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

Friday, July 31st, 2026
	Spain deploys military to Ceuta after thousands of people breach Morocco's border Spain will deploy its military to restore order at its border with Morocco in Ceuta after thousands of migrants streamed into the tiny Spanish territory, with at least nine dying in the attempt.
	Death toll from southwestern Japan quake climbs to 34 Searchers continued to work in the Kumamoto area, including at the site of the collapsed mall, where some of the most serious damage was recorded.
	Trump announces a deal for Hamas to disarm, but many hurdles and uncertainty remain President Trump says a deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. But many hurdles, conditions and long timelines remain to wind down the war in the Palestinian territory.
Thursday, July 30th, 2026
	LumberKings dominate Lucky Horseshoes 16-4 The Clinton LumberKings dominated the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes 16-4 in seven innings.
	Roger Craig’s brothers reflect on Hall of Fame enshrinement For the first time, a Quad Cities native will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Davenport Central football legend Roger Craig is set to receive the honor in Canton next weekend.
	Proposed sports complex in Coal Valley clears first zoning hurdle Coal Valley's zoning board recommends the piece of land at Route 6 and Niabi Zoo Road be rezoned from residential to commercial, but neighbors aren't happy.
	River Bandits, Modern Woodmen of America team up for student book drive Baseball wasn't the only thing happening Thursday at Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport, where Modern Woodmen of America teamed up with the River Bandits for a book drive. Fans could donate books to the cause. The books then will be given to 10 schools for students in kindergarten through eighth grade in the Quad Cities area. [...]
	Bench trial begins Thursday for Mercer Co. superintendent The bench trial for former Mercer County school superintendent Timothy Farquer began Thursday.
	Oak Street, Muscatine, reduced to one lane HNI plant gets new roof section Oak Street in Muscatine will be reduced to one lane of traffic between 2nd and 5th streets, from Tuesday, Aug. 4 -Friday, Aug. 2, a news release says. The northbound lane will be closed to accommodate a crane assisting in the installation of a new roof section at the HNI Oak Steel Plant. The east [...]
	August declared No-Kill Shelter Month in Illinois Governor JB Pritzker proclaimed August as No-Kill Shelter Month in Illinois. Pritzker emphasized his commitment to making the entire state no-kill. According to a release from Best Friends Animal Society: This critical initiative underscores Illinois’ commitment to making the entire state no-kill, which means saving every healthy or treatable pet in shelters. The release says [...]
	Trinity Muscatine Public Health to host 5th annual Back-to-School Health Clinic Trinity Muscatine Public Health is hosting the fifth annual Back-To-School Health Clinic next week, according to a media release.
	Residents speak out about proposed Coal Valley sports complex Residents packed the house for a Coal Valley sports complex rezoning meeting. Developer Kevin Chumbley presented his plans for the complex. The Crete Life Sports Complex, to be located on Route 6, is set to feature baseball and softball diamonds, batting cages, pickleball courts, a playground and a camping lot. About 50 people showed up [...]
	Bed bugs are on the rise in Davenport, exterminator says A new report from Orkin ranks Davenport 19th in the nation for bed bug treatments over the past year, and local experts say they’re seeing more cases across eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
	Davenport Speedway announces eight more Hall of Fame inductees Eight more inductees to the Davenport Speedway Hall of Fame have been announced. The inductees were chosen through the work of the selection committee and the result from a fan vote. Four from the pre-1970s era and four people from the post-1970 era were elected. Here are the individuals who have been inducted to the [...]
	Rock Island police investigating armed robbery at vape shop Investigators believe a suspect, described as a Black male with his face partially concealed, entered the store with a handgun and demanded money from the register.
	The Heart of the Story: Let's go camping! Our Quad Cities News is partnering with award-winning journalist Gary Metivier for The Heart of the Story. Each week, Gary showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff, enjoying their hobbies and living life to the fullest. Stories that feature the best of the human condition. Summer's not over yet, and you may still [...]
	Tools for Schools supply drive receives donation from Elevate Trampoline Park An Elevate Trampoline Park rep stops by WQAD with a donation during a daylong school supply drive on July 29.
	Attorney change delays former Quad City Arts interim director's detention hearing Former Quad City Arts interim director Benjamin Morris remains jailed after a judge delayed his detention hearing following a change in defense attorneys.
	UAW seeking higher wage increases in counter to John Deere contract extension proposal The union's counterproposal would increase wage hikes from 4% to 5% in 2026 and 2027 and roll current cost-of-living adjustments into employees' base wages.
	Iowa candidates face questions over nitrate pollution and who should fix it Nitrate pollution is emerging as a prominent issue in Iowa’s midterm elections, with candidates in major races facing questions about water quality and accountability.
	Deere, UAW still debating contract extension proposal ahead of union vote Deere & Co. and the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America are still debating a potential contract extension.
	Some much needed rain hitting the Quad Cities With July wrapping up in just a couple of days, it has been a bit lackluster in terms of rainfall, especially compared to last July. Where our average July rainfall sits at around 4 and a quarter inch of rain, this year we are currently sitting at just more than half of that number. However, [...]
	Motorcyclist killed in Davenport crash A 19-year-old motorcyclist was killed Wednesday in a single-vehicle crash in Davenport, according to a news release from the Davenport Police Department. The crash happened shortly after 2 a.m. in the area of East River Drive and East 4th Street, where Davenport police, fire and Medic EMS crews responded. The initial investigation indicates that the [...]
	Scott County presentation will focus on how environmental risk factors contribute to cancer The presentation is being held by the Iowa Environmental Council.
	Motorcyclist killed in single-vehicle crash early Thursday in Davenport A motorcyclist died after his bike crashed on River Drive and Fourth Street in Davenport early Thursday.
	19-year-old killed in Davenport motorcycle crash Investigators believe the rider was traveling eastbound on River Drive early Thursday morning when he struck a curb and lost control of his motorcycle.
	Thank you to everyone who donated to WQAD's school supply drive! All the items will help students right here in the Quad Cities Area.
	Deere gives update on UAW contract, rejects union counteroffer Deere claimed the UAW made a counteroffer that exceeded the company's by roughly "half a billion dollars."
	John Deere will not increase proposed contract extension for UAW workers John Deere reports it will not increase a proposed contract extension with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. According to a release from John Deere: Earlier this month we proposed a two-year contract extension to the UAW. The extension offered to significantly enhance Deere’s industry-leading wages, benefits and protections. The offer allows us to support [...]
	'Party in the Park' series returning to Davenport Tonight's location is at Duck Creek Park on East Locust Street. The party runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
	Mercer County superintendent's bench trial begins The bench trial of Mercer County School District Superintendent Timothy Farquer, charged with illegally accessing student medical records, began Thursday.
	Clinton's police chief named interim city administrator The Clinton City Council appointed Police Chief Kevin Gyrion as interim city administrator Tuesday while he continues serving as police chief.
	19-year-old dead following Davenport motorcycle crash Investigators believe the rider was traveling eastbound on River Drive early Thursday morning when he struck a curb and lost control of his motorcycle.
	Eligible Illinois residents to receive new food benefit Illinois residents who lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive a one-time $400 benefit per eligible household member through the new Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) program. According to a release, the $70 million program was enacted as part of the Gov. JB Pritzker's FY27 budget, which was focused on making [...]
	Crime Stoppers: Rock Island Co. deputies searching for aggravated assault suspect The Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 32-year-old Markcus D. Davis for failing to appear in court on an aggravated assault charge.
	Crime Stoppers: Iowa high-risk unit searching for wanted burglary suspect The Iowa Department of Corrections High Risk Unit is searching for 27-year-old Tyler Copell, who is wanted for burglary and drug possession.
	Crime Stoppers: Armed robbery at RI vape shop nets $9K in goods, $650 in cash Rock Island police are searching for two suspects who used a handgun to rob Essentials Vape of over $9,800 in cash and goods.
	1 dead in Davenport motorcycle crash A man is dead after a motorcycle crash early Thursday morning.
	Rock Island police searching for suspect in vape shop armed robbery Investigators believe a suspect, described as a Black male with his face partially concealed, entered the store with a handgun and demanded money from the register.
	Iowa Catholic schools creates organization for incoming federal scholarship program Families can use the scholarships for tuition, fees, tutoring, before- and after-school activities and classroom supplies.
	Celebrate 20 years of the Quad City Rollers The Quad City Rollers have been bringing flat-track roller derby to the Quad Cities for two decades, and you can help celebrate the competition and community! Sarah 'T Wrecks' Eikleberry and Tara 'Mayhem' Malnar joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about the Quad City Rollers' 20 years and their new home in the QCA. [...]
	Burlington teen, juvenile accused of stealing gun, armor from patrol vehicle A Burlington teen and a juvenile are facing felony charges after deputies say they stole a gun from a patrol vehicle.
	Death Notice: Donald Brandt A funeral service for Donald LeRoy Brandt, 91, of Donahue, will be held at noon on Monday, Aug. 3, at the Runge Mortuary & Crematory, Davenport. Burial with military honors will follow at the Rock Island National Cemetery. A luncheon will follow burial at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 2, from 3-6 p.m. at the mortuary. Mr. Brandt died Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at his home. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com. A full obituary will appear in the Aug. 5 edition of The NSP.
	Rock Island police investigate robbery of local vape and smoke shop Rock Island police are seeking the public's help in solving an armed robbery at Essentials Smoke and Vape Shop on 18th Avenue.
	Mortgage rates hit their highest level in a year, driven by war and inflation concerns The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 6.66% on average Thursday.
	After Fauci Senate hearing, experts worry about 'chilling effect' on public health The accusations against Dr. Anthony Fauci, once the nation's leading infectious disease expert, have some experts worrying that these events may further erode public health staffing in the U.S.
	Moline man charged in Rock Island County's first AI-generated child sexual abuse material case A Moline man faces felony charges in what the Rock Island County State's Attorney says is the first local case involving AI-generated child sexual abuse materials.
	Rock Island Police investigating armed robbery at vape shop Rock Island Police are still investigating an armed robbery at a vape shop Wednesday.
	UAW counters John Deere contract extension proposal with higher wage increases The union's counterproposal would increase wage hikes from 4% to 5% in 2026 and 2027 and roll current cost-of-living adjustments into employees' base wages.
	Rock Island Police investigating vape shop robbery Rock Island Police are investigating a reported armed robbery that took place last night. A news release from the Rock Island Police Department said officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at Essentials Vape and Smoke Shop, 3015 18th Avenue, on July 29 at about 11:02 p.m. They learned that a Black man [...]
	Detention hearing delayed for interim arts leader in R.I. ‘Predator Poachers’ case He faces 30 counts of possession and dissemination of child pornography.
	Clinton police chief appointed interim city administrator The Clinton City Council appointed Police Chief Kevin Gyrion as interim city administrator Tuesday while he continues serving as police chief.
	6 industries hit hardest by summer cash flow crunches and how they're fighting back 6 industries hit hardest by summer cash flow crunches and how they're fighting backEvery June, for some industries, a familiar pattern emerges. Phones seem to ring less often. Invoices start to stretch. Decision-makers seemingly vanish, their joyful “out of office” replies taking their place.During the summer, B2B companies may notice a slump in sales that stretches beyond just a few months, resulting in major long-term consequences and forcing an increased reliance on cash.For those running with tighter belts, this slump is a structural threat to working capital. Gateway Commercial Finance, an invoice factoring company, analyzed data from the Federal Reserve, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and K-12 Dive to understand this cash flow problem and develop solutions for the industries hit hardest.Understanding the summer cash flow problemCash flow has officially become one of the top worries among American business owners. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Index, a quarterly survey conducted by Ipsos, found that the share of owners who feel very comfortable with their cash flow dropped to 20% in early 2026, an 11-point decline in just two quarters. The Chamber's most recent report, released in July 2026, showed that unease about cash flow continued to build even as owners rated their overall business health as stable.The Federal Reserve’s 2025 Report on Employer Firms adds additional context. It notes that 51% of small employer firms cited uneven cash flows as a major financial challenge over a 12-month period, and 56% noted struggling to cover operating expenses. Seasonality can increase that pressure. Revenue slumps for many businesses in the summer, but rent, insurance, loan payments, and more don’t take time off.The 6 industries most affected by summer cash flow trendsThis issue isn't evenly felt across all businesses. Federal data shows just how uneven it is: research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago analyzing Bureau of Labor Statistics employment figures found that construction activity swings by nearly 20 percentage points over the course of a year, while sectors like retail vary by less than half that. Drawing on this data and its own experience working with seasonal businesses, we identified six industries that experience either surges or slumps in revenue during the summer: Gateway Commercial Finance While not every industry is harmed by constrained cash flows in the warmer months, preparing is important even when revenues are expected to be up. Anticipated seasonality is an important metric when planning long-range, which is why knowing the specific impacts is critical.Education-adjacent servicesBusinesses related to the education sector live and die by a calendar. Tutoring centers, test preparation companies, and school transportation contractors all see a steep revenue dropoff when the final school bell rings in June. As students step away for their summer breaks, these businesses see a seasonal dip in revenues.Depending on institutional budgets also adds another layer of risk. Federal data analyzed by K-12 Dive showed that 78% of public schools offered some form of tutoring in late 2024, but school contracts either paused or reset over the summer.Successful operators don’t have to accept the inevitable, though. They can convert the summer slump into a product. By selling structured summer school programs, enrichment camps, or refresher courses, it’s possible for some businesses to keep at least a little money flowing in.ConstructionSummer is construction’s busiest season. While this might seem like a good problem to have there are still major ramifications to account for. Activity peaks and payroll and material costs surge, but payment often lags.When payment disagreements escalate, the stakes are enormous. The 2025 Global Construction Disputes Report from design and engineering consultancy Arcadis found that the average US construction dispute is worth $60.1 million and takes roughly a year to resolve in North America. For a contractor waiting on contested invoices during peak season, that timeline can be brutal for working capital.Top contractors can navigate around these problems by front-loading contracts with mobilization payments and billing progressively instead of at completion. Factoring receivables is also another strategy to convert slow-paying invoices into immediate working capital to meet payroll and material needs.Staffing agenciesStaffing firms arguably face one of the most challenging timing mismatches. Workers are usually paid weekly or biweekly, but the company is forced to wait 30, 60, or 90 days for clients to pay invoices. Summer breaks can widen this gap because client decision-makers go on vacation, causing hiring approvals to stall and payments to slip. In an effort to counteract the slump, payroll funding and invoice factoring have become standard tools for ensuring smooth cash flow regardless of when clients pay.Manufacturing (B2B / industrial)During the summer, industrial clients often schedule plant shutdowns, trim orders, and delay purchasing decisions until their budgets refresh in the fall. However, manufacturers still need to buy raw materials and build inventory ahead of that surge.The pattern is big enough to show up in national statistics: the Federal Reserve's industrial production reports regularly note that manufacturers, particularly automakers, idle production lines in June, July, and August for maintenance and retooling. Holding cash reserves through those months becomes a necessity. Disciplined manufacturers can sweep peak-season cash into interest-bearing money market reserves to fund the downturn, while also factoring outstanding B2B invoices to keep production lines moving.Professional services (B2B consulting, legal, and accounting)Consulting firms, corporate law practices, and accounting shops all make money by selling decisions. However, decisions often stop being made in July and August when executives and clients are all on vacation. This can cause approvals to stall, pipelines to freeze, and any project-based revenue to pause.One solution: Firms can focus on restructuring how they bill, shifting clients from project-based invoices to monthly retainers that are paid in advance. Additionally, they can use these quiet months to focus on business development so that the pipeline can stay full when business resumes.Landscaping and outdoor servicesFinally, landscaping’s summer problem seems counterintuitive. The season itself provides peak revenue. Unfortunately, it’s also peak cash consumption.Crews, fuel, and equipment must all be paid for weeks before cash from a client arrives, and the spring ramp-up requires heavy capital investment. This is also the time when reserves are at their lowest. Operators should aim to factor commercial invoices to fund payroll during this period and push residential clients onto structured payment plans that can help level out revenue.The 4 strategies that work across every industryAcross all six sectors, the same trends keep appearing. There are four main choices a business can make to help keep summer more profitable.Accelerated receivables: Aim to invoice early, offer early-pay incentives, or factor outstanding invoices to compress days sales outstanding.Seasonal financing: Establish lines of credit or working capital loans during peak revenue periods, not during the cash crisis.Revenue diversification: Add a counter-seasonal service line to reduce single-cycle dependency.Pre-billing and retainer structures: Shift clients to annual contracts or monthly retainers billed in advance, converting lumpy project revenue into predictable monthly cash.There’s no reason to sit back and allow historic trends to define your business. By using these four strategies, you can reduce the cash flow struggles that most businesses face in summer.The cash flow takeawayThe summer cash crunch is brutal but also predictable. Unlike a recession or the loss of a major customer, the midyear season dip will always arrive on schedule. This means it can be modeled out, financed, and planned for well in advance.Companies can work around this dip by locking in credit during the strong months, compressing receivables where possible, diversifying product offerings, and billing ahead of the work. In an environment where cash flow is now among the most reported problems businesses are facing, it pays to plan ahead.This story was produced by Gateway Commercial Finance and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Wendy Walljasper running for seat on Scott County Board of Supervisors Another QC resident has announced plans to run for a seat on the Scott County Board of Supervisors. Wendy Walljasper is campaigning for a seat on the board in this November’s election as an independent candidate. She says the partisanship of national politics doesn’t always fit the local issues affecting Scott County residents. “I’ve worked [...]
	Death Notice: Gary King A funeral service celebrating the life of Gary R. King, 74, of Eldridge, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Faith Lutheran Church, Eldridge. Visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 4-7 p.m. at the church. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mr. King died Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Fieldstone of DeWitt. Memorials may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church Camp Scholarship Fund or to the Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City. Online condolences may be made at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com. A full obituary will appear in the Aug. 5 edition of The NSP.
	Mercy College of Health Sciences forms new clinical training initiative with MercyOne Starting this fall, nursing students at Mercy College of Health Sciences will train under a new clinical model through MercyOne. (Photo courtesy of Mercy College of Health Sciences)Mercy College of Health Sciences has partnered with a medical center that was also created by the Sisters of Mercy to develop a new method of providing clinical training to nursing students. The Des Moines private college stated in a news release that it will collaborate with MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center to launch a new framework for clinical education this fall for students pursuing their bachelor’s degree in nursing. The program is called a “Dedicated Education Unit.” “This partnership represents a significant step forward in how we prepare nurses for the realities of practice,” said Vincent Salyers, dean of the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing at Mercy College, in the release. “The Dedicated Education Unit model allows our students to build genuine competence and confidence within a real care team, not just rotate through it. That difference matters, both for the students and for the patients they will one day serve.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. According to the release, this education unit will have nursing students remain at MercyOne for the majority of their clinical training, rather than rotating between different systems each semester. MercyOne nurses will act as “unit-base clinical instructors,” the release stated, with nursing faculty from Mercy College serving as partners with the nurses and evaluators for students. By keeping students’ clinical environment consistent, the release stated they will have stronger professional connections, as well as develop better clinical judgment and deeper clinical knowledge. The partnership will also create a workforce pipeline for MercyOne. Both the college and medical center were founded by the Sisters of Mercy in the 1890s, Mercy College states online, within six years of one another, and are located within walking distance of one another in Des Moines. “MercyOne is proud to partner with Mercy College to shape the next generation of Iowa’s nursing professionals,” said Chris Courtney, chief nursing officer at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, in the release. “The DEU model aligns directly with our commitment to clinical excellence and to building a strong, sustainable nursing workforce. Students who learn with us in this model will be situated for success from day one.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Pay It Forward: Davenport man known as father figure, mentor to many Michael Cribbs received the WQAD News 8 and Ascentra Credit Union Pay It Forward award for his passion, sacrifice and dedication to serve the community.
	Tax planning strategies with qualified opportunity zones Tax planning strategies with qualified opportunity zonesFor business owners planning a sale, one of the most common concerns is the potential income tax liability associated with the transaction. With any business sale, a significant portion of the proceeds may be subject to capital gains taxes. As a result, business owners often seek strategies designed to help mitigate taxes and preserve wealth. Thoughtful pretransaction planning can significantly improve potential tax outcomes.One strategy that may be worth considering is the use of Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs). Originally established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, QOZs were designed to incentivize investment in designated underserved communities. Qualified investments into these zones provided several key benefits to investors, many of which are no longer available or scheduled to sunset at the end of 2026. However, with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025, the QOZ program was extended and modified, creating a renewed planning opportunity for individuals considering this tax-saving strategy.Fifth Third Private Bank outlines how qualified opportunity zones can be used as a tax‑planning tool for business owners facing large capital gains.Key takeaways:Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) can help defer, reduce, and potentially eliminate capital gains taxes under certain conditions.New 2025 legislation makes QOZs a renewed tax planning strategy for business owners preparing for a sale or liquidity event.QOZ investing requires long-term commitment and careful coordination with tax and financial advisors to maximize benefits and manage liquidity and tax implications.Fundamentals of Qualified Opportunity ZonesAt a high level, taxpayers are permitted to reinvest eligible gains into a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF), which then deploys this capital into investments within the approved zones. Under the new rules introduced in 2025, taxpayers who reinvest gains into QOFs after Dec. 31, 2026, may be eligible for the following tax benefits:Deferral of capital gains: Investors may defer payment of taxes on capital gains by reinvesting those gains into a QOF. The deferred gain is recognized on the earlier of the fifth anniversary of the investment into the QOF or the disposition of the QOF by the investor.Reduction of deferred gains: In addition to the five-year deferral, investors may receive a partial reduction of the deferred gain. If the investment in the QOF is held for a minimum of five years, the investor is eligible for a 10% basis step-up. A special 30% basis step-up is available for investments in Qualified Rural Opportunity Funds, which invest 90% or more of their assets in qualified rural areas.Tax-free appreciation: If the QOF investment is held for a minimum of 10 years, any appreciation in the investment may be excluded from federal capital gains taxes upon disposition of the investment. Investors may continue to benefit from this exclusion for up to 30 years. If the investment is held beyond 30 years, the basis is stepped up to the fair market value at the 30-year mark. As a result, appreciation occurring after that point is subject to capital gains tax upon disposition.Example:Sally, a business owner, sells her company in 2027 and realizes a $50 million capital gain. She elects to reinvest $5 million of the gain into a QOF within 180 days, deferring tax on that portion, while paying tax on the remaining $45 million for the 2027 tax year.After holding the QOF investment for five years, Sally receives a 10% step-up in basis, reducing her deferred gain from $5 million to $4.5 million. This amount is recognized and taxed at that time. In this example, assume Sally pays the tax using assets held outside of the QOF.Sally continues to hold the investment long-term. At the 10-year mark, the QOF investment has grown from $5 million to $10 million. If sold at that time, the $5 million of appreciation would be eligible for full exclusion from federal capital gains tax.Instead, Sally continues to hold the investment. At the 30-year mark, the investment has grown to $20 million, and her basis is stepped up to that amount.Five years later, she sells for $25 million, resulting in a $5 million taxable gain, representing appreciation after the 30-year mark.What business owners should know before investing in a Qualified Opportunity ZoneWhile the tax incentives outlined above are compelling, Qualified Opportunity Zones are complex and require careful planning. As part of a broader business transition planning strategy and wealth planning for business owners, there are several important considerations that potential investors should evaluate with their team of advisors before making an investment.Understand the 180-day reinvestment window: Perhaps the most critical component of qualifying for QOZ tax benefits is timing. Prospective investors must reinvest eligible gains into a QOF within 180 days of realizing the gain. In most cases, this period begins on the date of the sale of stock, real estate, or other assets.For business owners, the 180-day clock often begins upon the sale of equity in the business or the sale of business assets. However, there are special rules that apply to business owners of pass-through entities. When gains are reported via Schedule K-1 from a partnership or S corporation, such as following the sale of a business asset, a business owner may choose to begin their 180-day reinvestment window on one of the following dates:The last day of the entity’s tax year (default)The date the gain was realized at the entity levelThe due date for the entity’s tax return (without extensions)This flexibility can provide valuable planning opportunities for pass-through entity owners, offering them greater optionality and potentially more time to identify and evaluate a QOF investment.For business owners planning a sale, the 180-day window provides an opportunity to align the timing of a potential transaction with a reinvestment into a QOF to qualify for associated tax benefits.QOFs as an investment: Qualified Opportunity Fund investments are typically illiquid and often involve investments in real estate development or other business opportunities in less established markets. The combination of illiquidity and the long-term holding periods required to fully realize tax benefits may not be appropriate for every investor.As a result, QOZ investments are better utilized as one component of an investor’s overall strategy, rather than the entirety of an investment plan. Rather than allocating the entirety of a gain into a QOF, it is often advisable to dedicate a portion of the proceeds to QOFs while maintaining a diversified portfolio across other asset classes.Liquidity needs: QOZ strategies are generally better suited for investors with sufficient liquidity outside of the reinvested gain. Access to liquidity can allow the investor to meet the eventual tax liability on the deferred gain, typically recognized at the five-year anniversary of the investment or upon an earlier disposition, without needing to liquidate their QOF investment. This, in turn, may allow the investment to be held long enough to meet the ten-year holding period required to exclude appreciation of the QOF investment from capital gains taxes.State taxes: Not all states conform to the federal QOZ rules, which may result in situations where an investor may defer federal taxes but owe state taxes in the year of the sale. It is important to work with qualified tax professionals who are familiar with tax law in your state of residence.Final thoughtsThe sale of a business is a significant milestone that is often the result of years, if not decades, of dedication and hard work. While the associated tax impact can be meaningful, strategies such as Qualified Opportunity Zones may offer a way to reduce that burden while providing an opportunity to reinvest capital for future growth.With the updates introduced in 2025, QOZs have regained relevance as a planning tool for business owners evaluating an exit. However, their effectiveness depends on early planning, proper timing, and alignment with one’s financial goals. Utilizing QOZs as a tax mitigation strategy is most effective when thoughtfully integrated into the broader transaction and wealth planning process. Coordination with experienced tax, legal, and financial advisors is essential to determine whether this strategy is appropriate and to execute it effectively.This story was produced by Fifth Third Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Visitors to Utah’s national parks were asked to report anti-American signs. This is what they wrote Visitors to Utah’s National Parks were asked to report anti-American signs. This is what they wroteLast year, National Park Service rangers began hanging up signs on bathroom doors and in visitor centers at parks across the country. The signs bore a QR code asking for information on areas or services that need repair. It also asked visitors to report any signs that cast Americans in a “negative” light or that failed “to emphasize the beauty, grandeur and abundance of landscapes and other natural features.” The request drew more than 35,000 comments, which the agency recently released in its Freedom of Information Act library. For this article, The Salt Lake Tribune reviewed the roughly 1,700 that referenced one of Utah’s five national parks or other federal lands within the state. Many were impassioned, verging on irate. Others were quite quippy.The National Park Service did not respond to questions from The Salt Lake Tribune about what it planned to do with the responses. Yet, it’s unlikely they supplied much of the information the agency was looking for. Most respondents either railed against the request, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the Trump administration’s public-lands policies, or made light of it.“Feeling frustrated that I am watching rangers out in the park hanging up these ‘feedback signs’ when there’s one entrance gate open that takes 30 minutes to get through at minimum,” wrote one Zion National Park visitor. “Really seems like more rangers are needed, the workforce feels slim and stressed.”Another Zion visitor commented: “Those towering cliffs? Too perfect. I’m not saying it’s alien architecture… but it’s definitely alien architecture.”Below is a sampling of the comments made about each of Utah’s National Parks. Leah Hogsten // The Salt Lake Tribune Zion National Park (227 entries)More park funding and support for the workforce were hot topics for most of Zion’s commenters. A few visitors requested improvements to trail signs around the Emerald Pools and Watchman Campground. However, none asked the National Park Service to alter an interpretive sign except to include more information about the lives and impacts of Native Americans on the land.“Rangers: 10/10. Keep up the great work! Sec. Department of Interior/Doug: 0/10”“I really loved all the plants and learning all the ways that the Indians used them. I wonder if we could have more signs showing how they survived these hot summers. Do you have programs where they can come teach? The diversity of Mormons was OK, but they seem kind of lame.”“Soooooo much negativity about mountain lions who just want to cuddle.”“There is a spot close to landing that has a bunch of fire ants that block a trail so please give them a quick death.”“Love this park. Let’s keep it!”“The truth and sanity of American history is embodied in the mission of the National Park Service, as stated on the visitor center exhibit. This park needs more resources, more staff, and a reservation system to manage visitation.”“Doug Burgum hikes in crocs.” Rick Egan // The Salt Lake Tribune Bryce Canyon National Park (170 entries)Of the comments left about the state’s public lands, the ones focused on Bryce Canyon were among the most creative. One person left the entire lyrics to David Bowie’s “Magic Dance” from the movie “Labyrinth,” which repeats the phrase “Who do?” Another suggested renaming the park “Thor’s Hammer National Park.” Yet they took on serious topics, too. In particular, they asked for more rangers and upgrades to the visitor’s center.“Looks like hoodoos, but I’m 87% sure this is just a Martian chessboard.”“I’ve noticed more signs with qr codes appearing in this beautiful natural landscape, distracting me from the beauty by reminding me of the offensive and deluded policies of the current ‘administration.’ Please remove them.”“I visited as a snotty entitled teenager, but as an adult I think this park should have signage that tells all the parts of its history so other snotty teens could actually learn stuff.”“There was this sign saying only white rocks are good rocks. That’s rockist.”“The NPS should represent all people and all history!” Trent Nelson // The Salt Lake Tribune Capitol Reef National Park (88 entries)A horse being kept near the Gifford House that needed its hooves trimmed and the recreational-vehicle dump station elicited more outcry than the informational signs at Capitol Reef.“Why can’t I snorkel at the reef? Where are the fish?”“Amazing, amazing park. I would actually like to see more detail on the history in the area, good, bad and ugly.”“Too much focus on whitewashing American history by the current administration is preventing real information and learning of history based on actual history not MAGA nationalism and christofacism.”“The visitor ‘Center’ is not located in the middle of the park.” Bethany Baker // The Salt Lake Tribune Arches National Park (221 entries)Gaining entry to this park continues to be a hot topic after it dropped its timed-entry program this year. Commenters asked for a shuttle from Moab, the ability to pay the park entrance fee with cash and that America the Beautiful passes not feature Trump’s image. Another common complaint: No Bigfoot sightings. “Thank you for seeking information on ‘any areas that need repair’ and ‘any services that need improvement.’ Now, push for increased staffing and funding for the Park Service so the needed repairs can be made and essential services provided!!”“Paychecks of park rangers seem to be in need of repair. Maybe add another 0 to the end of each one for putting up with the current government?”“Why is it so hot here? Can you not install air conditioners in the national park so that while we take our pictures? It’s a lot cooler?”“Natural erosion? Or are these stone portals just turned off until the stars align?”“Too orange. Too dry. 0/10” Chris Detrick // The Salt Lake Tribune Canyonlands National Park (98 entries)A park ranger here drew several irate comments after apparently closing the Hans Flat Ranger Station 10 minutes before its listed closing time. Suggestions included adding more trail signs to prevent hikers from getting lost and allowing all-wheel-drive vehicles on 4x4 roads.“Before we came to the park, they just finished changing the name of Squaw Butte to Salt Flat Butte. My complaint is that it took so long to remove racist names from our national parks. 22 years into the 21st century and we just got around to this? Yikes!”“Yo man, that sign over in the trail near the campgrounds talked about how my favorite flower is dangerous to squirrels. Squirrel is my favorite animal too. I just don’t think that is appropriate, and it really offended me to see this natural part of America be represented that way.”“Native Tribes should be way more involved in the running of this park. The amazing history of this land can be best told by those who lived here first.” Francisco Kjolseth // The Salt Lake Tribune Other federal lands in Utah (374 entries)This category includes submissions for the Cedar Breaks, Golden Spike, Hovenweep, Natural Bridges, Rainbow Bridge and Timpanogos Cave national monuments, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Notably, Bears Ears National Monument was not listed among the park sites in the document because it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service.Though it has the most entries, several of them seem to come from the same person or group who left one-sentence messages alternately praising the parks and their impact on Americans and insulting Trump. The rest generally lauded parks and rangers in general. One in particular stood out, though: A Glen Canyon ranger named Bailey drew numerous compliments. “Please do not erase history and the truth. We need all of our stories — the good, the bad, and the ugly — to understand ourselves fully as people and accept our imperfect humanity. We are not perfect and no people or nation ever has been or will be. Truth is power. We must sit with the bad moments of the past in order to make progress toward a better future.”“Fund these places fully, don’t silence them. Negativity about the past is truth and gives us a chance to learn from our mistakes.”“I go to parks and preserves to enjoy nature and learn something new about history, which includes all aspects of the story. I actually thought there should be more history represented regarding black and indigenous people. What I don’t go to parks and preserves to do is to be a whistleblower for a corrupt agenda.”“Restricting free speech is anti-American. These signs are stupid.” This story was produced by The Salt Lake Tribune and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Indiana Medicaid will cover GLP-1s for obesity Gov. Mike Braun commits to join federal initiative to cover GLP-1 medications for obesity through Medicaid. (Photo by Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle)Hoosiers insured through Medicaid will soon gain access to GLP-1 medications for obesity. Gov. Mike Braun on Thursday directed the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, which administers Medicaid benefits to 1.9 million Hoosiers, to participate in a federal initiative to cover GLP-1 medications for obesity. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center is working with drug makers like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to make GLP-1 medications more affordable — for state Medicaid programs and beneficiaries alike. States that opt into the BALANCE model can access GLP-1 medications at a lower cost. Indiana Medicaid will pay $85.16 of the $245 monthly cost per person, thanks to contributions from the federal government and manufacturer discounts. Manufacturers agreed to provide free lifestyle support as well. “Indiana is proud to expand access to essential treatment for eligible Hoosiers,” Braun said in a news release Thursday. “This agreement reflects our commitment to Make Indiana Healthy Again by pursuing practical solutions that increase healthier lives.” Exact details about eligibility criteria and timing are not yet available, as the agreement is still being finalized. A news release from the governor’s office said access to obesity treatment could allow more Hoosiers to remain or return to the workforce and limit reliance on public assistance. “Obesity is a serious, chronic disease, and addressing it can open the door to better health,” David A. Ricks, chair and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly, said in the release. “Here in Indiana, 71% of adults are living with obesity or overweight. This toll on our state’s health is also a toll on our economy, costing an estimated $10.7 billion a year, or nearly 2% of GDP. “Indiana opting into the BALANCE model is a meaningful step forward,” he said, “and we’re grateful for the Governor’s leadership in making breakthrough medicines like Foundayo and Zepbound available to eligible Medicaid patients. We’re proud our home state is taking action to expand access to obesity treatment, so more Hoosiers can get the care they need.” Courtesy of Indiana Capital Chronicle
	Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosting award gala The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC) is hosting its 2026 Signature Mariposa Gala & Awards Celebration on October 16 at 5 p.m. at Rhythm City Casino, 7077 Elmore Avenue in Davenport. The Gala is the Chamber's premier annual fundraiser and signature community event. It gathers business leaders, community partners, members and supporters [...]
	Medicare and Medicaid birthday celebrated in Davenport with calls for action July 30 marks the 61st birthday of the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs, and several speakers Wednesday in Davenport called for urgent actions for benefit programs subject to budget cuts.
	The Trump administration wants $10 million more to cover its July Fourth celebrations Congress allocated $150 million for 250th birthday events. The Trump-backed group that planned the state fair and July 4th fireworks is asking for an additional $10 million in reimbursements.
	European soccer leaders to boycott the World Cup in an unprecedented step In an unprecedented step, European nations said they would boycott the World Cup unless FIFA reverses a controversial deal to sell minority stakes to the marquee soccer tournament.
	10 terms you need to know to understand personal injury cases 10 terms you need to know to understand personal injury casesEvery day, Americans face the risk of personal injury, ranging from car accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, falls and slips, harm caused by defective products, and workplace accidents.According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a reported 25.4 million people visited physicians for consultations related to unintentional injuries in a recent year. A reported 197,449 people died from their injuries, including 48,308 people who died due to unintentional falls and slips.Fortunately, federal and state laws in all 50 states provide some form of protection against and compensation for personal injury incidents. Personal injury lawsuits help accident victims seek justice when property owners and businesses prioritize cost-cutting over their obligations to others’ safety.According to Department of Justice data cited by Forbes Advisor, only 4%-5% of personal injury cases proceed to trial, with many settling before trial.To file a successful personal injury claim in court, plaintiffs must be thoroughly aware of the key concepts of such cases. Using information from legal articles, legal information databases, and encyclopedia entries, Webb Patel of The Patel Firm compiled a list of the 10 most useful terms one should know for understanding personal injury cases.Accidental InjuriesMost personal injury claims are based on accidental injuries. Intent differentiates accidental injuries from assault, which is a deliberate act. An injury can be categorized as “accidental” on the condition that it is a form of “unintentional” bodily harm resulting from “external” forces, and goes against the “normal course of events,” according to U.S. Legal’s legal definition database. Accidental injuries often result from negligence and human error.According to the International Labour Organization’s Encyclopedia of Occupational Health & Safety, different causation theories are used to determine who or what is responsible for accidental injuries, ranging from theories placing accidental injuries strictly within the purview of pure chance (notably, the “pure chance theory”) and those which argue that multiple factors and subcauses result in accidental injuries (notably, the “multiple causation theory”).Accidental injuries may constitute torts, which are acts or omissions that cause harm to others and may give rise to the right to file a civil lawsuit. If someone commits a tort against another, the harmed party may be able to file a claim to recover compensation for their losses, according to Forbes Advisor.Strict Liability ClaimStrict liability torts are cases in which the accused is liable even though they did not intend to harm the victim and demonstrated no negligence in dealing with them. A strict liability claim holds the defendant responsible for injuries, regardless of fault, intent, or negligence, according to Cornell Law School. This legal theory may apply in cases involving the keeping of dangerous animals, participation in abnormally dangerous activities, and injury caused by defective products. Whether the injury resulted from the accused individual or organization’s deliberate or negligent actions, they are held responsible for the result. That said, the applicability and scope of strict liability vary by jurisdiction.NegligenceNegligence in personal injury cases is a concept that describes instances in which the defendant has behaved negligently or carelessly to the extent that such negligence resulted in injury to the victim or their property. Hypothetical examples of negligence include a store manager failing to have their employees place a wet floor warning sign when mopping a floor, or a homeowner failing to repair a staircase in their home, resulting in a guest slipping and falling while climbing the stairs.Negligence torts are cases in which defendants are liable for harm suffered by the victim even if they had no intent to cause harm.Negligence is often difficult to prove because for a plaintiff to successfully accuse the defendant of being “negligent,” four criteria must be met: the plaintiff must prove that the defendant has a legal duty toward them; that the duty in question was not fulfilled; that the duty’s unfulfillment resulted in injury or “damages” to the victim; and that the failure to fulfill the duty was the primary reason for the damage.Intentional TortsIn personal injury cases, the term “intentional tort” refers to a situation where the defendant deliberately chose to act or refused to act in a way that resulted in harm to the victim. According to Forbes Advisor, an intentional tort is an act someone purposely does that causes harm, giving the victim the right to sue the perpetrator. Examples of intentional torts include assault, battery, slander, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.Proximate CauseA major part of personal injury cases involves finding the proximate cause of the injuries suffered by the victim. According to Legal Dictionary, the concept of proximate cause is premised on the idea that “not everyone nor everything that causes an injury can be held legally liable.”As such, determining that an act was a proximate cause means that the act in question is the proximate or nearest reason behind the victim’s injuries, regardless of whether it was committed deliberately or by negligence. The probability of an act being the proximate cause “increases as the cause becomes more direct and more necessary for the injury to occur,” according to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School.Assumption of RiskAssumption of risk is a legal concept that protects some defendants from personal injury lawsuits and limits a plaintiff’s ability to sue for compensation. Assumption of risk is premised on the idea that certain activities inherently carry a risk of serious injury by their nature, such as playing sports or rock climbing.Assumption of risk can be expressed or implicit. Express assumption of risk occurs when participants in an activity explicitly sign a contract that specifies the risk of injury associated with the activity and agree to absolve the activity’s organizer of responsibility for injuries related to it. Tacit or implicit assumption of risk, on the other hand, occurs when a plaintiff engages in a risky activity, knowing they are voluntarily subjecting themselves to the risk of injury. By proving the assumption of risk, a defendant can stop a plaintiff from claiming compensation.Comparative NegligenceNot all cases are those where a defendant’s negligence is solely responsible for the injury incurred by the plaintiff. In some cases, both the defendant and plaintiff share negligence. The principle of comparative negligence helps allocate compensation in such cases, according to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School.By this principle, the amount of damages a plaintiff can secure in compensation from the defendant is dependent on the degree of negligence the defendant contributed toward causing the injury. For example, if the court determines that the defendant was only 70% negligent, then the plaintiff could hypothetically only claim 70% of the damages related to the injury.Workers’ CompensationWorkers who suffer injuries or illnesses related to their jobs are entitled to compensation under the law. Such workers’ compensation essentially serves as a “disability insurance program” for workers, with affected employees receiving “cash benefits, health care benefits, or both,” according to Forbes Advisor.To secure workers’ compensation for injuries sustained while performing the employer's work duties, employees must inform their employer as soon as possible so that they can file a claim with their insurer. Once the employer secures the necessary compensation funds, the worker has the option to either accept the payments or pursue a negotiated settlement with the employer and insurer. Workers’ compensation is typically an exclusive remedy, meaning that injured workers generally cannot sue their employers.DamagesShould personal injury cases go all the way to the verdict stage and the plaintiff wins, they could be awarded damages for the injuries suffered. Most damages awarded in personal injury cases are compensatory. Compensatory damages are awarded to help the victim make up for their losses. This could include compensation for lost income, medical expenses, and noneconomic damages such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress. In rare cases, punitive damages can be awarded. Punitive damages are given with the intent to punish the defendant. These are given in cases involving what are considered acts of gross negligence or other egregious conduct.SettlementA settlement in personal injury cases occurs when both the plaintiff and defendant agree not to take the dispute between them to court. Such agreements are often made with the defendant offering the plaintiff a certain sum of money, which the plaintiff then accepts to complete the settlement. The majority of personal injury legal disputes are settled outside the court, with only 4%-5% of cases reaching the trial stage.Settling is a preferred option for defendants who want to avoid the legal expenses of a case going to court or the uncertainty of a court’s decision regarding damages and liability. By choosing to settle, the plaintiff absolves the defendant of “any further liability” related to the suffered injuries, according to the American Bar Association.This story was produced by The Patel Firm and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Trinity Muscatine Public Health hosts Back-to-School Health Clinic The free clinic offers a wide variety of essential services to help children start the school year healthy and ready to learn.
	4 ways wildfires generate tornadoes, lightning and other extreme weather, sometimes miles from the flames Thick smoke from massive wildfires has been spreading in North America and Europe once again in 2026. The health impacts of breathing this particle-filled air are becoming well known, but wildfires’ influence on the weather is less widely recognized. We often think about weather controlling wildfires: Dry air, heat, wind and lightning determine when fires start and how quickly they spread. However, once a wildfire becomes intense enough, the relationship can flip. Instead of simply responding to the weather, the fire begins to create its own weather. I study wildfires and air quality at the University of Texas at Arlington. Here are four key ways wildfires influence the weather around them: 1. Updrafts and fire tornadoes Wildfires release a large amount of heat. As the air above the flames heats up rapidly, it becomes lighter than the surrounding air. As a result, the warm air rises. This upward motion creates a powerful current of air known as an updraft. In some cases, the rising air becomes so strong that it begins to spin, forming a fire whirl, also known as a fire tornado. Forestry officials captured this image of a fire whirl during the Douglas Complex fires in 2013 at Rabbit Mountain, Ore. Marvin Vetter/Oregon Department of Forestry, CC BY The process is very similar to how a typical tornado forms, though fire tornadoes tend to be smaller and, because they feed off the heat, confined to the fire area. 2. Fire clouds and thunderstorms The rising plume of smoke and hot gases also contains water vapor released from burning vegetation and the surrounding atmosphere. As the plume rises, the water vapor cools and condenses into tiny cloud droplets, forming a cloud directly above the fire. Scientists call these clouds pyrocumulus, or fire clouds. A pyrocumulus cloud rises above a wildfire in the Angeles National Forest in Southern California in 2012. Jeremy A. Greene/wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA As water vapor condenses, it releases additional heat, making the rising air even more buoyant. If the fire is intense enough and the atmosphere is unstable, the cloud can continue expanding upward into the upper troposphere. It may eventually develop into a pyrocumulonimbus cloud – a thunderstorm generated by the fire itself. 3. Fire-generated lightning As the pyrocumulus cloud rises above the point in the atmosphere where the air temperature drops below freezing, cloud droplets begin to freeze, producing ice crystals, supercooled water droplets and graupel – a soft version of hail. Collisions among these particles separate positive and negative electric charges within the cloud. Over time, the charge imbalance becomes strong enough to produce lightning. Some of these lightning strikes can ignite new fires beyond the original fire perimeter, making firefighters’ jobs even harder. Lightning is a frequent cause of wildfires. Wildfire smoke can fuel storm clouds that generate more lightning, which can start new fires. AFP via Getty Images via The Conversation In late July 2026, a severe wildfire near Saumos in southwestern France became intense enough to generate a pyrocumulonimbus cloud. Lightning from the storm ignited new fires outside the original burn area, allowing the fire to spread beyond its initial blaze. 4. Smoke can change weather downwind Wildfire smoke can also affect weather far from the flames. Smoke can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles. Along the way, it can influence how clouds form and how lightning develops. Smoke contains large numbers of tiny particles. These particles act as seeds on which water vapor condenses to form cloud droplets. Scientists call these seeds cloud condensation nuclei. When wildfire smoke arrives over a region, it increases the number of cloud condensation nuclei in the atmosphere. As a result, the same amount of water is divided among many more cloud droplets, making each droplet smaller. Smaller droplets take longer to merge into raindrops, which can delay rainfall or shift it to another location downwind. This is one reason why forecasting precipitation becomes more challenging during major wildfire events. A pyrocumulus cloud builds over the Gold Mountain Fire on July 26, 2026, in western Colorado. Sláinte Farms. Scientists have also found that wildfire smoke can alter lightning patterns in downwind thunderstorms. Under normal conditions, about 90% of cloud-to-ground lightning carries a negative charge, while positive-charge cloud-to-ground lightning is relatively rare. However, studies have reported unusually large numbers of positive-charge lightning strikes in smoke-affected storms. Positive lightning is more powerful and damaging than negative lightning. It carries larger electrical currents, lasts longer and releases more energy. As a result, it is more likely to ignite new wildfires and can pose greater risks to people and infrastructure. In some smoke-affected thunderstorms, positive flashes accounted for more than 40% of all cloud-to-ground lightning. In the most extreme cases, the fraction exceeded 90%, meaning that nearly all cloud-to-ground lightning was positively charged. Living with fire and its consequences The next time wildfire smoke turns the sky hazy, remember that the smoke is not simply drifting through the atmosphere – it is becoming part of the atmosphere. Wildfires and their smoke can shape clouds, rainfall and lightning in ways we are only beginning to understand. As large wildfires become more frequent, living with them will require more than fighting fires. We must also learn to anticipate and adapt to their far-reaching effects on air quality, health and even the weather. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Yunyao Li, University of Texas at Arlington Read more: Yes, breathing wildfire smoke can harm your health – here’s what you can do to protect yourself How America courted increasingly destructive wildfires − and what that means for protecting homes today ‘The fire has such power’: why the wildfires gripping France and Spain are off the charts Yunyao Li does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
	Post-vacation depression: Why coming home feels so hard Post-vacation depression: Why coming home feels so hardTravel creates conditions the brain finds highly rewarding: novel environments, varied sensory input, social engagement, freedom from habitual demands, and a disrupted relationship with time. When vacation ends, the return to familiar, predictable routines entails the simultaneous loss of all these stimulating conditions.The contrast is the key mechanism. The brain does not evaluate mood in absolute terms; it evaluates it relative to recent experience. A routine that felt tolerable before a vacation may feel gray and constraining immediately after a trip filled with novelty, beauty, and freedom from usual stressors.This contrast effect is amplified by the anticipation and planning that precedes travel. As Doctronic explains below, when the experience that was anticipated and built up over weeks or months comes to an end, the period that follows feels like a significant drop, even if it is objectively normal.Key TakeawaysPost-vacation depression, sometimes called post-travel blues, is a real psychological response to returning from a trip; it typically involves low mood, difficulty reengaging with routine, and a sense of flatness that persists for a few days to two weeks after return.The brain's contrast between the novelty and stimulation of travel and the predictability of everyday life is the primary driver of the low mood experienced after returning home.Post-vacation blues is not clinical depression, but it can be difficult to distinguish from one another if the low mood persists or is accompanied by other depressive symptoms.Gradual reentry strategies, planning something to look forward to, and deliberate integration of vacation-quality experiences into daily life are the most effective approaches to reducing post-vacation low mood.When low mood following a vacation lasts more than two weeks, worsens rather than fades, or is accompanied by functional impairment, professional evaluation is appropriate.The Neurochemistry of ReentryDuring travel, the brain's reward circuitry is more active. Novel environments and unpredictable positive experiences produce dopamine, which drives the sense of engagement and pleasure associated with good travel. Returning to a predictable environment with well-established patterns of behavior reduces this dopamine stimulation.Additionally, many people experience significant sleep disruption during and after travel, particularly after crossing time zones. Sleep deprivation amplifies negative mood states and reduces the emotional regulation capacity of the prefrontal cortex. The physical exhaustion of travel return can compound the contrast effect and produce a particularly pronounced low mood in the first days back.The immediate return to a full schedule of demands, including work, email, and household responsibilities, intensifies the contrast between vacation freedom and routine constraint. This overlap of transition fatigue, sleep disruption, and environmental contrast creates the experience many people describe as post-vacation depression.How Long Post-Vacation Blues Typically LastsFor most people, post-vacation low mood is generally temporary and may ease as a person readjusts to their everyday responsibilities and routine. The initial contrast effect diminishes as the vacation fades from immediate comparison, and the reward circuitry recalibrates to find stimulation in regular life.The duration and severity vary based on several factors: the length and intensity of the trip, how much the vacation differed from everyday life, the level of demands waiting at home, and a person's baseline tendency toward mood variability.Actively managing the reentry process, rather than a passive return, shortens the low-mood period substantially, consistent with research on recovery after transitions.When It May Be More Than BluesPost-vacation blues is a normal transitional experience. It becomes a clinical concern when the mood does not improve within two weeks, when it is accompanied by the classic features of depression, including persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, sleep changes, appetite changes, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, or when it significantly impairs functioning.For some people, returning from a vacation removes a form of psychological escape and makes it difficult to ignore sources of chronic unhappiness (an unsatisfying job, a strained relationship, or an unfulfilling daily life) that were temporarily suspended during travel. When vacation ends, and the circumstances return, so does the unhappiness, sometimes with greater clarity. This is distinct from post-vacation blues and may indicate underlying depression symptoms that existed before the trip.Information on distinguishing normal mood variation from a depressive episode is available through clinical depression criteria, which describe the duration, frequency, and functional impact that differentiate a depressive disorder from expected low mood.Strategies That Reduce Post-Vacation Low MoodPlan a Gradual ReentryReturning home the day before a full work week begins compresses the transition into a few hours. When possible, returning one to two days before resuming full responsibilities allows gradual reentry into routine without the immediate shock of a full schedule the morning after arrival.Give Yourself Something to Look Forward ToThe brain does not only respond to present experience; it also responds to anticipated future rewards. Planning a small event in the near future, such as a dinner, a weekend activity, or a movie, creates a forward-looking reward that partially offsets the loss of the vacation experience. This is not about pursuing perpetual travel but about ensuring the post-vacation period has its own markers of enjoyment.Bring Vacation Quality Into Daily LifeVacations are often characterized by slowing down, eating well, spending time with people, engaging with physical environments, and doing less of the work that fills ordinary days. Deliberately preserving some of these elements, even in small doses, reduces the completeness of the contrast between vacation and home. A slower morning routine, a meal at a restaurant you enjoy, or an afternoon spent outdoors does not approximate travel, but it prevents the full reset to an entirely stimulation-deprived baseline.Process the ExperienceReviewing photographs, writing about the trip, or sharing experiences with people who were not on the journey extends the positive engagement with the travel experience and helps with integration. Keeping a brief trip record also anchors the experience as a real and accomplished thing rather than allowing it to fade rapidly from memory.Address What the Blues Might Be Pointing AtIf post-vacation low mood is disproportionately intense or persists beyond a week, it may be worth examining what is being returned to. If the prospect of returning to work or daily life feels not just unremarkable but genuinely aversive, the post-vacation period is an opportunity to assess whether chronic dissatisfaction with specific elements of life warrants attention.Frequently Asked QuestionsIs post-vacation depression a real thing?Yes. While it does not have a formal diagnostic category, post-vacation depression describes a genuine and well-recognized pattern of low mood following the return from travel. The neurological and psychological mechanisms involved, particularly contrast effects in reward processing and the impact of sleep disruption on mood, are real and documented. The experience is extremely common.How long should post-vacation blues last?Most people experience improvement within three to seven days as the brain adjusts to familiar surroundings and the contrast effect diminishes. Persistent low mood beyond two weeks, or mood that worsens rather than improves over that period, warrants evaluation to rule out a depressive episode.Should I take time off after vacation to recover?Having one to two buffer days between returning and resuming a full schedule reduces the abruptness of reentry and gives the body and mind time to adjust. This is particularly helpful after long international trips that involve significant sleep disruption from jet lag. Whether this is feasible depends on work and life circumstances, but even one buffer day can significantly reduce the severity of post-vacation low mood.Does planning another vacation help with post-vacation depression?Having a future trip to anticipate can support mood by giving the brain a reward to look forward to. However, if the strategy is to escape post-vacation blues by immediately beginning another vacation cycle, it can also prevent engagement with the question of why daily life feels so unsatisfying by comparison. A more sustainable approach includes making small improvements to the quality of everyday life rather than relying entirely on future escapes.Can post-vacation depression be prevented?Completely preventing the contrast effect is not realistic, but its impact can be reduced. Gradual reentry, preserved vacation habits, planned near-future events, and processing the trip experience all reduce the severity of post-vacation low mood. Managing expectations, recognizing the feeling as normal and temporary, and having a structured first few days home can also ease the transition.The Bottom LinePost-vacation depression is a normal psychological response to the contrast between the stimulation and novelty of travel and the familiarity of everyday routine. The low mood is real and driven by neurological mechanisms, but it is distinct from clinical depression and typically resolves within a week. Gradual reentry, having near-term things to look forward to, and integrating some vacation-quality experiences into daily life are the most effective approaches to managing the transition. When post-vacation low mood persists beyond two weeks, worsens, or points to chronic dissatisfaction that existed before the trip, professional evaluation is appropriate.This story was produced by Doctronic and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Taylor Swift's summer touring aircraft strategy: How global tours move like Fortune 500 companies Taylor Swift's summer touring aircraft strategy: How global tours move like Fortune 500 companiesTouring operations spanning five continents face a hard operational constraint: Coordinating shows across global markets demands an aircraft fleet optimized for speed, range, and utilization efficiency. Most celebrity jet owners treat aircraft as occasional luxury assets. Elite touring operations treat them as corporate shuttles.Taylor Swift is one of the world's most successful recording artists, and she has performed live concerts around the globe during the Eras Tour, while also supporting her now-husband’s career. This would not have been possible without a well-planned international flight strategy.Jettly provides a look at her touring strategy and the role her Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft plays in it.How Fleet Consolidation Cuts Touring CostsThere is no denying that the Taylor Swift brand is a global phenomenon. From Tokyo to LA, most people recognize the name, even if they’re not fans. Her PR strategy and business acumen are a lesson in corporate strategy.Her business operations are studied by academic institutions (including Harvard, Stanford, and IESE Business School) as a masterclass in market dominance. Based on the Taylor Swift brand profit margins and total economic multiplier effect, she operates with the efficiency of an elite, top-tier corporation.Swift’s touring strategy resembles the corporate flight operations of a mid-to-large Fortune 500 company. Just like a top-tier company, her empire spans multiple continents, which is why the Eras Tour is considered one of the most operationally intense private aviation undertakings in modern entertainment history, with over 178,000 miles flown in 2025 alone.Why High-Utilization Aircraft Replace Multi-Fleet ModelsTaylor Swift operates her aircraft exactly like a Fortune 500 company operates its fleet. Time savings matter. Fatigue management directly impacts performance. Security and route flexibility aren't negotiable. These aren't perks; they're operational necessities.Time savings: When operating on a tight multimillion-dollar daily schedule, waiting in line for TSA or baggage claim isn’t practical.Fatigue mitigation: Her performance relies on optimizing sleep, recovery, and physical conditioning during transit.Easy access: Private planes often bypass congested commercial hubs entirely and land on airports that don’t serve major airlines.Route flexibility: Private aviation allows flight plans to be filed, altered, or delayed with as little as a few hours' notice. When touring, this is a major asset.Privacy, information security, and physical safety.Business leaders don't treat private aviation as a luxury—it's operational infrastructure. When managing global operations, the speed and flexibility gains justify the cost. This is why private jet charter services are on the rise right now: They provide a level of comfort, security, and privacy that commercial airlines simply can't match.What does Swift’s logistics team do that puts her strategy in line with that of a top-tier company?Consolidating to a Single Long-Range AircraftRecently, Swift transitioned from a multi-aircraft fleet (one Dassault Falcon 50 and one Falcon 900) to a single, highly utilized asset, a Dassault Falcon 7X. Instead of maintaining two almost similar planes, she moved to one that can handle long-range international travel.The Dassault Falcon 7X has a range of up to 5,950 nautical miles and can easily complete nonstop flights on routes like Sydney to Los Angeles or Tokyo to New York. The jet also features a spacious cabin that seats up to 16 passengers comfortably, and a three-engine design that provides added safety during long flights over oceans.These features make the Falcon 7X the perfect choice for a record-breaking global tour that included 149 shows across five continents. From a financial perspective, the fleet downsizing helped reduce maintenance costs (like hangar space, crew salaries, and insurance premiums) and maximized the utility of the main plane.How 225 Annual Flight Hours Define Operational EfficiencyThe main differentiator between casual celebrity jet owners and corporate flight departments is utilization, or how often the plane is actually in the air versus sitting in a hangar, costing money. Most celebrities only take their planes out a few times a year, for vacations or major events. But Swift runs her plane like a corporate shuttle.In 2024, during the peak of the Eras Tour, her Falcon 7X logged 225 flight hours across 98 flights, according to Celebplanes, a celebrity jet tracker. Already in the first half of 2026, the aircraft has logged over 169 flight hours across 81 flights. These are intense operational figures that mirror a corporate shuttle transporting executives between global offices.The reason her Falcon 7X is out flying so often is the way it’s being used:The management team and other crew use it to scout upcoming venues ahead of time.Friends and their family members use it for their own travels (when Swift herself doesn’t use it).Swift flies back to her U.S. home instead of staying in hotels during international tours.She often flies to Kansas City to visit Travis Kelce during the NFL season.Swift's plane operates continuously even when she's not on board. In corporate terms, the asset generates utility or offsets costs when the principal isn't traveling.However, due to the heightened security measures that her fame and status require and a highly specific schedule, the Falcon 7X experiences a disproportionately high number of repositioning flights (e.g., flying empty to pick Swift up or returning to a secure base hangar rather than staying parked at a public airport). This aspect is not very business-like, but it is necessary in Swift’s world.Managing Carbon Footprint in High-Utilization OperationsPrivate aviation often comes under scrutiny due to its disproportionate environmental impact per passenger. While this is an important discussion, it’s also an added stress for private plane owners, whether businesses or celebrities.Swift’s frequent flying is constantly debated on social and classical media alike. And the Eras Tour has rekindled discussions due to its sheer number of flights. Since Swift is a public figure and one of the most recognizable artists in the world, this is often a PR issue that attracts additional expenses.Since private jets are generally viewed as another productivity tool, most Fortune 500 companies don’t face this kind of public scrutiny.In an effort to offset her travel carbon footprint, Swift purchased carbon offsets, her team announced several years ago. Though climate scientists have pointed out that ultimately, buying carbon offsets doesn’t lower emissions, this is exactly what most companies would do when public pushback gets intense.Treating Aircraft as Productive Assets, Not Luxury PurchasesTaylor Swift is a world-renowned celebrity who uses her private jet more than many other celebrities. But for a celebrity of her magnitude, private aviation is the only form of travel that suits her needs.While she has been criticized for how much her plane is in the sky, she does nothing different from what a Fortune 500 company does. Her jet often operates like a business shuttle instead of gathering dust in a hangar. Both Swift and top-tier businesses consider it a necessity to fly privately without external constraints, and they use their planes accordingly.This story was produced by Jettly and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Trump says he 'may' pull Blanche AG nomination temporarily The news comes as two key Republicans are withholding their support over concerns about the Justice Department's deal with President Trump.
	What happens to your home insurance when you move to another state What happens to your home insurance when you move to another stateBecause home insurance is tied to the property, you’ll need a new policy when you move. Factors like the home’s location, age, construction materials, and weather risks significantly impact the cost of insurance for your new home.Homeowners insurance costs can vary by thousands of dollars depending on where you move. For example, Florida, one of the fastest-growing states, has an average annual premium of $8,471, while New Jersey, which continues to see more residents move out than in, averages $1,449, based on Insurance.com 2026 data. Compare home insurance rates as part of your budget when you’re preparing to move.“Many consumers assume their risks will be similar in a new location, while also assuming their cost of home insurance will be similar to what they paid at their previous location,” said Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). “However, the risk factors may be significantly different, leading to either higher or lower costs of coverage.” Insurance.com Keep insurance coverage on your old home until it sells, and have a new insurance policy in place before closing on your new home. Personal property in transition is covered by home insurance unless you hire professional movers, in which case the company provides coverage.Key Takeaways:Home insurance is tied to the property, not the owner, so you’ll need a new policy when you move.Your rates will change due to changes in risk at your new location and factors related to your new home.Your personal property is covered by homeowners insurance if you’re moving yourself, within policy limits, during the transition to your new home, as long as you have a policy in force.If you use a professional moving company, it will provide coverage for your property in transit.How home insurance works when you move to another stateWhen you move to another state, you need to buy a new homeowners insurance policy. Home insurance is tied to the house, with rates and coverage based on location and property specifics. It’s not possible to transfer a home insurance policy from one location to another.You may be able to stay with your insurer if they offer coverage in your new state, but it will be a new policy. The coverages you need may also vary by location and property risk. You’ll need flood insurance, for example, if your new home is near the coast or in another high-risk area, and you may need additional liability coverage if your new home has a pool.When to cancel your old policy and start the new oneYou should not cancel your old insurance policy until after the home is sold, and your new policy should begin before you close on your new home. If you cancel your insurance before your old home closes, you will be left unprotected if the deal falls through. You’ll have to pay for any damages that occur before your closing is complete.You will need a new home insurance policy in place before you close on your new home, as it is required for a mortgage closing. A small overlap in policies can prevent large out-of-pocket expenses and protect your personal property in transit.Once you know your closing date for the sale of your old home, give your insurer a written notice with a date a few days after the closing. Check with your insurer to see if you are owed a refund, and ensure the refund is sent to your new address, not your previous lender if it was paid through escrow.What does home insurance cover when moving to another state?Your home insurance covers damage to your personal belongings while moving to another state if you move yourself and the damage is from a named peril, such as fire or theft. Home insurance won’t cover damage to your belongings if it’s from poor packing or rough handling (negligence). An off-premises coverage limit applies, usually 10% of your personal property limit.Home insurance doesn’t cover damages caused by movers. However, professional movers are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to offer two types of insurance coverage.Release value protection offers up to 60 cents per pound for a damaged item. For example, if your $1,000 couch weighs 100 pounds and is damaged, the mover pays you $60. This coverage is free but offers little compensation.Full value protection provides replacement value for any damaged items and incurs an additional cost that varies by carrier. High-value items, such as jewelry, may need additional coverage.If your belongings are stored between moves, your personal property coverage still applies, again with a 10% off-premises limit. Confirm with your insurer before move-out day. Insurance.com What happens if your home sits empty before you sell?Homeowners insurance limits coverage for damage that occurs when your house is vacant, usually after 30 to 60 days, depending on the policy. In insurance terms, vacant means there are neither people nor personal property in the home. If the home has not been sold before you move, contact your insurer to find out about a vacant home insurance policy or endorsement on your current policy.If you are living in your home, you’re more likely to notice water leaks, vandalism, and other damages that can be taken care of quickly. However, if your house is vacant, these damages can go unnoticed and escalate.Tell your insurer if someone is regularly checking on the house. The frequency of visits can affect how the home is classified.Additional coverage you may need in your new stateYou may need flood, windstorm (hurricane) or earthquake insurance in addition to a standard home insurance policy in some states.Standard home insurance does not cover floods. If your new home is in a floodplain, or if you are moving to a state with a high flood risk, ask about flood risk before you close. You can purchase flood insurance coverage through a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which has a 30-day waiting period.“Regardless of where you live, Triple-I strongly recommends purchasing flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer. All areas of the U.S. are prone to flooding, and no location is immune to this escalating hazard, which is typically not covered by standard home insurance. Flood insurance is not just for coastal zones prone to storm surge. Inland flooding has become a major hazard in parts of the country,” Friedlander said.Windstorm or hurricane insurance may be necessary if you live in affected areas, such as along the coast. In these areas, many home insurance policies exclude wind damage, so you will need to add coverage, either through your insurer or a state-run plan such as the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).The table below outlines the additional coverage you may need when moving to one of the top 10 states Americans are choosing to move to, according to 2025 U.S. Census Bureau data. Review FEMA’s flood maps to determine flood insurance need and Triple-I for windstorm coverage options. Insurance.com State differences every mover should knowInsurance standards and requirements differ from state to state, including how deductibles work. In 19 states and Washington, D.C., insurers commonly use a separate percentage-based deductible for wind and hail damage based on your home’s value.For example, on a $400,000 home, a 2% wind or hurricane deductible means you pay $8,000 out of pocket before the insurer pays anything.Here’s a look at the states with hurricane deductibles and the average rates for a home with $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability, a 2% hurricane deductible, and a $1,000 deductible for all other perils. Insurance.com In some states, your policy may also have a separate deductible for hail, and even in states not listed above, you may have a wind deductible, particularly in tornado-prone locations.Homeowners in some states, such as California, Florida, and Louisiana, have a much more difficult time finding coverage from private insurers and may have to turn to state-run insurers of last resort.Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, and the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation offer coverage if homeowners can’t find coverage elsewhere.These policies can provide essential protection, but they often come with higher premiums, more limited coverage, and may require supplemental policies to fully insure the home.Will your premium change when you move?Your home insurance premium will change when you move, but the change depends on many factors, such as your location. The ZIP code, proximity to fire stations, local weather risk, and crime rates all feed into your new premium.For example, Connecticut home insurance averages $2,132 a year, but if you move to Florida, average rates increase to $8,471 due to the prevalence of severe weather.Your insurance premium is based on the cost to completely replace your home, so factors like your roof's age and materials affect your rates. Other property characteristics, such as construction type, pool, trampoline, and security systems, all affect the rate up or down.Compare quotes from three to five carriers to find the best price before you buy.“Before purchasing a new home, it’s important to get multiple quotes (at least three) for property insurance coverage so you clearly understand the cost of coverage in your new location. It will help you choose the best coverage for the best price,” Friedlander said.If you’re moving to a new state and hoping for lower home insurance rates, it’s important to get quotes ahead of time. Florida, one of the top states attracting new residents, has the highest rates in the nation at $8,471 a year on average.The table below compares the average annual homeowners insurance premiums in the top 10 states where people are leaving and the top 10 states people are moving to based on 2025 U.S. Census Bureau data. Insurance.com Renting out your old home instead of sellingYour homeowners insurance policy is no longer valid when you rent your home out. Notify your insurer when you decide to rent your home, or it may deny any claim after the home is rented.Instead, you’ll need a landlord or dwelling-fire policy that covers the structure, liability and loss of rental income. It costs about 25% more than a homeowner's policy and covers you if you're sued or if the home becomes unrentable due to a covered peril, such as fire.Your tenants will need renters' insurance to cover their personal possessions since your landlord policy doesn’t cover their belongings.FAQ: Insurance when moving to a new stateDoes home insurance transfer when you move to another state?No, your home insurance doesn’t transfer to a new home. You will need to find a new policy before closing on the new house, since lenders want proof of insurance at closing.When should I cancel my old home insurance policy?Cancel your old home insurance policy after the home has been sold. Wait until after the closing date in case the sale falls through. You are responsible for insuring the home until the deal has closed and you are no longer the owner.Is my furniture covered by home insurance during a move?Yes, if you move it yourself, your furniture is covered for named perils, such as theft or fire. However, home insurance doesn’t cover furniture if you hire a moving company. You will need additional insurance to cover your belongings.What is released value protection vs. full value protection?Released value protection means the movers will pay you 60 cents per pound for a damaged item, and it is offered at no extra cost. Full value protection pays you the replacement value of the damaged item, but it comes at an additional cost.Do I need flood insurance in my new state?Yes, you need flood insurance if your new home is in a floodplain or in an area that regularly floods. Mortgage companies require flood insurance in Special Flood Hazard Areas. However, floods can happen anywhere, so all homeowners should consider flood insurance.What is a wind and hail deductible?A wind and hail deductible is the amount you pay before coverage for storm damage kicks in. It differs from your home insurance deductible and is typically based on a percentage of your home's value.Can I get home insurance before I close on a new house?Yes, you can get home insurance before closing on a new house. Compare quotes from multiple carriers and select a policy early in the process to ensure your coverage is in place by closing. The insurance company must provide proof of coverage to the lender as part of the closing process.What happens to my home insurance if my house sits empty?Your home insurance company will limit and eventually nonrenew your policy if your home is vacant for more than 30 to 60 days. Most home insurance policies have a vacancy clause and won’t cover damage that occurs when the home is empty. You may be able to add a vacancy endorsement that offers protection from certain perils or purchase a policy for vacant homes if it will be vacant for a while.Will my home insurance premium go up when I move?Your insurance premium will go up if you move to an area with higher levels of risk, including from weather and crime. If you move from lower-risk Maryland (average rate $2,242) to higher-risk Florida (average rate $8,471), your rate will increase by an average of $6,229. Your rates may also rise if you buy a much larger home with higher-end construction, as you may need more coverage.Which states have the highest home insurance rates?Florida has the highest average homeowners insurance rate at $8,471 a year, followed by Nebraska at $5,513 a year and Colorado at $5,511 a year, according to 2026 Insurance.com data for dwelling coverage of $300,000, liability coverage of $300,000, and a deductible of $1,000 for all perils and 2% for hurricanes where applicable.MethodologyInsurance.com homeowners insurance rates were fielded by Quadrant Information Services in 2026 across all 50 states and Washington D.C. National and state home insurance averages are based on the following parameters:$300,000 in dwelling coverage$300,000 in liability coverageA $1,000 deductibleA 2% hurricane deductible in applicable statesGood creditThis story was produced by Insurance.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Where Portugal’s Golden Visa funds invest: A map of 26 publicly disclosed companies Where Portugal’s Golden Visa funds invest: A map of 26 publicly disclosed companiesSix Golden Visa-linked fund disclosures named 26 underlying companies. Twenty-three have Portuguese headquarters, led by 15 in Lisbon district. The sample measures transparency—not the whole market or the amount invested in each place.Portugal’s Golden Visa fund market is usually described in broad labels: venture capital, private equity, energy, debt, or technology. Public reports sometimes let investors look one layer deeper and see the businesses behind those labels.Movingto reviewed public fund reports, factsheets, manager announcements, and government disclosures. The disclosure sample spans six exact funds. Together, the documents contained 33 fund-company relationships and 26 unique company names. Twenty-three of those companies have headquarters in Portugal.The map is limited to what the public record reveals. It does not cover every Golden Visa fund or trace every euro invested. The disclosure dates range from Dec. 31, 2024, to May 31, 2026. Some sources show direct private-company investments, while others show listed shares or corporate bonds. A security holding gives a fund exposure to a company. When that security is bought in the secondary market, the purchase price goes to the seller rather than the business.This is general information, not legal, tax, or investment advice.1. The disclosed headquarters mapLisbon district accounted for 15 of the 23 Portuguese-headquartered companies in the sample, or 65%. Porto followed with five, Coimbra had two, and Aveiro had one.Movingto checked the current registered or stated headquarters of each Portuguese company against company, government, or corporate-record sources, then assigned the district containing that municipality. This avoids treating a project site, office, or the broader “location” field in an investment disclosure as a headquarters. Even so, the map does not locate factories, branches, projects, employees, or customers. A Lisbon-headquartered utility or bank can finance and operate assets across the country.The result is also shaped by which funds publish company names. Daily-valued securities funds tend to reveal issuers more consistently than private funds reveal investees. Movingto assigned one principal sector group to each Portuguese company. Biotechnology and food technology are combined, as are industry and infrastructure, so the chart and company list use the same six groups.Portuguese companies by headquarters districtLisbon: 15 companies, or 65%Porto: 5 companies, or 22%Coimbra: 2 companies, or 9%Aveiro: 1 company, or 4%Portuguese companies by principal sectorFinancial services: 6Energy and utilities: 5Consumer and communications: 4Biotech and foodtech: 4Industry and infrastructure: 3Forestry and materials: 1The three companies outside Portugal were Savannah Resources in the United Kingdom, Semilleros La Sala in Spain, and Spot Ship in the United Kingdom. They are listed separately because Portuguese law does not require every euro in an eligible fund to be invested in Portugal.2. The private-company disclosures reach four districtsThe most geographically varied disclosure came from a Banco Português de Fomento report. It named four beneficiaries of the IMGA Futurum Tech fund and reported a broader “location” field for each. For the headquarters map, Movingto checked current company and corporate-record sources instead.Those sources place Valvian in Lisbon, Immunethep in Cantanhede, Sustainable Food Products in Matosinhos, and Insect Based Feed & Food in Lousã. The BPF report classified the first two as biotechnology and the other two as food engineering. It recorded 7.95 million euros of total fund investment across the four companies.The Growth Blue fund added a fifth private Portuguese company to the map. In May 2026, NBS Water Engineering announced Growth Blue’s investment, and Portugal’s Competition Authority described the transaction as an acquisition of joint control. NBS states that its headquarters are in Aveiro and that it designs, builds, and operates water and wastewater infrastructure.Growth Blue’s 2025 sustainable-blue-finance report also named an investment in Semilleros La Sala, a Spanish fruit-and-vegetable plant nursery. It sits outside the Portugal district count.3. Listed shares and bonds pull the map toward LisbonThree securities funds supplied most of the names in the sample. The Heed Top October 2025 factsheet listed its 10 largest individual issuers. They included Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Novo Banco, EDP, Crédito Agrícola, Galp, Greenvolt, Banco Comercial Português, Floene, Banco Montepio, and Brisa Concessão Rodoviária.The Optimize Portugal Golden Opportunities factsheet dated May 31, 2026, supplied another top-10 list. Mota-Engil, Banco Comercial Português, CTT, Jerónimo Martins, Sonae, REN, EDP, NOS, Savannah Resources, and Semapa appeared there.The 3CC Portugal Golden Income Fund’s 2024 annual report named six Portuguese bond issuers: EDP, Galp, Banco Comercial Português, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Fidelidade, and Novo Banco. Five already appeared in the Heed disclosure, so only Fidelidade increased the unique-company count.The overlap matters. This is 33 disclosed fund-company positions, but 26 companies after deduplication. It also shows that funds with different labels can expose investors to the same large Portuguese issuers.All 26 unique companies in the disclosure sampleBanco Comercial Português — Porto — Financial services — Heed Top; Optimize; 3CCBanco Montepio — Lisbon — Financial services — Heed TopBrisa Concessão Rodoviária — São Domingos de Rana, Lisbon — Industry and infrastructure — Heed TopCaixa Geral de Depósitos — Lisbon — Financial services — Heed Top; 3CCCrédito Agrícola — Lisbon — Financial services — Heed TopCTT — Lisbon — Consumer and communications — OptimizeEDP — Lisbon — Energy and utilities — Heed Top; Optimize; 3CCFidelidade — Lisbon — Financial services — 3CCFloene — Lisbon — Energy and utilities — Heed TopGalp — Lisbon — Energy and utilities — Heed Top; 3CCGreenvolt — Porto — Energy and utilities — Heed TopImmunethep — Cantanhede, Coimbra — Biotech and foodtech — IMGA Futurum TechInsect Based Feed & Food — Lousã, Coimbra — Biotech and foodtech — IMGA Futurum TechJerónimo Martins — Lisbon — Consumer and communications — OptimizeMota-Engil — Porto — Industry and infrastructure — OptimizeNBS Water Engineering — Aveiro — Industry and infrastructure — Growth BlueNOS — Lisbon — Consumer and communications — OptimizeNovo Banco — Porto Salvo, Lisbon — Financial services — Heed Top; 3CCREN — Lisbon — Energy and utilities — OptimizeSemapa — Lisbon — Forestry and materials — OptimizeSonae — Maia, Porto — Consumer and communications — OptimizeSustainable Food Products — Matosinhos, Porto — Biotech and foodtech — IMGA Futurum TechValvian — Lisbon — Biotech and foodtech — IMGA Futurum TechSavannah Resources — United Kingdom — Mining — OptimizeSemilleros La Sala — Spain — Horticultural plant nursery — Growth BlueSpot Ship — United Kingdom — Maritime software — Ventures.eu Fund I4. A named holding does not trace every euroA named holding proves that a fund disclosed exposure to a company on a particular date. It cannot show that all subscriptions financed that company, that a Golden Visa investor’s exact 500,000 euros can be traced to it, or that the company received the purchase price as new capital.The distinction is clearest with listed shares and bonds. If a fund buys an existing security from another investor, cash changes hands in the secondary market. The issuer may have benefited when the security was originally issued, but it does not receive the fund’s later purchase price directly. A private-equity transaction can also fund a company, buy shares from existing owners, or combine both.For that reason, this analysis maps named portfolio exposure. The economic destination of every euro remains unknown. Manager-wide portfolio companies were excluded unless a public source tied them to the exact fund reviewed.5. What the public record still hidesPrivate funds do not publish holdings in a standard format. Some managers name every investee, others reveal only sectors or selected case studies, and some reserve full portfolio reporting for investors. The six funds in this analysis were included because a public source tied company names to the exact vehicle. Silence elsewhere does not mean a fund has no investments.The source dates are also uneven. A Dec. 31, 2024, annual report and a May 31, 2026, factsheet are not simultaneous portfolio snapshots. Companies may have entered or left a fund after the stated date. The map therefore answers a narrow question: Which companies could be verified from the public record available on July 21, 2026?The biggest missing field is comparable investment value. Some sources gave percentages, some euro amounts, and others only company names. Combining them would create false precision. District and sector totals in this article count unique companies once, regardless of position size.Why 3 disclosed companies sit outside PortugalAIMA’s current guidance says the fund route requires a capital transfer of at least 500,000 euros into units of a non-real-estate collective investment undertaking created under Portuguese law. At the time of investment, the vehicle must have a maturity of at least five years, and at least 60% of the investment value must be invested in commercial companies headquartered in Portugal.The 60% threshold is a value test at fund level, so some holdings can sit outside Portugal. The 23-to-three company split in this sample cannot be compared directly with that legal threshold because the counts are not weighted by position value.Law 56/2023 also says the remaining qualifying investment activities cannot be directed, directly or indirectly, toward real-estate investment. Investors should ask counsel to verify the current vehicle, legal documents, portfolio rules, and immigration evidence rather than infer eligibility from a map or a marketing label.Methodology and source notesInclusion required a public report, factsheet, government disclosure, or manager announcement that tied a company name to one of the six exact funds. Manager-wide portfolio pages were excluded unless the source named the exact vehicle. Each company was deduplicated across funds, assigned one principal sector, and mapped to its registered or stated headquarters—not to project sites, offices, or asset locations. Counts are unweighted and cannot be used to test the legal 60% investment-value threshold.This story was produced by Movingto and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Pop-culture retail chain BoxLunch opening this weekend at NorthPark Mall The pop-culture retail chain is hosting its grand opening celebration this weekend inside NorthPark Mall, starting with a Loyalty Member Preview Night this evening.
	Honoring America’s Heroes on the Backroads \| Bartell's Backroads Travel across California and the West to explore historic military sites, veteran programs and powerful tributes to service.
	Where Americans are moving this summer, and how it changes who can find you Where Americans are moving this summer, and how it changes who can find youSummer is the season for a fresh start. Between school breaks and peak real estate weather, millions of Americans pack up moving trucks between June and September to start new chapters.Relocating these days involves more than just the logistical challenge of boxes and heavy lifting. In a hyperconnected digital landscape, changing your address sets off a massive domino effect across your digital footprint.When you move, a whole network of public registries, utility logs, and credit bureaus rushes to update your file. While you’re unpacking, your personal data is moving as well, often leaving a messy trail of fragmented public records behind—creating confusion about who can find you.If you’d like to keep yourself findable to old friends while keeping scammers away, taking a couple of security measures—like running a reverse phone search on your own info, digitizing your mail, and being generally proactive—can help protect the public data you leave behind during your transition. PeopleFinders highlights where people in the U.S. are moving this summer, how relocating impacts a mover’s digital footprint, and what people can do to protect their privacy in the process.Where Americans Are Moving This Summer: Top 5 HotspotsAccording to a comprehensive moving trends report by PODS, American migration patterns have experienced a major shift in 2026. Career is no longer the top motivator. With economic pressures and a challenging real estate market, 58% of Americans prioritize affordability as their top factor, overtaking career. This search has driven a massive influx into specific cities:The Carolinas: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-Wilmington, North CarolinaFor the fourth year in a row, this metropolitan region secured the number one spot for net long-distance move-ins across the country. Driven by retirees, remote workers, and young families seeking a coastal lifestyle without major city price tags, the Carolinas remain unbeatable.Central Florida: Ocala, Sarasota, and JacksonvilleFlorida claimed a tie for the top slots in the 2026 rankings, led by Ocala, Florida, holding strong at number two, alongside massive reentries from Sarasota and Jacksonville.Despite rising insurance premiums across the state, Central—and even Northern Florida—continues to absorb thousands of households fleeing high-cost, high-density areas.The Dallas-Fort Worth AreaDallas-Fort Worth, Texas, has established itself as the premier corporate and lifestyle destination for families migrating from the West Coast (especially from California). The region’s robust job market, lack of state income tax, and expansive suburban inventory offer a compelling alternative to high-tax states.More of the Sunbelt Regions: Knoxville, Tennessee, and Huntsville, AlabamaTied with Florida as the most moved-to state in 2026, Tennessee’s lack of a state income tax and Knoxville’s vibrant, mountain-adjacent lifestyle make it an absolute magnet for budget-conscious families.Huntsville, Alabama, is also drawing tech and aerospace professionals who want high-paying industry careers paired with some of the lowest housing costs in the country.What Relocating Means to Your Digital FootprintMany assume that moving addresses is a private matter handled strictly between the mover and the post office. But people don’t always consider that their physical location is the anchor used by the internet’s data aggregators to track identities.When you officially file a change-of-address form, sign a new lease, set up your Wi-Fi, or update your driver’s license—this change is logged instantly into local county public records and commercial consumer files.Here is where it gets messy. Because various private and state databases sync at different rates, your digital self becomes highly fragmented. For example, your old cell phone number might be linked to your new address on one marketing website, while your bank files still list your previous home on another. This creates a massive disconnect.If a childhood friend or an old colleague tries to track you down using a standard reverse phone lookup tool, the data can fail to connect the dots, making you temporarily invisible online.The Identity Risks of a Summer MoveNow, cybercriminals and identity thieves wait for this type of change and confusion. When you move, your natural security posture drops because you’re managing a dozen moving parts at once, meaning you may become highly vulnerable to certain scams listed below.Change-of-Address PhishingScammers deploy look-alike websites that perfectly mimic official government postal portals. Unsuspecting movers looking to forward their mail unassumingly just enter their names or credit card info, which gives identity thieves a blueprint of their transition.Intercepted Mail ExploitationDuring these transition weeks, sensitive financial documents (i.e., tax statements, bank letters, or medical files) are often misdelivered. If someone intercepts physical mail at your old, vacant residence, they can use publicly available data to open fraudulent lines of credit.“New Neighbor” Utilities ScamsOnce your data and records are connected, scammers buy these lists to execute targeted phishing campaigns. They text or call recent move-ins, pretending to be the local power, water, or internet provider and may demand an activation fee to prevent a service shutoff.How to Protect Your Privacy and Stay Findable on Your Own TermsYou don’t have to let a summer move compromise your personal security or completely erase connections to your past network. A few proactive steps will keep your data secure and ensure you remain findable in the way you want to be.Opt for Direct, Manual Vendor UpdatesRelying on a blanket postal forwarding order instantly streams into commercial marketing databases. Instead, try manually changing your address inside your secure bank, credit card, and insurance portals. This limits how quickly your new address is broadcast to third-party data trackers.Audit Your Own Personal DataOnce you have successfully settled into your new home, check how your identity is presented across public records. Using a trusted reverse phone lookup engine with your own contact info is a quick and confidential way to see whether your old addresses are still publicly exposed or to ensure your current contact info is correctly updated across databases.Transition Through a Digital MailboxIf you’re moving between states or facing temporary housing gaps, consider using a secure digital mailbox service. These services receive your physical mail at a monitored facility, scan the exterior envelopes, and allow you to preview your correspondence via an app. This completely eliminates the risk of sensitive paperwork sitting exposed in an unmonitored mailbox.Final ThoughtsA summer move is an exciting milestone, but you deserve security and privacy. True security requires looking after your digital home just as carefully as your new space. By understanding how seasonal moving trends manipulate public data records, you can be proactive in closing security gaps before scammers can exploit them.Keep your records intentional, manage your public trail carefully, and ensure that the only people who can find your new front door are the ones you want invited inside.This story was produced by PeopleFinders and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Woman awaiting trial in Henry County charged with battering corrections officer A woman in the Henry County Jail awaiting trial in two felony cases faces a new felony charge after she allegedly battered a corrections officer.
	3 in 4 small business owners recently used their own credit card for business expenses 3 in 4 small business owners recently used their own credit card for business expensesSmall business owners may be experts in their field, but they're not always experts on bookkeeping. A new survey from Bluevine of 864 small and medium-sized business owners reveals that many have gaps in their business financial knowledge, making it more difficult for them to be approved for loans.More than 1 in 3 (37%) SMB owners have applied for business credit or a term loan but experienced issues with their most recent financing application. Some were surprised by how long it took for the application to process, some realized their personal or business credit score was lower than they expected, and others applied without understanding the lender's requirements.The report shows where SMB owners have knowledge gaps and how they can apply for a business loan with confidence.Key takeaways25% of SMB owners believe mistakes or issues in their most recent application for business financing cause it to be delayed or denied.41% of SMB owners use a personal credit card for business expenses. 15% have a personal loan for business expenses.73% of SMB owners didn't research requirements for approval before applying for business financing in the last year. Similarly, 72% of SMB owners didn't update their financial statements, 66% didn't compare offers from different lenders, and 56% didn't check their business credit score.Nearly 2 in 3 SMB owners are looking for new lines of credit, but 37% of all owners ran into a problem in an applicationApplying for a business loan is a very common way for SMB owners to get financing, but it's not the same process as applying for a personal credit card or personal loan. If a business owner doesn't research how to apply for a loan in advance, they may make mistakes that cause delays.Roughly two-thirds (65%) of SMB owners applied for a business line of credit or term loan in the past 12 months, but 37% of all owners surveyed ran into a problem in their most recent business financing application. These problems largely revolve around not knowing enough about the application process or being surprised by their financial situation, most commonly:My application was approved but it took longer than I expected: 12%My personal or business credit score was lower than I expected: 11%I applied without fully understanding the lender's requirements: 8% In total, 25% of SMB owners say their most recent application was denied or it was delayed before eventually being approved.This is far more likely to be a problem for business owners whose company is five years old or younger: 54% applied for business financing and had a problem with their most recent application, compared to only 24% of SMBs whose businesses are six or more years old. These aren't necessarily novice business owners—they could have owned a business before or they currently own more than one business. But every business is different, and it's clear they still struggle with some aspects of the business financing process in the early days. Bluevine The high percentage of small business owners seeking loans shows how hard it is to be a business owner right now. SMB owners may want to turn to new lines of credit to stay afloat—68% say having a business line of credit or term loan significantly reduces their stress about covering upcoming expenses or emergencies. But some don't fully understand how to do that. Small business owners—who are often their operation's CEO, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer wrapped in one—may not realize they have gaps in their knowledge of business finances until they've already been denied a loan. They may also not realize how much of a time drain bookkeeping can be, as shown in a previous survey.Three-quarters of SMB owners have recently used credit cards for their business, up 50% since 2024Business owners are commonly advised to maintain a strict separation between their personal finances and their business finances. But in practice, 75% have used personal credit cards or personal loans for business expenses at some point in the last 12 months.This is a massive jump from just a few years ago. In Bluevine’s 2025 BOSS Report, 49% of SMB owners said they used their personal credit cards for business expenses in 2024. When you use a personal card or loan for your business, you risk a hit to your own credit if your business's revenue slumps, even temporarily, and you fall behind on bills.Many business owners say this happened to them. More than 2 in 5 (42%) SMB owners use a personal credit card or personal loan for business expenses and say it has affected their own finances. Managing a business is hard enough without worrying that a slow month could cause you to miss a mortgage payment. This is why business owners are advised not to use their own funds for their business operations.Specifically, SMB owners say that using their own credit cards or loans:Increased their personal credit utilization: 23%Created stress or conflict between personal and business finances: 16%Made it harder to pay their personal credit card or loan bills on time: 13%Lowered their personal credit score: 12%Using personal financing is more common among owners who have operated for five years or less: 44% use personal credit cards and 20% use personal loans. In comparison, 39% of people who have operated their businesses for six years or more use personal credit cards and 11% use personal loans. Bluevine Some small business owners may tap personal finances just because they need quick cash. But others might not realize why it's a bad idea to mix your books.“Using personal credit cards for business expenses can create risk beyond utilization,” said Aditya Narula, Bluevine senior vice president and general manager of lending and credit. “It can blur personal and business finances, limit the owner’s ability to build business credit, and make tax or cash-flow tracking harder. Over time, it may constrain personal borrowing capacity for a mortgage, car loan, or emergency needs.”The best way a small business owner can keep their finances separate is by paying themselves a salary, as if they were an employee.Some banks make paying yourself a salary a little easier by offering subaccounts and instant transfers.The majority of small business owners skip key steps before applying for business financingYou should research lenders and check your credit score before taking out any line of credit, but it can be even more important to prepare before applying for a critical business loan. Before applying for financing in the last year, the majority of SMB owners said they:Didn't research typical requirements for approval: 73%Didn't update their financial statements: 72%Didn't prepare other documents or information: 71%Didn't speak with an accountant or financial advisor: 70%Didn't compare offers from multiple lenders: 66%Didn't check their business credit score: 56%Didn't check their personal credit score: 56%What's more, only 49% of SMB owners know their current business credit score. Some (12%) aren't even familiar with the concept and don't know if their business has a credit file.“Applicants should know three things before submitting,” Narula explained. “First, lenders look at cash flow, not just revenue. Second, inconsistent information slows everything down. Third, credit score outcomes are usually tied to broader credit behavior, repayment history, debt levels, and recent inquiries. A stronger application starts before the application itself.”What to know when applying for a business loanIf you're a busy SMB owner, learning how to navigate finances can feel overwhelming. But knowing finance fundamentals can be the difference between being accepted for a business loan or being denied and turning to a riskier option like personal credit cards.Here are a few tips to get started on a business loan application:1. Have your documentation ready. Before you meet with a lender, make sure you have the following information:Employer identification number (EIN) and company bank accountBusiness credit score and credit historyBusiness planFinancial documentation2. Research lenders. Check the interest rate, repayment schedule, and fees from each institution to find the best fit for you. The application process and eligibility requirements will vary from lender to lender.3. Ask questions. Make sure you clarify any questions you have with a lender before agreeing to the terms of a loan. There are no dumb questions here. Consider asking:What's the typical timeline after I submit an application?Does this loan require a personal guarantee?What services or support do you offer small businesses as their needs change?MethodologyThe survey was conducted by Centiment for Bluevine. The survey was fielded between May 12, 2026, and May 13, 2026. The results are based on 864 completed surveys. In order to qualify, respondents were screened to be U.S. adults 18 years old and over who are small business owners.Data is unweighted, and the margin of error is approximately ±3% for the overall sample with a 97% confidence level. This story was produced by Bluevine and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Ag secretary candidate wants 50% of Iowa school meals to be sourced locally Iowa agriculture candidate Chris Jones unveiled a 10-year plan requiring schools to buy 50% of their food from local farms to improve water quality.
	Davenport man accused of stealing from tobacco shop 3 days in a row Jesse Ware, 23, faces multiple felony charges after police say he repeatedly targeted and robbed a Davenport vape and tobacco shop on East Locust.
	Celebrating National Cheesecake Day with Village Inn It's National Cheesecake Day, and Village Inn celebrated with one of their seasonal favorites, blueberry cheesecake pie. Cesaire Nwatcock with Village Inn tells us about their pies.
	What are the effects of microplastics on bladder health? What are the effects of microplastics on bladder health?Microplastics have made their way into the human body, including the urinary system. But what do the effects of microplastics mean for bladder health? In this story, Aeroflow Urology examines the latest data.Right now, the research is still in its early stages.However, what researchers have found is that microplastics and nanoplastics may induce inflammation and disrupt cell signaling. A direct link between microplastics and bladder conditions has not been proven, but the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for more research.Key Takeaways:Microplastics have now been found in food, drinking water, and human biological samples, including urine and stool.Multiple studies call for further research to better understand the impact of microplastics on the bladder and urinary system.Emerging data on microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) suggest that MNPs may increase inflammation, damage cells, and disrupt cell signaling, raising concerns about bladder cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), and incontinence.What Are Microplastics?Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, typically measuring up to 5 millimeters long. They can come from a variety of products breaking down over time, such as water bottles, food packaging, clothing, and tires.Nanoplastics — which are 100 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair — are a much smaller form of microplastics, and may move more easily through human tissues.These particles can end up in water, food, air, and the human body.Are Microplastics Harmful to the Bladder?Potentially. In a 2022 report, the World Health Organization published its findings about the overall effects of microplastics, stating that there was not enough evidence to “determine risks to human health.”“We have enough research to say that microplastics can reach the urinary system and cause inflammation or tissue stress,” says Aleece Fosnight, medical advisor for Aeroflow Urology. “For bladder-related research specifically, there are some concerns around urinary tract dysfunction; however, there is no strong human evidence that proves everyday exposure directly causes bladder disease.” Aeroflow Urology With microplastics and bladder health, Fosnight suggests being “mindful of your daily exposures to microplastics and reduce unnecessary exposure when possible.”More healthcare professionals specializing in urology, such as Dr. Jason Carter, are speaking out.Carter suggests, “Since the kidneys filter our blood and the bladder stores urine, it’s reasonable to think the urinary system could be exposed to these particles or the chemicals they carry.” He goes on to state, “We don’t have definitive evidence that microplastics directly cause bladder disease, but there’s enough concern that they’re worth paying attention to as the research evolves.”Can Microplastics Lead to Urinary Incontinence?Right now, there isn’t enough evidence to say that microplastics cause urinary incontinence, which is known as the loss of bladder control. However, researchers are watching this area closely.A 2024 scoping review published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology listed incontinence as a possible public health concern.Several articles from this review cited that microplastics and nanoplastics have been shown to:Increase inflammation.Lead to cellular toxicity.Disrupt normal physiological processes. Your Urinary System & MicroplasticsHow exactly do microplastics travel to your bladder? Plus, how does your urinary system work?To answer these questions, it’s crucial to begin with the main parts that make up your urinary system, which include your:Kidneys: Filter blood to remove waste and excess water, producing urine.Ureters: Ducts that connect your kidneys to your bladder.Bladder: Stores urine.Urethra: A tube that allows urine to leave your body.Microplastics can enter your body when you swallow them in food or water, or when you breathe them in from the air. Some of the smallest particles may pass into your bloodstream, where your kidneys can filter some of them into urine.While microplastics are in your urinary system, they may interfere with your hormones. However, these effects still warrant additional research.“Detecting microplastics does not automatically mean they are causing harm,” says Fosnight.There isn’t enough evidence to definitively state that microplastics can cause specific bladder symptoms, but if they contribute to inflammation, they could make existing bladder conditions worse.What to Do If You’re Concerned About Bladder HealthResearch around microplastics and bladder health is still growing, and there isn’t enough evidence to say that they can directly cause bladder conditions.However, it’s still important to pay attention to your bladder health.You can support your bladder by:Being aware of common bladder irritants, such as caffeine and spicy foods.Drinking enough water to avoid dehydration, which can cause urinary tract infections. Being dehydrated can also make your urine more concentrated, which may lead to irritation.Try to avoid constipation. Being constipated can put pressure on your bladder and make it more difficult to empty your bladder completely, leading to urinary urgency.Knowing your medications. They may be causing bladder leaks.Symptoms like leaking urine, a sudden need to pee, or feeling like you have to go to the bathroom more often than usual shouldn’t be ignored. If you experience any of these symptoms, reach out to your doctor.They can help you identify the cause of your symptoms, recommend treatment options, and, if you have bladder leaks, prescribe insurance-covered incontinence supplies.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do microplastics enter the body?Microplastics can enter the body through food, water, and air. Some of these particles can break down into smaller fragments, which may be harder to detect in the human body.How long do microplastics stay in your body?This remains unclear. According to an article from Stanford Medicine, “scientists don’t yet know how long microplastics stay in the body.”Why are microplastics being found in urine?People are being exposed to microplastics in daily life through objects such as water bottles and food packaging. Particles from these materials may enter the body and may pass through the bladder. Researchers are still studying how much reaches the urinary system and what that may mean for bladder health.How can you avoid microplastics?You can’t avoid microplastics completely, but you can lower your exposure by avoiding heating food in plastic containers and cutting back on single-use plastics. Also, try carrying a reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle instead of relying on single-use plastic.Do tea bags have microplastics?Yes, some plastic tea bags may contain microplastics. Plastic tea bags may release very small plastic particles into hot water. A 2025 review reported that microplastics may be present in all types of tea-based drinks.Does gum have microplastics?Yes, some gum may contain and release microplastics.Should you get tested for microplastics?Usually, no. Testing for microplastics is still a developing area, and experts don’t yet fully understand what those results could mean for your health.This story was produced by Aeroflow Urology and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The pros and cons of owning a beagle The pros and cons of owning a beagle A beagle leads with their nose. That one fact explains almost everything you will love about the breed, and the handful of things that will test your patience. The same scent drive that makes them charming, curious, and endlessly entertaining is the reason they will unzip a backpack to find a granola bar, and it is why owning a beagle and managing a beagle’s weight turns out to be the same job. This guide by Ollie covers beagle pros and cons, what is going on under that velvet-eared exterior, and how to feed a beagle so the breed’s biggest health risk never becomes your problem.Beagles are friendly, sociable, family-loving dogs that get along with kids, other dogs, and most cats, which makes them excellent companions for active households.Their biggest care priority is weight. Beagles are one of the most food-driven breeds there is.The single most important thing you can do for a beagle is keep them lean and feed them a measured, complete diet.Beagle quick factsBreed group: Hound (scent hound)Size: Two varieties recognized by the AKC, one standing under 13 inches, the other from 13 to 15 inchesWeight: Roughly under 20 pounds for the smaller variety, about 20 to 30 pounds for the largerLife expectancy: Around 10 to 15 yearsCoat: Short, dense, low-grooming double coat, classically tricolor (black, white, and tan)Temperament: Friendly, curious, merry, sociable, even-temperedBest known for: A world-class nose. Beagles work as detection dogs in the USDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that sniffs out prohibited food and agricultural products Pros of owning a beagleBeagles are wonderful family dogs. Bred to hunt in packs, they are wired to live alongside others, which translates into a dog that is genuinely happy to be part of the group, whether the group is two people or a full house of kids, cats, and fellow dogs.They are sociable to their core. A beagle is not a one-person dog who tolerates everyone else. They tend to greet new people, new dogs, and houseguests as potential friends.They are low-maintenance in the grooming department. That short, weather-ready coat needs little more than a weekly brush and the occasional bath. Those long, floppy ears do need regular checks and cleaning, though.They are compact and adaptable. A 20-something-pound dog fits a lot of lives, doing well in apartments and houses, city and country, as long as they get real daily exercise.They are up for anything. Hikes, fetch, a long sniffy walk, a romp with other dogs at the park. Beagles bring a cheerful, game-for-it energy that makes them a great match for active people and families.Cons of owning a beagleThey are vocal. Beagles bark, and they bay, that distinctive drawn-out hound howl. It is part of the charm for many owners and a genuine consideration if you have close neighbors or thin walls.They dig. A beagle who catches an interesting scent at the fence line may decide to excavate it, especially if left alone too long.They are independent thinkers. A beagle’s nose outranks your voice, so once they are locked onto a scent, recall gets unreliable fast. Positive, food-motivated training works well here.They are relentless about food, a trait that shapes everything about feeding and long-term health (more on that below).Keeping your beagle at a healthy weight starts with portion-controlled, nutrient-dense fresh food.Beagle temperament: The nose-first dogEverything about a beagle’s personality routes back through that remarkable nose. They are scent hounds, bred over centuries to pick up a trail and stay on it for hours, and that hardware did not switch off when they moved from the hunt to the couch.In practice, the nose-first wiring shows up as selective hearing, a powerful pull to roam, and a talent for finding food you were certain was out of reach. Counter-surfing, trash-investigating, and backpack-raiding are not bad behavior so much as a beagle doing exactly what a beagle was built to do.The upside of all that drive is a dog who is curious, engaged, and a joy to keep busy. Scent games, snuffle mats, food puzzles, and “find it” work are irresistible to a beagle, and they double as a way to feed the brain without overfeeding the body. A beagle thrives in company and struggles with long stretches alone, where boredom curdles into barking, digging, and destruction.Beagle health and common issuesBeagles are, on the whole, a sturdy and long-lived breed, which is part of why they have stayed so popular. But like every breed, they come with a few known predispositions worth knowing about:Weight gain and obesity. The defining health risk of the breed, and the one most directly in an owner’s control. Beagles have a well-documented tendency toward obesity, and their food intake needs to be actively managed rather than left to appetite.Ear infections. Those signature low-set, floppy ears reduce airflow to the ear canal, creating a warm, moist environment where yeast and bacteria can flourish. Weekly ear checks go a long way.Hypothyroidism. An underactive thyroid can show up as weight gain, low energy, and coat changes, and is typically manageable with medication once diagnosed.Eye conditions. Beagles can be prone to cherry eye and glaucoma, both worth flagging to your vet if you notice redness, swelling, or cloudiness.Epilepsy. The breed has a recognized predisposition to idiopathic epilepsy, often well controlled with veterinary care.Joint and back health. Hip dysplasia and intervertebral disc issues can occur, and carrying extra weight makes any joint or spinal vulnerability worse.The throughline across most of this list is bodyweight. Keeping a beagle at a healthy weight is one of the highest-leverage things an owner can do for the breed’s long-term health and comfort.How much should a beagle weigh? And why it mattersA healthy beagle generally lands under about 20 pounds for the smaller variety and in the 20-to-30-pound range for the larger one. But the number on the scale matters less than what you can feel with your hands, because two beagles of the same height can carry very different amounts of fat.The tool vets use is body condition scoring, and you can do a quick version at home:Ribs: You should be able to feel the ribs easily with light pressure, the way you can feel the back of your hand. If you have to press to find them, there is too much padding.Waist: Looking down from above, there should be a visible waist that tucks in behind the ribs. A straight or bulging outline from above is a sign of extra weight.Tuck: From the side, the belly should rise up toward the back legs, not hang level with the chest.This matters because beagle weight management is not a vanity project. Beagles are food-motivated enough that they are used as a model in canine obesity and metabolism research. Excess weight is linked to a longer list of problems, from joint strain to metabolic issues, that can shorten a dog’s good years, according to a study published in 2022. The encouraging flip side: Weight is the one major beagle health lever that is almost entirely in your hands.Beagle nutritional needsA beagle diet should do three jobs at once: Deliver complete, balanced nutrition, satisfy a serious appetite without overdelivering calories, and stay consistent enough that you can actually tell how much your dog is eating.Here’s what that looks like in practice:Quality protein as the foundation, to support lean muscle on an active, compact body.Calorie awareness above all, because the gap between “enough” and “too much” is small on a dog this size. A few extra treats a day add up far faster on a 22-pound beagle than on a 70-pound Lab.Lasting satiety, so a hungry dog feels fed. Whole-food ingredients and adequate protein and fiber help a beagle feel satisfied on an appropriate number of calories.Measured meals, not free-feeding. A bowl left out all day is an open invitation that a beagle will accept every time.Research published in 2025 on food motivation has found that how strongly a dog is driven by food, paired with how closely owners manage feeding, tracks with whether that dog ends up overweight. For a breed that scores near the top on food drive, that finding is basically a beagle owner’s manual: the food itself, and your discipline around it, do most of the work.How much to feed a beagleBecause every dog is different, there is no set number of calories to feed your beagle. The right amount depends on your beagle’s life stage. Puppies need more calories per pound and more frequent meals to fuel growth, size, and activity level.A calorie-measured plan is the obvious answer for a dog like this. Instead of scooping cups and guessing, you feed a known number of calories matched to your beagle’s weight, spay/neuter status, and activity, then adjust to body condition.What is the best dog food for beagles?The best food for beagles is not a single product, but instead a set of qualities. Here’s what to be on the lookout for when scouting for dog food for your beagle:Complete and balanced nutrition appropriate to your beagle’s life stage.Real, recognizable ingredients with quality protein doing the heavy lifting.Built-in portion control, which for this breed is essential.Calorie transparency, so you know exactly what is going in the bowl.This is where fresh, pre-portioned food has a particular advantage for beagles.A beagle who is fed well and kept lean is a beagle set up for a longer, more comfortable, more active life. That is the most meaningful thing nutrition can do for the breed.FAQs about beaglesQ: Are beagles prone to obesity?A: Yes, more than most breeds. Beagles have a strong, well-documented tendency toward weight gain, driven by an unusually high food motivation, and their intake needs to be actively managed. The good news is that it is highly preventable with measured meals, treat discipline, and regular exercise.Q: What is the best dog food for a beagle?A: A complete, balanced, life-stage-appropriate food made with quality ingredients and, crucially for this breed, one that makes portion control easy.Q: Is fresh food good for beagles?A: Yes. Beyond precise portioning, fresh food that uses quality ingredients and protein that helps a beagle feel satisfied on an appropriate number of calories makes the breed’s constant food-seeking far easier to manage.Q: How much should I feed my beagle per day?A: Enough to maintain a lean body condition, which varies with age, size, and activity rather than landing on one universal number. Use body condition (easily felt ribs, a visible waist, a belly tuck) as your guide, keep treats to roughly 10% of daily calories, and feed measured meals instead of free-feeding.Q: Do beagles have digestive problems?A: Beagles are not an especially sensitive-stomach breed, but their habit of eating things they find (trash, counter scraps, mystery objects on walks) lands plenty of them in dietary trouble. A consistent, high-quality diet and keeping food and garbage genuinely out of reach prevent most issues.Q: Are beagles picky eaters or food-motivated?A: They are famously food-motivated and near the very top of the scale. Picky is rarely the problem with a beagle. That enthusiasm is a gift for training but a liability for the waistline, so the goal is to channel it rather than indulge it.Q: What human foods are dangerous for beagles?A: The same foods that are toxic to all dogs, and a determined beagle nose makes accidental exposure more likely. Keep chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol, macadamia nuts, and alcohol well out of reach. If your beagle gets into any of these, contact your vet or a pet poison helpline right away.Q: Do beagles need a special diet for their nose or scent work?A: No, there is no special “scent food.” What actually supports a working or playing nose is the same thing that supports the whole dog: complete, balanced nutrition and a healthy weight.This story was produced by Ollie and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	LeClaire man charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor The man was arrested following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to Iowa’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
	Iowa Board of Regents approves $9B budget, extends UI president’s contract The Iowa Board of Regents approved next year's university budgets, highlighting major cost-saving measures and a contract extension for UI's president.
	Rust Belt Americana Antique Swap & Auction, August 6 through 8 Boasting thrilling auctions, a bustling swap meet, and an atmosphere steeped in Americana charm, the Rust Belt Americana Antique Swap & Auction takes place at East Moline's Bend XPO from August 6 through 8, the event hosted hy Rob Wolfe of American Pickers fame, and promising rare items and unforgettable moments on the beautiful bank of the Mississippi River.
	Linn County houses more than 400 ICE detainees this year as immigration enforcement rises New numbers from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office show Linn County has booked hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees this year.
	University of Iowa’s Center for Intellectual Freedom pauses courses until 2028 The pause comes after Republicans in the state legislature just passed a law requiring undergraduate students to take classes at the new center.
	Vietnam memorial replica wall arrives in Brooklyn "The Wall That Heals," a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be open and free for the public to visit.
	Vast produce supply chain complicates tracking cyclospora in Missouri and Kansas The summer months typically bring a small uptick in cyclospora, which is considered a parasitic infection that spreads through food or the use of contaminated water (Centers for Disease Control, Naomi O'Donnell/The Beacon).The same food supply chain that lets restaurants serve nearly identical produce in Missouri, Michigan or California can also make it remarkably difficult to figure out where contamination began when Americans get sick. As cyclospora cases climb across Missouri and Kansas, public health investigators are working backward through a supply chain that can stretch thousands of miles and cross international borders before fresh produce ever reaches our table. Every confirmed case of cyclospora, which is famously afflicting patients with “explosive diarrhea,” triggers an interview that can last up to an hour as public health investigators and epidemiologists ask patients to recall meals from days, or even weeks, earlier. The summer months typically bring a small uptick in cyclospora, which is considered a parasitic infection that spreads through food or the use of contaminated water. But the scope seen across the country this year stands out as the country’s largest outbreak in recent history, sending local, state and federal investigators searching for a common source. And the painstaking process of finding the source of the illness in just one person in Kansas or Missouri highlights a larger challenge: Produce can move through the hands of dozens of farms, packing facilities, grocery stores or restaurants in days. When contamination occurs, tracing it back through that system can take weeks. How investigators track cyclospora cases in Missouri and Kansas Missouri has reported nearly 600 cyclospora cases as of July 27, while Kansas has reported 289. In a typical year, officials in Jackson County see between three and seven cases, which can often be connected to international travel. Nationwide, at least 41 states have reported cases. More than 4,000 cases have been confirmed by testing, with another 7,400 cases that were not confirmed by lab testing. Overall, the country has seen 308 hospitalizations related to the infection so far. In 2025, the country recorded about 2,700 cases total. Cyclospora Cases Source: Centers for Disease Control The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it factors in a six-week reporting lag between the onset of an illness and when cases are actually reported to the CDC, and it anticipates cases continuing to rise. This summer, officials say emergency departments across the region have also seen an uptick in patients arriving at the hospital with diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. In Boone County, Missouri, where health officials are investigating cases in dozens of patients, each interview can take up to an hour. “It is becoming quite a time-consuming endeavor to single in on a common theme,” said Austin Krohn, the public information specialist for Columbia and Boone County Public Health. And the process is made longer by conflicting information from federal officials and major distributors as to the cause of the outbreak. Federal officials initially pointed to Taylor Farms, a major lettuce farmer and distributor, as the cause of much of the contaminated lettuce moving throughout the country. Major food retailers like Taco Bell voluntarily pulled shredded lettuce from their menus, but the Food and Drug Administration later backtracked, saying testing resulted in a false positive result. For health officials trying to find the cause of illness, the uncertainty at the federal level made the process all the more difficult. “The false positive thing that’s been going on with the FDA maybe lengthened the process here,” Krohn said. Investigators must ask where people ate, where they shopped and what symptoms they experienced. Plus, the infection can take up to two weeks to show symptoms, making tracking even more complex. “It’s incredibly complicated with this one because there is a gestation period that can potentially last up to two weeks,” Krohn said. “You have to recall all these things because symptoms can potentially start appearing much later.” Because many people can recover at home without ever going to the doctor, the number of cases is almost certainly higher than what is being reported, Krohn said. “Numbers are most assuredly going to go up in an official capacity and in a nonofficial capacity,” he said. Local cyclospora cases feed the national picture Investigations don’t stop at the county level. They get elevated to state officials, who then compile data and share it with the federal government. Officials in Jackson County are working diligently to identify potential sources of contamination. “The distribution network as it pertains to our food is very, very complex in this country,” said Ray Dlugolecki, the assistant health director at Jackson County Public Health. “Without a centralized entity looking at the data from a large, 70,000-foot perspective, it can take some time to identify sources.” Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services is participating in weekly calls with all 50 states and the CDC to coordinate with public health officials across the country, said Nathan Koffarnus, a Missouri state epidemiologist. “When we get enough really good data from all the questionnaires and the interviews,” Koffarnus said, “the CDC compiles that and does a big data study on it. That’s when they can really identify these clusters of illness that maybe all come from a common source.” The complexity of tracking cases is a byproduct of a nationwide food system tailored to convenience and consistency, regardless of season or geography. How market consolidation can lead to a lack of transparency in the food supply chain Restaurants and grocery chains depend on consistency, said Darin Detwiler, a food safety and supply chain expert at Northeastern University. Customers expect the same quality whether they’re eating in Missouri and Kansas or on the coasts. Demand from large restaurant chains and grocery retailers prioritizes consistency year-round, Detwiler said, despite the fact that most produce is limited to certain seasons in the majority of North America. That can lead to consolidation and large distributors owning major parts of the market. Detwiler pointed to changes in enforcement rules for the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was passed by Congress in 2010. One part of the law asked producers to test water and water treatment beginning in 2016, but industry lobbyists pushed back on the rule, arguing it was too expensive to do. “All of the sudden, boom, we are hit in 2017, 2018, 2019 with all of these leafy green, romaine lettuce outbreaks and recalls,” Detwiler said. And as the cyclospora outbreak continues across the country, changes in federal rules are a topic of conversation. The FDA’s new food traceability rule was set to take effect in January of this year, with the goal of requiring more standard recordkeeping for certain high-risk foods. But enforcement of the rule was delayed until July 2028. The CDC has also reduced the number of pathogens it tracks — including cyclospora — in its FoodNet program, the primary foodborne illness disease surveillance effort. Although illnesses are still reportable through other systems, the changes no longer require producers to collect the same level of data. “Here we are, and this past weekend has been quite eye-opening for the American consumer,” Detwiler said. “It’s not about access and sustainability as much as it is also that trust and confidence in the safety of the product,” Detwiler said. Even with some digitization improving traceability efforts across the supply chain, a lack of transparency in how food reaches the American consumer is creating uncertainty, Detwiler said. “It’s the transparency that is causing what I’ll classify as a certainty gap — you have to understand whether to trust them or not,” he added. The case for shorter supply chains Some advocates for more regionalized food systems say outbreaks like this expose another consequence of market consolidation. Katie Nixon is a Missouri farmer and the food systems director at Nevada, Missouri-based nonprofit New Growth, which is in part working to strengthen local and regional food systems. Nixon said shorter supply chains aren’t immune to foodborne illness or contamination problems, but she argues problems are often easier to trace and the system provides more transparency to consumers. “Over the years, we’ve lost many of our medium-sized farms. Small farms are kind of stuck in small-farmness, and medium farms get bought up by the big guys. Then the big guys get bought up by the mega guys,” Nixon said. “It seems like in this system, it’s just so massive that it’s kind of been lost track of,” she said. Regional food systems can create greater accountability and trust, Nixon said, because produce moves through fewer hands before reaching customers. “When you have regional food systems, it can only go so far,” Nixon said. “You can’t make the entire country sick from one packing facility because that packing facility wouldn’t have the capacity to service the entire country.” In shorter food supply chains, growers, distributors and buyers are more likely to know one another and their customers, Nixon said. “A lot of times accountability is a lot stronger because the people know each other,” Nixon said. Still, she acknowledged that regional food systems are often too small and seasonally dependent to serve the needs of many consumers. For investigators, every outbreak begins with the same questions. What did you eat, and when? But for Nixon and others, this summer’s cyclospora outbreak poses a question of what sort of food supply people want. “We’re the backstop,” Nixon said. “You want those customers to be steady customers, not just emergency customers.” This article first appeared on Beacon: Kansas City and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Courtesy of Missouri Independent
	Are we exposed to more heavy metals today? Are we exposed to more heavy metals today?From lead paint chips to trace parts per billion (ppb) in cookies, exposure to heavy metals has decreased in recent decades. In this story, LMNT details the progress made on this front even as public questions persist.From 1976 to 1980, the average American's blood contained about 12.8 micrograms of lead per deciliter (µg/dL), roughly three and a half times today's reference value of 3.5 µg/dL. Thanks to decades of regulation, median blood levels of lead in young children have dropped 95% in a generation. Yet we worry more about trace metals in everyday foods than our grandparents did about lead paint.Science keeps improving its ability to detect trace substances, but public understanding hasn't kept pace.Let’s break down how heavy metal testing has evolved — and what those measurements actually mean — so you can make sense of the scope when seeing toxicology reports (like the panic over protein powders not too long ago) make the news.Heavy Metal Exposure in the Past vs. TodayLead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium are naturally occurring elements — part of the Earth’s crust, air, and water. But human use amplified our exposure:Early medicines and cosmetics used mercury and arsenic for their perceived healing to treat everything from blemishes to snake bites.The Industrial Revolution brought cadmium runoff from mining.The early 20th century expanded the problem with leaded gasoline and lead-based paints.Practices like these caused environmental and health disasters, including Minamata Bay in Japan (mercury poisoning), "Itai-itai" disease in Japan (cadmium poisoning), arsenic-tainted wells in Bangladesh that affected millions, and perhaps most well-known, the Flint, Michigan water crisis that exposed tens of thousands of residents to elevated lead levels in drinking water.By 1980, we finally had national-scale data to quantify the lead crisis. The Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey measured an average U.S. blood-lead level of 12.8 µg/dL with more than one in five young children exceeding 20 µg/dL — confirming how widespread the exposure really was across the country.When Heavy Metal Regulation Started WorkingFrom the late 1960s into the 1990s, researchers such as Herbert Needleman, M.D. observed an association between elevated lead levels and impaired cognitive and behavioral development. It added to a growing awareness of lead's broader health hazards that drove decades of regulation.These findings reframed lead as a developmental toxin rather than a benign industrial material, which spurred a wave of regulatory action:1970 - Clean Air Act: Empowered the EPA to regulate airborne contaminants, setting the foundation for the phase-out of lead gasoline (completed in 1996). This contributed to declining blood-lead levels across the US.1978 - Consumer Product Safety Commission ban: This ban on lead-based paint, which prohibited the sale of residential paint containing more than 0.06% lead by weight, a primary source of exposure for children. As a result, homes built after 1978 have dramatically lower lead hazard levels, and children in newer homes have lower blood-lead levels overall.1986 - Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments and 1991 Lead and Copper Rule: These regulations collectively limited lead in plumbing materials and set strict thresholds for water system lead content. After these rules took effect, tap water lead levels dropped substantially across US water systems.1990s - 2000s - Strengthened food safety oversight: FDA actions limited lead in foods and packaging. Many companies voluntarily stopped using lead cans in the 1970s, which dramatically decreased dietary lead exposure.The takeaway: Targeted, evidence-based regulation works.Now, population blood lead levels are monitored through the ongoing NHANES survey program.NHANES recruits new samples of people across the U.S. Each year, thousands of participants complete interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory testing, including blood lead measurement for eligible participants. Complex sampling and statistical weighting are used to produce nationally representative estimates.That means we’re not guessing whether Americans’ lead exposure has risen or fallen based only on environmental measurements or food testing. We can look at how much lead is showing up in people’s blood and track changes over decades.Why Testing Shows More ‘Problems’ Now: Modern Detection and MisunderstandingSo why does it feel like heavy metals are everywhere? Because modern testing can see almost everything.Today’s instruments can detect elements in parts per billion — with one part per billion being the equivalent of a single drop in an Olympic-sized pool. That precision is a major win for safety monitoring but also a recipe for misunderstanding.It started in the 1970s when toxicologist Dr. Bruce Ames developed a test so sensitive it could detect mutagens in everyday foods like coffee. People misinterpreted this to believe that coffee causes cancer. Ames had to clarify that detection did not equal danger and that science’s ability to measure something doesn’t automatically make it meaningful.Fast forward to today’s information age, and misinformation spreads faster than facts. A single headline, TikTok clip, or infographic can ignite national (and even international) panic before experts have time to explain what the data mean. Detection technology has outpaced science literacy, and fear often fills the gap.That’s why trace findings often sound alarming — because the numbers are missing context. For example, a two-cookie serving with 1 microgram (µg) of lead may seem worrisome until you learn that a medium carrot contains 1.7 mcg and a medium potato has 2.4 mcg, simply because plants naturally absorb minerals from soil. To put that in perspective, a microgram is about the size of one bacterial cell — invisible to the naked eye.The presence of heavy metals in parts per billion doesn’t imply harm. Toxicity depends on dose, exposure, bioavailability, and your body’s own ability to metabolize and excrete substances. It also depends on a person’s individual susceptibility — children and pregnant women are more particularly vulnerable.When Heavy Metal Safety Standards Don’t Reflect ScienceModern food and environmental safety programs should continue refining how we monitor contaminants, but not all standards are created equal.Take California’s Proposition 65: It was originally designed to protect drinking water from industrial contamination, then was later applied to foods and packaged goods without accounting for bioavailability — how much of a substance your body absorbs.The result? Proposition 65 requires the “no observable effect level” to be divided by 1,000 in order to provide an ample margin of safety. The limit is so strict it flags even trace amounts naturally found in natural foods.Prop 65 isn’t recognized by the FDA or EPA as a federal safety standard, and while its intent may be protective, its limits often don’t reflect toxicological reality.In truth, if you eat whole foods like vegetables, grains, or meats, you’re already consuming more than a microgram of lead a day — another reminder that detection isn’t danger. LMNT Source: Assessment of trace metals in five most-consumed vegetables in the US: Conventional vs. organicAre We Safer From Heavy Metals Today?There was a time when metal toxicity was a genuine public-health threat. Leaded gasoline, lead-based paint, and industrial discharge were not abstract risks; they were widespread, persistent exposures with real consequences.We have largely won that battle. Those major sources have been dramatically reduced or eliminated in the United States, and the result is a generational drop in exposure to lead.Today, what remains is largely trace amounts that have always existed in the natural world, and their continued detection is a sign of progress, not regression. Our bodies are not passive vessels, either; they’re equipped with robust systems that process and clear many compounds safely, including trace heavy metals naturally found in foods, drinks, and household items. Of course, your body’s ability to eliminate heavy metals will vary based on the exact metal and your level of exposure. You can learn more about that here.We are, in many ways, safer than ever.The real progress story isn’t hidden in trace detections, it’s in decades of data that prove science-backed regulations have drastically reduced real risk.FAQQ: Is lead exposure higher now than in the past? A: No, lead exposure is dramatically lower now. Blood lead levels in young kids were a median of 15 μg/dL in 1976 to 1980 but dropped 95% to 0.7 μg/dL in young children by 2016 in large part due to lead paint bans and unleaded gasoline regulations.Q: When was lead paint banned in the United States? A: Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission after evidence showed health impacts, especially on children's development.Q: Are heavy metals in food worse now than before? A: No, heavy metal exposure from just about all sources is much lower now than in recent history. Modern testing simply detects trace amounts that were always present but couldn't be measured when exposures were genuinely dangerous.This story was produced by LMNT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What are Trump Accounts for kids? And should you open one? What are Trump Accounts for kids? And should you open one?Trump Accounts, the president’s foray into free cash for American children, officially launched on July 4, the nation’s 250th birthday.The accounts are designed to help families grow savings for children from the time they’re born, capitalizing on the 20 years or so they presumably have before entering the workforce. Babies born between the start of 2025 and the end of 2028 get $1,000 in seed money from the government for their accounts, which can grow with additional contributions from family, friends and parents’ employers.“We’ll ensure that Americans don’t just end their lives with a nest egg, but instead, all Americans will begin their lives with a beautiful nest egg,” Trump said in January. “There’s never been anything quite like this.”Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called it the “most important government benefit for young people since the GI Bill.”But exactly how far-reaching the policy will be in practice remains an open question, 19th News reports. Families need to sign up for the accounts. They are not automatically opted into them, which means information on how to enroll needs to reach those who need it most. And to have the highest returns, families would need to continue contributing to the accounts past the $1,000 seed money, meaning higher-income families stand to gain the most.There’s evidence that the Trump administration is working to reach some vulnerable populations. The Social Security Administration announced it would allow parents to open a Trump Account for their newborns at the hospital when they register for a Social Security card, a policy that will likely boost signups. State child welfare agencies will also be able to open accounts for foster children in their care, an effort led by First Lady Melania Trump called “Fostering the Future.” States would be allowed to contribute funds they receive to assist foster children, such as disability benefits, into Trump Accounts. About half of states have signed up to participate as of July 1.So far, more than 5.5 million families have made moves to establish a Trump Account. About 1.4 million of those are eligible for the $1,000 seed money. In all, 86% of those applicants are families that have incomes below $200,000.If you’re considering opening an account for your child, here’s what you need to know.What are Trump Accounts?Trump Accounts are investment accounts designed to help children begin accruing wealth. All eligible American children can open one, but babies born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, get a $1,000 contribution from the federal government into their accounts.Parents, family, friends and others can contribute up to $5,000 combined a year into the accounts, though they are not required to. That contribution limit will be indexed to inflation after 2027. Up to $2,500 a year can also come from parents’ employers, with some restrictions.Beneficiaries generally cannot withdraw money before age 18 — or around 2043 for babies born in 2025, which is when the account becomes more like a traditional individual retirement account (IRA).Who is eligible?American children with a valid Social Security number are eligible to open a Trump Account. Children whose immigration status has changed can apply for a Trump Account once they receive a new Social Security card that reflects the change.Legal guardians, parents, adult siblings or grandparents, in that order of priority, can open accounts for a child, according to the IRS. Authorized individuals do not need to be American citizens or have a Social Security number to open an account for an American citizen child. They may use their IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) in the application.Who gets the $1,000 investment?Only children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, get a $1,000 contribution from the federal government into their accounts. For all other kids, parents and guardians can open an account before a child turns 18; they just won’t get the seed money.The $1,000 government contribution does not count against the $5,000 annual contribution limit.Is there any other money available?Yes. Nonprofits and governments can contribute to Trump Accounts with no limits. However, those contributions need to be made in equal amounts to all the Trump Accounts for all beneficiaries living in a specific geographic area or born in a specific year, according to an analysis of the policy by the Bipartisan Policy Center. The requirement was designed to bar donations that would benefit only a certain group or demographic.The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation has already committed $6.25 billion to add $250 to every account for children ages 10 and under — an estimated 25 million kids. Micron, the semiconductor manufacturer, is investing $250 million into Trump Accounts, depositing $250 for children under 18 in the states where it operates: Idaho, New York, Virginia, California, Colorado, Minnesota and Texas. Dalio Philanthropies, from the billionaire founder of asset management firm Bridgewater Associates, is adding another $250 for 300,000 children in Connecticut, targeting those under 10 in certain low-income ZIP codes.Dozens of employers, including Bank of America, Chipotle and Steak ‘n Shake, have also committed to contributing to Trump Accounts on behalf of their employees.How much could this make?In his State of the Union address earlier this year, Trump claimed the accounts could accrue $100,000 or more by the time kids are 18, but experts have pointed out that those estimates fail to account for a number of factors, including inflation, the future of U.S. stock returns and taxes once the funds are withdrawn. The $1,000 in seed money, if left untouched, is more likely to grow to $35,000 over 55 years, or about $8,000 after adjusting for inflation and taxes, according to one estimate from the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right think tank.Still, those are real earnings that could support wealth accumulation in childhood, which has been found to increase children’s chances of pursuing higher education and, ultimately, secure better-paying jobs.“When we have a national policy like a Trump Account that says, ‘We are trying to prepare children so when they become adults they have some bit of savings,’ I think that’s directionally correct,” said Elaine Maag, co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center at the Urban Institute. But the true potential in the policy will depend on how well it can reach those who need it the most, she said.How do I sign up?Parents or guardians must enroll children either by filing a Form 4547 with their taxes or online through the IRS at irs.gov/trumpaccounts. Accounts can be managed online at trumpaccounts.gov or on the Trump Accounts app.Is there a deadline?No. Children can be enrolled anytime before they turn 18.What should I expect if I have already filled out a Form 4547?You should have received an email from no-reply@TrumpAccounts.Treasury.gov prompting you to complete your child’s Trump Account activation.You should follow those instructions to set up the account through the Trump Accounts app or on the TrumpAccounts.gov website.When will the money come in?Beginning July 4, the Treasury Department will deposit the $1,000 seed funds into accounts and families and other contributors are free to begin adding funds.What are the benefits of a Trump account?The key benefit that sets Trump Accounts apart is that contributions can be made before a child earns an income, unlike other traditional IRAs. That allows the money to accrue much earlier and potentially grow through compounding investment returns.“Very few savings products give families $1,000 immediately, and investing that money over nearly two decades can provide a meaningful financial head start,” Stephen Roll, an assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University and research director of the Center for Social Development, where he’s been involved in research on cash transfers and child savings.Children who receive extra funds through governments, philanthropies or their parents’ employers also stand to benefit from the free cash, especially babies who get the seed funding.“If you have a child born between 2025 and 2028, Trump Accounts are likely going to be one of the best options for opening a savings fund simply because there’s a substantial financial incentive attached to it,” Roll said. “Most child savings plans will not hand you $1,000 simply for opening an account.”Are there other savings accounts that could be better to use than a Trump Account?In many cases, yes, but it depends on the goal of the account.If parents or caregivers intend to save money for a child’s education, a 529 college savings plan is likely better suited because it benefits from state tax breaks and the contribution limits are higher.A brokerage account could also be a better option. Families can contribute money with no limits and the account may outperform a Trump Account after taxes, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center’s analysis. Investment gains in brokerage accounts are generally taxed at lower long-term capital gains rates instead of ordinary income tax rates, like with Trump Accounts.Critically, however, the Trump Accounts also won’t address some of the affordability challenges that are squeezing families right now and that are likely to be key to the upcoming midterm election. The earliest kids will generally be able to withdraw the funds is in 2043.“Any kind of savings account that you cannot access until you’re 18 will not meet any of your today’s needs,” Maag said, adding that families that are struggling to pay their rent or childcare will have less to contribute to grow their kids’ Trump Accounts. “It’s hard to imagine if you’re struggling to meet your day-to-day needs, you’re gonna have a lot of ability to contribute to these accounts.”Low-income families who face a host of financial emergencies over the course of their kids’ lives due to housing or work instability could benefit from a fund they could tap into for those expenses, rather than one that locks them out until their children become adults, said Roll, an assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University and research director of the Center for Social Development, where he’s been involved in research on cash transfers and child savings.“A dollar that keeps a family housed or puts food on the table today may do more for a child than a dollar the family cannot reach for years,” he said.Is the money taxed?Yes. Contributions from family or friends are made with after-tax dollars and any investment returns on those contributions are taxed upon withdrawal. When a child turns 18, their Trump Account becomes more like a traditional IRA and operates under those rules. Withdrawals made before a beneficiary is 59 and a half years old are typically subject to a 10% tax with only a couple of exceptions, including withdrawals made for higher education, a first home purchase or birth or adoption costs.Contributions from employers, governments or nonprofits are not counted as taxable income for the employee, but they will be taxed when withdrawn, according to the Congressional Research Service’s overview of the policy.Are there limitations to the policy?Advocates have argued that certain groups will face additional barriers when applying for Trump Accounts. Immigrant families, for example, who are usually less likely to fill out government forms for fear of retribution, may be even less likely to apply now due to the increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, Maag said.“Given the climate, there is evidence that people, even when they are eligible for benefits, may opt to not take up those benefits,” she said. “It certainly seems reasonable that this sort of effect would apply to these accounts as well. If people are nervous about giving their data to the government, then they might choose not to take the benefit up.”Low-income families who are less likely to have a savings account could also be left out because each part of the enrollment process will create barriers for them: Families must know this option exists, trust it, enroll and activate their accounts.“Each of those steps creates greater barriers for low-income families, families with limited English proficiency and families disconnected from the tax or financial systems,” Roll said. Targeting messaging to those families and helping them go through the process may help substantially.Roll and others have also argued that because the program is opt-in — meaning families need to apply, they won’t receive the funds automatically — that will leave thousands of eligible families out of the benefit. He cited a similar child savings account program in Maine that was also opt-in. Higher-income families with higher levels of education were more likely to enroll, until the structure switched to automatic enrollment, raising participation rates from 40% to 100% and lifting low-income families along the way.“Higher-income families generally have more time, financial knowledge and disposable income to navigate and contribute to a new investment account,” Roll said. “Without automatic enrollment and more progressive contributions, Trump Accounts risk concentrating the largest benefits among families that already have the greatest capacity to save.”But the recent changes to allow newborns to sign up at the hospital could help improve some of those disparities, said Jason Ewas, the associate director of lifelong saving and investing at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program. The Social Security Administration said it’s issuing updated guidance to hospitals and working to update its forms to allow parents to sign up for accounts there, as well as at birthing centers and through a licensed midwife.“This is a very positive development for ensuring the policy works for everyone,” Ewas said. “If implemented well, it makes it much likelier that low- and moderate-income households have an account for their children.”This story was produced by 19th News and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	As political giving mounted, lawmakers backed mental health center Charlotte businessman Michael Estramonte has championed the Katie Blessing Center, a pediatric mental health facility under construction in Charlotte that won $35.2 million in state money. (Photo: Michelle Crouch / NC Health News)This story was co-published by NC Health News and The Charlotte Ledger. In 2020, Charlotte businessman Michael Estramonte set out to build a nonprofit treatment center to create more space for kids in mental health crisis. The idea quickly won support from state and local lawmakers. Since 2023, the Katie Blessing Center has secured more than $40 million in public money, including $35.2 million from the state. Supporters say the project’s success reflects the state’s desperate need for more psychiatric beds for kids. The 70,000-square-foot center, scheduled to open in 2027, will house 72 inpatient beds, a behavioral health urgent care and outpatient services, making it the state’s largest pediatric behavioral health facility. But for veteran campaign finance watchdog Bob Hall, the size and speed of the state’s investment in a private facility also raised a question: What role, if any, did campaign contributions play in winning political support for the center? Hall’s analysis of state campaign finance records shows Estramonte and 19 of his relatives, business associates and relatives of associates contributed nearly $1 million to political campaigns of state and local politicians between 2023 and 2026, which is when elected officials were considering funding for the center. “I can count on one hand the number of people who could put together that much money,” Hall said. “Then all of a sudden, he’s getting these huge grants that others can’t get.” Hall told The Ledger/NC Health News he filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections last week alleging some of the people listed as donors and who are connected to Estramonte may not have been the true donors — an allegation Estramonte strongly denies. Although campaign finance complaints by law are confidential, Hall shared a redacted version with The Ledger/NC Health News, along with electronic confirmation that the board had received it. It asks elections officials to investigate the possibility that some of the donations violated campaign finance laws. After the complaint was filed, The Ledger/NC Health News reached out to donors connected to Estramonte listed in state records. Three said they made the contributions recorded under their names. Multiple others couldn’t be reached or did not return phone calls before publication. “I know of every donation that I made, and I made those decisions on my own and with no expectations,” said Tracey Hummell, chief operating officer of Starmount Healthcare Management, Estramonte’s company. Records show Hummell gave $88,000 to candidates between 2021 and 2024. Estramonte: Allegation “not based in facts” In written answers to questions, Estramonte said he became more active in public policy beginning in 2021 and hosted political fundraisers for candidates from both parties. He said he never made a contribution in anyone else’s name or asked anyone to contribute with an understanding that they would be reimbursed. “Any allegation of that nature is an allegation not based in facts or evidence,” he wrote. “Any decisions to contribute were made by the individuals themselves.” Estramonte, a chiropractor, is the CEO of StarMed Healthcare, a Charlotte company that grew rapidly during the coronavirus pandemic by opening sites for COVID-19 testing and COVID vaccine administration. He also owns Starmount Healthcare Management and a Charlotte chiropractic clinic. He has described himself as an entrepreneur who likes to solve problems that the traditional health care system struggles to address. In an interview before Hall filed his complaint, Estramonte said the center became a passion project for him when he learned about children waiting for weeks in emergency rooms because of a shortage of psychiatric beds. The issue became personal, he said, after several close friends struggled to find treatment for their children. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. A surge in political giving Hall, the retired executive director of Democracy NC, has spent decades combing through campaign finance reports and filing formal complaints when he finds irregularities. His complaints have prompted investigations and resulted in consequences for members of both parties, including former Democratic House Speaker Jim Black and former Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Hall said the size of the state’s investment in a private facility prompted him to take a closer look at contributions that could be tied to the project. He argues that the $35 million for the Katie Blessing Center could have been directed to other pressing health care needs, such as supporting rural hospitals and clinics. Hall’s analysis of public records shows that giving by Estramonte, his family members and 13 Starmount associates and their relatives — most of whom have no previous record of contributing to a North Carolina political campaign — totaled $931,308 between 2023 and 2026. Among the named donors are Estramonte’s mother, Kathleen Rooney (Katie Blessing Rooney, for whom the center is named), who is listed as giving $59,000; the daughter of a Starmount human resources director, identified in the records as a yoga and meditation app employee, who is listed as giving $21,200; and Estramonte’s executive assistant, who is shown as giving $10,650. The contributions sometimes arrived in clusters. For example, on April 17, 2023, 13 Estramonte relatives, employees and associates are listed as giving $6,400 to Democrat Gov. Josh Stein. And on March 21, 2024, Estramonte and five people connected to him are listed as giving $6,400 each to former Republican Rep. Jason Saine, who at the time was senior chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Asked about those dates, Estramonte said he hosted fundraising events where multiple people made contributions. “I did not direct or require anyone who worked for me or any of my family to make a contribution or dictate the amount of any contribution,” he said. Contributions coincided with funding Stein was the largest single recipient ($209,000), but top Republican legislative leaders also received substantial sums, including Saine ($102,000), Sen. Michael Lee ($74,000), House Speaker Destin Hall ($69,000), Senate leader Phil Berger ($65,000) and Sen. Dave Craven ($56,000). Estramonte’s companies also began hiring lobbyists in 2023. Starmount Management spent $97,771 on six contract lobbyists that year, according to state records, and $142,508 on seven lobbyists in 2025. The increase in lobbying and political giving coincided with a series of public funding decisions. State lawmakers awarded $5 million to the Katie Blessing Center in 2023-24 and $12.5 million in 2024-25, before allocating another $17.7 million in their most recent budget, which was signed into law this month. The center also received $2.5 million from the city of Charlotte and $2 million from Mecklenburg County in 2024. Sen. Woodson Bradley, a Mecklenburg Democrat who advocated for state funding for the center, said she was still “very surprised” by the size of its funding allocation when she first saw the Republican-crafted budget. She said the money for the center was one reason she voted for the spending plan, adding that the facility will be “life-changing for families.” Filling a gap Estramonte said he spent months explaining to state lawmakers why North Carolina needed more pediatric psychiatric beds and how a public-private partnership would stretch public dollars. “They loved the project,” he said, adding that the center’s foundation invested $20 million of its own money in the center. He said it’s not surprising that the center got state funding because it aligns with the state’s long-standing push to expand access to mental health services. Estramonte said the facility won’t just serve Charlotte but will be a statewide resource, with about half of its residential patients expected to come from outside the region and an estimated 50 percent to 70 percent of patients covered by Medicaid. The center has agreed to treat some of the state’s most difficult psychiatric cases, he said — the children the state has the most trouble placing. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Do contributions influence votes? Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said it’s not unusual for organizations to hire lobbyists and make campaign contributions when they are seeking public funds. While those activities are legal, he said, they raise broader questions about whether large donations help some interests get more attention than others from lawmakers. Research suggests campaign contributions rarely change how a lawmaker votes, he said. Instead, they can help get an issue on a lawmaker’s radar and encourage them to champion it. “It’s very hard to find evidence of vote buying,” he said. “What we do find is that you’re moving that person from a passive supporter to an active supporter more likely to advocate for issues important to you.” Jane Pinsky, former director of the NC Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform, said people who make campaign contributions have long been favored by N.C. lawmakers. “You give enough campaign money, you get something,” she said. “Average citizens need to realize that this is our money being spent.” If the state needed a new psychiatric facility, she said, it should have put the project out for bid and considered multiple proposals. Rep. Carla Cunningham — a Mecklenburg Democrat who campaign finance records show received $15,000 from Estramonte and about $6,000 from his family members and employees — said those gifts had nothing to do with her support for the center. “We need the beds,” she said, adding that 300 to 400 North Carolina children are forced out of state every year for psychiatric care. “This isn’t just a problem in Mecklenburg but in the entire state. I’m a parent. I know what that experience is to be at the emergency psychiatric triage and they don’t have a bed, or they have a bed two or three hours away from home.” This article is part of a partnership between The Charlotte Ledger and North Carolina Health News to produce original health care reporting. You can support this effort with a tax-deductible donation. This article first appeared on North Carolina Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: “https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/07/29/questions-surround-donations-for-katie-blessing-center/”, urlref: window.location.href }); } } Courtesy of NC Newsline
	Virginia launches new unit targeting illegal vapes and intoxicants A vape shop in Chester. A new enforcement unit within the attorney general’s office will oversee compliance with state laws governing vaping products, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom. (Photo by Mechelle Hankerson/Virginia Mercury)Virginia is creating an enforcement unit to oversee the rapidly expanding market for vaping products, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom, consolidating several regulatory responsibilities within the attorney general’s office. Attorney General Jay Jones announced the Regulated Products Enforcement Unit on Thursday, saying it will handle civil enforcement, retail compliance, product directories and public education as new intoxicating products continue to enter the market. Inspectors assigned to the unit will monitor retailers, conduct compliance checks and coordinate enforcement with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and other state agencies. The office will also be able to pursue civil penalties and other legal action against manufacturers, distributors and retailers accused of violating state law. “New intoxicating products and substances enter the market every single day, many of which include dangerous or illegal ingredients and are deceptively packaged, labeled, and marketed to consumers,” Jones said in a statement. “Many of these products even target children, causing irreparable harm to their lives and their futures.” Thursday’s announcement follows several years of legislative efforts to tighten oversight of products commonly sold in vape shops, convenience stores and other retailers. Virginia’s vapor product law generally prohibits the sale of liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products unless they appear in a directory maintained by the attorney general’s office. Manufacturers must submit certifications and other documentation demonstrating their products comply with state and federal requirements. Responsibility for reviewing those applications will now fall to the new enforcement unit, which will determine whether products will qualify for sale, monitor changes in their federal regulatory status and work with retailers to explain the rules while removing unauthorized products from the market. Lawmakers expanded that framework this year through the Vape Enforcement Act, sponsored by Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, and Sens. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, and Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico. The measure gave Virginia additional authority and resources to inspect retailers and crack down on unauthorized products and sales to people younger than 21. “For far too long, too many vape shops have been ignoring the law, selling illegal and dangerous products to Virginians, and taking advantage of gaps in the law to sell vapes to kids. That ends now,” VanValkenburg said in a statement. “The General Assembly took action to pass the Vape Enforcement Act, and the AG’s new unit is ready to move against businesses that repeatedly disregard the law.” Another law approved this year imposed new restrictions on kratom, a supplement that is sold as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever and remedy for opioid withdrawal. It prohibits sales to anyone younger than 21, requires ingredient labeling and mandates that products be stored behind a counter or in a locked display case. It also bans synthetic and semisynthetic kratom compounds, products intended for vaping or injection and packaging or marketing deemed attractive to children. In addition, the law limits the amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, that kratom products may contain. Derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia, kratom can produce stimulant-like effects at lower doses and opioid-like effects at higher doses. Concentrated or synthetically produced 7-OH products have drawn increasing scrutiny from state and federal regulators. Jones said most businesses want to comply with the law but argued that the growing number of intoxicating products on the market requires a more focused enforcement effort. “We know that most businesses, retailers, manufacturers, and distributors want to follow the rules, and Virginians want to know what they are consuming,” Jones said. “This new unit will educate Virginians and ensure strong accountability for bad actors who violate the law and put our communities at risk.” The attorney general’s office has not yet announced staffing levels or a separate operating budget for the new unit. Virginia has struggled at times to enforce existing restrictions on hemp-derived products. In 2024, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found violations at 82% of the retailers it inspected. Some THC-infused drinks and other products exceeding Virginia’s potency limits also remained available online and in some stores. Other states have also expanded enforcement in recent years as regulators try to keep up with products that often fall between traditional tobacco, cannabis and controlled-substance laws. Pennsylvania established an electronic nicotine delivery system directory under a 2025 law that is administered by the state’s attorney general’s office. Products not included in the directory may be seized beginning in October. California has combined education, inspections and enforcement in campaigns targeting illegal hemp and kratom products. State officials there said investigators visited more than 4,500 businesses during one kratom enforcement effort and identified 61 violations. An earlier crackdown on hemp products produced a compliance rate of more than 99% of businesses licensed by the state’s alcohol regulators. Alabama took a more aggressive approach in June, executing 83 search warrants and seizing nearly 123,000 doses of kratom products during a statewide operation led by the attorney general and state law enforcement officials. Several states have also coordinated enforcement against unauthorized vaping products. Last year, a coalition of 25 attorneys general urged the online marketplace Shopify to stop providing services to websites selling illegal vaping products. Virginia, under then-Attorney General Jason Miyares, did not join the effort. At the time, federal regulators had authorized only 39 e-cigarette products even as unauthorized disposable services continued to dominate much of the market. Beyond enforcement, Virginia’s new unit will also work with advocates, medical professionals and public health organizations to identify emerging products and develop prevention strategies. “The Regulated Products Enforcement Unit is a critical component of Attorney General Jones’ commitment to keeping Virginians safe,” said Helen Hardiman, deputy attorney general of public advocacy. “Through investigation, enforcement, and programmatic work, this unit will ensure that consumers are well informed and protected from harmful products and that bad actors will be held accountable.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Virginia Mercury
	VA Secretary Collins and Rep. Luna discuss psychedelic drug treatment for veterans U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and GOP U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna in Madeira Beach on July 29, 2026. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)MADEIRA BEACH — Military veterans with PTSD and other mental health conditions may soon be able to use psychedelic drugs to aid in their treatment. In April, President Trump signed an executive order directing health regulators to speed up reviews of psychedelic treatments and allocate more funding for research into their use. “I think we’re making massive progress in how we diagnose things, but also how we do new treatments, which in the past was more of a wait-and-see approach, and now we’re being more cutting-edge,” U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs Doug Collins said Wednesday. Collins spoke with reporters after attending a roundtable discussion with military veterans at American Legion Post 273 in Pinellas County with Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. The VA is involved in 20 active clinical trials focused on psychedelic therapies. The first clinical study of psilocybin-assisted therapy in veterans with PTSD was released this week. It found that nine out of 12 veterans no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD one month after treatment. Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in mushrooms. The findings revealed “that PAT (Psilocybin-assisted therapy) is safe, well-tolerated, and shows preliminary clinical improvement for PTSD, suggesting that PAT may offer therapeutic relief for Veterans with severe treatment-resistant PTSD,” wrote researchers at the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education in Columbus, Ohio. “The science does show that it’s effective but it’s not like, ‘Hey, just give them a pill and send them home,’” said Luna, a U.S. Air Force veteran. “There’s a lot that goes into that treatment —also something that I think has been brought to the forefront.” She gave credit to the Trump administration for considering alternative medical treatments for veterans with PTSD, saying “that would not have happened had people like the secretary, President Trump, and also Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushing that, and those impacts it has on veterans’ long-term [care] in preventing suicide is incredible.” News reporters were not invited to attend the roundtable itself, but Luna said the topic of psychedelic therapy “was actually something that was discussed by them, and you will see those suicide numbers go down, which is really ultimately our biggest concern right now.” PTSD affects 6% of U.S. adults but somewhere between 10%-30% of U.S. military veterans, according to the National Center for PTSD. Courtesy of Florida Phoenix
	The most common pressure injury is also the hardest to treat. Here's why The most common pressure injury is also the hardest to treat. Here's whyIt usually starts with something small. A daughter helps her father turn onto his side, the way the nurse showed her, and notices a patch of pink skin at the base of his spine.It does not look like much. It does not hurt him yet. But anyone who has cared for a bedridden loved one knows that this little mark can be the first sign of one of the most stubborn problems in home care: a pressure injury.In hospitals, nursing homes and home care settings alike, pressure injuries affect anyone who spends extended time lying or sitting in one position.Roughly one in eight hospitalized adults worldwide develops one, according to a meta-analysis of more than 2.5 million patients published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies. Among nursing home residents, pooled prevalence runs above 11%.The most vulnerable spot, by a wide margin, is the sacrum, the broad bone at the base of the lower back. Clinicians refer to pressure injuries in this area as sacral wounds.Below, Dimora Medical looks at the causes and care of these common pressure injuries.Why the sacrum is the hardest place to healThe sacrum accounts for around 40% of pressure injury cases in some clinical series and as much as 51% in a recent large-scale study of community-acquired injuries.Sacral wounds are also stubborn to heal. One 2025 review by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology calls pressure injuries "one of the most challenging clinical problems" in medicine, noting that they harm patients "in emotional, psychological, physical and social aspects." Three things explain why this spot is so difficult to treat.First, movement in bed can cause shear. When a patient slides down in bed, even slightly, the skin stays put while the tissue underneath shifts, tearing the tiny blood vessels that keep deep tissue alive. Wounds here are often far worse beneath the surface than they look.Second, the location creates its own problems. Wounds at the base of the spine sit close to the groin, and are regularly exposed to sweat, urine and stool. Skin that stays wet breaks down fast, and there is a constant risk of infection.Third, the shape of the area makes it hard to keep a wound dressing in place. The lower back curves, the skin folds between the buttocks, and the whole area shifts every time the patient moves. It is a hard place to keep any dressing attached.For years, standard dressings made these problems worse rather than better. Gauze drapes well over curves, but it does not stay anchored on a part of the body that is always moving, and it cannot hold fluid under a patient's weight. It slips, it leaks, and it needs constant changing, disturbing fragile skin each time. Thankfully, dressing design has been catching up.What good sacral care actually looks likeAs an alternative to standard dressings, clinicians can reach for dressings that pair a superabsorbent core with a soft silicone surface: one to handle the fluid, the other to protect the skin.Start with absorption. Where gauze soaks through and presses fluid back against the body, a superabsorbent core pulls fluid in and traps it, even under a patient's full weight.Shape matters too. Standard dressings are flat squares, built for flat surfaces. Newer designs have broader coverage, are cut specifically for the sacral area (following the curve of the lower back so edges stay down), and the dressing holds its position as the patient moves. A soft silicone surface grips gently and lifts away cleanly without disturbing healing skin.The approach has clinical backing. In a study covering 171 patients treated by 55 clinicians, superabsorbent dressings were rated as having good absorbent capacity in 98% of cases, and clinicians reported less damage to the skin around the wound.Of course, no dressing works in isolation. It has to sit within a broader care routine, and international guidance is clear on the basics: Turn the patient every two to three hours, and do not expect a mattress or cushion to do that job for you. But dressings are a solid second line.The cost questionSuperabsorbent dressings do cost more upfront than traditional gauze. However, a dressing that stays on for days instead of hours means fewer changes, fewer supplies, and less damage to healing skin. For hospitals and nursing homes, it also means fewer nursing hours.One clinical study tracked what happened when a group of patients switched to a superabsorbent dressing. Costs fell by almost half, not because the dressings were cheaper, but because patients needed fewer of them and nurses spent less time changing them.For family caregivers, many of whom have no formal medical training, ease of use is an important consideration. In home care, dressings that remain securely in place and require less frequent attention can help simplify daily care routines, reducing some of the practical burden on caregivers.Pressure injuries will keep forming where bone meets bed. But caught early and covered well, the pink patch the daughter spotted on her father's back can stay exactly what it was that morning: a warning, not a wound.This story was produced by Dimora Medical and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The economy slowed a bit -- but Americans continued to spend The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the spring, according to the Commerce Department. That's a modest slowdown from the previous quarter — but consumer spending picked up steam.
	“Puffs,” August 6 through 15 Praised by Metro as "hilariously heartfelt" and by the New York Times as "a fast-paced romp" that "exudes a jovial, winking fondness for all things Harry," author Matt Cox's stage comedy Puffs enjoys an August 6 through 15 run at Moline's Black Box Theatre, this riotous and touching tale about the hangers-on of a certain boy wizard a show that, according to Nerdist, "never goes more than a minute without a laugh."
	Trinity Muscatine Public Health hosting back to school clinic Trinity Muscatine Public Health is helping area families get ready for a new school year. The fifth annual Back-to-School Health Clinic is a convenient, one-stop opportunity to obtain important health screenings. Families in Muscatine and surrounding areas can attend the clinic, hosted by Trinity Muscatine Public Health, on Thursday, August 6, from 12 - 6:30 [...]
	Stop running 5 businesses in 1: The case for multichannel retail management software Stop running 5 businesses in 1: The case for multichannel retail management softwarePicture a typical day at your store: Customers are browsing the floor while employees in the back are packing items for online orders. A customer messages your shop’s social media page asking if a product is in stock. Someone’s sorting through hundreds of price changes needed across your different channels, while another employee updates your online inventory from a spreadsheet. Just as you finish unpacking today’s shipments, you realize it includes plenty of items to restock a key product line, but not the one thing you need for an upcoming promotion.Between physical retail, the online store, social media messages, the website price updates, and the incoming inventory, it might seem like you’re running five different businesses. The reality is you’re not. As Rapid POS explains below, you’re running one business with five disconnected systems.In most retailers, valuable sales information is scattered across different systems: your online store, your point-of-sale system, inventory spreadsheets, marketing tools, and accounting systems. Keeping all of them current requires a tremendous amount of duplicate work, which could lead to mistakes, lost sales, and product waste. This is why many retailers are turning to multichannel retail management software, built to unify every sales channel rather than keep things separated. Call it a retail management system, retail software, or a retail point-of-sale system, the goal for retail businesses is the same: one accurate source of truth. Rapid POS Retail Has Changed Faster Than Many Businesses HaveMost retailers agree that the landscape has changed significantly over the last few years, faster than most businesses have been able to adapt. When you look at the “simple days of retail,” customers visited the store, employees rang up sales, and inventory was updated at the register. By the end of the day, you’d get a report on how various departments performed.Today’s retail environment looks very different. Customers start their shopping journey at different points (social media, a search on your website, etc.) and interact with you through a variety of channels. It could be a call to the store or browsing your selection online before visiting; they may even opt to have their items delivered right to their door. They shop when and however they want, and expect a consistent experience every time. Some of these processes are easy to manage within a single channel; others require connecting several systems at once, and that’s exactly where most retailers struggle.A 2017 Harvard Business Review study found that 73% of customers used multiple channels during their shopping journey, and nearly a decade later, that percentage has likely only risen. To these customers, every online and offline channel is just one process for finding and buying what they want. They expect every channel to know their purchase history and have the stock they’re looking for, and the only way to meet that expectation is by running every sales channel off the same information. Shop owners and small business owners are catching on that a modern retail point of sale (POS) does more than ring up sales; it connects sales channels, customer profiles, and sales history in real time, on and off the sales floor.The Cost of Disconnected SystemsDisconnected technology doesn’t always create dramatic failures. The occasional big failure might get reported in the press, but more often it’s a bunch of small inefficiencies adding up over time:An online sale doesn’t update inventory in the store.An employee updates a price in one system and forgets to update it in another.Customer purchase history exists in multiple places.Marketing promotes products that are already running low.Managers export data from several systems just to build one report.These gaps in inventory data, purchase orders, or vendor management chip away at customer satisfaction and customer retention, all the same. Rapid POS Inventory Is Everywhere NowThe typical view of inventory management is stock sitting on a store’s shelves. Today, inventory exists in far more places. Products may be:Available in-storeReserved for online ordersIn transit from suppliersWaiting to be receivedTransferring between locationsCommitted to special ordersListed across e-commerce platformsManually managing all of these locations is becoming increasingly difficult. According to IHL Group research, a lack of inventory visibility costs retailers an estimated $1.77 trillion a year worldwide. While that exact figure won’t hit every retailer the same way, the problems behind it, disappointed customers, cash tied up in overstock, and missed sales from products that only appear to be out of stock, are the same for every multichannel seller. Multichannel retail management software helps keep every channel and location updated with the same stock information, so you can avoid all three.The most complete inventory management tools and warehouse management systems track every one of those locations, giving retail stores real inventory accuracy and inventory tracking, instead of a guess pulled from a spreadsheet. POS systems built for multichannel selling let you manage sales and inventory from the same dashboard, whether you’re running one shop or multiple locations.One Customer, One ExperienceCustomers don’t see your internal systems. They simply expect consistency. If a customer purchased from your website last week, they expect that the purchase can be referenced in-store. If they’ve earned rewards online, they expect to redeem them at the register. If they find a product on your website and then can’t find it on your shelves, the customer may leave with a poor impression, one that can shape how they see your business going forward.Building a good relationship with a customer involves many interactions; closing a single transaction isn’t enough. One of the biggest advantages of multichannel retail management software is that every part of the business, including customer relationship management, runs on one system, so employees spend less time searching for information and more time serving customers. Loyalty programs and customer loyalty perks only work if every channel pulls from the same system, and customer interactions and customer feedback both suffer when they don’t. Completing a sale is good, but building trust is what actually matters.Better Visibility Leads to Better DecisionsEvery retailer makes dozens of decisions a day. Should you reorder that product now or wait a week? Is a promotion driving profitable sales or just cutting into margins? Which categories deserve more floor space? Are seasonal products arriving too early, or too late? Better data leads to better decisions, more so than gut feeling alone. However, your unique retail experience is still invaluable when combined with facts and data.A major advantage of multichannel retail management software is having your whole shop in one database; no more juggling systems or exporting data just to build a report. Historic sales, stock movements, customer buying behavior, and purchasing activity from every part of your operation merge together and become far more visible. Better sales data and real-time visibility into supplier performance and stock levels help retail operations run with more operational efficiency and less guesswork.Every Department Benefits from Connected SystemsThere’s a misconception that retail management software is only for the owner or manager. In practice, every employee benefits when your systems are connected. For example, receiving teams are able to process incoming shipments more efficiently, and marketing can identify which products to promote, because they know what’s actually stocked across every channel. Customer service can also handle returns more efficiently with the full purchase history on hand. An immediate benefit to store managers is spending less time producing reports and more time managing their store. From workforce management on the sales floor to employee management in the back office, daily operations and store operations both run more smoothly when everyone’s looking at the same numbers.Your Data Should Work as Hard as You DoRetailers collect a huge amount of data just running the business day to day: sales transactions, customer purchases, inventory movement, vendor performance, seasonal trends, and the results of promotions. How do you turn that data into actionable insight?You start by asking relevant questions: Which products consistently sell together? Which vendors have the most reliable delivery times? Which promotions bring back repeat customers instead of just one-time bargain hunters? Which categories are growing year over year? Which products are eating up shelf space for little return?The right reports help you improve buying, planning, staffing, and customer service. That same data set touches payment processing and payment processors, too, and the right point-of-sale software turns it into reporting tools you can actually use instead of a spreadsheet. The more you know, the better positioned you are to make the right call.Growth Shouldn't Mean More ComplexityMany people in retail assume complexity grows right alongside the business. Another location means another inventory to manage. Another sales channel means another internal reporting system. Another website means another customer database that doesn’t talk to your physical location.A connected multichannel retail management software platform grows with you instead. Whether you’re adding new product lines, opening a new store, or starting to sell online, your systems should scale with your business, not create more complexity. When inventory, sales, purchasing, reporting, and customer information are all connected, growing the business (online or off) gets a lot easier. That’s true whether you’re one of many small businesses running a single cash register or global brands managing multi-location retailers: An all-in-one solution beats stitching together specialized solutions and hoping they stay in sync. Complex inventory doesn’t have to mean a complicated retail POS system.Preparing for the Future of RetailAs the retail environment continues to evolve, customers expect accurate inventory online, flexible fulfillment options, and the same experience whether they’re shopping online, in-store, or on their phone. Artificial intelligence is starting to help customers find and compare products and make purchases, and while these emerging technologies will keep changing how customers shop, one thing stays the same: Retailers need reliable, connected information.Omnichannel retailers stuck with limited offline functionality often feel this the most, especially when an already-stretched IT team is left maintaining multiple systems instead of one. A retailer running connected systems spends more time growing, improving, and serving customers. Technology that connects every part of the business is what gives retailers the visibility they need to deliver a better retail experience.Bringing It All TogetherThe challenge of multichannel retailing isn’t keeping up with every trend and theory; it’s making sure every part of the operation works together. Connecting your information on inventory, customer details, reports, purchasing, and sales means spending less time on errors and more time developing your business.Multichannel retail management software is an operational advantage. Whether you’re monitoring the business, making informed purchasing decisions, delivering a consistent customer experience, or getting ready to seize a new opportunity, visibility into your own operation is one of the most valuable assets a retailer has today. Rapid POS This story was produced by Rapid POS and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Home safes, jewelry boxes, and insurance tips: Storing jewelry safely Home safes, jewelry boxes, and insurance tips: Storing jewelry safelyThe safest way to store expensive jewelry is to keep each piece separate, dry, protected from scratches, and stored in the right place based on how often you wear it.The two primary rules:Daily-wear jewelry can be stored in a secure jewelry box, with pieces separated for protection against scratches and tangles.High-value and heirloom pieces need to be stored in a safe or vault.Throwing your jewelry into a drawer can lead to scratches and tangles, and even broken clasps. A disorganized mess can make it easy to lose track of your favorite pieces. And a haphazard pile of jewelry isn’t exactly a stylish look.If you want to keep your valuable jewelry safe, BriteCo recommends a few steps. First, adhere to damage prevention practices and consider a jewelry insurance policy so you’re covered if something does happen. How and where you’re choosing to store it is also important. A home safe is ideal for everyday protection, while a safe deposit box or bank vault is the best place to store jewelry that isn't worn often. Keep your up-to-date appraisals, photos, receipts, and insurance policy documents in a safe place as well.Let’s take a deeper look into responsible jewelry storage and the precautions you can take to keep your jewelry secure and looking pristine for longer.The Golden Rules of Storing Expensive JewelryExpensive jewelry should be stored separately and securely to prevent scratches, theft, and accidental damage.Here are the seven basic rules for proper jewelry storage:Store each piece of jewelry separately.Keep jewelry in a dry place, away from humid spaces like bathrooms.Avoid direct sunlight and heat.Use jewelry containers with soft, nonabrasive interiors.Store diamonds away from softer stones and/or metals.Store frequently worn pieces differently from rarely worn pieces.Document all your jewelry before something goes missing.Paying attention to proper storage means you’ll be able to keep your jewelry safe and looking great for years to come.Why Proper Jewelry Storage MattersCareful storage protects jewelry from three primary risks: physical damage, environmental wear, and theft/loss. Your jewelry deserves to be cared for in a way that will best preserve its value.If you don’t invest in proper care and storage, you can expect to see:ScratchesTangled chainsTarnishingLoose stonesBent prongsMissing piecesTheft and accidental loss are among the most common causes for jewelry insurance claims, so jewelry protection starts with prevention!How to Store Each Piece SeparatelyStore all your jewelry pieces separately so that metals, gemstones, chains, and settings do not rub, scratch, or tangle.Rings should be on ring rolls or in padded slots.Necklaces should be placed on hooks or in individual pouches.Earrings should be placed in paired compartments.Bracelets should be placed in flat trays or on padded rolls.Watches should be in watch rolls, boxes, or winders (for automatic watches).Other gemstones, like loose stones, should be in labeled gem jars or similar secure containers.Always keep in mind that diamonds can scratch other jewelry, and softer gems need extra separation.Best Jewelry Boxes and Organizers for Expensive JewelryThe best jewelry box for proper jewelry organization will feature a soft lining, multiple compartments, anti-tarnish features, and a design that prevents pieces from shifting.When shopping for the perfect box to keep your jewelry organized, look for the following features:A suede, microfiber, or velvet-lined boxIndividual compartmentsRing rollsNecklace hooksEarring slotsAnti-tarnish lining or stripsA lockable lid for basic privacyStackable trays for collectionsThen, be sure that you never:Use hard plastic containers without a lining.Store jewelry in humid bathroom drawers.Toss multiple pieces into one tray.Leave high-value items out on countertops or in otherwise visible areas.How to Prevent Tarnish, Humidity Damage, and ScratchesTo prevent tarnish and humidity damage, keep jewelry in a cool, dry place in a box with soft lining, separate storage, and moisture control.The latter is key, as humidity can speed up tarnish and corrosion. Silver pieces, in particular, can benefit from anti-tarnish strips or pouches; adding silica packets to your jewelry box can also help reduce humidity and prevent discoloration.Be sure to keep pieces out of direct sunlight, since light and heat can damage some stones and materials. Never store jewelry near substances like lotions, perfumes, chlorine, or household cleaners. These often contain harsh chemicals that can cause significant damage.To keep your jewelry in pristine condition, always look for a storage solution that is:CoolDryLow-lightAway from humidityFine Jewelry vs. Costume Jewelry StorageFine jewelry and costume jewelry differ in materials, value, and risk, so they come with different storage considerations. Fine jewelry is made from precious metals like gold and silver, while costume jewelry is more likely to be made from less valuable metals or rough materials. The latter may scratch or tarnish fine jewelry if the two are stored together.Fine jewelry storage: Use individual soft pouches or compartments for each piece, and store particularly high-value items in a home safe. You’ll also want to invest in an appraisal and jewelry insurance for optimum protection.Costume jewelry storage: Use trays or drawers, since your pieces will fare best in a space that’s dark and dry. You may want to invest in tarnish-prevention materials, such as anti-tarnish strips or silica packets.Where to Store Expensive Jewelry at HomeAt home, high-value items and heirloom jewelry should be stored in a secure, discreet, and dry location. For added security, it may also be helpful to store them somewhere where they’re difficult to remove quickly. Ideally, precious items that are rarely ever worn should be stored in a bank vault or safe deposit box, rather than at home.For daily-wear pieces, store valuables in a lined jewelry box in a drawer or closet. Valuable items worn less regularly can be stored in a home safe for added security.Avoid storing any pieces in dresser-top jewelry boxes, open display stands, or in easily accessible drawers that would be a thief’s first thought. Your bathroom and nightstand drawers really aren’t safe spaces at all. Consider hiding your jewelry in unexpected places, such as repurposed vintage tins, decorative boxes, or even a medicine cabinet. You can also add hooks to the back of a door to hang necklaces and bracelets out of sight.And if you’re traveling, don’t keep expensive jewelry unsecured in your luggage.Choosing a Home Safe for Expensive JewelryA robust jewelry safe will safeguard your treasures from theft and environmental hazards such as fire, flood, and earthquake. A good safe should be difficult to remove, appropriate for the value of the jewelry stored, and practical enough that you’ll actually use it.A secure, high-quality safe will:Be bolted to the floor or installed into a wallFeature burglar-resistant designBe fire-resistant/fire-ratedInclude interior lining or trays specifically for holding jewelryOffer additional space or boxes for luxury watchesInclude a backup access methodBe placed in a discreet locationWhen you buy a home safe, make sure to document your chosen option, including purchase and/or installation receipts. They may come in handy the next time you get a jewelry appraisal or insurance quote.Some insurance providers may offer discounts if you store your jewelry in a safe or have a home security system.Do I Need a Home Safe, a Safe Deposit Box, or a Bank Vault?Use a home safe for valuables you wear regularly. A bank safe deposit box or a bank vault is best for pieces you don’t need to access often. BriteCo It’s worth noting that your choice of storage solution is likely to affect how much you pay for jewelry insurance. Your premiums will depend on the value of the pieces in question, among other things.How to Store Engagement Rings and Wedding Rings SafelyExpensive jewelry should be stored properly, so keep engagement and wedding rings in the same safe place whenever you remove them. The same applies to any other specific pieces you may not be planning to wear for some time. This helps mitigate the risk of loss, theft, and mysterious disappearance.While ring holders and jewelry dishes may be appropriate in low-risk scenarios (such as removing your rings before working out in your private home gym), they should never be placed near sinks or drains. It’s also best to avoid storing rings loose in pockets or bags, since these can damage the rings’ metals and/or diamonds. Instead, opt for ring boxes or padded slots. Always keep engagement rings away from lotions, cleaners, and chlorine.If you’re not wearing your rings for an extended period of time, opt to use a home safe, and make sure you’ve got comprehensive engagement ring insurance before wearing your ring daily or traveling.How to Store Luxury Watches SafelyLike fine jewelry, luxury watches should also be stored in a padded, dry, and secure space. Ideally, these should be lined with soft fabric to protect the watch case, crystal, and bracelet from movement-related damage. It’s also wise to keep any related watch documentation (like your watch insurance policy) in the same box.When storing a luxury watch:Opt for a watch box with a soft-cloth interior or a watch roll.Consider using a watch winder for automatic watches.Avoid storage solutions that might expose the watch to magnets, moisture, or extreme temperatures.Keep service records and serial details in the same spot.Use a home safe for seldom-worn watches.Use a travel watch roll when traveling with a watch.How to Store Jewelry While TravelingYou may want to bring along some of your favorite pieces of jewelry while traveling. If this is the case, bring only the jewelry you definitely plan to wear during your trip, and leave anything else in secure storage. Keep what you do bring in a padded case that stays with you whenever possible. Travel-friendly jewelry cases offer padded compartments and secure closures, protecting your pieces from damage and loss during transit.There are multiple ways you can store and keep jewelry safe while traveling:Use a zippered padded jewelry case.Keep jewelry in your carry-on, not in your checked luggage.Photograph what you’re bringing ahead of time, so you have a record of it.Avoid leaving pieces loose in hotel rooms.Use hotel safes cautiously and document what you store in the safe.Keep your jewelry appraisals and photos accessible digitally while traveling.Confirm that your jewelry insurance provides worldwide coverage before travel.In many cases, travel insurance does not cover lost jewelry, but specialized jewelry insurance is an option.Jewelry Inventory: Photos, Receipts, Appraisals, and Serial NumbersA jewelry inventory is essential for tracking your jewelry collection. Take accurate note of what you own, what it’s worth, and what you’d want repaired or replaced if something were to happen.As you create your jewelry inventory, it’s essential to compile:Clear photos from multiple anglesReceipts or invoicesCurrent appraisalsLab or grading reportsSerial numbers for watchesRepair recordsSafe and/or security detailsWhere each item is storedHaving a professional, up-to-date appraisal helps ensure your jewelry is insured for its true replacement value, so you won’t be surprised by out-of-pocket costs at claim time. Online jewelry appraisals make this process quick and convenient.How Storage Can Affect Jewelry InsuranceHow you store your jewelry can affect your insurance policy; how you protect your jewelry at home may affect the risk associated with your coverage, and therefore the cost of jewelry insurance.Some insurers may provide discounts of up to 10% if you use a home safe and have a home security system, which is why it’s wise to share your safe specs and storage details when purchasing an insurance policy. This is also why it’s recommended that high-value pieces you don’t wear often are better off in a safe deposit box or vault.If you make a claim on your policy, having documentation to prove how you store and protect your jewelry may aid in the claim being processed more quickly and easily.Maintenance Before Long-Term Jewelry StorageBefore storing expensive jewelry long-term, inspect and clean it so that small issues do not become bigger problems while the piece goes unworn. You don’t want gemstones, pearls, or precious metals deteriorating while they’re in storage, since they likely won’t be receiving the regular cleaning and maintenance that you might afford your daily-wear pieces.Before storing any piece of jewelry:Take it in for a professional inspection of the prongs and clasps.Invest in tightening for any gems, if needed.Give the item a gentle clean.Ensure the piece is completely dry.Keep all pieces separate within your chosen storage solution.If, during maintenance, the piece needs to be changed or updated in any way, be sure your appraisal reflects that.Jewelry Storage Mistakes to AvoidTo ensure your pieces are stored correctly, follow these tips.Jewelry mistakes to avoid:Leaving jewelry on dressers or countersStoring jewelry in bathroomsTossing pieces togetherTraveling with too much jewelryKeeping heirlooms in obvious hiding spotsForgetting appraisals/photosNot using a safe for high-value piecesNot insuring pieces worn dailyA quick way to remember jewelry storage best practices: separate, secure, document, insure. Always store pieces separately and individually, choose a secure storage method, document each piece’s value fully, and insure all high-value pieces.How to Store Expensive Jewelry Safely: Step-by-Step ChecklistTo store expensive jewelry safely, choose a storage method specifically designed to cater to the piece’s value, how frequently you wear it, and the risk of loss, theft, and damage.Sort fine jewelry from costume jewelry.Separate pieces by type and material.Choose a lined jewelry box for daily pieces.Use anti-tarnish pouches/strips where needed.Store high-value items in a secure safe.Put rarely worn heirlooms in a bank vault or safe deposit box.Keep an inventory with photos, receipts, and appraisals.Review jewelry insurance coverage and storage discounts.FAQs About Storing Expensive Jewelry SafelyShould I store expensive jewelry in a home safe?Yes, expensive jewelry that is not worn daily should be kept in a home safe, alongside your jewelry documentation, including appraisals. For jewelry that is exceptionally high-value or an heirloom, and is worn even less frequently, consider a bank safe deposit box or vault.Is a safe deposit box better than a home safe for jewelry?If you don’t plan to wear the jewelry often, a safe deposit box can be a more secure option than the average home safe.How do I stop necklaces from tangling in storage?To stop necklaces from tangling, don’t store them together. Instead, store each necklace separately.How should I store engagement rings when I’m not wearing them?When not being worn, store engagement rings in soft-lined, individual boxes in a secure jewelry box that’s out of sight and not in a predictable hiding place.Can safe storage lower jewelry insurance costs?Yes, if you use a home safe to store your jewelry, a jewelry insurance provider may give you a discount on your premium. You may also receive a discount if you use a home security system.How to Store Expensive Jewelry Safely: Final TakeawayExpensive jewelry often has value that goes beyond its retail price, marking special occasions, milestones, and impactful life events. It follows, then, that it’s important to follow as many best practices as possible to keep it safe and in good condition.Store expensive jewelry separately, dry, and securely, using soft-lined storage for daily pieces, a home safe for high-value pieces, and a safe deposit box or bank vault for rarely worn heirlooms.The safest jewelry storage plan combines secure physical storage with updated documentation, routine maintenance, and jewelry insurance for loss, theft, damage, and mysterious disappearance.Next steps:Photograph and document all of your valuable pieces.Invest in safer storage for all high-value and rarely worn jewelry.Review your current insurance coverage and see if you qualify for safe or security discounts.This story was produced by BriteCo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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