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

Sunday, April 12th, 2026
	A Hezbollah commander describes battling Israel in Lebanon In a rare interview, a wounded Hezbollah commander tells NPR about his secretive Shia Muslim militia's new command structure and how it has managed to keep firing rockets into northern Israel.
	Jimmy, The Lamp This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Few Rock Islanders can so clearly see the results of the good they do in this world as Jimmy, the Lamp.Jimmy worked for…
	No Deal: U.S.-Iran peace talks in Islamabad collapse The United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement after a day of highly anticipated face-to-face peace talks, Washington's lead negotiator Vice President J.D. Vance announced on Sunday.
	I-74 Bridge pedestrian trail to close overnight The project is expected to last through Friday, weather permitting, city leaders said.
	The real space science behind 'Project Hail Mary' The science fiction blockbuster wowed audiences with its depiction of space travel and more. Here's what NASA staff and other scientists say about the basis for the amazing events of the film.
Saturday, April 11th, 2026
	Rockridge softball falls to Ottawa 5-3 Rockridge softball took game one of their double header against Rock Falls 6-1 but fell to Ottawa in game two 5-3.
	Illinois star Keaton Wagler declares for NBA Draft Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler declared for the NBA draft Friday following the Illini’s first Final Four run since 2005.
	Steamwheelers beat undefeated Blizzard 51-36 The Quad City Steamwheelers added to the win column defeated undefeated Green Bay Blizzard 51-36.
	G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest event held with 30 breweries Organizers say all proceeds will benefit the vascular anomalies Alliance, supporting families impacted by vascular birthmarks.
	200 cyclists compete in Sylvan Island Stampede The Sylvan Island Stampede brought 200 cyclists together and builds the cycling community.
	White House ballroom construction can continue for now, appeals court says The order comes as the Trump administration challenges a lower court ruling that the estimated $300-million project requires congressional approval.
	Humane Society of Scott County hosts Doggie Egg Hunt Easter may be over, but some canine companions had a doggone great time at the Humane Society of Scott County's Doggie Egg Hunt. The annual egg hunt for dogs was held at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. The event was open to the public and featured free microchipping. Pet parents met with vendors, learned about the [...]
	Sylvan Island Stampede returns to the QCA Mountain bikers raced against each other on an island surrounded by the mighty Mississippi. The 17th running of the Sylvan Island Stampede featured tight and twisty turns across the island and along the mountain bike trails. The event is hosted by the Friends of Off Road Cycling (FORC). This year's race had some new course [...]
	Geneseo police investigate alleged stabbing 31-year-old Ilir Ilemi was arrested for attempted murder and aggravated domestic battery after an alleged stabbing in Geneseo.
	Severe risk update for the Quad Cities We have been covering these storms for the past couple of days now and we are still tracking the risk of severe weather in the Quad Cities. Monday is showing improving signs as it is only a marginal risk of severe weather for most of the area with evening storms that can produce strong winds [...]
	Man arrested for attempted murder after alleged Geneseo stabbing The Geneseo Police Department responded to a 911 call about a stabbing on Bestor Drive Friday afternoon.
	Trump touts newly released plans for D.C. triumphal arch The proposed 250-feet-tall, white-and-gilded monument would stand on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., by the Potomac River.
	Survey: Has AI has taken over parts of your job? More than a quarter of employed users, 27 percent, said AI has automated some of their existing tasks, such as summarizing a document, compared to nearly 68 percent who said it has not.
	Man arrested for attempted murder in connection with Friday stabbing in Geneseo Police responded at 4:33 p.m. Friday to investigate a report of a stabbing. The victim was taken to a local hospital and a suspect was arrested.
	How Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's hometown became a symbol of excesses Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has long been accused of corruption. Sightseers now flock to his hometown as groups aim to raise awareness of what they say are the leader's excesses.
	Chase ends in vehicle striking telephone pole in Davenport, 2 arrested A chase ended with a vehicle striking a telephone pole.
	Muscatine continues Tree City USA tradition with Arbor Day proclamation During the April 7 Muscatine City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Angie Lewis officially proclaimed April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the City of Muscatine, reaffirming the community’s long‑standing commitment to trees, environmental stewardship, and a healthy urban canopy, a news release says. The proclamation recognizes the environmental, economic, and social value that trees [...]
	New full-hook-up campground in place at Deep Lakes Park, Muscatine The Muscatine County Conservation Board has announced that there is a new, full-hook-up campground at Deep Lakes Park (DLP) at 2488 41st St., Muscatine, a news release says. The campground is set to open on Wednesday, April 15, and will be open through Nov. 2. Reservations can be made online at least three days in [...]
	Learn about native plants at 'Plants, Paths & Pizza' at Hauberg Estate, Rock Island The Wild Ones Quad City Chapter, Western Illinois Counselor Education Department and the Hauberg Estate present “Plants, Paths & Pizza” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at the Hauberg Estate 1300 24th St., Rock Island, a news release says. Learn from keynote speaker Grant Fessler, botanist, as he speaks on “Flora of [...]
	Bettendorf Library celebrates National Library Week To celebrate this year’s theme, "Find Your Joy," the Bettendorf Public Library has several free events and activities in observance of National Library Week, April 19-25. Library tours Have you ever wondered how your returns get from the book drop back to the shelves? Or how to use a 3D printer? During National Library Week, [...]
	Police chase ends in vehicle striking telephone pole in Davenport A police chase ended with a vehicle striking a telephone pole.
	Trivia Night will support Atkinson Community Festivals Atkinson Community Festivals (ACF) has announced a high-energy Trivia Night on Saturday, April 25, at the Atkinson Grade School Cafeteria, 107 S. State St. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the trivia competition officially kicking off at 6 p.m. Event highlights: All proceeds will support Atkinson Community Festivals and its ongoing mission to bring exciting community events to Atkinson, [...]
	QC H&R Block will have 24/7 hours before tax filing deadline With just a short time before the tax filing deadline, H&R Block in Davenport will offer expanded and around-the-clock hours leading up to the tax deadline to support the community and accessible options for people who can’t easily visit during a standard workday. The Davenport location is 5225 N. Brady St. It will be open until [...]
	Officials: Man faces attempted murder charge after Geneseo police say they responded to a stabbing report A man is facing an attempted murder charge after police received a report of an attempted stabbing.
	Opinion: A well-deserved statue for a hero rat Cambodia is recognizing the life-saving contributions of a rat named Magawa with a statue. The late rat sniffed out landmines for a non-profit group, and in a short career helped find more than 100.
	Muscatine continues Tree City USA tradition with Arbor Day proclamation “Trees are one of Muscatine’s most important natural resources,” City Administrator Matt Mardesen said.
	Memories of Muscatine: Sherwin-Williams This week for Memories of Muscatine: A Bamford Studio photograph of the opening of the Sherwin-Williams paint store in 1952.
	Geneseo School Board approves 2026-29 contract with teachers' union Board member Kyle Ganson said with the new contract, the district was being good fiscal stewards of what it has and also rewarding people for good work.
	The Great Green Wall's one of the world's most ambitious eco-projects. Is it working? It's a global effort with a multibillion dollar price tag. Among its aims: re-greening nearly 250 million acres, planting 4,000 miles of trees, helping farmers, creating jobs, sequestering carbon.
	Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging provides fiscal year summary Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA) has released its Public Information Document (PID), which provides a summary of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Area Plan. Each year, WIAAA submits an area plan to the Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA) to request federal and state funding that supports home- and community-based services for older adults, [...]
	Rock Island Academy holds book drive to cultivate a love for reading Two hundred students from Rock Island Academy were gifted bundles of picture books from nonprofit Plantings Books — Seeds 4 a Better Future.
	Gut troubles? This gastroenterologist has tips to help you achieve 'poophoria' In her new book You've Been Pooping All Wrong, Dr. Trisha Pasricha shares habits and practices to make your relationship with your solid waste as smooth as possible
	India cracks down on satirists for turning its prime minister into a punch line India's satirists are turning Prime Minister Narendra Modi into a punch line — and the government is hitting back.
	Goodbye, Iowa This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.On any summer day, barring tornados and floods, men and women line the Davenport levee wall across from Rock Island,…
	After a whirlwind mission to the moon, astronauts are back home. Here's what's next The Orion crew module containing the four Artemis II astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean Friday evening.
	Iowa Senate passes property tax reform bill DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Senate amended its property tax reform bill, and it passed with bipartisan support on Wednesday. At the start of the session, Governor Kim Reynolds, House Republicans, and Senate Republicans all introduced very different bills regarding property tax reform. While the House already amended its bill to include some provisions [...]
	Pakistan hosts U.S.-Iran peace talks after weeks of frantic diplomacy Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, is set to host peace talks today with leaders from Iran and the US, including Vice President J.D. Vance.
Friday, April 10th, 2026
	Inside Iowa Politics: Rob Sand’s plan to change elections Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand wants to change Iowa's primary election system.
	Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler named consensus All American Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler was named a consensus All-American, earning a spot on the second team to become the first freshman in school history to receive the honor.
	Alvaro Folgueiras enters transfer portal Alvaro Folgueiras has entered the transfer portal after his past junior season with Iowa.
	Steamwheelers ready to face undefeated Green Bay Blizzard The Quad City Steamwheelers are ready to face familiar foe the undefeated Green Bay Blizzard.
	Bettendorf Police Department to host public safety training class The classes will be held from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. on April 13 and 17 at Middle Park.
	Voy 61 hosting first Farmer’s, Artisans, and Maker’s Mart this weekend The event will feature over 70 vendors with handmade or homegrown items, kids activities, concession stand, and more, organizers said.
	Davenport activates 3 new red-light cameras The new cameras are active as of April 9, but there will be a 30-day warning period before citations are issued. After that, violations will carry a $100 fine.
	New event venue opens in Davenport's East Village The space can be used for weddings, celebrations and other community gatherings.
	Friendship Park unveils new playground The new park's design was voted on by more than 170 community members.
	More than 40 Iowa counties to receive $64 million for bridge replacements The federal aid is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which will help replace 67 city, county or state owned bridges and culverts in poor condition.
	Iowa bridges to receive more than $64 million for replacements Iowa is getting more than $64 million from the federal government to replace bridges in bad shape. Reports show Iowa has the most bridges in poor condition compared to the rest of the country.The Centennial Bridge in Davenport is one of 67 projects getting that funding. Other bridges in Scott, Muscatine, Jackson, Henry, Cedar and [...]
	QC Veterans Center to present Run for Veterans in Walcott The Quad City Veteran Outreach Center invites the community to lace up and show their support at the Run for Veterans 5K and 1-Mile Run/Walk on Saturday, April 11, at the Walcott American Legion. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. and welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, including wheelchair and canine divisions. This year’s event features a [...]
	QCA drive-in theater to present Farmers, Artisans & Makers Mart The Voy 61 Drive In Theatre, south of Maquoketa, Iowa, will host its first Farmers, Artisans, and Makers Mart on Saturday, April 11, with more than 70 vendors. Hours will be 3-6:30 p.m. before the Voy opens for normal movie admission at 6:30 p.m. with "Super Mario Galaxy" (PG) followed by "Reminders of Him" (PG-13.) [...]
	Davenport adds 3 red light cameras after over 20,000 violations recorded in 2025 Davenport announced Thursday three more red light cameras are now active.
	Over 20,000 violations in 2025 from red light cameras as Davenport adds three more Davenport announced Thursday three more red light cameras are now active.
	Illinois bill could protect AI companies from critical harms A bill in Illinois would protect artificial intelligence companies if their products create a weapon of mass destruction. The Artificial Intelligence Safety Act (Senate Bill 3444) would cover everything up to a nuclear bomb. The proposal requires companies to report safety standards regularly and addresses critical harm caused by AI, defined as any event that [...]
	OQC Crime Watch: Updates on building collapse, fatal Blue Grass crash: Episode 61 Watch crime reporters Linda Cook and Sharon Wren talk about crime and courts in our area with the latest episode of the Our QC Crime Watch Podcast. In this episode Linda and Sharon discuss: updates on: To view, click the video above or watch on-the-go on Spotify. The QC Crime Watch Podcast \| Podcast on [...]
	Friendship Park officially opens in Bettendorf Officials hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday afternoon for the grand opening of Friendship Park.
	Davenport activates 3 new red-light cameras The new cameras are active as of April 9, but there will be a 30-day warning period before citations are issued. After that, violations will carry a $100 fine.
	Bettendorf Police public-safety training will affect Middle Road on two days On Monday, April 13, and Friday, April 17, from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. the Bettendorf Police Department will hold public-safety training at Middle Park, 2220 23rd St., a news release says. Traffic on Middle Road and 23rd Street will not be impacted, but Middle Park will be closed from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on both days. Access [...]
	New spots for food and drinks in downtown Davenport Empty storefronts in Davenport are starting to fill up quickly, and a spring boom of businesses could draw more people to downtown because of the added variety. "Spring usually brings new momentum downtown," said Kyle Carter, the executive director of Downtown Davenport Partnership. Al & Irene's BBQ House has already opened on West 3rd Street. [...]
	Quad Cities nonprofit hosting interactive fundraiser to support youth education Spring Forward provides free academic, after-school and summer programing to more than 1,000 local kids each year. Their only fundraiser of the year is on April 11.
	Rock Island Conservation Club to host annual yard sale, flea market April 25 The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to attend. Proceeds raised help support the conservation club's efforts to care for local wildlife.
	Man charged in December 2024 shooting death of DeWitt man A DeWitt man is charged with one count of second-degree murder in connection with the Dec. 12, 2024, shooting death of 23-year-old Theodore Fox, also of DeWitt.
	Students compete in annual trebuchet contest at Bettendorf High School Students from five area high schools were tasked with building trebuchets to launch eggs at targets.
	7 Brew Coffee holds soft opening This is the company's seventh location in Iowa and its official opening will be April 27.
	WATCH LIVE: Artemis II astronauts return to Earth The four astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis II mission are about to plunge through the atmosphere toward Earth, after a successful visit to the moon.
	WATCH LIVE: Artemis II astronauts have splashed down on Earth The four astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis II mission are about to plunge through the atmosphere toward Earth, after a successful visit to the moon.
	WATCH: Artemis II astronauts splash down on Earth The four astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis II mission splashed down on Earth, after a successful visit to the moon.
	Illinois House approves ban on junk fees, Pritzker’s abortion fund proposal The Illinois House passed 81 bills Thursday to bring the week’s total to 133, which included several measures designed to benefit consumers.
	Bird's-eye views from across the Quad Cities region during the week of April 10, 2026 Sit back, relax and enjoy these scenes captured by the News 8 drone from across the Quad Cities region this week.
	Iowa State University president ‘listening and learning’ in first days on campus It’s been just over a month since Cook came to campus permanently, and in that time, the Ames native and ISU alum said he’s been meeting with as many people as he can.
	Gas prices soar by 21% as government inflation figures reflect Trump’s war on Iran The latest consumer price index figures show the spike in energy prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran has driven up inflation for Americans.
	Spring Forward nonprofit holding fundraiser The nonprofit serves more than 1,000 students each year with no-cost academic programs and experiences for local kids who might not otherwise get these chances.
	Severe weather update next week As the days get closer, we are continuing to track the chance of severe weather in the Quad Cities for next week. We already got a decent amount of rain last night and so we still are looking for at least another inch of rain possible through the next week. As our weather models update [...]
	Rock Island Conservation Club holding 11th annual yard sale and flea market The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the club's location, just off of Big Island Road in Milan.
	Arrest made more than 1 year after Dewitt deadly shooting Joseph Huseman IV is charged with second-degree murder. Investigators say he shot and killed Theodore Fox in Dec. 2024.
	Bettendorf High School hosts annual trebuchet contest 16 teams from Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley, Moline, Sherrard and Riverdale schools put their contraptions to the test.
	Illinois House Republicans propose 6 month ‘holiday’ on gas sales tax Illinois Republican representatives spoke out Wednesday in Springfield during a press conference on Illinois’ gas tax as prices climb to around $4 per gallon.
	New event venue opens in Davenport's East Village The space can be used for weddings, celebrations and other community gatherings.
	Moline Morning Connection to host brunch with guest speaker PhiHang Nguyen Guest speaker is PhiHang Nguyen of Peoria, Illinois will tell of her coming to America and beginning a new life of freedom.
	How the newest attending physician in 'The Pitt' crafted her character NPR's Juana Summers speaks with actor Sepideh Moafi and Dr. Seema Jilani about the second season of The Pitt.
	Sweet surprise: Dad surprises son at school after returning from military deployment A student at Truman Elementary School got a sweet surprise Wednesday.
	Epstein survivors have mixed feelings on Melania Trump's call for hearing in Congress The first lady made a public statement on Thursday saying she was not friends with Epstein, and calling for further action in Congress. Survivors of the late sex offender's abuse differ on her proposal.
	Months after the ICE shootings in Minnesota, a federal probe remains elusive Officials in Minnesota have sued the Trump administration, saying federal officials are withholding evidence in the killings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good by immigration agents in Minneapolis, as well as the non-fatal shooting of a Venezuelan man.
	Coachella 2026: A hand-picked guide to the best of the fest With well over 100 acts on eight stages, almost all of them streaming live, Coachella can be overwhelming. Here's a day-by-day guide to the can't-miss music at the season's biggest musical gathering.
	Former lawmaker’s lawsuit against licensing boards moves to federal court Dr. David Hartsuch, an emergency medicine physician and former Republican state senator, is currently suing the Iowa Board of Medicine and Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
	Robots that can build colonies on Mars are already practicing in California Robots that can build colonies on Mars are already practicing in CaliforniaYou can't joystick a robot on Mars in real time. Radio signals from Earth take up to 22 minutes to arrive. This simple fact has stalled space construction for decades.The dream of building in space has long remained just that: an aspiration, a vision of an extraterrestrial jumping-off point for exploring the cosmos.But the gap between dream and reality is narrowing, driven by rapid advancements in AI and robotics. Startups, labs and large companies are pursuing technologies to execute physical tasks like autonomously refueling a satellite with a drone, welding accurately in space and complex docking maneuvers.Momentum is accelerating. High-profile spacecraft launches by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have captured public attention, while NASA is planning the first permanent Moon site with its Artemis program.To enable construction without real-time radio contact, the industry is turning to physical AI. The Infinite Loop by Nebius examines how this combination of models, sensors, cameras and robots is enabling autonomous construction beyond Earth. This technology is the only way to bridge the communications gap, which spans 2.5 seconds to the Moon and from three to 22 minutes to reach Mars, according to a 2011 NASA paper.Robots must make real-time decisions: navigate around or through a crater, distinguish between boulders and shadows, and adjust to unexpected terrain. Training for such decision making is taking place in harsh conditions on Earth, “as the minimal prerequisite to make sure their physical AI is game time,” said Cosmic Robotics’ CEO and cofounder James Emerick.“The best AI space construction companies will be deploying a large fleet of systems here on Earth, all to ensure that the equipment is reliable over long durations,” he said, adding that the effort is “in service of generating internet-scale field data to train physical AI models with.”Autonomy is not optionalIt’s these scenarios that physical AI, its models fed by innumerable iterations and simulations, is uniquely designed to manage.Industry forecasts suggest space construction could start within a decade, provided that between now and 2035, these machines can ingest enough data to master autonomous operation. “Autonomy is going to be critical for building in space,” Isaac Arthur, president of the National Space Society, a space advocacy organization, said. With the hardware largely ready to go, the countdown has begun.Two San Francisco startups are part of this effort. Spacer Robotics and Cosmic Robotics are testing their equipment on Earth in terrestrial jobs for eventual Moon and Mars missions.Spacer Robotics’ machines automate the tying of rebar, a mostly manual, time-consuming task of creating steel-rod forms for the pouring of concrete. Cosmic Robotics’ robots automate the installation of solar panels.Space vs. Earth PurposesOnce launched into space, the machines’ purposes will change. Building with concrete on the Moon won’t require the use of rebar, which is too difficult to transport from Earth, according to Spacer founder and CEO Lesya Hendrix.Spacer is primarily using earthbound tasks to train its robots for work on the Moon, where gravity is one-sixth of Earth's and hydraulics are useless. The robots, while performing tasks, are also hoovering up data, building models and doing simulations in order to build the physical AI’s brain.“For space, things are different” than on Earth, said Hendrix, whose company is named after genetically modified humanoids in Isaac Asimov books, including “Robots and Empire.” “The thing that carries over is, in fact, the AI model.”Spacer has collected photos from construction sites and created a data set to train its visual model for the terrestrial environment. “That same technology, as we stumbled upon talking to NASA, is also very useful for the Moon,” she said.“Basically, the AI model is the same, but we switch the data set from construction pictures to lunar pictures, and then the robot suddenly learns to navigate a lunar surface and understand that, oh, this is a boulder, I should drive around it; this is a crater, I should also go around it.”Spacer is in talks with NASA for a contract to provide its technology, Hendrix said.‘You need massive, internet-scale amounts of data’Cosmic Robotics is similarly gathering data while testing its robotic solar panel installers in California deserts and creating data sets to “train models to build more of a general-purpose platform,” Emerick said. “That then can be potentially fine-tuned with a much smaller data set once you land a system on the Moon or Mars,” he said.“You need massive, internet-scale amounts of data,” Emerick said. “When you go and send a rover or other piece of equipment to a different planet, we're not going to be sending a large fleet; we're going to be sending one or two. And the amount of data that they are able to collect and train on initially is just not going to be enough to have a robust and reliable model.”Cosmic's ultimate goal is to build a city on Mars. In the interim, the company secured a grant from NASA earlier this year to develop its Particle physical AI engine. It is also working on the agency’s Tall Lunar Tower project, a plan to build a 100-meter power and communications tower for the Artemis project on the lunar surface.“We’ve got to start here on Earth with building the right autonomy and gaining some trust around it,” said Emerick, who projects at least another 10 years before the first space construction begins. “And then pretty quickly, we'll have autonomous systems and the data to be able to start to put them on rockets and get them out of here.”‘Nobody wants to be the failure’Projecting the arrival of such visions is inexact at best — history is littered with missed deadlines and failed efforts. For physical AI in space construction, it will be a matter of whether the funding and momentum continue.“It is correct to think of the problem as both very simple and very complex,” said Arthur. “We need more actual physical experience with how machines moving across the lunar surface hold up. There’s hesitation because nobody wants to be the failure who has that first operation that blows up.”Despite the risks, the incentive is powerful. Cosmic continues its brutal desert testing, while Spacer has launched a pilot with terrestrial builder Teamwrkx Construction.Morgan Stanley projects the space economy to reach $1 trillion by 2040, and that’s just the beginning. The companies that successfully bridge the gap between terrestrial training and extraterrestrial autonomy won't just build the next Moon base — they'll define the infrastructure of the future.This story was produced by The Infinite Loop by Nebius and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Motorhome fire injures 1 in Davenport A motorhome fire on Northwest Boulevard in Davenport injured one person, who was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening burns.
	4 Your Money \| Wrong At The Top Wall Street stock analysts put out buy and sell recommendations daily. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, explains why recent ratings data should have investors taking steps to protect their portfolios.
	Identity theft on the rise as scams grow more sophisticated, experts say Experts say most Americans may already have compromised information. Here’s how to protect yourself.
	Seniors can learn about healthy living at LeClaire Library Residents aged 60 and over can learn about healthy living at a series of programs in LeClaire during April and May. The LeClaire Community Library, 323 Wisconsin Street, is hosting The Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. from April 24 through May 29. WISE is presented by UnityPoint Health through [...]
	DeWitt man charged with murder in 2024 shooting A DeWitt man is charged with second-degree murder in a 2024 shooting that left one man dead. Authorities say the victim was unarmed.
	A 3-step guide to connecting marketing spend to revenue A 3-step guide to connecting marketing spend to revenueMarketing teams often find it challenging to demonstrate the revenue generated by their campaigns. To connect marketing spend to revenue, you need accurate attribution, complete data, and reporting that translates activity into results.WebFX’s guide provides a practical framework for linking marketing spend to revenue. You’ll learn how to overcome common attribution challenges, maintain clean and accurate CRM data, and set up reporting that clearly ties every campaign to measurable ROI.What is marketing attribution?Marketing attribution is the process of tracking how marketing activities contribute to leads, pipeline, and revenue.Strong marketing attribution connects every customer touchpoint, from first click to closed deal, so teams can see which channels and campaigns drive real business results.If marketing attribution is broken, you’re likely struggling to:Prove marketing ROIConnect marketing spend to revenueMake confident budget and optimization decisionsThat’s why marketing attribution has become one of the most important priorities for leadership.Why marketing attribution breaks in most organizationsMarketing attribution breaks when data lives in silos.Marketing platforms track clicks and leads. Sales systems track conversations and deals.Revenue gets reported separately, often too late to guide decisions.Without closed-loop marketing, teams rely on partial data, surface-level metrics, or assumptions instead of revenue-backed insights. This leads to inefficient spend, missed optimization opportunities, and ongoing pressure to justify marketing’s value.Sound familiar? This is exactly why a clear, step-by-step approach to fixing attribution matters.Your 3-step guide to connecting marketing spend to revenueThis framework is built for teams that want clarity and finally move toward closed-loop revenue reporting. WebFX Step 1: Fix marketing attribution before leads enter your CRMTraditional marketing setups break before results ever have a chance to show up.Marketing data lives in one system. Sales activity lives in another. Revenue gets reported after the fact (if it’s reported at all). The result is a fragmented funnel where no one can confidently say which campaigns are driving real outcomes.When marketing attribution breaks before a lead even enters your CRM, everything downstream suffers:Sales follows up without contextMarketing optimizes based on surface-level metricsBudget decisions get made on instincts instead of marketing ROIThat’s how teams end up scaling what looks good, not what actually drives revenue.Revenue marketing changes this by connecting data at the very first touch. With integrated revenue marketing platforms, marketing and sales data flow together from the start, creating a complete picture of how marketing spend turns into pipeline and revenue.To start with, audit the fundamentals:Are lead sources and UTM data preserved on every form fill and call?Are first-touch sources stored correctly instead of being overwritten later?Are high-intent leads incorrectly lumped into “Direct / None”?Fixing this early prevents bad data from compounding all year and sets the foundation for revenue-backed decisions that lower cost per lead, improve efficiency, and maximize ROI.Step 2: Connect offline sales activity to marketing revenueIn 2026, many customer journeys still include offline steps before they close, but marketing attribution often stops before those moments are captured.Prospects research digitally, submit forms, make phone calls, talk to sales reps, and close days or weeks later. When that offline activity isn’t connected back to the original campaign, revenue disappears from reporting even though marketing created the opportunity.That gap creates real problems:High-performing channels get undervaluedSales revenue gets disconnected from marketing investmentOptimization decisions get made on incomplete dataThis is where revenue marketing data and closed-loop attribution make the difference.With closed-loop attribution systems, offline interactions don’t live in isolation. Phone calls, in-person sales, and closed deals connect back to the campaigns that sourced and influenced them, giving you a true view of marketing’s revenue impact.This step focuses on how to:Tie phone calls and in-person sales back to the original digital campaignPush closed-won revenue into your CRM in a clean, consistent wayImplement offline conversion tracking without heavy development or ongoing maintenanceWhen offline revenue flows back into your marketing data, ROI finally reflects reality, allowing teams to reduce wasted spend, double down on what’s actually working, and make revenue-backed marketing decisions instead of educated guesses.Step 3: Use an executive marketing ROI dashboard to prove revenue impactForget bloated reports no one trusts and the manual work it takes to maintain them.With automated attribution tools, marketing attribution data doesn’t live in spreadsheets or disconnected CRM views. It automatically rolls up into a single executive-ready marketing ROI dashboard that shows exactly what leadership wants to see:Marketing-sourced leadsMarketing-influenced pipelineClosed-won revenue tied directly to campaignsThis means decisions are based on real revenue performance, not assumptions, partial data, or whoever speaks loudest in the room. Teams can quickly see what’s driving results, reallocate spend with confidence, and avoid over-investing in channels that look busy but don’t produce revenue.No custom builds. No ongoing cleanup. No explanation of how the numbers were calculated.Just one view, one source of truth, and clear marketing ROI reporting, ready for 2026 conversations.Traditional marketing vs. revenue marketingTraditional marketing focuses on traffic, leads, and channel performance, often without tying results back to revenue. Metrics live in silos, reporting happens after the fact, and optimization decisions rely on surface-level indicators like clicks or form fills.Revenue marketing takes a different approach. It connects marketing, sales, and revenue data into a single system, so teams can see how campaigns actually contribute to pipeline and closed deals. Instead of reporting in isolation, performance is evaluated across the full funnel.This shift replaces siloed metrics with connected insights and ongoing optimization. According to the 2025 Deloitte CMO Survey, organizations that operate this way achieve 1.8 times faster lead growth than the industry average, because decisions are driven by revenue impact rather than disconnected channel metrics. WebFX With revenue marketing, teams can track:Marketing-sourced revenueMarketing-influenced pipelineTrue return on marketing investmentThe result is faster decision-making, lower cost per lead, and higher ROI, because optimization is based on what drives revenue, not guesswork.Bonus: What to do when your CRM is working against youIf marketing attribution feels overly complex, the issue often isn’t your strategy. It’s the CRM you’re trying to force it through.Many teams struggle with attribution because their CRM was built for sales tracking, not revenue marketing. Data becomes fragmented, attribution rules are hard to maintain, and reporting requires constant manual cleanup just to stay accurate.This is where user-friendly CRM platforms can help. These systems are designed for teams that need clear visibility without unnecessary complexity. When paired with revenue-focused reporting, it helps simplify attribution, keep marketing and sales data aligned, and reduce the friction that causes reporting to break down over time.For teams, the goal isn’t more tools or more dashboards. It’s a system that makes attribution easier to maintain, easier to trust, and easier to act on.In many cases, the fix isn’t adding more tools. It’s choosing ones that are easier to manage and easier to trust.Why revenue-connected attribution matters for your teamMarketing attribution doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be clear, consistent, and revenue-connected. When teams can confidently trace marketing activity from spend to pipeline to revenue, the entire conversation changes.When you fix attribution:Budget conversations get easier because decisions are backed by revenue dataLeadership confidence goes up because performance is clear and defensibleMarketing stops being questioned and starts being scaledThat’s the foundation smart teams are building to make faster decisions, protect budget, and drive sustainable growth.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Shortlisted for an Oscar, 'Homebound' is a daring movie about two dear friends The movie, now streaming on Netflix, defied current trends in Indian cinema to tell the true story of a friendship between a Muslim and a Hindu Dalit. Martin Scorsese was secretly involved.
	DeWitt man held on $1M bond in connection with 2024 shooting A man from DeWitt is being held in the Clinton County Jail on a $1 million cash bond after police say he shot and killed a man in December 2024. The criminal complaint filed in Clinton County Court says police responded to MercyOne Genesis Hospital, 1118 11th Street in DeWitt, for a report of a [...]
	2026 report: Costs of long-term care and senior living 2026 report: Costs of long-term care and senior livingUnderstanding the costs of long-term care is an essential part of planning for senior living and in-home care. A Place for Mom provides proprietary cost benchmarks drawn from its nationwide network of partner communities and agencies.This report includes cost data for senior living — independent living, assisted living, and memory care — as well as home care. Senior living figures reflect actual monthly costs paid by residents who moved into a community during calendar year 2025, including base rent and care fees where applicable. Home care figures are based on hourly starting rates reported by partner agencies and captured in early 2026.This report primarily uses median values to provide a reliable benchmark that is less influenced by unusually high or low prices. While many families search for the average cost of long-term care, medians better reflect what families typically pay.National median costs of long-term care and senior livingAssisted living: $5,419 per monthMemory care: $6,690 per monthIndependent living: $3,200 per monthHome care: $34 per hourCosts are structured differently across care types and settings. Residential senior living options are typically priced as monthly rates that bundle housing with services such as meals, activities, and varying levels of personal care.Independent living is generally the most affordable type of senior living, since it does not provide hands-on care. Memory care typically costs more due to increased staffing levels, specialized dementia training, and enhanced safety features.Home care is most often billed hourly, reflecting the flexibility of services delivered in a private residence. Total monthly home care costs depend on the number of hours provided and the intensity of care required, which can make direct comparisons with residential options more complex.Median long-term care and senior living costs by stateLong-term care and senior living costs vary widely by state due to differences in labor costs, real estate markets, regulatory environments, and the balance between supply and demand for senior care services.States with higher senior living costs often overlap with regions that have above-average housing prices and wages, while lower median costs are more common in parts of the Midwest and South. However, lower costs do not always correspond to greater access, particularly in markets where limited supply constrains availability.Senior living costs by floor plan typeApartment size and layout can significantly affect the cost of senior living, though premiums vary by care type and market. Studio apartments are typically the most affordable option, while one- and two-bedroom units command higher monthly rates.In assisted living, the median starting price of a one-bedroom apartment is often $900 to $1,200 per month higher than a studio, with two-bedroom units carrying substantially larger premiums. Independent living generally shows smaller differences between floor plans, while memory care pricing varies more widely due to specialized staffing requirements and secure design considerations.Larger floor plans are not available in every market, particularly in memory care settings. As a result, both availability and pricing should be considered when comparing senior living options across states.The following tables show median monthly starting prices for the most common floor plans in senior living communities across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Starting prices are reported by communities in A Place for Mom’s partner network and generally reflect base rent, excluding additional fees for care services, pets, or other optional charges. Floor plan pricing reflects starting rates captured in early 2026. A Place for Mom A Place for Mom A Place for Mom A Place for Mom Senior living and long-term care costs over timeA Place for Mom’s proprietary data shows that senior living costs increased from 2024 to 2025, extending a multiyear upward trend across major care types. Median costs rose across independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Senior living median cost comparisons reflect calendar year 2024 and 2025 data.Home care hourly rates, captured in early 2026, also reflect continued upward pricing pressure.While year-over-year increases vary by care type and market, the overall direction of pricing remains upward.Average senior living costs, 2019-2025The line graph below shows how the national monthly costs for assisted living, memory care, and independent living have changed since 2019. Unlike most of the data in this report, this graph reflects quarterly average costs paid after residents moved in. In this context, averages are used to better illustrate pricing trends over time, as they more clearly capture the impact of rising costs, post-pandemic occupancy demand, and limited new construction in some markets. A Place for Mom Median cost changes by care type, 2024-2025This table shows the national median costs by care type comparing 2025 to 2024. A Place for Mom Calculating the costs of long-term care and senior livingA Place for Mom calculates the costs of long-term care using a consistent approach designed to support national- and state-level comparisons. Cost data is collected from partner providers, standardized across markets, and analyzed to reflect typical pricing. This methodology is intended to benchmark costs across settings, not to estimate what any individual family will pay.Median cost data for senior living communitiesMedian cost data for independent living, assisted living, and memory care is based on actual costs paid by residents who moved in during calendar year 2025. For each move-in, the reported cost includes base rent and care fees when care is provided.In states where move-in data was not available, median costs are based on averaged published rates for common room types and care fees. If neither move-in data nor published rate data was available for a given setting, cost data is not shown for that location.Assisted living median costs are based on 24,305 family move-ins recorded during calendar year 2025, independent living cost data reflects 13,528 move-ins, and memory care cost data is based on 10,474 memory care move-ins.Median cost data for home careHome care cost data in this report was captured Jan. 9, 2026, and is based on hourly starting rates shared by 3,215 home care agencies in A Place for Mom’s network.Actual home care costs vary based on the number of hours arranged and type of care provided. Because schedules and needs differ, home care costs in this report are shown as hourly rates rather than fixed monthly totals. The national median hourly rate provides a general reference point, but a family’s total monthly cost will depend on how many hours of care are arranged.Most home care agencies require a weekly minimum of seven hours, and some offer up to 24-hour or live-in care options. The most common home care schedule is approximately 20 nonsleeping hours per week, which equates to $2,944 per month based on the national median hourly rate of $34.Context sourcesIn addition to proprietary cost data from A Place for Mom’s partner network, this report references publicly available government data and industry research to provide general context on labor markets, housing costs, inflation, and senior living supply and demand. These sources are not used to calculate the cost figures presented in this report.Sources referenced for context include the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, and Senior Housing News.This story was produced by A Place for Mom and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Kewanee woman sentenced to 10 years in prison for permitting sexual abuse She had pleaded guilty to the Class 1 felony in January in exchange for a 10-year cap on any prison sentence.

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