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

Friday, July 31st, 2026
	Colona crews fight pole barn fire Multiple area departments assisted Colona fire crews at a pole barn fire on Thursday after lack of hydrants forced them to call for water tankers.
	Muscatine’s Oak Street temporarily down to one lane starting Aug. 4 The northbound lane will be shut down due to crane work for installation of a new roof section at the HNI Oak Steel Plant.
	In Nebraska, Americans begin to lose Medicaid under Trump's work rules Nebraska's Medicaid director, in an exclusive interview with nonprofit news organization Tradeoffs, said roughly 200 people will lose health coverage on Aug. 1.
	'I Want Your Sex' urges Gen Z to get a little more X-rated Olivia Wilde plays an artist who initiates a wildly inappropriate sexual relationship with her younger employee. But between the sex scenes, there are thoughtful conversations about age and intimacy.
	Experts say water, air, soil play a role in Iowa’s rising cancer numbers Iowa has the second highest cancer rate in the country. Researchers gathered in Davenport to explain how nitrates, radon, PFAS and pesticides may be driving the numbers — and what residents can do now.
	Our QC Crime Watch: Law cries foul when driver hits Canada geese: Episode 75 Watch crime reporters Linda Cook and Sharon Wren talk about crime and courts in our area with the latest episode of the Our Quad Cities Crime Watch Podcast. In this episode Linda and Sharon discuss: updates on: A judge rules on who can testify in the upcoming trial of the suspect in Trudy Appleby's death [...]
	Cinemark announces record-breaking second quarter Cinemark Holdings, Inc., one of the largest theatrical exhibition companies in the world, has announced record-breaking results for the second quarter 2026, according to a news release. The second quarter marks the first time Cinemark - which has a multiplex in Davenport - has surpassed $1 billion in quarterly revenue, which is attributable to its best-ever [...]
	Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, West Branch, plans grand reopening The Hoover Presidential Foundation has announced a lineup of distinguished speakers and honored guests for the grand reopening of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum on Thursday, Aug. 6, a news release says. The historic celebration marks the completion of the museum's comprehensive renovation and ushers in a new era of education and engagement [...]
	'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' grounds Spidey — and much of the fun His Spidey senses are evolving and he misses his friends.
	Moderate to heavy rain expected into the weekend After a pleasant, dry week, much-needed rain is likely across the Quad Cities Friday and Saturday. The rain will hold temperatures down to the 70s today and tomorrow. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	Dry conditions expanded this week The new Drought Monitor update showed expanding dry weather for the Quad Cities area and even a moderate drought for parts of northern Illinois. However, much-needed rain is likely Friday and Saturday.
	Roline This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Every few decades, the cities surrounding Rock Island come down with a severe case of togetherness. They shift into a…
	Who's driving a bookmobile full of Epstein files? The quiz knows! Plus: scandalous Senate drama, Grammys drama and Homeric drama.
	450k borrowers say they were ripped off. Their student loans are being erased The borrowers say they were defrauded by their colleges, but the class-action lawsuit to erase their federal student loans has been tangled up in courts for years.
	Trump's noncitizen voter data remains a mystery. But the claims raise midterm fears Trump officials say they found 250,000 noncitizens on voter rolls in just four states. Those states don't know where the numbers came from, and some worry what the claims may portend for the midterms.
	Democrats show divisions on Israel amid competitive midterm elections Democratic socialists are on the ballot in high profile races coming up in Michigan and Wisconsin, putting mainstream Democrats in a tough position when it comes to the issue of Israel and Gaza.
	Cook review: 'Spider-Man' weaves together comedy, drama, plenty of action Only the phobiest of technophobes might not appreciate this new side of Spidey. In "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," Peter Parker (Tom Holland) has an AI assistant and a 3D printer that creates his suits. But of course that's not all there is to this web-slinging superhero, who at the outset of this tale is much-loved. [...]
	Public health alert issued for steak burritos due to undeclared allergen The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a public health alert for Red's Steak Cilantro and Lime Burritos distributed to Costco locations in Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota due to an undeclared egg allergen.
	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.
	At least 18 die after breach of border between Morocco and Spanish exclave of Ceuta At least 18 migrants have died trying to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, where Spain deployed its military after thousands of people breached the border with Morocco and poured into the territory.
	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.
	Helping advance research with new approaches for people with blood cancers (BPT) - Blood cancers develop when changes in DNA cause blood-forming cells to grow abnormally. Instead of producing healthy blood cells that support the immune system and carry oxygen through the body, these altered cells multiply in an uncontrolled way. Over time, this can weaken the immune system and make it harder for the body to fight infection and perform essential functions.Types of blood cancer: leukemia, lymphoma and myelomaThe most common types of blood cancer are leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Together, they account for the majority of hematologic malignancies, with more than 190,000 new cases projected each year in the U.S.Leukemia forms in the blood and bone marrow and is caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. There are several types of leukemia, which include acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia.Lymphoma develops in the lymphatic system, a network of organs, vessels and tissues that helps protect the body from infection. It is often classified as either Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, depending on the type of lymphocyte involved and specific cellular features.Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, forms in plasma cells found in the bone marrow. Unlike cancers that first appear in one location, myeloma can occur in multiple areas of the bone marrow at the same time.Rare blood cancers: myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)In addition to the previously listed more common blood cancers, there are rarer related blood disorders, such as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). About 20,000 new cases of MPNs and MDS are diagnosed each year in the U.S. MPNs occur when the bone marrow produces too many blood cells, while MDS develops when blood cells do not mature properly and are unable to become healthy cells. The main types of MPNs include essential thrombocythemia, primary myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera.As the number of people affected by blood cancers and disorders continues to rise, scientists at Merck are exploring innovative strategies aimed at improving outcomes for patients living with these complex and challenging conditions. These approaches focus on enhancing the body's response to cancer, targeting cancer cells more precisely and addressing pathways that drive cancer growth.Merck is currently investigating several potential innovative treatment approaches for hematologic malignancies across a broad range of different disease pathways, including:• Targeting ROR1, a protein that is overexpressed in multiple hematologic malignancies3-D depiction of ROR1 protein on a malignant B-cell• Evaluating the role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, including common mechanisms of resistance for patients with certain hematologic malignancies3-D depiction of BTK and PLCy2 in the BCR signaling pathway• Targeting lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), an enzyme that is potentially important for regulating the uncontrolled reproduction of blood stem cells and the maturation of blood cells in the bone marrow3-D depiction of LSD1 and transcription factors ahead of histone modification• Evaluating the role of the BCR::ABL novel protein in white blood cell proliferation3-D depiction of BCR protein complex• Researching T-cell engagement for certain types of leukemia and lymphoma3-D depiction of T-cell with TCR complex and B-cell tumor cell with CD19 protein"Our team is building on our legacy in oncology to understand how various mechanisms and modalities could address blood cancers in innovative ways," said Dr. Shweta Jain, vice president, oncology clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories. "By exploring multiple potential novel mechanisms of action across a broad range of blood cancers and disorders, we hope to help address longstanding unmet needs for patients with hematologic malignancies."Through ongoing studies and clinical trials, Merck is working to advance clinical research for patients living with blood cancers and disorders. Learn more about Merck's hematology research and clinical trials.
	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.

Friday, July 31st, 2026

Thursday, July 30th, 2026