students in quarantine — and the school’s second round of quarantines); Crestview Elementary, where 90% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (22 students in quarantine); Libertas Academy, where 74% of students are up-to-date on their vaccines (15 students in quarantine); Fairforest Elementary, where 82% of students were up-to-date on their school vaccines (14 students in quarantine — and the third round of quarantines at this school); Berry Shoals Elementary, where 93% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines (14 students in quarantine — and the school’s second round of quarantines); Oakland Elementary, where 83% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (6 students in quarantine); Mabry Middle School, where 81% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (6 students in quarantine — and the school’s second round of quarantines); and Landrum High School, where 94% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (5 students in quarantine).Additional public exposures occurred during certain hours at: Walmart at 203 Cedar Springs Rd. in Spartanburg on Jan. 3; Wash Depot at 2177 S. Pine St. in Spartanburg on Jan. 3 and 4; and at Bintime Spartanburg at 445 S. Blackstock Rd. in Spartanburg on Jan. 7.January 20, 2026 — Exposures at schools, Clemson UniversityTotal outbreak cases: 646. New cases: 88.“As we continue to watch this daily surge in cases, DPH strongly encourages those who are not protected to take advantage of the opportunity to get protected,” Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, says at a press briefing about the outbreak numbers released on Jan. 20.In recent days, state health officials identified 88 new measles cases. They said 538 people are in quarantine and 33 in isolation. Bell said that since the outbreak began,10 people, including adults and children, have required hospitalization for measles complications.Through investigations of the latest cases, health officials have identified six additional schools where public exposures have recently occurred: Starr Elementary, where 96% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines (17 students in quarantine); Global Academy of South Carolina, where 21% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (13 students in quarantine — and this school’s second round of quarantines); Boiling Springs High School, where 92% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (11 students in quarantine); Chapman High School, where 87% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (fewer than 5 students in quarantine — this is the school’s second round of quarantines); Boiling Springs Elementary (students in quarantine to be determined — this is the school’s third round of quarantines); Rainbow Lake Middle School, where 82% of students were up-to-date on vaccines (quarantine numbers still being determined — this is the school’s second round of quarantines).Public exposures have also been identified at Clemson University (where 34 students were in quarantine) and Anderson University (where 50 students were in quarantine). While both universities are in South Carolina’s Upstate region, they are in counties west and southwest of the Spartanburg County area where the outbreak has been centered.Additional public measles exposures were announced as occurring during certain hours at two grocery stores: a Publix at 2153 E. Main St. in Duncan on Jan. 16; and a Food Lion at 11153 Asheville Hwy. in Inman on Jan. 11 and 12.January 23, 2026 — Cases reach 700, plus 485 in quarantineTotal outbreak cases: 700. New cases: 54.The number of known cases in South Carolina’s measles outbreak is approaching the total cases in the huge Texas outbreak last year. When the Texas outbreak was declared over in August 2025, the state health department had confirmed 762 measles cases since late January 2025. Two school-age children died and 99 people required hospitalization. The South Carolina Department of Public Health announces it has identified 54 new measles cases in the Upstate region — raising the total outbreak cases to 700. There are an additional 485 people in quarantine and 10 people are in isolation, the department said. Since the outbreak began, 12 people have required hospitalization.Case investigations have identified additional public exposures at multiple schools: Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary, where 77% of students are up-to-date on their school vaccines (22 students in quarantine); Cannons Elementary, where 95% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (8 students in quarantine); Abner Creek Middle School, where 89% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (the number of students being quarantined is still being determined); Mayo Elementary, where 89% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (student quarantines still being determined); and Sugar Ridge Elementary, where 78% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (student quarantines still being determined, this is the second round of quarantines at this school).Additional public exposure locations occurred during certain hours at: Anytime Fitness at 3621 Boiling Springs Rd. in Boiling Springs on Jan. 13; the U.S. Post Office at 504 Pennsylvania Ave. in Greer on Jan. 13; Goodwill at 1333 W. Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greer on Jan. 13; and Aldi at 1560 W. Floyd Baker Blvd. in Gaffney on Jan. 17.January 27, 2026 — S.C. outbreak exceeds Texas outbreakTotal outbreak cases: 789. New cases: 89.State health officials announce they have confirmed 89 new measles cases, and that there are 557 people in quarantine and 20 in isolation. Outbreak investigators also have identified more public measles exposures that have occurred at several schools: Dorman High, where 96% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines; Inman Intermediate, where students have previously been quarantined and 83% of students are up-to-date on vaccines; and New Prospect Elementary in Inman, where students have previously been quarantined and where 82% of students are up-to-date. The state health department said the number of students that need to quarantine at each of these schools is still being determined. The newly identified cases raise the South Carolina outbreak’s total to 789 — surpassing the number sickened in the deadly Texas outbreak last year. In Texas, 762 cases of measles were confirmed in an outbreak that began in late January 2025 and was declared over in August 2025.January 30, 2026 — Surge puts 443 in quarantineTotal outbreak cases: 847. New cases: 58.Numbers released by the state health department show 58 new measles cases have been identified. There are 443 people in quarantine who have been exposed, who lack immunity, and who are at risk of developing the disease in the coming days and weeks. Twenty people are in isolation because of illness. Public health investigators have identified a school and a fast food restaurant with recent public exposures because of the presence of an infectious person. Health officials are still determining how many students need to be quarantined and excluded from class at the school, Lyman Elementary, where state records show 89% of students are up-to-date on school vaccines. The school was involved in a previous exposure situation announced on Nov. 21. The other public exposure event involves a Burger King restaurant at 6196 US-221 in Roebuck, S.C., that occurred on Jan. 28 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.February 3, 2026 — Fewer infections — but one in Sumter CountyTotal outbreak cases: 876. New cases: 29.The state health department announces 29 new cases of measles in the ongoing outbreak in South Carolina’s Upstate region, in and near Spartanburg County. They also said a measles case has been confirmed in a resident of Sumter County — which is located in South Carolina’s Pee Dee Region, southeast from where the outbreak has been occurring. “At this point in the investigation, it is not yet clear whether this new case is linked to the Upstate outbreak centered around Spartanburg County or if the case may have been exposed where measles is occurring in other locations,” the department said. The department said public exposures to measles have occurred during certain specific hours at three locations in Sumter, S.C.: Mariachis Mexican Restaurant at 1072 Broad St. on Jan. 23; Food Lion at 5700 Broad Street Ext. on Jan. 24; and the Walmart Neighborhood Market at 343 Pinewood Rd. on Jan. 25. The health department said there are currently 354 people in quarantine who have been exposed to measles and lack vaccination or immunity; 22 people are ill and in isolation.February 6, 2026 — Vaccination is up significantlyTotal outbreak cases: 920. New cases: 44State health officials announce 44 new measles cases, plus another 277 people who are in quarantine because they were exposed and are unvaccinated or lack immunity from prior infection; eight people are in isolation because of illness. They also announce new locations of public exposure incidents during certain specific time periods at a Social Security Administration office at 145 N. Church St. in Spartanburg on Jan. 29; Boost Mobile at 1515 Asheville Hwy. in Spartanburg on Jan. 29; Rick Erwin’s Level 10 Restaurant at 225 W. Main St. in Spartanburg on Jan. 29; and the Target store at 6025 Wade Hampton Blvd. in Taylors on Jan. 30.During a media call earlier in the week, Bell said state health officials are encouraged by increases in measles vaccination during January. In Spartanburg County, the number of measles vaccines given last month was up 162% over January 2025, an increase of more than 1,000 doses, she said. Statewide, measles vaccination was up 72%, with about 7,000 more doses given across South Carolina last month than were administered in January 2025. “So far, this is the best month for measles vaccination during this outbreak,” Bell said.While complications from measles aren’t reportable to state health officials, Bell said the department has learned of some serious complications among 19 people — children and adults — who have been hospitalized since the outbreak began in October. “Some of these complications include measles encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain in children, and pneumonia.”In addition, Bell said, several pregnant women were exposed to measles and required administration of immune globulin to protect against the high risk of complications measles poses to pregnant women and their newborns. Bell declined to provide additional details about the exposures of the pregnant women. Earlier in the week, Healthbeat revealed a measles exposure incident had occurred on a labor and delivery unit at Prisma Health Greer Memorial Hospital.February 10, 2026 — Fewer new cases, but one in Lancaster CountyTotal outbreak cases: 933. New cases: 13Just 13 new measles cases are announced in the state health department’s update; 235 people are in quarantine because of exposures, and six are in isolation because of illness. The department noted that a measles infection has been confirmed in a resident of Lancaster County; the source of the person’s exposure is still under investigation. The outbreak has not previously had any cases in Lancaster County, which is in north-central South Carolina. Two schools in Spartanburg County have been the sites of recent public exposures: Libertas Academy, where 74% of students are up-to-date on their school vaccines (nine individuals in quarantine); and Inman Intermediate, 83% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (fewer than five individuals in quarantine). People also remain in quarantine from an earlier public exposure at Lyman Elementary School, where 89% of students are up-to-date on vaccines (23 individuals remain in quarantine).February 13, 2026 — Concerns linger about undetected casesTotal outbreak cases: 950. New cases: 17The number of new measles cases announced continues to be well below the numbers during the January surge. The state health department said 17 new cases of measles have been identified and there are another 186 people in quarantine because of exposures; nine people are in isolation because of illness. The recent identification of measles cases in Lancaster and Sumter counties — with no identified source of exposure — indicate that unrecognized transmission of measles is occurring in the community, Bell told reporters this week. “That can result in more and more transmission if we don’t stay on top of those cases, find out where that transmission is occurring, and implement our disease control measures,” Bell said. The outbreak continues to be centered in Spartanburg County, she said, and about 95% of those who have been infected are unvaccinated. The department announced three locations where public exposures have occurred recently during defined time periods: Children’s Medical Center, 841 S. Buncombe Rd. in Greer, all day on Feb. 4 and 6; Itto Ramen Bar, 1807 Poinsett Hwy. in Greenville, on Feb. 5 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and HomeGoods, 1125 Woodruff Rd. in Greenville, on Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.February 17, 2026 — Most new infections involve known casesTotal outbreak cases: 962. New cases: 12.State health officials announce 12 new cases and said there are an additional 127 people in quarantine because of exposures; eight people are in isolation because of symptoms. “The majority of cases are close contacts of known cases,” the state health department said. “However, the number of public exposure sites indicates that measles is circulating in the community, increasing the risk of exposure and the risk of infection for those who are not immune due to vaccination or natural infection.” The department said it is aware of 20 hospitalizations, involving children and adults, since the start of the outbreak. Libertas Academy has been the site of a recent public exposure event (17 individuals in quarantine). This school, where 74% of students are up-to-date on their school vaccines, has had previous exposure events, state records show. The department also announced a public exposure event occurred at Walmart — Powdersville, 11410 Anderson Rd. in Greenville on Feb. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m.February 20, 2026 — Church, school, community college exposuresTotal outbreak cases: 973. New cases: 11.Health officials announce the identification of 11 new measles cases, and say there are 105 people in quarantine because of exposure and seven in isolation because of illness. “We are seeing a slowing, but it is too soon for us to say when this will end,” Bell said this week. “The concern is that we can see ongoing, smoldering transmission that can be introduced into other communities. The measles virus can find susceptible people wherever.”While the number of new cases announced continues to be low, state health officials warn that public exposures have occurred recently at multiple locations in Spartanburg County. The exposure locations include Mabry Middle School in Inman, where 81% of students are up-to-date on vaccines and exposures have occurred previously. Other sites: Tabernacle of Salvation Slavic Church, 150 Outlet Rd. in Spartanburg, on Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Westgate Baptist Church, 1990 Old Reidville Rd. in Spartanburg, on Feb. 11 from 6:30 to 10 p.m .; Spartanburg Community College - Giles Campus, 107 Community College Dr. in Spartanburg, on Feb. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Costco, 211 W. Blackstock Rd., Spartanburg, on Feb. 17 from 12 to 3 p.m.February 24, 2026 — Just 6 new casesTotal outbreak cases: 979. New cases: 6.Just six new cases of measles are announced by state health officials, plus 91 others who are in quarantine for exposures; one person is in isolation because of illness. The latest end date for those in quarantine is March 15. The newest cases have resulted in outbreak investigators identifying public exposures at Willow Creek Gathers Homeschool Co-op, where 17 individuals are in quarantine, the state health department said. Although South Carolina requires immediate reporting of cases of measles or suspected measles to the health department, the state doesn’t specifically require reporting about whether these cases were hospitalized or had complications. Over the course of the outbreak, the health department says it has learned about 21 people, children and adults, who have been hospitalized. Alison Young // Healthbeat February 27, 2026 — Hopes for earlier end to outbreakTotal outbreak cases: 985. New cases: 6.Since Tuesday, state health officials say they have identified six new measles cases. There are 61 people in quarantine because of exposures; two people are in isolation for illness. The latest end date for people currently in quarantine and who may develop the disease is March 20. “We’re encouraged with the downward trend, particularly in the last two weeks,” Bell, the state epidemiologist, said this week. It’s possible that the outbreak may even end earlier than projected, she said. But the risk of another surge remains because of low vaccination coverage. The department said that based on the recent cases, investigators have identified public exposures that have recently occurred at Sugar Ridge Elementary, where 78% of students are up-to-date on vaccines. Fewer than five individuals from the school are in quarantine, officials said. This is the third round of quarantines for the school, health department records show. Another public exposure incident occurred at Costco - Spartanburg at 211 W. Blackstock Rd. on Feb. 22 from 2 to 6 p.m. It’s the third known measles exposure incident at the store, with the others occurring on Feb. 17 and Nov. 18, according to health department reports. State health officials said their mobile health unit will hold another measles vaccination clinic next week.March 3, 2026 - Increased vaccination is helping slow outbreak, state saysTotal outbreak cases: 990. New cases: 5.The number of new cases reported to the state health department remains low: Just five new cases since Friday, health officials announced. There are 52 people in quarantine because of exposures and four in isolation because of illness. The latest end date for those in quarantine is March 27. The state health department also said there was a public measles exposure incident at Westgate Baptist Church, 1990 Old Reidville Rd. in Spartanburg, on Feb. 22 from 10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. This church also had a measles exposure incident on Feb. 11. “We saw another strong increase in measles vaccination uptake during the month of February, which is encouraging,” Bell said at a media briefing this week. “Compared to February of 2025, there was a 133% increase in measles vaccination in Spartanburg County, with around 900 additional doses given,” she said. Statewide, there was a 70% increase in measles vaccination, with an additional 7,000 doses given. “This increase in vaccination is one of the reasons why this outbreak is slowing,” Bell said. “But given the surge in cases we saw following the Christmas holidays, we remain concerned that another surge could occur following spring break, when many people can be traveling and participating in more social activities.”March 6, 2026 — Just one new case as outbreak cost reaches $1.6 millionTotal outbreak cases: 991. New cases: 1.Just one new measles case is announced by state health officials in their Friday update. There are 52 people in quarantine because of exposures and three in isolation because of illness. The latest end date for those in quarantine is March 27. Meanwhile, state health officials told Healthbeat this week that the public health response to the outbreak has cost taxpayers $1.6 million so far. Most of that has been personnel costs, including for contact tracing and other activities to combat the outbreak, the department said.Of the 991 outbreak cases, most have been children and teens: 260 are younger than 5; 637 are ages 5-17; 86 are age 18 or older; and the age is unknown for eight cases. Almost all who have been infected have been unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated: 925 were unvaccinated; 19 had only one one dose of the recommended two-dose MMR vaccine; 26 were fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR; and the vaccination status was unknown for 21 cases.For the latest outbreak developments, go to the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s measles outbreak webpage.This story was produced by Healthbeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Which brands are testing ads in ChatGPT? Which brands are testing ads in ChatGPT?Beyond understanding how ChatGPT ads work and how the platform decides which ones to show, now that the pilot is live, a more concrete question has come up: Which brands are already inside ChatGPT, and what can their early moves tell us?This article from Floodlight, a programmatic ad solutions provider, sticks to what has been publicly confirmed, sourced from company announcements and verified reporting.What OpenAI Has Confirmed About ChatGPT AdsThe pilot launched on February 9, 2026, having been delayed three days from its original start date. OpenAI confirmed that ads are visible to logged-in adult users on the free tier and the $8-per-month Go plan, while Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education subscribers will not see them.OpenAI has stated that ads do not influence ChatGPT’s answers, that conversations remain private from advertisers, and that placements are labeled and separated from the platform’s main response. Advertisers receive aggregate performance data (such as views and clicks) but not personal user information. There is no open self-serve platform. Access requires a direct relationship with OpenAI or participation through an agency group. OpenAI has confirmed it wants advertisers to commit at least $200,000 for the early ad test. The program is currently controlled, curated, and invitation-only.Confirmed Brands in the ChatGPT Ad PilotTargetTarget is among the first wave of brands to begin testing ads within ChatGPT. The company is promoting both its own business and select partners through its Roundel retail media network, with placements aligned to specific keywords in user prompts.Target has previously noted that traffic to its site from ChatGPT is growing roughly 40% month over month. That trajectory made advertising a logical extension of a relationship already underway. The retailer launched a dedicated Target experience inside ChatGPT in November 2025 and has been building toward deeper AI commerce integration since.In a theoretical example, a user asking for recommendations on countertop cooking appliances could be shown an ad for an air fryer brand that advertises through Roundel. The ad would appear separately from the answer, not embedded within it.Williams-SonomaWilliams-Sonoma, the parent company of Pottery Barn, announced its participation in the OpenAI Ad Pilot on February 11, making it among the first home goods companies to test ads on the platform.The partnership is focused on reaching customers at decision-making moments and improving product discovery. Williams-Sonoma CEO Laura Alber described the effort as an opportunity to develop a new advertising approach, one designed to engage consumers contextually and in a manner aligned with how users expect to interact with information on the platform.AlbertsonsThe grocery chain Albertsons also confirmed participation in the OpenAI advertising pilot in February 2026, according to MediaPost. Testing is expected to be contextual and tied to the kinds of questions shoppers ask most (meal planning, seasonal recipes, household staples). The category alignment is natural: grocery is among the most intent-rich and routine-driven verticals in consumer spending.The KnotThe Knot Worldwide is among the early participants in the pilot. The company operates a wedding-planning marketplace connecting couples with more than 200,000 vendors, from venues and photographers to bridal boutiques and makeup artists.Jenny Lewis, CMO of The Knot Worldwide, told Glossy that roughly 36% of couples are now using some form of AI in their wedding planning, which is nearly double the figure from the prior year. That shift in behavior is exactly what drove the decision to test advertising within ChatGPT: If couples are searching for wedding vendors inside AI chat tools instead of traditional search engines, the platform becomes a critical visibility channel.The Knot also launched a dedicated ChatGPT app in early February, giving users access to its vendor marketplace directly within the chat interface, which surfaces imagery, reviews, and local options inside the conversation.Agency-Driven ParticipationBeyond the individually confirmed brands, several major agency groups have moved quickly to place clients inside the pilot.The OpenAI Ad Pilot has drawn investment from Omnicom Media, WPP, and Dentsu. Omnicom Media confirmed that more than 30 of its clients have secured placements in the pilot. WPP Media has separately confirmed participation from clients including Adobe, Audible, Ford, and Mazda. Dentsu has also joined the effort.These decisions reflect agency-level bets on a new channel with structured commitments made before performance data exists, based on strategic positioning rather than proven returns.What the Early Participant List RevealsRetail and commerce dominate the first waveEvery confirmed direct-to-brand participant (Target, Williams-Sonoma, Albertsons) operates in product-driven categories where purchase intent is closely tied to the kinds of questions people bring to ChatGPT. Someone asking about kitchen appliances, grocery staples, or home furnishings is already in a discovery mindset. These are not passive browsing moments. Instead, they are active, goal-directed conversations.The categories span a wide intent rangeThe confirmed participants cover grocery, home goods, wedding planning, software, entertainment, and automotive. That said, OpenAI’s ad system appears to be drawing interest not from a single vertical but from any category where high-intent conversational queries are common.Large, brand-safe advertisers are firstThe $200,000 minimum commitment and invitation-only access structure ensures that the pilot skews toward established players with sizable budgets and legal teams capable of evaluating a new, largely undefined platform.What Remains UnknownPricing structure is not publicly standardized. The $200,000 minimum commitment is known, and a $60 CPM figure has been reported by AdExchanger and Digiday, but how pricing ultimately scales (by context, category, query volume, or competitive bidding) has not been disclosed.Measurement tools are underdeveloped. Target’s SVP of Roundel noted that the company will review aggregated performance metrics (impressions, clicks, and early engagement signals) but acknowledged that capabilities like first-party data integration, closed-loop measurement, and flexible buying models are not yet available. The infrastructure that makes other platforms reliable for performance measurement does not yet exist here.Auction mechanics are not public. Whether ads are placed through a real-time auction, a fixed-rate placement, or some hybrid model has not been explained. This matters for brands trying to understand how competitive the environment will become as more advertisers enter.ChatGPT Ads Are No Longer a HypotheticalReal companies are spending real money to appear inside real conversations. The brands that have moved first are not doing so because the returns are proven; they are doing so because the format is new enough that early participation carries informational value that later entry cannot replicate.As one Roundel executive put it, “The goal of the pilot is to take time to thoughtfully test and learn, while introducing new experiences in a measured way that prioritizes consumer relevance and trust.” That measured language reflects the stakes on both sides: OpenAI needs these pilots to succeed quietly, and the brands involved need the learnings more than the impressions.For people who use ChatGPT regularly, the practical implication is that the brands already in the test have made a bet that conversational AI is where consumer attention is heading, and that showing up early, even imperfectly, is better than waiting for the rules to be written without them.This story was produced by Floodlight and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Banks once gave away guns and ponies: Here’s what they’re offering now Banks once gave away guns and ponies: Here’s what they’re offering nowBanks have always wanted your business, and they’ve gone to some pretty wild lengths to get it. From raffling off ponies to handing out firearms, financial institutions have a long, quirky history of dangling incentives to win over new customers.These days, the giveaways have gotten a lot more straightforward and a lot more valuable, Finder reports. Cash bonuses and gift cards have replaced the kitchen appliances and raffle tickets of yesteryear.Why do banks offer signup bonuses?Companies always want your business. That’s a given, since banks are for-profit institutions. They need customers to use their products and deposit funds to function.So, how do banks persuade you to become a customer? Well, they do what many other businesses do: offer signup bonuses and unique incentives.4 old customer incentives from banksHere are some weird incentives that banks have offered in the past.1. Firearms in MichiganThe Michigan bank North Country used to offer firearms instead of interest payments on certificates of deposit (CDs). If you opened a CD at the bank and deposited a certain amount, customers could browse over 100 firearm models from Weatherby Inc.2. Toasters and kitchen appliancesAh, a classic TV trope. But, in reality, banks really did offer various kitchen appliances for opening a new account. Toasters, waffle makers, microwave ovens, you name it — banks offered these appliances to lure in new folks and earn those deposits.3. VehiclesNot just new cars, but ponies as well. Banks have offered cars and even horses via raffles to new account holders. One of the most famous examples of these types of giveaways dates back to the 1950s, when Wells Fargo would host raffle-centric extravaganzas.4. Cash bonusesAn oldie but a goodie, and one that’s still offered today: Cold hard cash — a simple way to earn a customer. By opening a specific account, usually depositing a certain amount of cash or performing transactions, banks pay you a cash bonus once you meet requirements. These are no doubt the most popular types of bank account incentives today, because who doesn’t love free money?Modern new customer incentivesToday, banks are more likely to offer cash bonuses or gift cards for opening a new account and performing certain actions, like setting up direct deposit or making lump-sum deposits.Here are some examples of new customer bonuses and rewards you’re more likely to see now:Chime: Offering a $300 gift card when you open a Chime Checking account and meet deposit requirements. Offer ends March 31, 2026.SoFi: Offering a $50 or $300 bonus by opening a new SoFi account, setting up direct deposit (or existing customers who haven’t set up direct deposit) and meeting deposit requirements. Offer ends December 31, 2026.Chase Total Checking: Offering up to $400 by opening a new account, setting up direct deposit and meeting deposit requirements. Offer ends April 21, 2026.Why do banks have requirements for bonus offers?As you might imagine, banks and financial institutions can’t offer cash to anyone who just opens an account — especially when it comes to bank accounts, which are usually pretty accessible for most people.Generally, banks will require making deposits, performing a certain number of transactions and keeping the account open to earn a signup bonus. Banks offer these bonuses to persuade you to open a new account, and they want you to become a long-term customer.This is important to keep in mind: Just because an account has a nice bonus, you might have to use the account for a few months and meet deposit requirements. So, before you open a new bank account only for the bonus, make sure you’ll be comfortable using the account and depositing cash.Bottom lineBank account signup offers are a dime a dozen, but not all are created equal. Some banks may require depositing thousands of dollars before you even get a dime. Read the terms and conditions carefully, and make sure you can meet the requirements to get that bonus.This story was produced by Finder and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The states where home prices are falling fastest in 2026 and what that means for buyers The states where home prices are falling fastest in 2026 and what that means for buyersMortgage rates may have dipped slightly heading into 2026, but buyer demand hasn’t followed. In fact, mortgage applications fell nearly 10% toward the end of 2025, even as borrowing costs eased—a sign that affordability challenges and economic uncertainty are still weighing heavily on the housing market.After years of steady price growth, certain states are now seeing measurable home price declines. While this doesn’t signal a nationwide crash, it does mark a shift: The housing market is rebalancing, and some regions are cooling faster than others.Property Reach examines where prices are falling most sharply in 2026 and what those trends signal for buyers and sellers alike.Overview of the Real Estate Market in 2026The 2026 housing market is defined less by frenzy and more by friction.Following the COVID-19 pandemic-era boom—when record-low mortgage rates, remote work flexibility, and migration to lower-cost states drove double-digit price growth—the market has spent the last two years adjusting.Mortgage rates rose dramatically in 2022 and 2023, slowing sales activity and pricing out many first-time buyers. While rates have fallen somewhat from their peak, they remain significantly higher than the sub-3% levels that fueled earlier demand.At the same time, inventory has slowly improved. Sellers who locked in ultralow mortgage rates have been reluctant to list, but new construction and life changes (relocation, downsizing, job shifts) have gradually added supply back into the market.The result is a patchwork housing landscape, with some regions remaining relatively stable, while others are seeing dramatic price corrections.Rather than a nationwide decline, 2026 is shaping up as a story of regional divergence.Where Are Home Prices Falling? The MethodologyTo identify which states are seeing the sharpest price declines in 2026, Property Reach focused on year-over-year home price changes using Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index (HPI) data, focusing on states with flat or negative year-over-year appreciation.Broader market signals, including inventory growth and slowing sales activity, were also examined. The states included below showed either measurable annual price declines or significant slowdowns relative to national averages.5 States Where Home Prices Are Falling Fastest in 2026After years of relentless appreciation, some housing markets are finally losing steam. While national home prices remain relatively stable overall, several states that led the boom of the COVID era are now posting flat or negative year-over-year growth.These declines don’t signal a nationwide crash, but they do highlight where affordability pressures, rising inventory, and cooling demand are reshaping local markets most dramatically.1. FloridaYear-over-year home price change: Approximately -5.1%, particularly along the Gulf Coast.Florida was one of the biggest winners of pandemic-era migration. But in 2026, the state is showing clear signs of cooling.Inventory has climbed significantly in cities like Tampa, Orlando, and parts of South Florida. Rising homeowners’ insurance costs and affordability pressures have also reduced buyers’ urgency.For sellers, pricing strategy matters more than ever. For buyers, negotiation power is returning.2. ColoradoYear-over-year home price change: Average of -2.4% across the state, with steeper drops (-4.3%) in metro areas like Denver.Colorado’s housing market surged during the remote-work boom, especially in Denver and mountain-adjacent communities. In 2026, appreciation has stalled, and some markets are reporting steep year-over-year declines.Affordability remains a central issue. With median prices elevated and mortgage rates still historically high relative to recent years, demand has softened.3. CaliforniaYear-over-year home price change: -1.2% in median price for single-family homes.While it’s not necessarily a statewide crash, California’s housing market has been under pressure due to affordability issues for years. Elevated home prices combined with higher borrowing costs have further strained buyers in 2026.Several regions are reporting flat or slightly negative year-over-year growth. Out-migration trends and slower sales activity have contributed to a rebalancing effect, particularly in high-cost coastal metros, such as San Francisco.4. ArizonaYear-over-year home price change: Approximately -2.5% to -3.15%, with more volatility in major metros.Phoenix became one of the fastest-appreciating markets in the country during the pandemic. In 2026, that trajectory has reversed.New construction added a significant boost to supply just as buyer demand slowed. Investor activity has also cooled compared to peak years. As a result, sellers in some areas are adjusting prices downward to meet more cautious buyers.5. TexasYear-over-year home price change: Approximately -1.2% to -2.4%, primarily affecting major metros.Texas experienced explosive appreciation in home value between 2020 and 2022, especially in Austin. Now, those same markets are correcting.Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio’s real estate market trends have all seen slowing appreciation, with some metro areas posting modest annual declines. Rising inventory levels and slowing population growth have reduced competition.What Does This Mean for Buyers?Cooling markets don’t automatically point to risk. They can also signal opportunity.In states experiencing price declines, buyers may benefit from:Increased inventory and more optionsLonger days on marketGreater negotiation leverageMore seller concessionsThat being said, buyers should still be strategic. A declining market can present value, but understanding neighborhood-level trends is critical. Statewide data may hide significant variation between cities or even ZIP codes.Tips for Finding the Right Market for Your Real Estate InvestmentIn a shifting market, hyperlocal data means more than national headlines. Here are a few smart steps that buyers and investors can follow to get the most for their money.Compare Neighborhood-Level TrendsState averages can hide major differences between cities, or even ZIP codes. A cooling metropolitan market may still contain high-demand pockets.Track Inventory GrowthRising inventory often precedes price softening. Monitoring supply levels can help you anticipate negotiation opportunities.Evaluate Migration and Job GrowthMarkets tied to strong employment sectors often recover faster from slowdowns.Use Data-Driven ToolsInstead of relying solely on broad market reports, explore a property finder to analyze property-level trends, ownership insights, and local market characteristics before making an investment decision.It’s also worth exploring your expected interest rates in different areas to see where your money might go the furthest.Final Thoughts: A Market in TransitionThe 2026 housing market isn’t crashing—it’s recalibrating.States that experienced the most dramatic pandemic-era appreciation are now entering a correction phase. Florida, Colorado, California, Arizona, and Texas illustrate how rapidly conditions can change when affordability tightens and buyer demand drops.For buyers, this may be the first meaningful opportunity in years to regain leverage. For sellers, realistic pricing and strategic positioning are essential.The era of automatic appreciation has faded, and the era of data-driven decision-making has begun.This story was produced by Property Reach and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Judy's Family Cafe closed for renovations The cafe posted on social media that breakfast will be served at its second location, Judy's Kitchen, in the meantime.
	Moline accepting Statements of Interest for council seat The City of Moline is accepting Statements of Interest to fill a vacancy on the City Council representing Ward 1. The vacancy comes after the resignation of Ward 1 Alderperson Debbie Murphy earlier this month. Pursuant to the Moline City Code and applicable Illinois law, the City Council will appoint a qualified Ward 1 resident [...]
	Severe weather outbreak ranks 7th highest warning day for NWS Quad Cities NWS issues 39 warnings March 10; two deaths reported in Indiana; damage surveys underway in Iowa and Illinois
	HIV myths leave women out — free testing, support available in Quad Cities Local organizations say women are often left out of HIV conversations, even though they make up a significant portion of people living with the virus.
	Garage collapses during fire on 17th Avenue in East Moline Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of 17th Avenue in East Moline on Wednesday morning. Smoke was seen rising from the building.
	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: SHAWN JONES, 33, 5’8", 170 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Wanted by Iowa DOC for escape on conviction for burglary 1st degree. JASON SHEPPS-HUGHES, [...]
	Groceries, debt and doubt: How US consumers really feel about money in 2026 Groceries, debt and doubt: How US consumers really feel about money in 2026Ask U.S. consumers how they are feeling about money right now, and the answer is complicated. Not panicked, exactly. Not hopeless. But stretched, uncertain, and very aware that something has shifted over the past year in how far a dollar goes.Credit One Bank’s 2026 Financial Confidence Index, via a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted in December 2025, offers one of the clearest snapshots yet of that mood. The data reveals a country dealing with the compounding pressure of everyday costs, growing credit card balances, and a creeping sense that 2026 will not get easier on its own. But it also shows something else: people paying attention and starting to act.Key Takeaways54% of U.S. consumers said groceries and essentials had the biggest impact on their finances over the past year.36% of women feel worse about their financial situation compared to this time last year, versus 26% of men.62% of U.S. consumers making under $50,000 do not have an emergency savings fund.28% of U.S. consumers said their credit card balance increased in 2025; only 14% said it decreased.Just 7% of Gen Z respondents expect their household income to increase in 2026.44% of U.S. consumers do not feel financially prepared for potential economic uncertainty in 2026.53% of U.S. consumers are likely to seek financial advice or education in 2026.1. The Grocery Bill Is the Biggest Financial Story of the YearWhen asked what had the greatest impact on their personal finances over the past year, 54% of respondents pointed to groceries and everyday essentials. Not credit card debt. Not housing costs. The grocery store.It is a finding that will resonate with anyone who has watched their weekly food bill quietly climb with no single dramatic moment to blame. Food inflation has been one of the more stubborn economic pressures of the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, and this survey confirms it has not gone unnoticed. For most U.S. consumers, the place where the economy became personal was the checkout line.2. Credit Card Balances Are Going the Wrong DirectionThe credit card numbers in this survey tell a story of a gap widening in the wrong direction. In 2025, 28% of U.S. consumers said their credit card balance increased, while only 14% said it went down. That is twice as many people moving further into debt as moving out of it.For many, this is not reckless spending. It is a survival mechanism. When groceries cost more, when wages have not kept pace, and when unexpected expenses arise, credit becomes the bridge. The concern is what happens when the bridge starts to feel permanent.3. 6 in 10 Lower-Income US Consumers Have No Emergency CushionAmong respondents earning under $50,000 a year, 62% reported having no emergency savings fund at all. Not a small one. None.That number is striking because of what it means in practice. A car breakdown, a medical bill, a missed shift: Any of these events, ordinary and unpredictable as they are, can tip a household into real financial crisis when there is nothing to absorb the shock. The survey also found that 44% of all U.S. consumers do not feel financially prepared for economic uncertainty in 2026. For lower-income households, that uncertainty is not abstract. It is already the baseline.4. Gen Z Is Cautious, But US Consumers Are Ready to LearnGen Z enters 2026 with modest expectations. Just 7% of Gen Z respondents said they expect their household income to increase in the coming year. For a generation early in their careers and navigating a tough housing and job market, financial planning seems rooted in realism rather than optimism.And yet, across all age groups, the survey surfaced something encouraging. A majority of U.S. consumers, 53%, said they are likely to seek financial advice or education in 2026. That is not a small number. It suggests that even amid financial strain, people are looking for footing. The challenges are real, but so is the willingness to meet them.SummaryThe picture that emerges from this survey is not one of despair. It is one of pressure, clearly felt and honestly reported. U.S. consumers are paying more for the basics, carrying more debt, and heading into a new year with genuine uncertainty about what comes next.But they are also paying attention. They are seeking help. And in a financial landscape that can feel overwhelming, that orientation toward awareness and action may be the most important finding of all.MethodologyThis report is based on an original survey conducted in December 2025 among 1,000 U.S. adults, via Pollfish. The survey was designed to capture how U.S. consumers are managing their finances, experiencing financial stress, and preparing for the year ahead. Respondents represented a broad mix of ages, income levels, and genders. All questions and analyses were developed internally by Credit One Bank.This story was produced by Credit One Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The hidden cost of legal silence: What women really think about the justice system The hidden cost of legal silence: What women really think about the justice systemThere is a version of justice that exists on paper, and there is the version that women say they actually experience. According to a new survey of 1,000 women conducted by A Case for Women, a women-led U.S. legal advocacy organization, the gap between those two versions is significant, and it is costing women the ability to pursue claims they know are valid.The findings reveal a legal landscape shaped not just by formal barriers but by social ones: the fear of being judged, disbelieved, or professionally punished for speaking up. Taken together, they tell the story of a system that many women feel was not built with them in mind. Here are the four findings that make that case most clearly.Key Takeaways76% of women believe society judges women who file lawsuits more harshly than men.83% of women say they face unique barriers when pursuing legal action compared to men.46% of women do not trust the legal system to treat women's claims fairly.56% of Gen Z women specifically say they do not trust the legal system to handle their claims impartially.41% of women say access to affordable or pro bono legal representation would most encourage them to move forward with legitimate claims.28% of women earning $150,000 or more say their greatest hesitation in filing a workplace discrimination lawsuit would be fear of being labeled a troublemaker.1. 3 in 4 Women Feel Society Judges Them More Harshly for Filing LawsuitsThe most fundamental finding in the survey is also the most troubling: 76% of women believe that society judges women more harshly than men when they pursue legal action. That is not a fringe view. It is the majority position, held across age groups and income levels.The implications are real. When women anticipate harsher judgment for asserting their rights, many choose silence instead. A legal system that functions well on paper can still fail in practice if the social cost of using it is too high. That calculus, playing out quietly for millions of women, is what this survey makes visible.2. 8 in 10 Women Say the Legal System Poses Distinct Challenges for ThemBeyond societal judgment, 83% of women in the survey said they believe they face unique barriers in the legal process compared to men. That figure is striking not just for its size but for what it suggests about how pervasive the perception of systemic disadvantage has become.Respondents pointed to concerns about their credibility being questioned, fears of retaliation, and worries about reputational damage. These are not abstract risks. They are the kinds of calculations women report making before deciding whether to pursue a claim at all. When the barrier to justice is not just legal but psychological and social, formal access to the courts is only part of the solution.3. Nearly Half of Women Do Not Trust the Legal System to Treat Them FairlyTrust is the foundation of any functioning legal system. And by that measure, the survey surfaces a serious problem: 46% of women say they do not trust the legal system to treat women's claims fairly. Among Gen Z women, that number climbs to 56%.The generational dimension here matters. Younger women, who are earlier in their careers and more likely to encounter workplace and civil disputes in the years ahead, are entering adulthood with a majority-level distrust of the institutions designed to protect them. That distrust does not appear to be cynicism without cause. It reflects a pattern of experiences, reported and observed, that have shaped how a generation of women understands what justice is available to them.4. Cost Keeps Claims from Moving Forward, Even for High EarnersWhen asked what would most encourage them to pursue a legitimate legal claim, 41% of women pointed to access to affordable or pro bono legal representation. The cost of legal help is not a peripheral concern; it is the single most-cited barrier between women and the justice they believe they are owed.And this barrier does not disappear with income. Among women earning $150,000 or more, 28% said their greatest hesitation in filing a clear-cut workplace discrimination claim would be fear of being labeled a troublemaker. Even at the highest earning levels, the social and professional cost of speaking up can outweigh the financial means to do so. The deterrent, for many women, is not money. It is the career they have spent years building.SummaryWhat emerges from this survey is not a portrait of women who do not know their rights. It is a portrait of women who know them well and have made careful, often painful calculations about the cost of asserting them.The path forward is clear in the data. Affordable legal representation, stronger workplace protections, and a cultural shift in how we respond to women who seek justice would each make a measurable difference. Women are not asking for a different standard. They are asking for the same one.MethodologyThe findings in this report are based on a proprietary survey conducted by A Case for Women with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 women via Pollfish in January 2026. The study was designed to capture nuanced perspectives on legal access, public perception, and the barriers women face when navigating the legal system. Respondents represented a broad mix of ages, income levels, and backgrounds.This story was produced by A Case for Women and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Harrison Ford isn't retiring: 'I really wouldn't know what to do with myself' Ford struggled to find his footing in Hollywood before being cast as Han Solo in Star Wars. Now 83, he plays a therapist in the Apple TV series Shrinking: "I really do love the work," he says.
	Keep your family safe and sound with a new solar generator (BPT) - A storm is raging outdoors, but you and your family are safely tucked away in your cozy home ... that is, until the power goes out. You don't know if the outage will last minutes, hours or days, but you do know that you need backup power quick to keep the heat and lights on and necessary appliances like your fridge running.The first solution you might think of is your gas generator. However, you can't safely use it indoors, and it might be too dangerous to brave the weather to run the generator outdoors. Plus, you may not have enough gas to turn the generator on, let alone power what you need.Instead of hoping the power comes back on sooner rather than later, consider upgrading to a safer, reliable backup power source: a solar generator.Not a matter of if but whenPower outages are becoming more and more common. According to the U.S. Energy Administration, Americans averaged 11 hours of outages in 2024 — nearly double the prior decade's average. States that experienced the most time without power dealt with major weather events like hurricanes.Given the increase and duration of power outages, it pays to be prepared to weather the storm comfortably and safely inside your home.The problem with gas For decades, gas generators were the go-to backup power solution for many homes. However, gas has many drawbacks.First and foremost, gas generators create carbon monoxide, which means they're not safe to run inside your home or garage. Depending on the storm, they may not even be safe to operate outdoors. For apartment dwellers without dedicated outdoor spaces, a gas generator isn't even an option.Second, gas generators require you to keep fuel on hand. You can't rely on leftover gas from its last use. Depending on the intensity of the storm, you may not be able to get to the gas station before or after a disaster. Even then, the gas station may not have fuel available due to high demand or supply disruptions caused by the storm.Solar: A modern solution for modern power outagesGas generators were built for a different era with different needs. To tackle today's backup power needs, you need a modern solution like a solar generator.When it comes to powering your home during a storm, a solar generator offers several benefits, including:Fume-free, quiet operationEasier maintenanceMultiple charging methodsModular, scalable designsSolar generators aren't just for homeowners. Now, apartment residents can finally have reliable emergency power instead of waiting for the lights to come back on.Best of all? You won't run out of fuel. All you need is the sun.A solution for any homeIf you're ready to upgrade to a solar-powered generator, consider one of Jackery's home backup power stations. For example, the Solar Generator 5000 Plus is reliable backup power accessible to any household, designed to bridge the gap between portable generators and complex permanent home energy systems.As the name suggests, solar is the main charging source for the portable home generator. However, it can also be charged via a standard wall outlet or 12-volt car port. When paired with Jackery's Smart Transfer Switch, the 5000 Plus can connect directly to a home's circuit panel, automatically delivering backup power the moment the grid goes down — no extension cords, no manual intervention.When running, the 5000 Plus is completely silent and 100% fume-free, ideal for safe indoor use. The solar generator also requires virtually no maintenance. That means no oil changes, no fuel stockpiling, no seasonal startup rituals.The solar generator's size is versatile enough for apartment use and powerful enough to power all your needs in a house. Thanks to its modular and scalable design, you can easily expand the solar generator's total power capacity with additional battery packs.But backup is only the beginning. When the Solar Generator 5000 Plus is expanded to its full 60kWh modular capacity and paired with a Smart Transfer Switch, it becomes more than an emergency power source. Homeowners — especially those with electric vehicles or higher daily energy use — can lower their electricity bills by up to $11,800 a year through simple peak shaving, which means charging the system when rates are low and using stored power when prices rise. It's an easy way to make your energy dollars go further, with no noise, no fumes and no ongoing fuel costs. For many households, it's not just a cleaner backup option. It's a practical, long-term upgrade that can pay off year after year.A smarter, safer upgrade for today's householdsDon't wait for disaster to strike. Before the next storm hits, ditch your old gas generator and upgrade to solar. To learn more about this portable solar generator and Jackery's other power solutions, visit Jackery.com.
	Firefighters respond to East Moline structure fire Wednesday morning Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of 17th Avenue in East Moline on Wednesday morning.
	How to build a neuroinclusive workplace that boosts productivity and innovation How to build a neuroinclusive workplace that boosts productivity and innovationOne in five adults in America is neurodivergent. Globally, 15%-20% of the population exhibits some form of neurodivergence.That means about one in every five employees in an organization may be neurodivergent. It's easy to understand the imperative need to evolve and adapt—to meet the diverse needs of this growing segment.In this article, Spring Health explores neurodiversity, the growing importance of neurodiversity hiring, how to create a neuroinclusive workplace, and why it's essential to prioritize and invest in the success of neurodivergent employees.Understanding the dynamics of neurodiversityHarvard Medical School describes neurodiversity as “the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one 'right' way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.”Neurodiversity refers to the natural diversity of human brains, recognizing and honoring the neurological differences among individuals.Here’s a helpful breakdown of the terminology:Neurodivergent refers to individuals who think, learn, or process information in ways that differ from what’s considered typical (neurotypical).Neurotypical refers to individuals who process information in a way that aligns with what’s considered typical in society."Neurodiverse describes a group that includes both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals.The link between neurodivergence and mental healthWhen the term “neurodivergent” is used, many people think only of autism or ADHD. But it’s far more expansive, including: Dyslexia and other learning differencesAuditory processing differencesTourette's SyndromeObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)Neurodivergent people experience the world in ways that differ from what is considered ‘typical’ This exists along a continuum that includes diverse ways of thinking, moving, behaving, visualizing, communicating, and processing information.While it’s not considered a mental health issue, there’s mounting evidence that neurodivergence can increase the risk of mental health issues—often stemming from a lack of support, a lack of knowledge, and the stress of masking or trying to conform to neurotypical expectations.Psychology Today reports that nearly three in 10 children diagnosed with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. Autistic people have higher rates of anxiety, eating disorders, and OCD, and HSPs have a greater risk of anxiety and depression.Understanding neurodivergent employeesNavigating a world designed for neurotypical minds can be challenging for neurodivergent people, which contributes to the link between neurodivergence and mental health struggles. This can easily lead to feeling misunderstood and at a disadvantage, burying the unique strengths each person brings to the table.Recognizing the individual strengths of neurodivergent team members and understanding their needs can help reduce barriers and create a more supportive and inclusive work environment.Here are some of the challenges that many neurodivergent employees face:Different approaches to prioritizing and planningLiteral interpretationsDirect communication style, sometimes perceived as inflexibleVariability in reading non-verbal cuesHeightened sensory sensitivityDifferences in social interaction stylesProcessing large amounts of information differentlyEmotional exhaustion from masking or navigating neurotypical expectationsThe advantage of integrating neurodivergent workers throughout your organizationNeurodivergent employees bring valuable perspectives and a diverse range of hard and soft skills that enhance innovation, problem-solving, and overall workplace performance.A Deloitte report states, “Research suggests that teams with neurodivergent professionals in some roles can be 30% more productive than those without them.” This may be due to the diverse cognitive strengths that neurodivergent employees bring, enabling innovative problem-solving and different approaches to tasks.Neurodivergent employees bring diverse strengths and valuable talents to the workplace. Here's a quick look at just a few:The ability to hyperfocus on tasks and remember large amounts of detailed informationIdentifying trends, rules, and patterns in dataRapidly processing visual informationRemembering large amounts of detailGood problem-solving skillsOut-of-the-box, big picture, and critical thinking abilityA high level of empathy and integrityWhat every employee needs is different, and it’s always best to ask, never assume. Here are a few things to offer to get this conversation started:Clearly defined routines and expectationsStructure and consistencyFlexible environmentsSound and light adjustments or accommodationsTask management toolsPermission for remote employees to turn the camera off during a meetingThe value of neurodiversity hiringNeurodiversity hiring goes beyond inclusion initiatives. It’s a strategic talent decision.Many traditional hiring processes unintentionally screen out neurodivergent candidates by overemphasizing social cues, rapid verbal responses, or rigid interview formats. When organizations rethink these structures, they often uncover highly skilled individuals whose strengths may not surface in conventional interviews.Companies that intentionally adopt neurodiversity hiring practices often report:Stronger analytical and technical capabilitiesIncreased innovation through diverse cognitive perspectivesImproved team problem-solvingHigher retention in roles aligned to individual strengthsInclusive hiring practices can include structured interviews, skills-based assessments, flexible communication formats, and clearly defined expectations throughout the recruitment process.But hiring is only the first step.To fully realize the value of neurodiversity hiring, organizations must pair inclusive recruitment with neuroinclusive management practices — ensuring that employees are supported, understood, and positioned to succeed long term.When done thoughtfully, neurodiversity hiring strengthens not only workforce diversity but also overall organizational performance.A neuroinclusive workplace delivers meaningful benefitsAs the number of neurodivergent individuals in the workforce continues to climb, every organization must ensure its environment is conducive to all employees. Neuro-inclusion isn’t just about inviting neurodivergent individuals into a neurotypical environment — it’s about reshaping workplaces to support and empower all ways of thinking. As awareness of neurodiversity in the workforce grows, organizations must ensure their environments are inclusive and supportive for all employees.A neuroinclusive culture and comprehensive support system boost team morale, foster a sense of community and belonging, and encourage diversity of thought, creative approaches to work tasks, and innovation.However, many organizations remain hesitant to embrace neurodivergent talent. A recent article in the Harvard Business Review states, “Many people with neurological conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia, have extraordinary skills, including in pattern recognition, memory, and mathematics. Yet they often struggle to fit the profiles employers seek.Companies that have adapted their hiring and workplace practices to be more inclusive of neurodivergent employees report increased productivity, improved work quality, enhanced innovation, and higher employee engagement.How HR and people leaders can support neurodivergent employeesBuilding a truly inclusive workplace means equipping leaders with the tools to understand neurodiversity, foster empathy, and normalize conversations to reduce stigma.There are several ways to cultivate a neuroinclusive workplace, including these proven strategies:Avoid assumptions. Instead, take the time to discuss each employee’s individual preferences, needs, and goals.Communicate and acknowledge expectations regarding work performance and workplace etiquette.Provide flexible task management tools to support different working styles.Establish structure and consistency in daily routines, providing advanced notice of changes.Create flexible workspaces and accommodations for sensory needs, such as managing sound and lighting.Use inclusive language that promotes understanding and respect.Above all, prioritize kindness, patience, and empathy in all interactions.How to become a neurodivergent allyTherapy and coaching can provide invaluable support by helping neurodivergent employees understand their unique wiring, advocate for their needs, and healthily manage their emotions.Here are a few more ways you can become an ally for your neurodivergent employees:Reflect on your own biases as someone who may be neurotypical or neurodivergentRecognize and value individual strengths, skills, and contributions of each employeeEngage thoughtfully, recognizing and respecting the differences among employeesTake the initiative to learn more about neurodiversity independently, deepening your understanding and empathyThis story was produced by Spring Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	School bus crash injures students; driver cited, investigation ongoing in Whiteside County A Prophetstown/Lyndon/Tampico School District bus was involved in a possible crash Tuesday afternoon in Whiteside County.
	This state's massive data centers can’t get the power they need, so they're creating their own supply This state's massive data centers can’t get the power they need, so they’re creating their own supply In rural Millard County, Kalen Taylor is bracing for the day the farmland across the street transforms into a sprawling data center complex.Initial plans for Joule Capital Partners’ 4,000-acre data center site call for six buildings, each powered by 69 Caterpillar natural gas-powered generators to meet the intensive energy demands. Construction is slated to begin this spring. Once built, Taylor will likely hear the equivalent of more than 400 semi-trucks idling in his neighborhood around the clock, producing emissions year-round.“I just would rather look out my back door and see cornfields than a data center,” Taylor said. “I like the sound of crops rustling in the wind, not the hum of a CAT generator making power.”Farther north, Eagle Mountain city officials have turned to massive data centers operated by tech giants like Meta to provide much-needed tax revenue. But even in this urban, rapidly growing part of the state, developers struggle to secure the power they need from Utah’s largest electric utility, Rocky Mountain Power. Google has delayed building a campus there due to energy constraints. That prompted the City Council to explore building small nuclear reactors, to the consternation of many residents, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.“It means our city would become a radioactive storage site,” said Joy Rasmussen, a mom of four who bought a home in Eagle Mountain in 2022.This spring, in Washington D.C., Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) spoke glowingly to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, about Utah’s aspirations to “lead” the nation “with data centers and advanced technologies” during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on artificial intelligence.Curtis noted the “challenges” that come with data centers’ insatiable energy demands. How, the senator asked, can the state protect ratepayers?“The best way,” Altman responded, “is much more supply. More generation.”With the growing demand for more data centers, Utah finds itself in a difficult position. State and federal officials have called AI the “arms race” of a new era, as the nation looks to fend off Russia and China and forge its place as the world’s leader in technology, energy and innovation. And Utah looks to position itself at the forefront of that fight. Christopher Cherrington // The Salt Lake Tribune The state’s main electricity provider, Rocky Mountain Power, doesn’t have the capacity to meet the surge in energy demand. Data center developers have instead turned to generating their own electricity, mostly using natural gas. Gov. Spencer Cox has zeroed in on nuclear as a cleaner energy solution as part of his Operation Gigawatt.That collision of the AI boom and limited power supplies means Utah’s rush to build data centers is likely to rely on fossil fuel energy for the foreseeable future, raising concerns about the state’s already struggling air quality. Alternative sources won’t match the demand the centers generate — potentially as much as four times what Utah residents and businesses currently consume. Small nuclear plants are at least a decade away, while the Trump administration has curtailed many incentives for solar and wind power.Lawmakers and regulators are trying to balance the needs of energy-intensive industries without ratepayers feeling the environmental and pocketbook pains felt in other parts of the country, like rising energy bills and polluted resources.“We’re kind of in a big mess right now,” said Logan Mitchell, a climate scientist and energy analyst for Utah Clean Energy, “and it’s manifesting in all of these different ways.”Data centers turn to self-built powerRocky Mountain Power, like many private utility providers in the U.S., has a monopoly as the sole electricity provider in much of Utah, but it must yield to state regulation. For decades, power providers hummed along as energy demand across the country stayed relatively flat. Conflict arose, however, when platforms like Altman’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Elon Musk’s Grok made AI a mass consumable good rather than a niche product. Demand for more data centers gripped the globe, and the utilities, which plan for energy needs decades in advance, were caught unprepared and undersupplied.Data centers use substantial amounts of energy, with rows of servers computing day and night for services that are an increasing part of daily life — streaming services, online banking, e-commerce and the rise of AI. In arid Utah, many data centers have pivoted away from water-guzzling evaporative cooling in favor of closed-loop systems, which require more electricity to run.Last year, the Utah Legislature passed SB 132, allowing private companies with energy demands of 100 megawatts or more to build their own generating stations that operate off the public grid used by nearly everyone else. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, specifically cited data centers as he promoted the legislation.“It kind of un-handcuffs Rocky Mountain Power to provide these loads for data centers, for AI, for large manufacturers,” Sandall said, “those that are coming in, and quite frankly, changing the curve of power demand.”In Millard County, both Joule and Creekstone Energy intend to build their own massive facilities, powered by natural gas.“We are so excited for other alternative energy sources like geothermal and solar and wind and someday, maybe even nuclear,” said Mark McDougal, a managing partner of the Joule data mega-campus. “But we can’t wait for that.”Natural gas is efficient, McDougal said, and a proven technology that can run around the clock.The developers received support from county leaders because of their potential to create employment in construction, maintenance and security, along with boosting economic development. The rural community in central Utah lost its largest employer, the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant, in 2023 — it accounted for about a quarter of all jobs in the county. The idling of the nearby Intermountain Power Plant’s remaining coal units also caused a hemorrhaging of local jobs.Construction of the massive sites will bring some jobs to the communities, but data centers generally employ a relatively small number of permanent workers.Millard County’s location is attractive to data center developers because it lies on a fiber optic corridor and near a natural gas pipeline, along with large transmission lines associated with the old coal plant.“Having both of those in the same place,” said Ray Conley, Creekstone’s CEO, “and not having a large metropolitan area that is competing for power is a very unique combo.”It also lies outside the Wasatch Front, an area plagued for years by poor air quality that falls short of federal standards.“It’s so hard where you have inversions and trap emissions,” McDougal said. “[Here] emissions are able to disperse.” Rick Egan // The Salt Lake Tribune Joule’s applications filed with the state indicate it will produce 1 gigawatt to start — about a quarter of the electricity Utah currently uses annually. But its own public statements indicate it intends to produce more than 4 gigawatts onsite. Creekstone, less than a mile away, intends to produce 10 gigawatts, Conley confirmed.At least a few computing campuses want to build natural gas plants on the Wasatch Front as well, despite its inversions and air quality challenges. Data company QTS received approval from the Eagle Mountain City Council to build a 20-acre, 200 megawatt plant last year, although a company spokesperson said it secured power from Rocky Mountain instead.In West Jordan, the expanding Novva data campus received state approval to build a 200 megawatt natural gas plant in December 2024.But “natural gas” is an old greenwashing term, Mitchell said. The fuel is methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Burning it produces carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants.Nitrogen oxides mix in the atmosphere, get baked by the sun and turn into particulate pollution in the winter and ozone pollution in the summer.The pollutants create haze in rural parts of the state as well, and impact visibility at Utah’s famed national parks from Arches to Zion.Even data centers on the Wasatch Front that have tapped into the existing power grid also received approval to install hundreds of diesel-fueled generators in the last five years, including QTS, Meta and the National Security Agency in Utah County and eBay, Aligned, DataBank, Oracle and Novva data centers in Salt Lake County. Those generators would only run during blackouts and other emergencies when the campuses can’t get enough grid power, according to permit applications. But diesel emissions contain even more harmful pollutants than natural gas. Francisco Kjolseth // The Salt Lake Tribune In November, the federal government removed Northern Utah from its list of regions out of compliance for wintertime inversion pollution after more than a decade, thanks to state efforts like banning wood burning on poor air quality days, combined with stricter federal regulations on vehicles and fuel. But it continues to struggle with meeting national requirements for ozone smog.The new data centers coming online, with their diesel and natural gas generators, could bump the state right back out of compliance, environmental advocates say.“They’re eating into all of the progress we’ve made to reduce emissions from other sources,” Mitchell said.State regulators said they’re not just concerned about temporary diesel generators and year-round natural gas generators taking a bite out of air quality gains in recent years.“We’re concerned about all growth,” said Bryce Bird, director of the Utah Division of Air Quality. “Everything that has to do with people also has emissions associated with it.”That doesn’t mean Utah can’t be a tech leader, said Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director Tim Davis. But the state’s still figuring out how to strike the right balance between affordable energy creation, environmental protection and improving public health.“I don’t know of a state that is not having similar conversations,” Davis said. “That’s just a mind-numbing amount of new power that they’re trying to plan for.”‘If anybody wants to criticize data centers, look in the mirror’Novva applied for a two-year presidential exemption from the Clean Air Act in March under a program designed to benefit coal plants, smelting facilities and chemical manufacturers. The company asked for the exemption so it could operate using diesel generators while it finishes building its natural gas plant, according to records obtained by Grist and shared with The Salt Lake Tribune.The company noted Rocky Mountain Power can’t provide the electricity needed until 2031, and even then, it’s not guaranteed. The requested exemption aligns with national security interests, Novva wrote in its application, citing the U.S. Department of State’s assertion that AI is “at the center of an unfolding global technology revolution” and can help make Americans safer.Novva CEO Wes Swenson said he never received a response to the exemption request. He insisted, however, that data centers like his are important for protecting “American data.”“If anybody wants to criticize data centers, look in the mirror,” Swenson said. “‘I want Netflix, I want Prime, I want Apple TV.’ … Nobody goes to the library anymore. Who uses cash? Where do people think that all comes from?”Where will all the new energy come from, and how will it impact Utahns?Utah leaders have honed in on nuclear power, and small modular reactors in particular, as a cleaner and more sustainable solution to the spike in energy demand. The need is not just driven by data centers, but also a hoped-for renaissance in manufacturing and the future electrification of Utah’s transportation. But Rocky Mountain’s parent company, PacifiCorp, only has firm plans for one small reactor – a plant under construction by TerraPower in Kemmerer, Wyoming. It won’t come online until around 2032, and Utah will share its projected 500 megawatts with other Western states.Enthusiasm for small nuclear reactors within Utah’s borders appears tepid. Brigham City is the only community so far to fully embrace nuclear reactors. But in making that announcement, state leaders were light on specifics in explaining why the small city needs the power. No known data centers are planned for the area. Francisco Kjolseth // The Salt Lake Tribune Ninety minutes south in Eagle Mountain, Meta’s data campus is expanding, a huge QTS data hub is under construction and Google is waiting to build on 300 acres it owns within city limits. The city made two attempts last year to adopt an ordinance to allow for nuclear development and other energy projects, including solar farms. After receiving mixed feedback, the efforts failed.The pivot to nuclear has environmental and clean energy advocates wondering why Utah has shied away from renewables. Cox calls his Operation Gigawatt an “all-of-the-above” strategy that welcomes all energy sources. But resources like wind and solar have faded from the conversation.“People see renewable energy as the woke liberal energy, and we have to stick with fossil fuels and nuclear, because that’s what conservatives want,” said Ed Stafford, a professor of marketing at Utah State University whose research focuses on renewables. “Politicization of energy is just a bad thing, because, as common sense tells us, we should go with the cleanest and cheapest forms of energy that spreads the wealth around.”PacifiCorp intends to bring no new solar, wind or battery storage online in Utah over the next two decades, according to the latest draft of its long-term resource plan. Meanwhile, the utility isn’t factoring large energy consumers, like data centers, into its projections, to Mitchell’s frustration.“Rocky Mountain Power should be planning for the reality of the future,” Mitchell said, “rather than creating a fictional reality that indicates they don’t have much load growth and they’re not going to build new resources.”A spokesperson for the utility said their future planning does include some customer requests for large loads.“We generally model only projects that have a high probability of being constructed,” the spokesperson said. “Many of the large load inquiries the company receives have a high degree of uncertainty.”Data center developers and operators interviewed for this story said they support transitioning to cleaner energy sources. But they also need consistent and reliable power when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow.“The economic rebates and incentives are going away, which is why it’s not as in fashion as it was before,” said Conley, Creekstone’s CEO. “But a lot of [data] customers are willing to pay a premium for green energy instead of dirty energy.” Rick Egan // The Salt Lake Tribune Conley’s company recently applied with the Utah Office of Energy Development to operate the Intermountain Power Plant’s remaining coal units, which went idle this year after the plant’s customer base in California decided to transition to cleaner energy sources.“Diversification,” the CEO said, “reduces risk.”Risk is at the forefront of at least some Utahns’ minds, particularly as news stories across the nation call out data centers for driving up the cost of power for all ratepayers. Utilities build new generating plants and upgrade decades-old grid equipment to meet rising demand, then spread the costs among all their customers. This year, Pew reports, both data centers and cryptocurrency mining could cause the average U.S. power bill to grow 8% by 2030.In Utah, however, SB 132 seems to serve a dual purpose of helping data center developers get the energy they need behind the meter, while protecting other customers who still use the traditional grid.“There’s very little evidence that data centers have impacted rates to date,” said Michele Beck, director of the Office of Consumer Services, a utility watchdog part of the Utah Department of Commerce.She called SB 132 one of the “best ideas out there” for protecting power customers in the nation. But, she said, it’s important for Utahns to remain vigilant. It’s not just utilities struggling to catch up to new demand. Regulators have struggled to keep pace as well.“The industry in general is speeding up,” Beck said. “It just compounds everything.”Grist reporter Naveena Sadasivam and Tribune reporter Addy Baird contributed to this story.This story is made possible through a partnership between The Salt Lake Tribune and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. This story was produced by The Salt Lake Tribune and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	AI overviews in home services: What a 237,000-query analysis reveals AI overviews in home services: What a 237,000-query analysis revealsGoogle’s search results aren’t just blue links anymore. With AI Overviews, Google is stepping between providers and the homeowners searching for them.That shift means blog posts, seasonal maintenance guides, and DIY resources are no longer guaranteed to earn clicks. Instead, Google often serves homeowners an instant, AI-generated walkthrough right on the results page, skipping your site entirely.Losing clicks doesn’t have to mean losing customers.Here’s the silver lining: AI Overviews aren’t random. They follow clear patterns. And with the right data and strategies, home service providers can anticipate where they’ll appear and adapt to keep earning visibility and jobs online.In this 2025 report, WebFX breaks down:What data shows about AI Overviews’ impact on home service businessesGoogle’s AI Overviews are already reshaping AI visibility for home service providers. This industry-focused analysis of 237,990 home service queries found that AI Overviews appear in 17.7% of searches. While that’s lower than high-risk verticals like health (51% across 130,070 queries) or finance (31.1% across 116,124 queries), it still poses a major challenge concerning AI in the home repair industry.Why does it matter? Because the way homeowners phrase a search can decide whether your business gets seen. Here’s a quick comparison that makes the difference clear: WebFX The split shows that AI in the home repair industry doesn’t replace all searches across the board. The biggest threat comes from long how-to style queries that fuel top-of-funnel visibility. That’s the very content that service providers use to build trust before a homeowner calls.The bottom line: While only one in five home service searches currently trigger an AI Overview, the ones that do often overlap with the actual content service providers count on for lead generation.The accelerators of AI Overviews in home servicesNot all home service searches are equally likely to trigger an AI Overview. This analysis revealed three accelerators that raise the odds dramatically: Query length, search intent, and industry fit.1. Query length pushes results into the danger zoneThe longer a query, the more likely Google is to generate an AI Overview. WebFX Once a query passes seven words, there’s nearly a coin-flip chance of an AI Overview appearing. For providers, that’s dangerous because long-tail searches typically show higher homeowner intent, the exact moment your content could earn a call.2. Informational intent drives the highest riskAI Overviews appear most often when homeowners want to learn (not buy). WebFX FAQs, seasonal maintenance guides, and DIY how-to posts (a significant portion of home services content) face the highest displacement risk. For service providers, that means top-of-funnel content is most vulnerable.The brakes that protect home service searches from AI OverviewsWhile certain factors accelerate AI Overviews, two “brakes” sharply reduce their likelihood, giving home service providers natural protection from being superseded by AI answers.1. Local modifiers shield against AI displacementAdding a city, state, or brand name can drastically cut AI Overview appearances. That’s because Google prioritizes local map packs and branded results over AI answers. WebFX For providers, this confirms that local SEO strategies are a primary defense. Optimized Google Business Profiles, reputation management, location pages, and branded visibility help ensure AI in home services doesn’t steal high-value clicks.2. Visual and service-based queries resist AI takeoverAI Overviews struggle with searches that require visuals, real-time information, or service availability. WebFX With this pattern of AI in home services, this becomes encouraging for providers. AI visibility for home service providers is lowest when homeowners need visual confirmation, reputation signals, or real-time service info. Providers who invest in rich imagery, structured data, and strong local SEO can protect (and even grow) their search presence.How home service providers can adapt to AI OverviewsIf your blog posts, pricing guides, or maintenance tips get summarized by AI Overviews, you lose clicks. But that doesn’t instantly mean you lose the customer. Home service providers can adapt by using strategies that improve AI visibility while safeguarding leads. Read on to learn how:1. Strengthen local SEO to stay in the safe zoneSince location queries (12.2%) and brand + location queries (12.4%) trigger AI Overviews at much lower rates, optimizing for local intent is the best defense.Build out city- and service-specific landing pages.Keep your Google Business Profile fully optimized and updated.Encourage reviews that strengthen brand trust.Local visibility keeps you out of the AI danger zone and in front of homeowners ready to hire.2. Diversify content formats beyond textAI thrives on summarizing written how-tos. It struggles with visuals, tools, and interactivity.Create before-and-after galleries, video walkthroughs, and project portfolios.Add interactive tools like cost calculators or seasonal maintenance checklists.Use structured data (HowTo, FAQ, LocalBusiness) to make content machine-readable.These content types are harder for AI to replicate, keeping homeowners engaged directly on your site.3. Position your brand as the cited authorityAI Overviews don’t pull text at random. They cite credible sources. Boost your odds of being referenced:Add expert quotes or certifications.Use schema markup to reinforce expertise.Keep content fresh and factually accurate.Leverage reviews to show authority recognized by AI in the home repair industry.Think less about “ranking” and more about being referenced. This is a new visibility metric in the AI era.4. Rebalance traffic strategies with paid searchIf your top-of-funnel content sees traffic loss, supplement with paid ads targeting those queries. Informational keywords are often cheaper to bid on than commercial ones, making pay-per-click (PPC) a cost-effective bridge.This makes sure that even if AI eats clicks, you still capture high-intent homeowners.Data sources and methodologyThis study analyzes 237,990 U.S. home services search queries, a focused subset of a broader analysis of 2.37 million U.S. keywords across multiple industries, to measure when Google displays AI Overviews and what factors influence their appearance. Data were collected in July 2025.Search results were collected programmatically using a third-party SERP data provider to detect AI Overviews at the query level. Queries were evaluated by length, search intent, and modifier type (including brand and location) to identify patterns that increase or reduce AI visibility.Key considerations:Data reflects a point-in-time snapshot of U.S. SERPs. AI Overview rates may change as Google iterates.Search intent classification involves interpretation, especially for mixed-intent queries.Local packs, personalization, and device context may affect individual results.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Multiple departments respond to East Moline fire Our Quad Cities News has a crew on the scene of a fire in East Moline. The garage collapsed and smoke is showing from the home. 17th Avenue is closed from First Street to Kennedy Drive. East Moline Fire and Police, Moline Fire Department, Silvis Fire Department and MidAmerican Energy is on the scene. No [...]
	Bechtel Charitable Trust awards $50,000 to Girl Scouts Girl Scouts has received a $50,000 gift from the Bechtel Charitable Trust to support Girl Scout leadership programming throughout Scott County. The investment allows Girl Scouts to continue delivering high-quality, research-backed programming that empowers girls in Scott County to build confidence, develop essential life skills and grow into the next generation of leaders. “I support [...]
	On her new album, Kacey Musgraves returns home, to the 'Middle of Nowhere' Before making her upcoming sixth album, the country star returned to her small-town Texas home and discovered the power of in-between spaces. "I found a lot of clarity there," she says.
	What causes long lines on Election Day, and how they can be avoided What causes long lines on Election Day, and how they can be avoidedIn the November 2022 election, lines at polling places in Ann Arbor, Michigan, spilled out of buildings and down some city streets.More voters were taking advantage of the opportunity to register and vote on the same day. But the process of registering hundreds of new voters and issuing them absentee ballots had to be done by the clerk’s office staff and took up to five minutes per person, leading to waits that were often hours long, City Clerk Jackie Beaudry recounted to Votebeat.Election officials weren’t willing to let that happen again. So Beaudry, along with other local clerks dealing with similar backups, successfully lobbied lawmakers in Lansing to allow people who register on Election Day to be able to cast regular ballots issued by standard poll workers. In the meantime, voters also approved measures allowing them to vote early in every statewide or federal election, alleviating pressure on Election Day voting.Those changes cut the time to process each newly registered voter down to almost nothing, Beaudry said, and all but eliminated the city’s long lines in 2024. “I think on Election Day, the longest same-day registration wait was like 15 minutes,” Beaudry said.Lines at polling places are the bane of election administrators nationwide. Long waits can take hours out of a voter’s day; in the worst-case scenario, they can even deter them from voting, robbing them of their voice in the election. So officials like Beaudry often feel duty-bound to do everything they can to minimize these waits.The best kind of line, election officials typically agree, is no line at all. But the second-best — one that ensures a voter gets to cast their ballot in a timely manner, even if they do have to wait — relies on a precise combination of policymaking, engineering, and sociology to make everything run smoothly.Supporting them are researchers at universities across the country who study ways to make lines not only more efficient but also more tolerable for the voters who have to wait in them.Eliminating lines altogether can be difficult. Local and state laws, including those focused on electioneering or election security, sometimes limit what is possible. But even within those confines, experts and election officials around the country have found that good lines are possible, even likely, with a little collaboration and a healthy amount of forethought.What makes a good line?What makes a bad line probably feels obvious to the people waiting in it. But what makes a good line is a little less clear-cut. Charles Stewart, a political scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said there are two answers to the question.The first is that it should be short. Specifically, the Presidential Commission on Election Administration, convened by then-President Barack Obama in 2013, concluded in a 2014 report that, “as a general rule, no voter should have to wait more than half an hour in order to have an opportunity to vote.”Of course, that’s not always possible. In 2012 — a presidential election before mail and absentee voting became widespread — research found that some 10 million voters probably waited at least that long to cast their ballot, with half of those voters waiting more than an hour.So the second secret to a good line, Stewart said, is having enough resources to make it move smoothly even if it is longer.For example, Stewart’s research has found that check-in stations are one of the worst bottlenecks on Election Day. But having an extra person to check in voters allows twice as many voters to get their ballots and start filling them out. That makes the wait shorter, which is key, but can also just make people feel that things are moving faster.Stewart points to Disney theme parks as a great example. One of the members of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration was Brian Bitton, then the vice president of global park operations at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The commission held one of its meetings at Disney World, Stewart said, to gain real-world context on how lines can be improved even when they can’t be shortened.Along with trying to make lines shorter, he said, Disney did things “to manage how people were thinking about the lines they encountered.”That meant giving people things to do while in line, which in an electoral context could look like giving someone a sample ballot to consider. It also meant giving people live tracking of how long the lines are, so they can decide when to go or know what to expect.Improving the experience of waiting can be as easy as having staff greet people in line, Stewart said, or having a poll worker check the pens to make sure no one has to wait for a working one.“Using staff to make sure the experience is pleasant, that’s efficient to a voter,” he said.The policies that can make lines badKeeping people stimulated while they wait makes them less annoyed, Stewart said. But a number of states have policies that limit what people waiting in line, or the people helping them, can do.For instance, in Ann Arbor in 2022, volunteers provided those waiting outdoors in the cool autumn temperatures with blankets. That would likely run afoul of the rules in a few other states, where laws ban people from providing food, beverages, or “anything of value” to voters.Georgia is one of the most well-known examples of that, but similarly strict laws exist in Montana, Idaho, and other states. The laws are intended to prevent candidates from influencing people’s votes. But they can also make waiting in line less bearable.Gretchen Macht, the founder and executive director of the University of Rhode Island’s Engineering for Democracy Institute, told Votebeat that laws that don’t take real-world experiences into account often end up being too rigid. From an engineering perspective, lines are a matter of balancing systems by meeting needs as they arise.For example, when Macht’s team looked into the causes of lines at Rhode Island polling places, one culprit was a law that allowed for only one checkout station per precinct.“That’s what was causing lines, especially if there was any sort of failure, especially if there was high turnout,” Macht said. Her team eventually worked with the state to help amend the law.And sometimes, the culprit is a local failure to plan. If officials keep tabs on when their polling places are busiest, they can better allocate resources throughout the day, Macht said.Gathering tangible data on when voters show up and acting on it, rather than just gut feelings about people showing up after the standard workday, can be a lot of work but often pays off, Stewart said. It allows for better messaging on what voters can expect and, in many cases, may motivate them to go at off-peak times or even vote early or absentee when available.“People are less irritated at waiting in line when they can control being in that line,” he said.Creative solutions can solve line bottlenecksThe best policies are the ones that consider the human aspects of voting. That means trying to mitigate the irritating parts of lines or the confusing parts of a governmental process. But it also means accounting for quirks, such as voters’ desire to take a picture of their ballot at the voting booth. Officials have found that many voters really relish that opportunity.But Stewart studied that in Michigan and found that, over the course of the day, such photo taking tied up voting booths and added immensely to wait times.As a result, many Michigan election officials have begun to include separate photo stations at their polling places, typically separate from voting booths and away from where other voters may be unwittingly caught in the photos, which would go against Michigan’s rules.In Ann Arbor, Beaudry’s photo stations were originally just posters on the wall. But the city eventually worked with University of Michigan design professors to make the stations more visually appealing. The effort has paid off, especially for younger voters, who find them to be a fun treat after casting a ballot.But the best thing, Beaudry said? The city’s lines are nearly nonexistent now.This story was produced by Votebeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Several passengers injured in Whiteside County school bus crash At approximately 3:55 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office received notice of the crash. Deputies responded and located the bus at Tampico Elementary School.
	How the Iran war is disrupting air travel -- and advice if you're planning a trip The war in Iran is roiling jet fuel prices and airlines are beginning to hike prices, unsettling travelers far from the Middle East. If you're booking a flight soon, here are things to know.
	School bus accident in Whiteside County sends 4 to hospital with injuries Four people were taken to the hospital for evaluation after a Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico school bus carrying students was involved in an accident.
	Friendly House marks 130 years with April celebration Friendly House of Iowa is marking 130 years of dedicated service to the community with a special 130th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, April 27 from 3 –7 p.m. at Friendly House, 1221 N. Myrtle Street in Davenport. Community members, alumni, supporters and partners are invited to honor the organization’s longstanding commitment to enriching the lives of [...]
	Two injured in early morning Muscatine fire A news release from Muscatine says the Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received a 911 call on March 11 at about 12:57 a.m. for a mattress fire inside a residence in the 400 block of Spruce Street. When crews arrived, they found smoke coming from the residence. The incident commander called for additional alarms and [...]
	Whiteside County deputies respond to school bus incident A school bus driver was cited after an incident in Whiteside County yesterday afternoon. A news release from the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office said they received information on March 10 at about 3:55 p.m. about a possible crash involving a Prophetstown/Lyndon/Tampico school district bus. Deputies responded and found the bus at Tampico Elementary School. They [...]
	ChatGPT might give you bad medical advice, studies warn New research finds AI can point people in the wrong direction. And the quality of health information it imparts depends on how well you prompt the tools.
	Video shows Whiteside County school bus drive into ditch, jump back onto road Viewer video shows a Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico school bus enter a ditch and launch back onto the road during Tuesday’s incident.
	How to spot the latest Airbnb scams How to spot the latest Airbnb scamsWhile not every Airbnb is made equal in quality and service (or the occasional outlandish cleaning fee), Airbnb has created new and often improved accommodations for people or groups traveling who want a little more than a small room with a mini-fridge.But, as with any new and exciting service, it sadly didn’t take long for scammers to scheme up ways to take advantage of travelers who are simply looking for a place to stay. And while the company has worked hard to remedy these issues, scammers have only gotten more sophisticated in the types of scams — which range from the classic bait-and-switch to full-on phishing — they run on the platform. So, if you want to enjoy all the amenities that come with booking an Airbnb, but want to make sure you avoid dealing with extra headaches, Spokeo explains how to protect yourself against these common Airbnb scams.1. Bait-and-SwitchWhen you book an Airbnb, there’s always an element of blind trust that has to occur. Guests are booking based on photos and brief descriptions, banking on both of those things being honest and accurate. That unfortunately opens a window of opportunity for any dishonest hosts to use misleading or deceptive photos (think of it like the Airbnb equivalent of catfishing). This leads to travelers unwittingly showing up to their booking, only to discover a dirty or subpar house.Even if the pictures are fairly accurate, some seedy hosts will lie about certain amenities that are supposedly included in the booking. Whether it be a hot tub that doesn’t exist (or is often just broken), AC that’s actually just a standing fan, or any other lie or half-truth, bait-and-switch listings are high up on the common Airbnb scams.The worst part about bait-and-switch scams is that you often show up and have no choice but to stay and deal with the situation. While that’s never fun, try to contact the host to see if there has been an honest mistake, but if not, contact Airbnb immediately to try to rectify the issue.How to Stay Safe:Be extra wary of listings with under 100 reviews (especially if they’ve been listed for an extended period of time).Look up the address. While housing information sites or even Google Maps aren’t always up to date, you can use these types of services to confirm certain details, or even just get an idea of what the house/street looks like.BONUS: If you do unfortunately fall victim to an Airbnb bait-and-switch, report the issues to Airbnb so you can potentially get some form of compensation, and also to help protect future guests.2. Multiple BookingsYou’ve likely heard the horror stories; guests open up an Airbnb, only to find it already occupied with a different set of guests. And just as terrifying for people on the other side of the door, they’re staying at their Airbnb when the door opens, and a group of complete strangers comes pouring in.Multiple booking scams are a way for seedy Airbnb hosts to cash out on a listing in one go. They’ll list the property on as many sites as possible, hoping to collect on as many bookings as possible. Every once in a while, it can be a genuine mishap with Airbnb’s booking service, but either way, always reach out to Airbnb immediately should this happen to you.How to Stay Safe:Search the address before and after booking. Doing so should uncover any other sites that may have the same address listed, and if they remain up after you’ve booked for specific dates, contact Airbnb and find a safer listing.3. Bogus ChargesIt’s no surprise that some hosts find themselves burned by guests who abuse the Airbnb booking terms. While it’s often minor things, like smoking in a nonsmoking listing, there has been no shortage of incidents, such as guests throwing parties that cause significant damage.For the host, claiming damages is a time-consuming process that involves submitting several forms of proof to the Resolution Center and admitting claims specialists to conduct a review. Sadly, that doesn’t stop some crafty hosts from applying bogus charges for damage or breakage that wasn’t the guest’s fault. If this does happen, you are entitled to see receipts for any cleaning or repairs, and you cannot be charged a cleaning fee after you have left.How to Stay Safe:If you notice something broken or seemingly out of place, alert the host immediately. Creating documented communication can come in handy later should you find yourself facing unwarranted damage charges.If you feel like you’ve been hit with unfair charges, demand receipts for the repairs. Also, request documentation of the damages (such as pictures or even security footage).4. Requests for Off-App PaymentsAs with many things in the digital age, ease of access plays a big part in the services we use. Airbnb is no different. One of the highlights of Airbnb is how straightforward the service is. You go to the app or desktop site, find a place, and book directly through them. Easy as that. That’s why any communication or request outside of the app regarding booking or payment (such as a request to communicate via email or messaging service) should immediately register as a red flag.Legitimate hosts will never try to have you pay outside of the app, even if they promise reduced fees to get around Airbnb’s cut. If a house has an email or phone number directly on the listing that they want you to reach out to, immediately start looking for a different option, no matter how enticing things look.How to Stay Safe:Be on the lookout for listings that ask you to contact the host via an email or messaging service, rather than directly through Airbnb.If the host tries to communicate outside of the app, especially regarding payment, immediately stray away.5. Phishing ScamsPhishing scams are one of the most common on the internet, and a site like Airbnb that processes sensitive payment information is a prime target for potential phishing scams. To keep it quick, phishing scams will present you with a link that seems to be legit, but is in fact a fake version that takes you to a website that looks identical to the intended site. When you enter your login credentials, it will feed the information you input into the site directly to scammers instead of logging you into your account. Once they have your login credentials, they may have access to your credit card information (if you’ve saved it to your account), and — if you use the same or similar passwords across multiple sites — they may have access to a whole host of sensitive information. (Which is one of the reasons why it is a good idea to always use unique passwords for every account you open!)In the case of Airbnb, scammers will send you a link that appears to be a legit listing — or will try to convince you they have some other listing that’s a better deal you can view via the link — but the link is actually a trap.How to Stay Safe:Only book directly through the official and secure Airbnb app or desktop site. If booking through the site, make sure you go to the website directly, and not through any links sent to you.Never click on links sent to you from potential hosts. If you want to see something, go directly through the app.6. Fake ReviewsAt the core of running a successful Airbnb listing is the ability to secure a large number of positive reviews (Superhosts must maintain a 4.8 average rating). While listings with high scores are typically a great way to preverify the quality of your stay, some hosts will try to artificially build their reputation with fake reviews. It can be hard to differentiate between real and fake reviews, so the best general practice is to find places with a lot of reviews. It’s hard to fake a large number of reviews, so listings with a lot of good ratings should be at the top of your list.It’s worth noting that there are plenty of good Airbnbs that are newer, but it’s worth having an extra level of skepticism when booking these. Should anything feel out of place at any time, don’t ignore any signs.How to Stay Safe:Look for listings with a large number of high reviews.Apply an extra level of scrutiny when booking a newer listing.7. Hidden CamerasRecently, Airbnb has made headlines due to people discovering hidden cameras during their stays. While it’s more likely than not that your stay will be safe from hidden cameras, it is something that seems to be occurring more than it used to. Airbnb does allow exterior security cameras and cameras in common spaces (so long as the host is transparent about the cameras’ presence), but never hidden cameras or cameras in intimate spaces such as bathrooms or bedrooms.The intention of hidden cameras isn’t always clear, but it does open the potential for blackmail. Even if the footage isn’t used for gain, having one’s privacy compromised is still very unsettling and should never be acceptable.How to Stay Safe:Look for lens reflections in private locations.Inspect any odd-looking gadgets plugged into outlets. They can potentially be cameras disguised as something else (like a charging block, air freshener, etc.).If you’re really worried or travel often, look into getting a hidden camera detector that can speed up the process of looking for hidden cameras.This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Joe Donnelly will perform in Bishop Hill Crossroads Cultural Connections invites the community to an evening of live music and connection with touring musician Joe Donnelly on Sunday, March 15, at Bishop Hill Creative Commons, a news release says. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with an optional potluck dinner, offering guests the chance to gather and share food before the [...]
	Visit Quad Cities works to raise awareness of destination accessibility Visit Quad Cities is making it easier for people with physical challenges to learn how area attractions are becoming as accessible as possible, working with Wheel the World.
	Wednesday fire in Muscatine injures two residents, sends one to the hospital A mattress fire early Wednesday left two residents with minor injuries.
	Exploring the benefits of in-home care vs. nursing homes Exploring the benefits of in-home care vs. nursing homesWhen an elderly loved one requires extra support, you have a big decision to make — do you go the in-home care or nursing home route? Both options have their benefits.We all want what’s best for our senior loved ones. While it’s a natural part of aging, senior care isn’t always something that families like to discuss. But having open discussions about care options can ensure quality of life for those who matter most.This guide by Village Caregiving explores the advantages of in-home care and nursing homes to help you make the best choice for your loved one. Learn more about the level of care, costs and independence associated with each option.Key TakeawaysIn-home care offers seniors personalized comfort and familiarity. Nursing homes provide larger staff volumes to support seniors with more pressing health issues.In-home care can provide more independence and flexibility. Nursing home care offers all-inclusive living, structure and customized accessibility.Nursing homes typically cost more. In-home care usually involves paying for the hours a family caregiver works.Choosing the right option for a loved one involves open communication, long-term care considerations and evaluating day-to-day care needs.Families will typically have more say and freedom with in-home care options, while nursing homes are more structured.Asking the right questions about emergency procedures, staff levels and hidden fees can ensure a good quality of life without unexpected extra costs.Understanding In-Home CareIn-home care allows seniors to age in place. It typically involves a family caregiver coming into the home and providing various care services for your senior loved ones. As remaining in one’s home offers a sense of familiarity, in-home care is often a top choice for seniors suffering from age-related diseases like dementia and other ailments.According to a 2024 study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 75% of adults aged 50 and above want to remain in their homes as they age. In-home family caregivers can perform many different duties to accommodate these needs.An in-home family caregiver’s role depends on the senior’s needs. For example, some seniors may have mobility issues and need assistance moving from one room to another. Others may live far away from their families and require companionship services to feel less isolated. Having the freedom to select services ensures your loved one receives the correct type and level of support.Benefits of In-Home Care AssistanceIn-home care offers many benefits for senior adults and their loved ones. Many of them are essential to long-term care and overall good health. Here are just some reasons why people may prefer to age in place and choose an in-home care assistance option:Personal relationships: In-home family caregivers work with senior adults one-on-one. This enables them to get to know your loved one and anticipate their needs. This is an important part of developing trust and familiarity, as a personal relationship isn’t just about assisting with tasks.Greater independence: You can customize the level of in-home care, which enables capable seniors to do some tasks unassisted. For senior relatives, this is a big part of remaining independent. Allowing seniors to hold onto their autonomy helps them experience a sense of purpose.Extra comfort: In-home care means seniors can continue to enjoy the comforts of home. They can sit in their favorite chair, surrounded by cherished belongings, and have the same neighbors and surroundings. Feeling at ease in their own home can reduce stress and anxiety.Flexibility: Family caregivers can adjust their level of care as the senior’s needs change. It may begin with just a few hours a week, but it can be comforting for families to know that there’s extra support available when needed.Effective home care requires open and honest conversations, with significant family involvement when weighing up options. What matters most is prioritizing your senior loved one’s needs and quality of life. Village Caregiving Exploring Nursing Home FacilitiesA nursing home provides round-the-clock care for seniors. Unlike in-home family caregivers, nursing home staff are generally qualified medical professionals, making it a good option for those with severe health issues that may continue to worsen over time. Seniors with conditions that require clinical monitoring with medical equipment are usually better suited to a nursing home.While it lacks the familiarity of in-home care, these facilities provide strong social structures. Seniors in nursing homes can stay in a shared or private room and receive all their meals. Individuals who enjoy regular social interaction value the company of nursing staff and other residents. The built-in community and regular social events with other residents may be more appealing to some seniors than living alone.Benefits of Nursing Home CareNursing homes often come at a higher cost but deliver several benefits. Many families choose this option if it means getting the right care for their loved ones. Knowing what to expect at these facilities is an important part of making that choice. Below are the main benefits of nursing home care:Comprehensive medical care: Nursing homes have the facilities and trained staff to assist with various health conditions. Those with chronic illnesses or advanced cognitive diseases will have access to the support they need.Assistance with daily tasks: Having round-the-clock care means fewer worries about your loved one having issues bathing or going to the bathroom. Seniors can enjoy a dignified experience where medical professionals are available constantly. While in-home care will also offer 24/7 support, it won’t have as many on-hand medical staff as a nursing home.Greater security: Nursing homes are secure and safe environments. The premises are typically built with accessibility in mind. Seniors can move at their own pace, with extra support from ramps and grab bars. If a senior person is prone to wandering, you may worry about their safety. Nursing homes often take great care to secure the premises.All-inclusive living: A nursing home takes care of meals, housekeeping and social activities. While in-home care may involve some of these things, nursing homes have staff teams that handle everything. This inclusive style of care can be personalized, offering private rooms, shared rooms and dietary accommodations.Peace of mind: Families can rest assured that their loved ones are getting 24/7 care. This can remove any worries about loved ones experiencing falls or forgetting to feed themselves.Discussing a potential move into a nursing home can be a sensitive topic. But the most important part of this choice is ensuring that those you love can age with grace and live comfortably.Senior Care Cost ComparisonsThe price of nursing homes and in-home care differs from state to state. The 2024 Cost of Care Survey reported on the average median costs for both options. The average monthly cost of in-home care is $6,292 for homemaker services like laundry and meal preparation. For nursing home care, monthly costs can range from $9,277 for a semiprivate room to $10,646 for a private one.Nursing homes will generally have higher fixed monthly costs but provide comprehensive 24/7 care. In-home care generally involves paying only for the time a family caregiver spends with your loved one. This expense can sometimes be broken down into a more manageable hourly amount for in-home visits.The level of care needed can also determine the overall cost of these services.How to Choose the Best Care Option for Your Loved One Village Caregiving There’s no single right answer — every family is different. The right option will depend entirely on what’s best for the seniors in your life. Making this choice can feel overwhelming at times. But keeping conversations focused on care, health and long-term solutions can reduce these worries.Here are some considerations when choosing the best care option for your loved one:Specific needs: Many families know their senior loved one better than they know themselves. This offers a unique perspective about their daily needs and care requirements. A senior may not admit to needing care at all — even if you know they have medical needs, such as specific medications or medical injections at set times.Long-term perspective: A loved one may just need some help with meal preparation and getting out of bed. However, it’s important to consider long-term care needs. It’s not easy to picture the decline in health of those who matter most. Having an idea of how their health may change over the next few years can help determine the right choice for their dignity and care.Considering variables: Cost is an understandably big part of making a choice. Potential payment options from Medicaid or Medicare insurance may help cover in-home care costs. It can also highlight what isn’t covered, providing practical cost-related insights to inform your decision.Open conversations: Making this choice is a responsibility. While done out of love, it’s still a decision that affects someone’s life. Take the time to sit and openly discuss options as a family. If it’s done with care and sensitivity, these conversations can form stronger bonds and inform the choice made.Some families prefer to test the water by trying in-home care on an intermittent basis. This reduces the chances of disruption if a permanent nursing home move doesn’t work out.Quality of LifeThe right senior living option can enhance a person’s quality of life. It’s the very least that seniors deserve. It ensures that they’re still able to feel good, active and socially included in activities or part of important decisions. A senior’s physical, emotional and mental needs can be met in different ways, depending on your choice of care.Both in-home care and nursing home facilities cater to seniors’ emotional needs through:Social activities: Nursing homes often facilitate activities like card games, crafts or tea in a shared space. In-home family caregivers have more freedom to tailor social activities to the person’s interests or hobbies.Independence: Nursing home costs often include transportation services, which allow residents to go to the shops, church or public parks. Seniors using in-home transportation services enjoy greater flexibility, as they can go where they want when they want.Companionship: Those living in nursing homes socialize with nurses, residents and other staff regularly. In-home companionship services allow seniors to choose how much social time they want.While both nursing homes and in-home family caregivers prioritize seniors’ social needs, in-home services give the person more control in these situations. Similarly, in-home transport services ensure greater independence. There’s no right or wrong choice. It’s about finding ways to stimulate seniors in care, while reducing families’ concerns for their well-being.Daily Life ConsiderationsAs people age, their families become increasingly concerned about their safety and care. With over 19% of the national population aged 65 or older, it’s something most people will experience with their loved ones. Comparing some serious day-to-day situations that seniors will experience and benefit from is important.Here are some areas of care that in-home caregivers and nursing homes regularly deal with, and what they involve.Safety measuresIn-home family caregivers gain a realistic idea of the safety hazards in a senior’s home. It’s natural to worry about your loved one’s safety — almost 319,000 seniors are hospitalized with fractured hips from falls each year, making safe environments an important part of any decision. Caregivers receive extensive staff training and are knowledgeable about emergency protocols. But living alone comes with other safety risks, like kitchen fires, crime and security.People who want to age in place have a set environment where safety hazards can be dealt with. A regular in-home family caregiver can put measures in place to reduce these safety risks around the home. Family caregivers are also required to undergo extensive training to respond quickly to emergency protocols. Nursing homes also prioritize safety. They have the resources to equip premises with closed-circuit television (CCTV), access gates and additional security personnel.Nutrition and mealsA good meal can mean a lot to a senior who struggles to make their own food. In-home family caregivers provide varying levels of assistance in meal preparation, allowing seniors to take more ownership of what they eat. Some providers offer individualized nutrition plans, ensuring your senior loved ones get all the nutrients they need.Nursing homes are mindful of dietary requirements and will customize individual menus accordingly. However, as these menus are more structured, there is less opportunity to tailor dinners to a person’s specific tastes.Respite careIt’s common for a family member to take up the bulk of in-home caregiving tasks. Yet, additional care can lead to burnout when relatives have their own families and work commitments.Respite care allows family members to temporarily shift care responsibilities to trained caregivers. It enables family members to take a break, go on holiday or simply take a step back from continuous care.In-home care providers allow you to take a break when needed. You can also book senior family members into a nursing home for short-term care, but there are often more requirements to meet for this approach.Family involvementSome people may prefer to have more family involvement in their loved one’s care. Others may prefer to rely on qualified experts to look after these matters. Either way, families may encounter some differences between in-home and nursing home care, including:Choice and voice: A nursing home will have a set roster of staff members. In-home options typically offer more say in choosing the right companion or family caregiver.Visiting and activities: Nursing homes have schedules for meals, care, activities and rest. This typically includes set visiting hours. Open visitation isn’t guaranteed for families who like drop-in visits and spontaneous activities.Communication: Nursing homes have robust staffing structures for peace of mind. However, this may mean a lack of communication between revolving staff and family, rather than speaking directly to an in-home family caregiver.Comfort: In-home family caregivers can work with the home’s furniture and surroundings to create a comfortable atmosphere. Families who visit loved ones in nursing homes will benefit from a high level of medical care, but may worry over how comfortable a senior relative feels in a more static-looking environment.These factors all contribute toward a decision that pleases all family members. It may be a matter of choosing staff numbers and expense over comfort, familiarity and personal care. But these aren’t mutually exclusive, and the right choice will likely include a little of both.Questions to Ask When Considering In-Home Care or a Nursing HomeWhen you’re close to making a decision, there will likely be several unanswered questions. These should be aimed at any potential in-home care agencies or nursing homes you’re considering. A trusted, experienced care company should have no issue answering these. Their answers can also help steer you in a direction that suits your senior loved ones and other family members.These are the questions to ask when considering in-home care or a nursing home:Staffing needs: What is the caregiver-to-senior ratio?Emergency procedures: What happens if there’s a medical emergency?Consistency in staff: Will we see the same people, or will there be different staff each day?Costs and hidden fees: Are there extra charges for laundry and weekend work?Care philosophy: How do you handle personalized requests or changes in routine?Personality and mood: What would you do if a senior were being difficult or aggressive?Asking these questions allows you to dig deeper into some realistic scenarios, deciding if the care provider aligns with your loved one and family’s needs.Making a Choice That’s Fair and DignifiedNo one should forget the human element of making this choice. Seniors need social interaction, independence and support to maintain a good quality of life. They also deserve it. Whether it’s aging in place or moving into a nursing home, this aspect of aging can be difficult.With communication, care and sensitivity, this process can be less stressful. Considering all of the above factors can lead to open conversations, where love and respect are priorities. In time, this can lead to the right choice for everyone involved.This story was produced by Village Caregiving and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How cities can unlock more housing, one stairway at a time How cities can unlock more housing, one stairway at a timeFire officials and pro-density urbanists are often at loggerheads. This is especially evident in notoriously car-centric Los Angeles, where a firefighters’ union spent six figures opposing active mobility measures. The two camps can have different ideas of acceptable risks and priorities.But Matthew Flaherty, a firefighter who has lived in L.A. his whole life, bridges the two worlds. He’s an advocate for affordable, transit-friendly housing. His struggle to find an apartment in a walkable neighborhood led him to become a member of the Livable Communities Initiative, a nonprofit group advocating for more walkable neighborhoods in L.A.“Cities shouldn’t be designed around the fire department,” Flaherty argues. “The fire department should be designed to deal with the infrastructure as it is. If you have a plumber design a house, the whole house is going to be a toilet.”One area of tension for fire safety advocates and density advocates is the requirement that most new apartment buildings have more than one stairway to facilitate resident evacuation and emergency responders’ access. In nearly all American cities, unlike in other parts of the world, developers are required to build double staircases into four- to six-story residential buildings. (Though definitions vary, these are often considered mid-rise buildings.)This extra staircase takes up about 7% of floor space and drives up costs by 6% to 13%, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. That extra cost could be enough to kill a project to build housing, says Stephen Smith, the executive director of the Center for Building in North America, a nonprofit organization focused on building code reform.Largely due to advocates like Smith and Flaherty, a movement is sweeping across North America, from Texas to Toronto, to relax restrictions on residential stairways. Over 30 locations have now considered such measures. As Next City examines in this article, the possibility of relatively rapid changes to local building codes, outside the national three-year cycle, is raising urgent conversations about density and safety as cities grapple with housing shortages.Seattle’s influenceSingle-stair apartment buildings (sometimes called point access blocks) are sprinkled throughout Seattle. Rents can start at around $1,500/month for studio apartments in such buildings. Walking around these apartments is a good way to get a feel for Seattle’s distinct neighborhoods.The unit styles vary as well, encompassing luxurious full-floor apartments, shareable student apartments, a striking cohousing complex, and nearly 30 apartments stacked next to another residential building. Some of these homes sit above ground-floor businesses.Seattle’s history with single stairways illustrates how attitudes toward housing have shifted over the decades. In the 1940s, amid suburbanization and rapid building, a multiple-stairway requirement was imposed on buildings of three stories and up. In the 1970s, a housing crisis led Seattle to allow single stairways in apartment buildings, without a height limit, but with a floor limit of four units per floor. During a backlash to development in the 1980s, the city instituted a limit of six stories to such buildings. Further fire protection requirements followed. In the 2010s, momentum started to build outside of the few American cities, like Seattle, that allowed for single stairways.New York City’s single-stair permission is older: It was changed in 1938 in recognition of the need for more housing on small lots. But Seattle has been even more influential in galvanizing the current momentum around similar reforms in other U.S. cities. In Smith’s analysis, New York is too much of an exception to the rest of the country to serve as a planning model. With the city’s scarcity of urban space, “we don’t have the room to build these buildings with giant hallways and two stairs,” says Smith, who himself lives in a five-story building in Brooklyn with a single stairway.Plus, “in the building and fire world, there is a deep distrust and disdain for New York City,” Smith believes. “Seattle, I think, has been more of interest because it’s a more typical American city,” down to the frequency with which wood is used as a building material. More broadly, “the places that have been most interested in [single-stair reform] recently have been the West Coast states with the more severe housing crises.”Seattle’s version of single-stair permission has been called the “Seattle special,” showing how much the city has become associated with a particular type of medium-density housing: an apartment building constructed on a small lot, with up to six floors and just one staircase. Each of those floors can have only four units, all of which must stay within 125 feet of the exit.The Seattle special represents a kind of compromise. It’s not a high-rise that might intimidate locals wedded to single-household homes, but it also allows for more density than a house or duplex. By allowing for infill development on land parcels where it might be difficult to construct other units, it can permit an efficient use of urban space. In Seattle, this includes corner lots and steep slopes.The single stairway is perhaps the ultimate compromise. It offsets the potential safety risk of losing another means of exit with other fire protection requirements like pressurization systems for smoke control (which admittedly can be expensive to maintain). It also seeks to balance that risk with the benefit of gaining more space inside the building.Mark Chubb, a Seattle-based building-code consultant who previously worked as a fire chief, explains that in various parts of the U.S., land-use reformers were realizing that just having the authority to build denser housing didn’t mean that in practice they could actually do so.“So that’s when they started looking for solutions and kind of stumbled over the Seattle provision. And they said, ‘Gee, wait a minute, it looks like Seattle solved this problem,’” Chubb summarizes. “We don’t have a lot of buildings that use single exit, but we have some fairly innovative buildings on some fairly small parcels that represent a large assortment of solutions.” Chubb believes the single-stair movement has not been driven by large moneyed interests, but by YIMBYs, activists and architects.L.A. lawmakers’ attempt to allow single stairways in residential buildings up to six stories appears to have stalled following a city council vote last year; the International Association of Fire Fighters called it one of the organization’s “key victories” in a “coordinated effort to stop these proposals before they become the new normal.” But within L.A., Culver City has gone further on single-stair reform than any other part of California. In September 2025, after three years of advocacy, it approved its own single-stair ordinance.“It is the single most impactful thing that I have done in all of my civic engagement,” says Travis Morgan, a cofounder of the Livable Communities Initiative.This group didn’t set out to become single-stair evangelists, Morgan explains. “It was more of a means to an end, and the end being this walkable, livable, engaged, community.” Their research suggested that without single-stair reform, it would be nearly impossible to build housing on small L.A. lots.Culver City’s new ordinance bears more than a passing resemblance to Seattle’s building code. That’s because “we modeled the ordinance after the city of Seattle,” Morgan says. In Seattle, “there’s been no fire deaths attributed to the single stairwell…and it really is sort of considered the gold standard.” Honolulu has also copied Seattle’s rules.Visualizing the spread of Seattle’s single-stair buildings has also helped influence debate in Denver, whose City Council approved a single-stair ordinance in November 2025.According to Denver architect Sean Jursnick, who created the Seattle single-stair map, it “was helpful when discussing single-stair reforms with officials locally because it illustrates how single-stair projects are integrated into neighborhoods across Seattle and could integrate into the similar urban fabric of Denver.”Fire safetyThe main argument for keeping a double-stair requirement is fire safety. Even nearly 50 years after allowing for single-stair buildings in Seattle, the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) does not support the extension of the Seattle model elsewhere.According to Karen A. Grove, SFD’s fire protection director, the 1970s code change “was done in part due to the quick response times of SFD and the very good hydrant infrastructure in Seattle.” In other words, cities with fewer resources might find it harder to adapt. It can be difficult to compare these kinds of metrics across American fire departments, due to inconsistencies in data reporting and definitions.Allowing for just one stairway “puts a larger burden on the Seattle Fire Department, as without the second stair, we become the back up plan if the first stair is blocked or compromised,” Grove states. There is also a burden from regularly testing and repairing the smoke control systems that may become required in lieu of the second stair. SFD cautions fire departments elsewhere to consider extra needs for training and equipment, such as ladder access, if their jurisdictions remove the second-stair requirement.“It’s a very solvable problem,” Flaherty, the Southern California firefighter, says of the potential changes like updating fire trucks. As for the arguments for keeping a double-stair requirement, he believes that it’s not realistic that a mass of residents will crowd on the single stairway and impede firefighting, or that smoke will collect in a single stairway. Instead, in his experience, “sprinklers are what keep fires from getting out of control.”The evidence seems to bear this out for the U.S. Between 2017 and 2021, American buildings with automatic sprinkler systems had 90% fewer civilian fire deaths than buildings without those systems.Unlike in the rest of the world, new apartment buildings in the U.S. are often already required to have sprinklers. So an important fire protection measure has become widespread since the development of double-stair requirements, yet building standards often haven’t been updated to reflect the spread of sprinklers.And for the most part, “we don’t require sprinklers in single-family homes, and there’s no moral panic over it,” Flaherty points out. For some urbanists, this dissonance suggests that the rules around fire protection are essentially arbitrary.Detailed fire safety assessments are continuing. Minnesota published one in December 2025. California’s, which was just released, discourages lifting double-stair requirements. The National Association of State Fire Marshals has also opposed single stairways, stating, “Proper exiting, much like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, is known to have saved thousands of lives and have been and remain the fundamental building blocks to life safety.”Complicating the situation is that unlike in some other countries, many American firefighters now spend a good chunk of their time not actually responding to fires. Flaherty estimates that 90% of the incidents he attends are medical. Firefighting bodies have argued that double stairways provide flexibility in responding to a variety of emergencies, including active shooters and natural disasters. These scenarios aren’t always incorporated into the design of building codes—or their amendments.What single-stair reform can and can’t doFor Cody Fischer, a bigger impediment than the costs of building a second staircase has been the rigidity. His company, Footprint Development, develops and manages low-carbon multi-household housing in Minneapolis. While working on his very first project, one of the barriers “ended up being this very obscure safety component in the model building code,” which sets standards for health and safety.Even in sought-after locations that were zoned for six-story buildings, it was tough just to find a site with the dimensions to accommodate a multi-stairway building. And if a site could be located, he would be restricted to one-or two-bedroom apartments, and “gross-feeling hallways” with limited windows. The impact of this single detail was eye-opening to Fischer: “Once you see it…it’s like the only thing you see.”Like Fischer, a number of single-stair supporters have been radicalized by their experiences of other countries, which don’t require second stairways and yet don’t suffer more from fires. In the case of the influential Seattle architect Michael Eliason, a stint working in Germany, seeing that his colleagues were designing an 11-story building with a single stairway, initially stunned him.Fire-protection and building-code expert Chubb worked for years in New Zealand, where he commonly saw single-stair apartment buildings. He also served as an expert witness regarding the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. While American fire departments are nervous about having single exits in active-shooter situations, he says that mass shootings tend to take place outside of residential buildings.For Smith of the Center for Building in North America, spending part of his childhood in Romania, where his family hails from, normalized single stairways for him. Smith says he would even feel comfortable in a 30-story single-stair building in Switzerland. “In general, I think the limit should be higher, the higher your incomes are,” Smith reflects, because of the general link between higher GDP and better fire protection.Of course, a loosened policy won’t automatically lead to more construction. In Culver City, activist Morgan is hoping that newly allowed single-stair buildings will come into being within the next few years. But he acknowledges that this will require education, likely with some demonstration projects to prove that this type of housing can be both profitable for builders and affordable for residents.In Seattle, a kind of demonstration city, progress after single-city reform was initially sluggish. Chubb estimates that, in general, it could take eight years to actually see the effect of a building-code change. An analysis by Dartmouth student Albert Zhang concluded that following permission to include just one stairwell in 4- to 6-story buildings, an average of about 53 additional units were constructed per year in Seattle. This is a modest addition to the city’s housing.One reason may be that the structures themselves have to be modest, with no more than four units per floor. This limits the amenities, like gyms, that developers can bundle into large apartment buildings to increase their appeal.Another lesson is that code changes aren’t enough on their own. It’s only within the last decade or so that “the education component is starting to happen,” Eliason believes. Though a small but vocal group of architects like him has embraced the possibilities of single-stair design, even in architecture school “it’s hammered in our brains” that two modes of exit are needed, Eliason says.Some proponents have argued that single-stair reform can have a host of benefits even beyond increasing housing options, from fostering community-minded cohousing (by allowing more space for common areas) to encouraging climate adaptation (by allowing more ventilation). There are examples of these in Seattle, but it’s not a given.“Single-stair is not some silver bullet that’s going to create a utopia,” Flaherty, the L.A. firefighter, notes. But he calls it a necessary reform, on top of others like removing parking mandates, to ease the development of affordable housing.Seattle appears to reflect this. Jursnick, the Seattle-mapping architect, says that there was “an uptick of single-stair projects in areas like Capitol Hill about 10 years ago when parking minimums were lifted for areas near frequent transit.” So single-stair reform was a building block, which other reforms could build upon.The progress has been piecemeal in other ways as well. In the U.S., it has largely occurred one city or state at a time, through legislative changes that can be more politically complex than the slower but more uniform process of amending the model code set by the International Code Council every three years. (Despite its name, this body sets building standards mainly for the United States.)For the 2027 version of its International Building Code, which would influence standards nationwide, the council is considering allowing four-story buildings to have single stairways without smoke control systems. This would represent significant, if incremental, progress for the single-stair movement.Building-code debates can seem arcane. But at the sharp edges of these kinds of decisions are people like Gabbie Metheny, a mother of two renting a cramped apartment in L.A.“Building regulations that overly restrict how we use space are a huge factor in why folks leave L.A. for the suburbs when they start having families,” Metheny says. She’s unconcerned about fire risks in a single-stair building, and wonders if ditching the second staircase could allow for more affordable family-size apartments.“If there was a three-bedroom apartment in the city in my price range, I’d jump at the opportunity,” she says. But unfortunately, she says, that doesn’t exist.Support for this story was provided by The Neal Peirce Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting journalism on ways to make cities and their larger regions work better for all people.This story was produced by Next City, a nonprofit newsroom covering solutions for equitable cities, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Davenport man arrested on 26 child pornography charges A man from Davenport is in the Scott County Jail on a $200,000 cash-only bond after police arrested him on 26 charges related to child pornography, jail records show. According to the criminal complaints, detectives with the Davenport Police Department were assigned two NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) CyberTip reports made by [...]
	Greetings from a Shanghai temple where you can ward off bad luck in the Year of the Horse According to Chinese mythology, those born in the Year of the Horse will clash with Tai Sui, a heavenly general. Luckily, there are ways to appease Tai Sui, including amulets at Shanghai's Jade Buddha Temple.
	INTERVIEW: Support youth mentoring by buying plants Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley's annual plant sale is underway. This is the 37th year for the sale. Kylie Wise from Big Brothers Big Sisters and Mel Foster Co. President Lynsey Engels shared all the information with us.
	The big beautiful drill act The big beautiful drill actLate last year, three recreation groups with an interest in protecting the Maah Daah Hey Trail—a popular 144-mile singletrack route for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders that winds through the Badlands of western North Dakota—noticed something strange. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) had started the process of selling lease rights to 23 oil and gas parcels in the vicinity of the trail, nine of which are right on top of it or very close. If the sales go through and drilling eventually commences, large portions of the trail could, in theory, become unusable, forcing a reroute to keep it viable as a recreation setting, RE:PUBLIC reports.Since its creation in the late 1990s, the trail has earned a reputation as a premier outdoor destination. The Boulder, Colorado-based International Mountain Bicycling Association maintains a list of what it calls IMBA Epics—trails in North America and other parts of the world that it considers first-class routes. The Maah Daah Hey is the only trail listed in the Dakotas, joining singletrack gems like Utah’s Hurricane Rim Loop and the Aspen Snowmass Mega Loop. Last summer, “Outside” called it one of the seven best bikepacking routes in the U.S. The threat to the Maah Daah Hey is more than a local land dispute. It’s the clearest example yet of a fundamental reversal in how the federal government values public land—one in which recreation interests, more recently afforded equal footing alongside ranchers, loggers, and energy companies, have effectively been erased by the Trump administration’s aggressive push for oil and gas development. And with last summer’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act stripping the BLM of its discretion to protect any area from leasing, few recreation destinations on federal land are safe from the same fate.In a letter to the BLM sent in early January, the three groups—the Outdoor Alliance (based in Washington D.C.), IMBA, and Public Lands Solutions (Moab, Utah)—objected to the sale. Citing “substantial risk of surface occupancy, road construction, flaring, lighting, noise, dust, and visual intrusion that would materially impair the trail’s recreational and scenic values,” the petitioners asked the BLM to hit pause unless it can “demonstrate enforceable leasing-stage protections adequate to avoid impairment.”“Surface occupancy” means well pads. Not all pads are alike, but a footprint on the larger side involves five to ten acres of cleared, packed ground that serves as the hub for drilling equipment, which can include wellheads, pump jacks, tanks, wastewater storage pits, trailers, and flare stacks. According to a 2020 Department of Agriculture document that discusses oil and gas development of the grasslands where the trail is located, drill pads are expected to involve four to seven acres of initial disturbance, which would be reduced to an acre or less as the site is maintained. Drill rigs would typically rise to 100 feet or more. “If surface occupancy is allowed, drillers would build roads wherever they think is most convenient,” says Ashley Korenblat, managing director of Public Lands Solutions and the CEO of a Moab-based guiding company called Western Spirit Cycling Adventures, which runs trips on the Maah Daah Hey. “The trail goes right through the proposed parcels, so it would be degraded or, possibly, completely destroyed. Maybe you could jump on an oil and gas road to get to another part of it, maybe not. But do you really want to camp next to a pump jack at a site that, for sure, will be leaking methane and other unhealthy gases? At some point, the recreation experience is gone.”That’s a drastic outcome, but it’s not inevitable. For one thing, companies that buy lease rights don’t always use them, a decision that’s influenced over time by the price of oil and gas. In addition, one of the available “leasing-stage protections” would be the use of modern directional drilling technology that could position well pads a mile or two away from the trail. In advance of a sale, however, BLM rules don’t require oil and gas companies to commit to a strategy like that, which can cost much more than straight-down drilling. The trail sits atop North Dakota’s famous Bakkan oil field, a 200,000-square-mile resource that covers parts of North Dakota, Montana, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Not surprisingly, drilling has been common in this region, and current trail users occasionally come into view of infrastructure from past projects, including rusty tanks and pump jacks. “The trail is 144 miles long, and there are probably six places where you can see signs of drilling operations,” says Shannon Straight, executive director of the Badlands Conservation Alliance, a Bismarck-based nonprofit that works to protect wild landscapes in North Dakota. Straight backpacked the entire trail in 2020, documenting industrial leftovers along the way. “When I see the photos I took of those places now,” he says, “my sadness is that there probably will be more.”As this situation plays out, it’s important to bear in mind a background reality: The lease sale’s parameters are in lockstep with President Donald Trump’s aggressive energy goals, which are laid out in his signature piece of legislation: H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.Among other things, H.R. 1 voided the BLM’s gatekeeping power in a sale like this. One Capitol Hill staffer who keeps track of the agency puts it this way: “Under H.R. 1, it actually doesn’t matter anymore if there are conflicts or other uses in an area where oil and gas companies want to drill. The bill takes away BLM’s discretion to decide where or whether to lease.”The groups that protested against the BLM aren’t alone in monitoring what this might mean on the ground. In late January, a group that includes the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and The Wilderness Society called attention to pending lease sales of 39 parcels that could affect, among other sites, Utah’s Dinosaur National Monument. Three of the proposed parcels, their letter pointed out, are approximately 10 miles from a visitor center at the monument’s southern entrance. New Mexico has seen a similar, long-running dispute about allowing drilling operations that close to Chaco Culture National Historical Park.“The administration is gaslighting the American public when they tell us they must open more public lands to oil and gas drilling because the U.S. is already the world’s largest producer of oil and gas,” says Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer at the Conservation Lands Foundation. “The only winners in this full court press to sell off national public lands are billionaires and extractive companies.” For its part, the BLM isn’t commenting. In response to questions about the leasing plan—and objections from recreational users—a spokesperson said only that the agency is accepting public input on the proposed leases during a 30-day period that started on February 19. If the sale goes forward, it’s scheduled for April 28. Shannon Straight // Badlands Conservation Alliance Shannon Straight // Badlands Conservation Alliance Shannon Straight // Badlands Conservation Alliance Shannon Straight // Badlands Conservation Alliance Dedicated in 1999 after a multi-year planning process, the Maah Daah Hey Trail was a joint effort that involved cooperation among Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the U.S. Forest Service Dakota Prairie Grasslands, and North Dakota State Parks and Recreation. It connects three different areas of the park: the sprawling north and south units and Elkhorn Ranch, Roosevelt’s home base during his transformative years in North Dakota in the 1880s. In a lease offering for the third quarter of 2026, six parcels are listed that are within five miles or less of the Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness Area, which is part of the national park’s north unit. Named for a Mandan word meaning “long-lasting area”—and known for rugged, demanding terrain that includes canyons, buttes, rolling prairie, and river crossings—the trail has been an economic boon to North Dakota. According to the North Dakota Outdoor Industry Association, public assets like the park and the trail are part of a statewide recreation economy that generates $3.1 billion annually and produces more jobs than mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction. Such benefits were part of the original vision. In the summer of 1999, when the trail debuted, Scott Fitzwilliams—a ranger with the Little Missouri National Grasslands who was central to its creation—said the trail reflected a major shift in management thinking in the U.S. Forest Service. “Nationwide, we are going through the biggest metamorphosis in the agency probably since Gifford Pinchot,” he told a local newspaper. The trail, he said, was emblematic of a change in which recreation interests were afforded the same importance as the interests of ranchers and oil executives.Right now, however, there’s no sign the Trump administration cares at all about recreational uses. In a marked departure from the administration of President Joe Biden, H.R. 1 doesn’t just allow, but requires, the BLM to conduct lease sales, mandating a minimum of four every year in nine oil-producing Western states: North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nevada, and Alaska.The law also repeals a provision of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act that required oil companies to pay $5 an acre when they ask the government to consider offering new parcels for leasing. And it requires the BLM to offer up no fewer than 50% of nominated parcels as part of each quarterly lease sale, and to initiate the process of making a decision on all such nominations within 18 months.Finally, H.R. 1 bypasses a Biden measure called the Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Rule, under which the BLM was told to concentrate lease sales in areas that have proven drilling potential and existing infrastructure. The goal was to cut back on new sales that could harm what the Biden-era BLM called “critical wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and recreational values …” Such considerations were erased by H.R. 1.“The people who wrote the law wanted to severely restrict the BLM’s ability to defer nominated parcels from lease sales,” says Justin Meuse, government relations director for The Wilderness Society. “In the past, that has happened due to factors like potential conflicts with recreation and the need for habitat protection.”As Korenblat explains, there are several more stages in the process, including approval of the site’s Resource Management Plan (RMP), as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). “The land use plan is the first place where some limits can be placed on oil and gas leasing,” she says. These limits are called stipulations. One example of a stipulation would be requiring that the oil be accessed only through directional drilling.But it’s unknown what will happen during this and other steps. Over the past year, the Trump administration has used the Congressional Review Act—a 1996 law that allows presidents to overturn rules implemented at the end of a previous administration—to overturn several land use plans, including one written for a different area in North Dakota. Using the act, congressional Republicans undid an RMP for the entire state, which was passed during the Biden Administration. The Maah Daah Hey Trail is now covered under a 1988 RMP that was written before it even existed. “The ramifications of all this are extremely unclear,” Korenblat says. “Without an up-to-date resource management plan, all permits for any activity on public land are untethered to their authorizing legislation, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Absolute worst case: This kind of work is intended to undermine the entire federal land system.”This story was produced by RE:PUBLIC and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The best cities for first-time homebuyers in 2026 The best cities for first-time homebuyers in 2026 First-time homebuyers are stepping into 2026 facing a market that’s shifting, but still far from easy.The end of 2025 saw mortgage rates dip to their lowest level in fourteen months, but they remain elevated by recent historical standards. At the same time, homeowners insurance premiums and property taxes continue to rise nationwide. When you layer in the persistent gap between wages and home prices, affordability remains a central pain point for new buyers, particularly first-timers who typically lack equity and funds for down payments and closing costs.Still, today’s market isn’t uniformly bleak. In many mid-sized metros, home prices have stabilized, commutes are manageable, and cost-of-living pressures are far lower than in major coastal hubs. These pockets of opportunity are where first-time buyers can find a realistic path to ownership without sacrificing quality of life. Neighbors Bank What Makes a City Great for a First-Time Homebuyer?A city earns a spot on Neighbors Bank’s list by excelling in two areas: affordability and quality of life.Affordability means that total monthly housing costs (mortgage principal and interest, PMI, property taxes, and homeowners insurance) stay below 35% of the area's median household income. Broader cost-of-living expenses, including utilities, food, transportation, and healthcare were also factored.To ensure these cities offered perks beyond just the sticker price, quality-of-life factors, including crime rates, unemployment rates, commute times, average childcare costs, home appreciation potential, and entertainment options, were also considered.Finally, every city on the list has a principal city population of at least 115,000, ensuring access to jobs, amenities, and community.Top 10 Cities for First-Time Homebuyers in 2026Here are the top 10 cities where first-time buyers can get the most long-term value from their housing dollars in 2026.1. Peoria, ILMedian Home Price: $161,868Median Monthly Housing Cost: $1,492Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 25%Peoria tops the list by pairing some of the lowest cost-of-living scores with the strongest overall quality-of-life score in the study. Housing costs stay comfortably under the 35% threshold, giving buyers breathing room in their budgets. From 2022 to 2025, home values rose about 18.4%, a sign of solid momentum without runaway price growth. The unemployment rate changed only about +0.1 percentage points between January and August 2025, pointing to a relatively stable job market. Commutes are short for most residents, and childcare costs remain on the more affordable end of the top 10, making Peoria especially appealing for first-time buyers looking to balance day-to-day expenses with long-term stability.Jobs and Market SnapshotPeoria’s economy is anchored by healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services and major employers include OSF HealthCare, Caterpillar, and UnityPoint Health.Neighborhoods Worth KnowingWest Peoria: historic homes, river views, close to downtown.Germantown Hills: older homes, parks, convenient access to employers.East Bluff: affordable homes near riverfront amenities.North Peoria: newer subdivisions, shopping centers, strong schools. Cultural Hotspots Peoria Riverfront MuseumCivic Center and Theater DistrictWarehouse District (restaurants, breweries, art)Nature HighlightsForest Park Nature CenterGrandview Drive & ParkWildlife Prairie ParkPeoria Riverfront Trail2. Fort Wayne, INMedian Home Price: $246,963Median Monthly Housing Cost: $1,880Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 33%Fort Wayne earns the second spot with a strong quality-of-life score and solid housing fundamentals. Monthly ownership costs push closer to the upper end of the affordability range, but buyers get a lot in return. From 2022 to 2025, home values increased about 15.5%, and the unemployment rate improved by roughly 0.3 percentage points between January and August 2025. Combined with relatively low childcare costs, that makes for a solid foundation. Commutes are short, and Fort Wayne’s expanding downtown and park systems give first-time buyers a chance to plant roots in a market with long-term upside.Jobs and Market SnapshotThe local economy is diversified across healthcare, advanced manufacturing, defense, logistics, and financial services. Parkview Health, Lutheran Health Network, General Motors, and Lincoln Financial Group anchor regional employment.Neighborhoods Worth Knowing West Central: historic homes, walkable, near downtown.Northside: established neighborhoods and parks.Historic Northeast: affordable homes, walkable, with easy access to shops.Aboite: suburban-style living with green space.Cultural HotspotsDowntown Arts Campus and Embassy TheatreThe Landing dining districtBotanical ConservatoryElectric Works redevelopmentNature HighlightsPromenade ParkFort Wayne Trails networkHeadwaters ParkFox Island County Park 3. Pittsburgh, PAMedian Home Price: $221,503Median Monthly Housing Cost: $1,762Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 29%Pittsburgh gives first-time buyers access to a large metro at a manageable price point. Housing costs sit just under the 35% threshold, while cost-of-living metrics remain favorable compared to coastal job hubs. From 2022 to 2025, home values rose about 7.6%, reflecting steady appreciation rather than boom-and-bust swings. The unemployment rate edged up only about 0.3 percentage points between January and August 2025, suggesting a fairly resilient labor market.Major universities, including the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, drive innovation, medical research, and high-paying jobs.Pittsburgh’s identity also rests on its strong sports culture, with the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates fostering community and pride. Childcare costs are among the more affordable in the top 10, and the mix of research institutions, sports energy, and revitalized neighborhoods gives buyers a well-rounded urban option with long-term stability.Jobs and Market SnapshotPittsburgh’s economy is driven by healthcare, education, finance, and technology. Key employers include UPMC, Allegheny Health Network, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and PNC Financial Services. Neighborhoods Worth Knowing Shadyside: walkable, historic homes, boutiques.Lawrenceville: trendy, artsy, renovated rowhomes.Squirrel Hill: tree-lined, diverse dining, strong community amenities.Regent Square: walkable, great restaurants, tree-lined streets. Cultural HotspotsPittsburgh Cultural DistrictAndy Warhol MuseumButler Street dining and nightlifeStrip District markets and food hallsNature HighlightsPoint State ParkSchenley ParkFrick ParkThree Rivers Heritage Trail4. South Bend, INMedian Home Price: $221,658Median Monthly Housing Cost: $1,738Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 32%South Bend ranks highly as an affordable college town with improving job trends and strong home appreciation growth. From 2022 to 2025, home values increased about 15.3%, giving buyers upside without extreme volatility. The unemployment rate improved by roughly 0.9 percentage points between January and August 2025, one of the better shifts in the top 10. The median housing costs land above some neighbors on the list, but childcare and commute scores fall in the middle of the pack, giving the region a balanced appeal. For buyers seeking a stable job base anchored by a major university ecosystem, this metro offers strong value.Jobs and Market SnapshotTop employers include the University of Notre Dame, Beacon Health System, AM General, and manufacturers throughout the South Bend–Elkhart corridor.Neighborhoods Worth KnowingRiver Park: historic homes located along the St. Joseph River.Sunnymede: historic homes, tree-lined, close to downtown.Downtown South Bend: walkable with river access, restaurants, and galleries.Twyckenham Hills: quiet, family-friendly, with access to parks.Cultural Hotspots Morris Performing Arts CenterDowntown South BendNotre Dame campusMishawaka event districtNature HighlightsEast Race WaterwayMishawaka RiverwalkRum Village ParkSt. Patrick’s County Park5. Davenport, IAMedian Home Price: $183,689Median Monthly Housing Cost: $1,680Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 28%Davenport offers Mississippi River scenery, paired with a reasonable entry cost for first-time buyers. Housing costs sit well below the 35% threshold, and commute times outperform those of many other metros in the study. From 2022 to 2025, home values rose by about 7.6%, a slower but steady pace compared to some of its peers. The unemployment rate increased by roughly 0.5 percentage points between January and August 2025, reflecting some softening in the labor market. Childcare costs trend higher than the average, but the region remains a stable option, offering riverfront recreation and small-city accessibility.Jobs and Market SnapshotDavenport’s economy is anchored by manufacturing, defense, logistics, and healthcare. Major employers include John Deere, Rock Island Arsenal, and Genesis Health System.Neighborhoods Worth KnowingMcClellan Heights: historic homes, winding streets, hillside charm.Village of East Davenport: boutiques, dining, community events.Vander Veer Park: classic homes, tree-lined streets, near gardens. Hamburg Historic District: vintage architecture, quirky, walkable.Cultural Hotspots Figge Art MuseumAdler TheatreMoline CentreVander Veer Botanical ParkNature HighlightsMississippi Riverfront TrailsCredit Island ParkSylvan IslandBen Butterworth Parkway6. Rockford, ILMedian Home Price: $206,734Median Monthly Housing Cost: $1,891Average Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 34%Rockford takes the sixth spot in the ranking thanks to a strong combination of housing affordability and quality-of-life metrics. From 2022 to 2025, home values climbed about 28.9%, the steepest appreciation in the top 10. Despite this, the median home price in Rockford stayed well under the national median of $360,727. The unemployment rate improved by roughly 0.1 percentage points between January and August 2025, and Rockford stands out for having the best childcare affordability in the top 10. Its share of short commute times also ranks well above average, giving first-time buyers both financial and lifestyle breathing room.Jobs and Market SnapshotRockford’s economy is rooted in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, logistics, and healthcare. Key industries include healthcare, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. Major employers: OSF HealthCare, Mercyhealth, Collins Aerospace, and Woodward.Neighborhoods Worth KnowingChurchill’s Grove: historic homes, walkable.Edgewater: riverside access, strong community feel.Signal Hill: character homes, convenient location.Rolling Green: affordability and active neighborhood association. Cultural Hotspots Downtown River MarketRockford City MarketEast State StreetSinnissippi RiverfrontNature HighlightsAnderson Japanese GardensRock Cut State ParkKlehm ArboretumSinnissippi Park7. Wichita, KSMedian Home Price: $214,523Median Monthly Housing Cost: $1,939Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 34%Wichita pairs a relatively low cost of living with one of the stronger quality-of-life scores in the top 10. Housing costs sit high in the affordability range, but buyers benefit from extremely short commutes and a diversified job market anchored by aerospace and healthcare. From 2022 to 2025, home values rose about 13.0%, and the unemployment rate changed only about +0.1 percentage points between January and August 2025, suggesting a generally stable labor picture. Childcare costs fall in the mid-range. Overall, Wichita offers a strong blend of affordability, job access, and outdoor recreation.Jobs and Market SnapshotAerospace, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and energy drive the economy. Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation anchor the aviation sector.Neighborhoods Worth Knowing College Hill: historic homes, dining, parks.Riverside: charming homes, parks, museums, and riverside access.Maize Proper: family-friendly, top-rated schools, suburban. Delano District: walkable, entertainment near downtown. Cultural Hotspots Old Town DistrictMuseum of World TreasuresWichita Art MuseumINTRUST Bank ArenaNature HighlightsBotanica Wichita GardensArkansas River PathSedgwick County ParkChisholm Creek Park8. Toledo, OHMedian Home Price: $194,680Median Monthly Housing Cost: $1,605Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 30%Toledo offers a balanced mix of affordability and amenities, with monthly housing costs landing well under the 35% threshold. Cost-of-living metrics remain favorable compared to larger Great Lakes cities. From 2022 to 2025, home values increased by about 15%, and the unemployment rate rose by roughly 0.5 percentage points between January and August 2025. Short commutes, strong parks, and an improving downtown make Toledo attractive for first-time buyers seeking value and access to major manufacturing and healthcare employers.Jobs and Market SnapshotToledo’s job market is anchored by manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, and materials. Major employers include ProMedica, Owens Corning, and automotive suppliers. Neighborhoods Worth Knowing Old West End: historic homes, arts community.Perrysburg: lofts, dining, riverfront events.West Toledo: established neighborhoods, schools.Point Place: waterfront access and coastal feel.Cultural Hotspots Toledo Museum of ArtHensville entertainment districtAdams Street nightlifeRiverfront eventsNature HighlightsToledo MetroparksOak Openings PreserveWildwood PreserveMaumee River and Glass City Metropark9. Lansing, MI Median Home Price: $238,495Median Monthly Housing Cost: $2,000Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 34%Lansing stands out for its stable job base and vibrant university-driven environment. Monthly housing costs approach the top of the affordability range, and the cost of living ranks higher than in any other city on the list. In return, buyers access healthy home price growth and strong employment anchors.From 2022 to 2025, home values rose about 13.8%, and the unemployment rate increased by roughly 0.4 percentage points between January and August 2025. Short commutes and a deep talent pool tied to Michigan State University and the state government offer long-term employment stability and cultural amenities.Jobs and Market SnapshotLansing’s economy is driven by state government, higher education, insurance, healthcare, and automotive manufacturing. Major employers include the State of Michigan, Michigan State University, Sparrow Health, Auto-Owners Insurance, and General Motors.Neighborhoods Worth Knowing Downtown Lansing: condos, riverfront living.Old Town: arts district, historic character.Okemos: walkable suburban center near MSU with a mix of home types.REO Town: revitalizing with cafés and creative spaces.Cultural Hotspots Wharton Center for Performing ArtsOld Town festivals and galleriesDowntown Lansing dining and breweriesMSU Museum and arts venuesNature HighlightsLansing River TrailHawk Island ParkFenner Nature CenterLake Lansing Park10.Wichita Falls, TX Median Home Price: $169,458Median Monthly Housing Cost: $1,666Housing Cost as Percent of Income: 31%Wichita Falls offers some of the shortest commute times and lowest living costs in the entire study. Housing costs sit below 35% of income, and day-to-day expenses remain relatively low. From 2022 to 2025, home values rose about 2.8%, a modest pace compared to other metros in the top 10, but that also helps keep entry costs accessible. The unemployment rate held essentially flat between January and August 2025, signaling a steady job market anchored by Sheppard Air Force Base. Buyers drawn to affordability, outdoor recreation, and small-city community life may find Wichita Falls a great fit.Jobs and Market SnapshotWichita Falls’ job base centers on military, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Major employers include Sheppard Air Force Base, United Regional Health Care System, and regional manufacturing and service firms.Neighborhoods Worth Knowing Downtown Wichita Falls: lofts, historic buildings, events.Faith Village: established homes, parks.Eden Hills: affordable homes, quiet, tree-lined.Ninth Street: quiet, residential, close community feel.Cultural Hotspots Depot Square Historic DistrictWichita Theatre Performing Arts CentreKell House MuseumArts Council Wichita Falls eventsNature HighlightsWichita River Trail and Lucy ParkLake Wichita ParkRiver Bend Nature CenterNearby lakes and prairie landscapesMethodologyAll cities had to have an average housing cost (mortgage principal and interest, PMI, property taxes, and homeowners insurance) that did not exceed 35% of the area’s median household income. Neighbors Bank assumed a 30-year mortgage at a rate of 6.25% with a 10% down payment. PMI was estimated at 0.75% of the loan amount.After these requirements, cities were ranked using a combination of cost-of-living (COL) and quality-of-life (QOL) indices. The most recent reliable data was used whenever possible.Cost-of-Living Factors:Average Utility Cost Per Household By State (2024 to 2025)Average Food Cost Using the USDA Low-Cost Plan (2024)Average Transportation Cost including Auto Ownership, Auto Use, and Transit Use (2022 to 2023 values, inflated for 2025) Average Health Insurance Costs (2024)Average Childcare Costs (2022 to 2025) Cost-of-living factors were normalized and weighted into a composite COL Index.Average health insurance costs, childcare expenses, transportation costs, and food costs are assumed for a household with two adults and two children (ages 4 and 8).Quality of Living Factors: Change in Unemployment Rate (August 2024 to August 2025)Percent of Commutes Under 25 Minutes (2024)Median Home Appreciation (October 2022 to October 2025)Entertainment and Food Venues Per 10,000 People (2023)Reported Violent Crime Per Capita (2024)Reported Property Crime Per Capita (2024) Quality-of-living factors were normalized and weighted into a composite QOL Index.Population RequirementAll cities had to have a population of at least 115,000 residents. Data sources: Zillow, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and County Business Patterns (CBP), The Tax Foundation, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Move.org, NerdWallet. Home values as of Oct. 31, 2025.This story was produced by Neighbors Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The St. Patrick Society of the Quad Cities celebrates their 40th year The St. Patrick Society of the Quad Cities celebrates their 40th year.Julie Walton the Vice President of the St. Patrick Society and co-chair of St. Patrick Grand Parade.

Thursday, March 12th, 2026

Wednesday, March 11th, 2026