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

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026
	Ex-CIA chief issued subpoena in Trump 'grand conspiracy' investigation, lawyer says John Brennan has been subpoenaed to testify before a Florida grand jury in a Justice Department probe into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired against President Trump.
Monday, September 14th, 2026
	Dickens' Son This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.What follows is a tale of two cities: London, England, and Moline, Illinois. Each city has its own version of the tale.…
	Bettendorf police arrest domestic assault suspect after standoff at City Center Motel 47-year-old Aceah Towery has been charged with false imprisonment and domestic assault causing serious injury.
	New owners plan to rejuvenate former Cabanas in Rock Island A pair of business partners plan to turn the bar into The Rose, with indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces.
	Rock Island City Council denies request from Del's Metal to shift metal cutting across property The council's vote to deny the request was unanimous.
	Bettendorf police arrest man after allegedly assaulting girlfriend Police said the woman escaped and called 911. The man barricaded himself in a room at the City Center Hotel for hours while police negotiated with him.
	QCA farmers react to record high diesel prices Prices for diesel fuel climbed to a record high this week. The national average is $6.23 a gallon as of Monday, according to AAA. Local farmers rely on diesel to make it through the harvest season. "I'll probably only get enough fuel to make it through the spring and we'll see," said Joe Dierickx, a [...]
	Rock Island native Lissie will be in concert at Raccoon Motel, Davenport According to her website, Rock Island native Lissie will be in concert at the Raccoon Motel, 315 E. 2nd St., Davenport. Tickets, at $39.67, are available here. The show starts at 7 p.m. after doors open at 6 p.m. To listen to her music, watch her videos, and for more information, visit here. She was [...]
	What's ahead for replacing the Centennial Bridge? A crucial artery in the Quad Cities needs to be replaced - the Centennial Bridge is near the end of its useful life. The Illinois Department of Transportation has narrowed the plan down to a couple of options and brought them to Rock Island City Council. Transportation officials say the two most viable options involve [...]
	$26M Illinois grants aims to tackle food deserts, revitalize local grocers New Grocery store initiative set to help locally owned grocery stores.
	Inside Iowa Politics: Former presidential candidate O’Malley on Democrats’ 2026 chances Former presidential candidate Martin O'Malley explained why he feels confident about Democrats' chances in 2026 elections.
	Bettendorf man accused of assaulting woman, barricading himself in motel room A Bettendorf man is facing charges after police say he assaulted a woman and barricaded himself in a motel room Monday.
	Galesburg begins testing fire hydrants The Galesburg Fire Department has started its annual fire hydrant testing and flushing program, a news release says. The program is expected to last approximately three weeks, with work taking place Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., as weather permits. This essential maintenance work helps ensure fire hydrants are in proper working [...]
	National group, ‘End Citizens United,’ visits Iowa to call for campaign donation limits The national organization, End Citizens United, holds event in Des Moines to call for limits on political campaign spending.
	Musco Sports Center is in Final Two contenders for All-Star Community Award Sixteen innovative community projects began the journey for the Iowa League of Cities People’s All‑Star Community Award. After three rounds of public voting, the field has narrowed to the Final Two, with Muscatine’s Musco Sports Center advancing to the finals, a news release says. Muscatine will be up against Toledo in the chase for the [...]
	Night of Destruction will return to Davenport Speedway The motorized mayhem known as the Night of Destruction returns to the Davenport Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 19, a news release says. The 2026 version of the Night of Destruction is made up of a demolition derby and the always entertaining trailer race. The demolition derby consists of five classes. The competition includes Youth Compact, [...]
	Musco Sports Center reaches finals of statewide community award The Muscatine dome has reached the end of the 2026 People's All-Star Community Award. Here's how you can cast your vote via Facebook through Sept. 24.
	Why 700,000 could lose Medicaid in Illinois More than half a million people on Medicaid in Illinois could lose their health coverage. The state mailed thousands of letters warning Medicaid enrollees about coverage changes because of a new tax law (H.R. 1) signed by President Trump. The new law cuts billions of dollars from the federal Medicaid program over the next decade. [...]
	See the Emmys 2026 red carpet looks The 78th Emmy Awards are Monday night. See the stars as they arrive.
	See who's won an Emmy Award so far Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay is hosting the Emmy Awards on Monday night. We'll be updating this list as winners are announced.
	Emmys 2026: Here's the list of winners Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay is hosting the Emmy Awards on Monday night. We'll be updating this list as winners are announced.
	Quad Cities airport leader elected to national aviation board This summer, Ben Leischner was elected to the ACI-NA board of directors, where he will help shape North America's aviation industry. Here's how this will impact you.
	Augustana College, Rock Island police invite you to have 'Coffee with a Cop' Members of Augustana College Police and Public Safety and officers from the Rock Island Police Department invite you to “Coffee with a Cop," according to a news release. The event will take place Friday, Sept. 18, from 8-9 a.m. on Viking Plaza on Augustana’s campus, 639 38th St., Rock Island The Rock Island Police Department [...]
	The Supreme Court rejects Trump's mail voting restrictions for this year's midterms The Supreme Court has rejected the Trump administration's request to allow mail-in voting restrictions under a U.S. Postal Service plan for the midterm general election.
	Police establish crime-scene tape at Bettendorf motel A heavy police presence was at a Bettendorf motel shortly before 6 p.m. Monday. Our Quad Cities News crew saw about a dozen officers along with seven squad cars in the parking lot of the City Center Motel, 1138 State St. At one point, two officers got out their shields during the incident. We do [...]
	Applications for utility assistance program LIHEAP to open in October Starting Oct. 1, some eligible households can already begin applying for help through LIHEAP, but others will need to wait to apply until Nov. 1.
	Employee at Smithfield Foods plant in Monmouth dies in workplace accident Family members identified the deceased worker as Patou Mpinda.
	Centennial Bridge lights to be turned off for remainder of autumn bird migration RiverAction announced the Centennial Bridge lights will be turned off from Sept. 15 through Nov. 1 for autumn bird migration.
	Help suicide prevention programs at Quad Cities Out of the Darkness Walk In the United States, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, and you can help support research, advocacy efforts and educational programs across our region. Megan Alvarado joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about the Quad Cities Out of the Darkness Walk. For more information, click here.
	Some Iowa teens could recieve $100 in restitution from Meta lawsuit Iowa victims of Facebook and Instagram features aimed at addicting children to the platforms could soon receive a portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement.
	Man faces attempted murder charge after pedestrian hit in Rock Island A 24-year-old man is recovering after police say he was intentionally hit by a truck early Sunday in Rock Island.
	Muscatine firefighters honor firefighter killed in line of duty 24 years ago The Muscatine Fire Department held a memorial for firefighter Michael Kruse, who died in 2002 while battling a house fire. He was 53.
	Geneseo family plans 26-acre sports complex in memory of son A Geneseo family is working to turn 26 acres of family land into a sports complex honoring their son, with city leaders saying the project could have a significant impact on the community.
	Mitch McConnell returns to Senate after fall that led to an extended medical absence McConnell spent weeks in recovery before explaining he was "briefly unconscious" following the fall that sent him to the hospital and a weeks-long recovery process.
	Texas landowners sue federal government over border wall plans A lawsuit filed Monday takes aim at federal agencies' use of waivers to expedite construction of a wall along the border with Mexico and claims that landowner's constitutional rights are being violated.
	Galesburg Fire Department starts fire hydrant testing and flushing program Work will be done from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting, and is expected to take three weeks.
	QC Airport executive director named to international aviation board (Full Interview) This summer, Ben Leischner was elected to the ACI-NA board of directors, where he will help shape North America's aviation industry. Here's how this will impact you.
	East Moline Greater Downtown Revitalization Project nearing completion Work on the project continues through the end of 2026 bringing new streets and improvements while businesses navigate construction.
	East Moline Greater Downtown Revitalization Project enters final stretch Work on the project continues through the end of 2026 bringing new streets and improvements while businesses navigate construction.
	Federal agents may have broken state laws in voter fraud hunt, whistleblower claims Federal agents may have broken state laws after the Department of Homeland Security began surging personnel for what it called the Unlawful Voter Initiative, a federal whistleblower alleges.
	Executive director of the Quad Cities International Airport elected to ACI-NA board: Part 2 Benjamin Leischner will help shape the future of aviation in North America. News 8's Shelby Kluver spoke with him about the honor and what it means for the QCA.
	Muscatine's Musco Sports Center up for Iowa All-Star Community Award Muscatine's Musco Sports Center is a finalist for Iowa's All-Star Community Award after making it through three rounds of public voting. Voting ends Sept. 24.
	Man charged with attempted murder after pedestrian struck by vehicle in Rock Island Rock Island police allege 26-year-old Edson Gutierrez intentionally struck a pedestrian with his truck after an argument.
	Executive director of the Quad Cities International Airport elected to ACI-NA board: Part 1 Benjamin Leischner will help shape the future of aviation in North America. News 8's Shelby Kluver spoke with him about the honor and what it means for the QCA.
	25-year-old man dies after being hit by vehicle in East Moline Police say Kendric Fallon-McCray was hit Friday night on Illinois Route 5 in East Moline. He later died at a hospital.
	Iowa’s Caden Buhr earns Big Ten Player of the Week Honor University of Iowa’s Caden Buhr has been named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
	‘Huge step forward’: Illinois inches closer on battery storage, solar goals State regulators took the first major step last month toward bringing new energy storage online, a key component of legislation that took effect in June.
	Woman injured in Henry County, Iowa, e-bike crash facing several charges A woman who was airlifted for injuries from an e-bike crash in August is now facing several charges in Henry County, Iowa.
	Davenport police: Stolen gun with extended magazine found during traffic stop A Moline man is facing multiple charges after Davenport police say they found a stolen gun during a traffic stop Sunday night.
	Rock Island man charged with attempted first-degree murder A Rock Island man is facing charges in Rock Island County Circuit Court after allegedly intentionally hitting a man with his truck early Sunday morning.
	AI vendors can change their risk profile between reviews, and most oversight programs never notice AI vendors can change their risk profile between reviews, and most oversight programs never noticeOrganizations often treat AI adoption as a business decision, overlooking its third-party risk management (TPRM) implications. As a result, AI tools are frequently deployed outside procurement and security oversight, creating governance gaps that become harder to manage as risks evolve.This challenge with AI risk management is the pace of change. Organizations are adopting AI systems and workflows faster than vendor oversight processes can keep up. Per Vanta’s State of Trust Report, 65% of organizations surveyed in July 2025 reported that their current use of agentic AI outpaces their understanding of it, highlighting the lack of effective risk visibility and governance.This guide from agentic trust platform Vanta will explain the key third-party risk implications of AI adoption and how to embed more effective oversight into existing vendor governance processes.How AI affects your third-party attack surfaceEvery time an organization adopts an AI tool, it introduces a third-party relationship that must be evaluated and monitored. Many AI systems process sensitive information and create external data flows you need to account for and secure. Common ways AI expands your attack surface include:Employees submitting proprietary or sensitive data to AI toolsIntegration with internal systems and repositoriesGreater reliance on externally hosted AI models (which can cause operational disruptions)Shadow AI (unsanctioned AI tool use bypassing procurement)AI tools also rarely operate in isolation. They depend on external ecosystems, including APIs, subprocessors, and underlying model providers, introducing fourth- and Nth-party dependencies that expand your vendor footprint. Without visibility into these downstream dependencies, the vendor risk management program undersells the true scope of third-party risk. These dependencies also change fast, often without triggering any governance process.“Traditional TPRM wasn't built for vendors that can materially change their risk profile without triggering a contract clause,” Evan Rowse, governance risk compliance subject matter expert for Vanta, explained. “An AI vendor can change foundation models, introduce new subprocessors, or modify data-handling terms between reviews. Unless ‘material AI change’ is defined in vendor agreements and tied to notification requirements, your TPRM program could be reviewing the past.”Why the traditional approach to TPRM fails with AI risksThree mismatches between traditional risk processes and AI vendor ecosystems drive most of the exposure.Traditional TPRM programs rely on point-in-time artifacts, such as vendor risk assessment questionnaires, periodic reviews, and risk register spreadsheets, to manage risk. AI vendors operate differently, as features, subprocessors, and data handling practices can evolve rapidly, making point-in-time assessments less reliable.According to Rowse, “A security questionnaire gives you a snapshot of something that doesn't hold still. By the time your AI vendor has finished responding, their model has changed, a new subprocessor has been added, and last quarter's data handling terms are already out of date. A questionnaire is one input—not the program.”Additionally, AI adoption cycles are faster than traditional procurement and vendor review processes, leading to one of the most persistent risk patterns in the current landscape. Business teams select AI tools based on capability, speed to deploy, or competitive pressure, while security and privacy review happen later in the process or are deprioritized.The third mismatch: TPRM often operates separately from broader GRC programs. Disconnected tooling and workflows make it difficult to maintain up-to-date risk records or track how AI-related risks affect the wider control environment.Modernize AI third-party risk management: 4 stepsTo manage AI-related third-party risk, organizations must rethink how risk is identified, assessed, and governed. These four steps can make the transition easier:Implement continuous monitoringScale risk analysis with AI and automationUnify vendor risk with broader GRCExpand AI risk visibility across the vendor ecosystemStep 1: Implement continuous monitoringUse leading GRC tooling and platforms to implement processes that move oversight beyond periodic assessments and provide ongoing visibility into an AI vendor’s security posture. Focus on signals that indicate changes in vendor exposure and fourth-party dependencies. You can track updates to the AI model, infrastructure, hosting environment, data residency, and vendor certifications such as SOC 2 Type II reports, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, and HIPAA (where applicable).Align your monitoring efforts with applicable risk management frameworks and regulations to support compliance from the get-go. You can research which AI governance standard would work better for your AI use case, business environment, or industry. Examples include:‍ Vanta Step 2: Scale risk analysis with AI and automationReviewing every signal from continuous oversight by hand burns your team's time. AI and automation filter that stream, surfacing only the signals that require human review. AI can review vendor questionnaires and evidence packages faster than humans. It helps you scale oversight by:Identifying changes in vendor policies, subprocessors, and AI modelsPrioritizing findings based on criticality and impactMapping vendor risk to internal controls, treatment plans, and regulatory requirementsTriggering human reviews and reassessments for material findingsMany modern GRC solutions come with built-in risk management automation workflows that help you scale without overextending your team. That way, your team can focus more on risk validation, exception management, and remediation.Step 3: Unify vendor risk with broader GRCAI risks are not constrained to a single domain and can trigger privacy concerns, compliance implications, and operational dependencies simultaneously. But a common issue of TPRM is treating it as an isolated function rather than part of a broader governance program. When risk management functions are siloed, organizations have fragmented visibility into AI risks, which can lead to inconsistent AI use policies across departments, missed vulnerabilities, and weak accountability.Work with your team to integrate third-party risk management into a unified GRC approach. Establish a centralized view of risk across your organization and provide shared context for stakeholders across teams. This improves coordination between departments and makes it easier to make consistent and auditable risk decisions.Step 4: Expand AI risk visibility across the vendor ecosystemTPRM typically focuses only on direct vendor relationships, not the downstream dependencies they introduce. In AI environments, some vendors may not offer a direct AI service but rely on AI model providers, cloud infrastructure, and embedded AI tools, which hide risk across multiple layers of the ecosystem. Expanding visibility across the vendor ecosystem helps account for these gaps by surfacing both direct and indirect dependencies.For an AI-informed vendor risk assessment, focus on the following areas in your evaluation (whether or not you’re procuring AI):Data handling practices: How the vendor collects, processes, stores, and retains your data. As a best practice, determine whether your data is used for model training or fine-tuning as well.Model transparency: How much information the vendor discloses about training data sources, model architecture, and ways the tool generates outputs.Subprocessor and fourth-party dependencies: The downstream providers, cloud infrastructure, and APIs the vendor relies on, each of which expands your attack surface.Access controls and authentication: Methods used to govern access to models, APIs, and sensitive data, such as role-based access and audit logging.Incident response and breach notification: Whether your vendor has established and regularly tested procedures for identifying, responding to, and communicating security incidents.Regulatory and framework alignment: Whether the vendor's practices align with relevant AI governance standards such as ISO/IEC 42001, the NIST AI RMF, and the EU AI Act.Output integrity: The controls the vendor has in place to mitigate model hallucinations, bias, or adversarial manipulation that can impact the reliability of AI outputs.Best practices for managing AI-related third-party riskAlongside modernizing TPRM, implement these best practices for managing AI vendors throughout their lifecycle:Establish an AI inventory: Maintain a central inventory of AI tools, their use cases, and related external dependencies.Update vendor contracts for AI: Update existing contracts to include provisions about data usage, model training, subprocessor changes, and reporting obligations.Define clear AI governance: Establish security and compliance criteria for onboarding and approving AI vendors for consistency.Validate inherited controls regularly: If you rely on controls implemented by AI vendors, review annually (or continuously for high-risk vendors) to see if they’re still effective.Define AI “material change” criteria: Spell out what a “material change” means for AI vendors, such as a new model version or changes in privacy policy, and require notification when one happens.What effective AI vendor oversight actually looks likeTraditional vendor oversight assumed a risk profile stayed stable between reviews. AI vendors broke that assumption, and more questionnaires will not restore it. The teams handling this well are not running more assessments; they are changing what an assessment is for.That shift has three practical markers. Oversight becomes continuous rather than scheduled, so a new subprocessor or a swapped foundation model registers when it happens. Vendor risk stops living in its own system and feeds the same register the rest of the GRC program works from. And "material change" moves out of informal expectation and into contract language, with notification requirements attached.None of this means abandoning existing TPRM processes. It means accepting that a point-in-time artifact cannot govern a vendor that changes weekly. Teams evaluating third-party risk management platforms should treat continuous monitoring and AI vendor discovery as core requirements, not advanced features.This story was produced by Vanta and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	One dead in East Moline vehicle/pedestrian crash One person is dead after a traffic crash involving a pedestrian on Sept. 11. A news release from the East Moline Police Department said officers were dispatched to the intersection of 4th Avenue and IL Route 5 on Sept. 11 at about 10:10 p.m. regarding a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Officers [...]
	4 ways to stretch your gas budget as prices rise 4 ways to stretch your gas budget as prices riseGas prices are taking a bigger bite out of household budgets than they were a year ago. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the national average retail price for regular gasoline was $4.157 per gallon for the week of Sept. 7, 2026, compared with $3.192 per gallon for the comparable week in September 2025 — an increase of nearly 30%.For drivers who rely on their cars for commuting, school drop-offs, appointments and everyday errands, that increase can quickly show up in the household budget. CreditFresh research has also found that gas and transportation are a significant source of seasonal budget pressure for consumers.People are already stretched thinGas prices didn't spike in a vacuum. They went up on top of grocery bills that are already higher than they used to be, rent that hasn't come down, and a general cost of living that's been putting pressure on household budgets for a couple of years.So when gas got expensive this spring, for a lot of families, it was the thing that pushed an already tight budget over the edge. The survey reflects that: people who named gas as their top expense were also the most likely to say they were cutting back on dining out, scaling down summer plans, and switching to cheaper brands at the grocery store to make ends meet.Why gas is so hard to plan aroundFor many households, driving is part of everyday life. Commuting, school and activity drop-offs, appointments, groceries and family responsibilities can all require time on the road. And unlike some expenses, gas isn't always something you can simply cut or skip — you still need to get where you're going whether or not the price at the pump is convenient.That's why gas prices tend to put pressure on everything else. When a non-negotiable expense goes up, something else has to give. For most people right now, that's dining out and travel.4 ways to stretch your gas budgetYou can't control the price per gallon, but you can control how much you're using and what you're paying for it.1. Combine errands and plan your routeThe biggest lever many drivers have is reducing the number of separate trips they take. Try combining errands, school pickups and grocery runs into one loop instead of making several separate drives. The Federal Trade Commission notes that several short trips from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance once the engine is warm.2. Compare prices before filling upWhere you fill up can also make a difference. Compare prices at stations along a route you already plan to travel using tools such as GasBuddy, AAA or other gas-price apps. Avoid driving several extra miles solely to save a few cents per gallon, since the additional fuel and time could outweigh the savings.3. Share or replace some trips where practicalIf you have a commute or another recurring drive, consider whether some trips can be shared or replaced. Carpooling with a coworker, coordinating school or activity drop-offs with another parent, taking public transit, or walking or biking for short trips where practical can reduce the number of miles you drive on your own.4. Help your car use fuel more efficientlyA few smaller habits can help your vehicle use fuel more efficiently. The U.S. Department of Energy says aggressive driving — including speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking — can lower gas mileage by up to 30% at highway speeds and up to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. Keeping tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage by an average of 0.6% and, in some cases, as much as 3%. Check your owner's manual or the tire-information placard for the recommended pressure.And if higher gas costs are making the rest of your household budget harder to manage, it can be useful to understand your options before an unexpected expense adds more pressure.A personal line of credit, for example, may help if you need something to lean on if costs stack up in ways you didn't plan for.Gas prices can move up and down from week to week, but you don't have to control the price at the pump to look for savings. Planning trips, comparing prices and using fuel more efficiently can help make transportation costs a little easier to manage within your budget.MethodologySurvey information is based on aggregated customer responses collected by CreditFresh. Results are for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect all customers.Disclaimer: Information in this article, including references to third parties, is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or individualized financial or legal advice.This story was produced by CreditFresh and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Applications open Oct. 1 for LIHEAP utility assistance Residents on the Illinois side of the QCA can apply for assistance with paying utility bills, starting October 1. Project NOW, Inc. has announced that funds are available to help income-eligible households in Henry, Mercer and Rock Island Counties with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems. Applications [...]
	Rock Island man charged with attempted murder after allegedly hitting man with truck A 26-year-old has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly hit a man with his truck after an argument.
	Rock Island man arrested; accused of striking man with truck A Rock Island man is being held in the Rock Island County Jail after police say struck a man with his truck after an argument. A news release from the Rock Island Police Department said officers responded to the 800 block of 42 Avenue on Sunday, September 13 at about 3:13 a.m. for a report [...]
	Two Sisters Restaurant in Milan to rebrand as Flips Pancake House The restaurant announced it will be temporarily closed for remodeling before reopening as Flips Pancake House.
	Applications for utility assistance program LIHEAP to open in October for some Illinois residents Starting Oct. 1, some eligible households can already begin applying for help through LIHEAP, but others will need to wait to apply until Nov. 1.
	Alternating Currents documentary nominated for an Emmy Award A documentary featuring Alternating Currents, the music and culture packed weekend in downtown Davenport every summer, has been nominated for a Mid-American Emmy Award.
	24-year-old dead after fatal pedestrian crash in East Moline A 24-year-old man was pronounced dead after being struck by a vehicle in East Moline on Friday night.
	John Deere to bring back 375 employees across Quad Cities locations About 150 employees will return to operations in Moline and about 225 in East Moline.
	Employee dies overnight at Smithfield Plant in Monmouth An employee died overnight at the Smithfield plant in Monmouth. Workers say employees were asked to return to work and many of them walked out to protest.
	Pedestrian struck and killed by vehicle in East Moline on Friday night The driver reported that they were traveling eastbound on IL Route 5 when the pedestrian appeared in the dark roadway.
	Teen from Cascade named Kid Captain for UNI game A 15-year-old who underwent a heart transplant for his rare conditions will lead the Hawkeyes as Kid Captain against the University of Northern Iowa.
	Bishop Hill hosting Jordbruksdagarna festival The annual 19th century harvest festival Jordbruksdagarna (pronounced yord-brooks-DAH-ga-na) will be on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 in Bishop Hill. There will be a variety of traditional craft demonstrations, food, vendors and hands-on activities for the children during the festival, which is the Swedish term for “agricultural days.” Activities will take place from [...]
	24-year-old dead after being struck by vehicle in East Moline A 24-year-old man died on Friday after being hit by a vehicle.
	Charity Bass Tournament raises funds for Children's Therapy Centers of the Quad Cities Live Uncommon is hosting the revitalized 52nd annual Charity Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 19, starting at 7 a.m. Proceeds benefit Children’s Therapy Centers of the Quad Cities. Click here for more information or to register. The fishing tournament launches from and takes place on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River. The event allows [...]
	Judy's Family Cafe, in Aledo, to hold grand opening Friday The new Aledo location serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, including the pancakes Judy's is known for.
	Why are labs still running a test for inflammation with a 4-hour time limit? Why are labs still running a test for inflammation with a 4-hour time limit?Every blood sample begins degrading the moment it's drawn, and most of what can go wrong with a laboratory result goes wrong before the specimen ever reaches an analyzer. This is the preanalytical phase — collection, handling, transport, storage — and it is estimated to account for the large majority of laboratory errors, far more than the analytical step that labs spend most of their energy perfecting. Hemolysis from a rough draw, a mislabeled tube, a delayed courier, or an ambient temperature swing are the quiet failure points, and they rarely announce themselves. A compromised sample usually comes back not as an error message but as a plausible-looking number.Different tests tolerate this gauntlet differently. A complete blood count (CBC) is forgiving, generally good for a day or so at room temperature. Glucose, however, is not, as it falls quickly in an uncentrifuged tube unless a preservative holds it, while potassium leaks from cells and drifts within hours. Each analyte has its own clock, and one of the shortest clocks in all of routine hematology belongs to a test that clinicians order constantly to assess all sorts of inflammation: the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).The sed rate has one of the shortest stability windows in routine hematology. ALCOR Scientific examined how the technology to fix the instability already exists, and why laboratories have yet to embrace it.An anomaly hiding in plain sightGuidance from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and the International Council for Standardization in Haematology holds that a Westergren ESR (the original ESR testing method) must be run within four hours of collection at room temperature, or within 24 hours if refrigerated. Although the manual Westergren method is becoming increasingly less common due to staffing shortages, most other ESR methods are based on the principles of Westergren and rely on gravity-based sedimentation. With laboratory testing becoming more centralized, four hours is a severe constraint for such a routine test, and it stands out precisely because the sed rate is drawn from the same lavender-top tube as the day-stable CBC.The fragility is inherent to what the test measures. The ESR doesn't quantify a molecule; it measures a behavior — how fast red blood cells settle through plasma over an hour. When there is increased protein in the bloodstream due to an inflammatory condition, cells will aggregate and settle more – therefore high ESR values can signify inflammation. Erythrocyte sedimentation is a transient phenomenon confined to fresh blood. Blood left sitting in a tube keeps changing, altering how the red blood cells aggregate and sink. The longer the wait, the further the measured rate drifts from the patient's real physiological state. Refrigeration slows the drift but doesn't stop the clock.That four-hour window of room temperature stability was trivial to meet when the sed rate was run down the hall from the phlebotomy chair, but it is much harder now. Modern testing is consolidated: Samples are collected at scattered clinics and patient-service centers, then trucked to a central lab in vehicles that are not temperature-controlled in any real sense. The trip can run warm or cold, and the four-hour limit is one few people downstream ever see. The result still gets reported and is used to assist in diagnosing and monitoring rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arteritis, and other inflammatory diseases, where a value nudged across a threshold by transport time can change how a patient is classified and treated.The fix existsHere's what makes the persistence of the four-hour method genuinely puzzling: The constraint is not a law of nature, but an artifact of how the ESR has traditionally been measured. The testing methodology (Westergren-based) creates the limitation.A study published in August 2026 in Diagnostics compared the classical Westergren column against an automated analyzer, the iSED, which uses photometric rheology. Instead of waiting an hour to watch cells fall, it optically captures the first seconds of red-cell aggregation inside a temperature-controlled flow cell, returning a result in about 20 seconds. Samples run this way held accurate for up to 28 hours at room temperature and 48 hours refrigerated. Westergren samples, by contrast, showed signs of deterioration within several hours — not surprisingly since the guidelines have long been set at four hours stability for this methodology. Reading the earliest kinetics of aggregation in a controlled chamber, the newer method largely sidesteps the slow morphological decay that undermines a Westergren-based reading.Extend the window from four hours to more than a day, and the preanalytical headache mostly dissolves: fewer samples rejected out of window, fewer redraws, fewer second needle-sticks, and the option to run ESR and CBC from a single tube instead of a dedicated draw. All this results in a real savings on consumables and labor, as lab staffing shortages deepen.So why the inertia?Part of the answer is that the Westergren method is the internationally recognized reference standard, and reference standards are sticky by design: Labs validate against them, regulators recognize them, and clinicians trust the familiar. Another part is capital and workflow; replacing an installed method means budget, procurement, verification, and retraining, none of it free. The last part is simply that the preanalytical phase is chronically underscrutinized. Laboratories audit calibration to fractions of a percent while leaving specimens to fend for themselves in the back of a van, so a stability limit baked into an old method rarely rises to the top of anyone's priority list.The extended stability window is specific to the photometric method, not a new fact about ESR samples in general; a Westergren sample is still a four-hour proposition. The iSED analyzers measure a different part of the sedimentation process while also shielding the sample from environmental variables and standardizing the testing process through full automation. When a clinician orders an ESR test, they may not be aware of the method in use by the testing laboratory.But the underlying question stands on its own. When a routine test carries one of the tightest stability windows in the lab, when that window is routinely blown by the ordinary realities of sample transport, and when a method exists that relaxes the constraint by a full day, "because we've always done it this way" starts to look less like caution and more like inertia. Four hours is shorter than a lot of the trips these samples are expected to survive, and it may be time to ask why laboratories continue to retain old methodology when a better solution is readily available, inexpensive and easy to use.This story was produced by ALCOR Scientific and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Kennedy Center says it's on the brink of bankruptcy, might close as early as Tuesday In two board resolutions made public Monday, the arts institution says it is in a dire financial and physical state — and that only President Trump can "rescue" it.
	USDA seeking information from farmers about fertilizer ‘cartel’ practices U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden was in Iowa Friday, asking farmers from across the country to share their experiences dealing with consolidation and pricing issues in the fertilizer industry.
	Cree hábitos saludables para el corazón que duren, con 4 pasos sencillos diarios (Feature Impact) Su corazón trabaja las 24 horas del día, lo que convierte la salud del corazón en una de las partes más importantes de su bienestar general. La buena noticia es que mejorar la salud del corazón no requiere una transformación de la noche a la mañana. Los pequeños y constantes cambios en el estilo de vida y los hábitos saludables, incluyendo mantenerse activo y tomar decisiones inteligentes a la hora de comer, pueden ayudar a apoyar la salud cardiovascular. Pase menos tiempo sentado durante el día Si trabaja en una oficina, pasar largos períodos sentado puede ser lo habitual. Incluso si hace ejercicio con regularidad, esas largas horas sentado pueden afectar la salud del corazón. Busque oportunidades para moverse más: tome breves descansos para caminar, permanezca de pie mientras habla por teléfono, estírese entre reuniones o suba las escaleras en lugar de usar el elevador. Dé prioridad a una alimentación saludable para el corazón Una alimentación saludable para el corazón puede comenzar con alimentos bajos en grasa saturada y sodio, y que aporten vitaminas beneficiosas y compuestos vegetales, como las uvas frescas y jugosas. Las uvas contienen el 7% de la ingesta diaria recomendada de potasio por porción, son una buena fuente de vitamina K y aportan antioxidantes beneficiosos y otros polifenoles, incluyendo flavonoides, que pueden ayudar a relajar los vasos sanguíneos y promover una circulación saludable. Algunos estudios también sugieren que las uvas tienen un impacto beneficioso en los lípidos sanguíneos y más. De hecho, un estudio encontró que las mujeres que consumían 1 1/4 de taza de uvas todos los días se beneficiaron de niveles reducidos de triglicéridos en la sangre, niveles de colesterol LDL, proteínas inflamatorias y otros indicadores de enfermedades cardíacas. Ya sea como refrigerio, añadidas a ensaladas o mezcladas en batidos, las uvas de California facilitan agregar más nutrición saludable para el corazón durante el día. Por ejemplo, esta Ensalada Tibia de Lentejas, Uvas de California y Rúcula incluye un aderezo casero rápido de romero y limón para intensificar el sabor y complementar las lentejas negras y las dulces uvas. Reduzca el consumo de sodio añadido Agregar alimentos saludables para el corazón, como las uvas, a su menú es un buen punto de partida, pero cuidar su sistema cardiovascular también tiene que ver con lo que no está comiendo. Muchos alimentos envasados y de restaurantes contienen más sodio del que algunas personas creen, por lo que es importante leer las etiquetas nutricionales, preparar más comidas en casa y condimentar los alimentos con hierbas, especias, cítricos o vinagre en lugar de sal adicional para mantener una presión de la sangre saludable. Haga del buen sueño una prioridad El dormir bien influye muchos aspectos de la salud, incluyendo la del corazón. Los adultos deben aspirar a dormir entre 7 y 9 horas por noche en un ambiente fresco y confortable. Para lograr un buen descanso nocturno, intente limitar el tiempo frente a pantallas antes de acostarse, bloquee la luz y evite el alcohol o la cafeína por las noches. Para obtener más información sobre los beneficios de las uvas para la salud del corazón y encontrar recetas adicionales que apoyan la salud, visite GrapesFromCalifornia.com. Ensalada tibia de lentejas, uvas de California y rúcula Porciones: 6 Aderezo de romero y limón: 1/4 taza de aceite de oliva extra virgen 3 cucharadas de jugo de limón amarillo 2 cucharadas de hojas frescas de romero 2 cucharaditas de miel de abeja 1/2 cucharadita de sal marina 1 diente de ajo pimienta recién molida, al gusto 1 paquete (8 onzas) de lentejas negras precocidas 1 1/2 tazas de uvas de California, cortadas por la mitad 1 taza de radicchio, troceado 1 taza de rúcula nueces tostadas picadas Para preparar el aderezo de romero y limón: En una licuadora pequeña o procesador de alimentos, procese el aceite de oliva, el jugo de limón, el romero, la miel de abeja, la sal, el ajo y la pimienta, al gusto, hasta que el romero esté finamente picado; reserve hasta el momento de usar. Puede prepararse con 2 días de anticipación y refrigerarse en un recipiente tapado hasta el momento de servir. Lleve a temperatura ambiente antes de usar. En un tazón grande de vidrio, caliente las lentejas en el microondas durante 45 segundos, o hasta que estén tibias. Agregue las uvas, el radicchio, la rúcula y el aderezo al tazón y mezcle suavemente para cubrir. Espolvoree con nueces. Información nutricional por porción: 160 calorías; 4 g de proteína; 18 g de carbohidratos; 9 g de grasa (51% de calorías provenientes de la grasa); 1,5 g de grasa saturada (8% de calorías provenientes de la grasa saturada); 0 mg de colesterol; 200 mg de sodio; 4 g de fibra.
	Knight's Pizza named Best Pizza in the Quad Cities The 64 recently hosted the Best Pizza in the Quad Cities competition. Pizza restaurants around the Quad Cities competed against each other in a bracket-style tournament and fans voted for their favorites. The winner was announced early this morning. Caden Knight, owner of Knight’s Pizza spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to talk [...]
	Northeast Iowa veterans building memorial park for Vietnam fallen A group of veterans is building a memorial park in Giard to honor Iowa’s Vietnam veterans, including 53 lost service members from northeastern Iowa.
	Charges dropped against Des Moines man facing sexual exploitation, grooming charges in Scott County Charges have been dropped against a Des Moines man who was accused of grooming and sexual exploitation of a minor.
	Smithfield Foods employee dies at facility in workplace incident A Smithfield Foods team member was fatally injured in a workplace incident at the Monmouth facility, spokesperson says.
	Man accused of kidnapping Waterloo girl found guilty of all charges A jury has found a Michigan man guilty of kidnapping a 12-year-old girl from Waterloo.
	Bob Mackie, designer who dressed Marilyn Monroe, Elton John and Cher, dies at 87 The visionary costume and fashion designer was known as the "Sultan of Sequins" for his eye-catching celebrity looks.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for Sept. 14, 2026 YWCA is holding a diaper drive across its Quad Cities locations and the Muscatine Fire Department is holding a memorial to honor fallen firefighter Michael Kruse.
	Watt‘s too much? How much can you plug into one outlet? Watt's too much? How much can you plug into one outlet?Does a breaker trip when you use your air fryer and coffee maker at the same time? If so, the problem may be an overloaded outlet.But how much is too much at once? And how do you know when you've reached your outlet's limits? HomeServe provides the answers.How Much Power Can an Outlet Handle?In the United States, standard residential power outlets have a rating of 15 amps and 120 volts. By multiplying these two figures, you get the amount of power or current each outlet can supply, which is 1,800 watts. These outlets are often found in bedrooms, hallways and living rooms. Kitchens, laundry rooms and garages usually have 20-amp outlets, which can supply 2,400 watts (20 amps x 120 volts = 2,400).The 80% Continuous Load RuleTo keep wires from overheating and breakers from tripping due to overloaded outlets, you also need to factor in the continuous load. This occurs when the maximum power available through a circuit breaker is drawn for 3 hours or more. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), the continuous load on a circuit breaker shouldn't exceed 80% of its maximum rating.How Many Watts Can a Wall Outlet Handle?Limit the maximum current continually drawn from a 15- or 20-amp circuit to 80% of its capacity, which translates to 1,440 watts and 1,920 watts, respectively. Since every plug-in appliance or device is rated in watts, it's easy to add up the power draw of each item you have plugged in to make sure the total stays below 1,440 or 1,920.Is an Overloaded Outlet Dangerous?Overloading an outlet is dangerous and can pose a serious fire risk. According to data from the National Fire Protection Association for 2019 to 2023, 17% to 30% of home structure fires originating in living rooms and bedrooms were caused by electrical equipment. When an electrical outlet is overloaded, it heats up. When this happens, electrical connections and wiring deteriorate, worsening the overheating, until something fails. At this point, arcing may occur, igniting flammable materials.How Do I Know How Many Things I Can Plug Into One Outlet?To estimate the load you're placing on a particular 15- or 20-amp outlet, add up the watt ratings for each of the items you want to plug into it and make sure the total is less than 1,440 or 1,920 watts, respectively. This applies even if you're using a power strip or surge protector.Appliances that draw more than 12 amps should be plugged into 20-amp outlets. These include dishwashers, air conditioners, air fryers and coffee makers. Normally, these items are equipped with a 20-amp plug that won't fit into a 15-amp outlet because one pin has a T-shaped prong.Surge Protectors and Power StripsPower strips and surge protectors allow you to plug in multiple devices, and they're available in both 15- and 20-amp versions. The shape varies; some feature a double row of 15- or 20-amp sockets side by side, while others have a rectangular shape with four or more single sockets. Some include an on/off switch and have built-in USB ports.A surge protector looks much like a power strip but has a built-in safety device to limit power surges that may damage sensitive electronic equipment. Surge protectors are slightly more expensive and have indicator lights to confirm the device is working.How Many Things Can I Plug Into a Power Strip?The number of sockets a power strip has limits how many devices you can plug into it. But more importantly, make sure the load of all the devices totals less than 1,440 watts or 12 amps if it's a 15-amp strip. With a 20-amp strip, the total should be less than 1,920 watts or 16 amps.Can I Plug Two Power Strips or Surge Protectors Into One Outlet?You can plug two surge protectors into a single outlet by connecting the second device to one of the free sockets on the first surge protector. However, this is not a good idea, as you can easily overload the outlet or surge protector. It's safer to plug the second surge protector into a different wall outlet.Additional Electrical Safety TipsCan Every Outlet on a Branch Circuit Carry 15 or 20 Amps?No, the circuit breaker's 15- or 20-amp rating limits the total current of all the outlets on one branch circuit. When you apply the 80% rule, the total load limit for a 15-amp branch circuit is 12 amps/1,440 watts. For a 20-amp branch circuit, the limit is 16 amps/1,920 watts.Can You Plug a Surge Protector Into an Extension Cord?You technically can, but it's not a good idea to daisy-chain surge protectors and extension cords, as the risk of overloading and overheating the circuit is much higher with this setup. It's better to plug a surge protector directly into a wall outlet. In the name of extension cord safety, it's important to keep your extension cords in tip-top shape. Damaged cords are a fire hazard. Also, ignore the temptation to run extension cords under rugs or furniture — and definitely don't staple them to the wall. Again, this creates a fire hazard.What Happens If I Draw 15 or 20 Amps Continuously From an Outlet?Drawing 15 or 20 amps continuously from an outlet will cause the circuit breaker to overheat and trip. Additionally, doing so may damage the outlet. Overheated wiring is a fire hazard.This story was produced by HomeServe Editorial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The international expansion blind spot: Why US enterprise companies routinely underestimate their first year of VAT exposure The international expansion blind spot: Why US enterprise companies routinely underestimate their first year of VAT exposureWhen a U.S. enterprise makes the decision to expand internationally, the finance team usually builds a market-entry model. Everything from projected revenue and cost of customer acquisition to headcount and infrastructure are accounted for.Value-added tax tends to appear somewhere near the bottom of the list, treated as a compliance checkbox to be handed to outside counsel once your company hits a certain revenue threshold in a new country. A decade ago, this framing made sense. In today’s economy, however, it doesn’t.The regulatory environment around indirect tax compliance has accelerated sharply in recent years. Factors including real-time data-matching between VAT filings and payment processor records now operational in major markets, e-invoicing mandates expanding globally, and new rules that shift tax collection responsibility in unforeseen ways all play a role.The result of these changes is that the traditional approach of waiting to deal with the issue until the company has hit scale is riskier. Anrok has put together four key blind spots where U.S. enterprise finance teams most often underestimate their tax exposure and where 2026 regulatory changes have raised the stakes.Blind Spot #1: Treating VAT Registration As A Single-Country DecisionThe trapMost U.S. finance leaders approaching their first international market think about VAT registration as an isolated element. For instance, choosing to launch in Germany and only thinking about getting German VAT numbers. In this scenario, what gets missed is that EU VAT rules don't stop at the border. Once you're selling across multiple member states, you can trigger registration and filing obligations well beyond the one country you started with..VAT, at its core, is a supply-chain tax. Every transaction has its own VAT treatment, determined by where the buyer is, not just where the seller happens to be registered. That means VAT isn't something a company registers for once and checks off a list. Each country decides independently whether a sale is taxable there, based on its own rules for buyer location, transaction type, and registration thresholds. A U.S. company might set up its first VAT registration wherever its first international deal closes and treat that as "VAT is handled" — but as customers show up elsewhere, each new country can bring its own obligations, entirely independent of that first registration. One VAT number covers one country. It says nothing about the others.Real-world exampleConsider a Chicago-based enterprise SaaS company launching in the EU as an example. They chose to register after bringing on their first customers across the EUMunich. As a result, the finance team registers for VAT via the EU OSS scheme and automatically thinks the VAT box is checked. Six months later, during a routine review, their outside counsel flags that a growing share of new customers are individuals in Switzerland and Norway.. The company has been making taxable supplies in two additional jurisdictions with entirely separate VAT registration requirements. The retroactive filings and penalties became the first line item in the international expansion budget that everyone overlooked.What 2026 changedWhat is notable about 2026 is that the EU’s VAT in the Digital Age reform is moving into its next implementation.. Among its provisions is an expansion of the digital reporting requirements that feed into cross-border transaction monitoring. EU member states are working towards being able to share transaction-level data with one another more rapidly and systematically, meaning the gap between when a company makes a taxable supply in a country and when that country’s tax authority can identify it has shrunk.Finance team checklist itemBefore launching into a new international market, map not just the target country’s VAT rules, but the key supply-chain implications. This includes where your customers are located, where services are being delivered, and whether there are any cross-border registrations that cover those supplies.Blind Spot #2: Underestimating E-Invoicing MandatesThe trapE-invoicing, which is the requirement to issue invoices in a structured digital format through a government-connected network, is one of the fastest-moving areas of indirect tax compliance globally. It’s also one of the most consistently underestimated areas by U.S. companies entering their first international markets.The misunderstanding among finance teams is understandable, but sneaky. Your finance team is aware they need to issue invoices to customers and have a billing system which does that. What they miss, however, is that, in a growing number of countries, an emailed PDF to a customer is not a compliant invoice. The invoice must be generated in a specific format, often XML or JSON,and transmitted through a designated government platform or certified network. In some cases, it must also be validated and cleared before it reaches the customer while being retained in a format that satisfies local audit requirements.A failure to comply won’t just create the risk of penalty, as in some jurisdictions a noncompliant invoice means the underlying transaction is unrecorded for VAT purposes, which creates a bigger liability.Real-world exampleConsider a Boston-based analytics platform signing its first Indian enterprise customer. To serve them directly, the company sets up a local entity and registers for GST in India. The company begins invoicing through the standard billing system they’ve always used. The invoices are accurate, detailed, and issued perfectly on time. What the finance team failed to realize, however, is that once their Indian revenue crossed India's e-invoicing turnover threshold, GST law required those invoices to be generated through the government's Invoice Registration Portal and returned with an Invoice Reference Number and QR code before issuance to the customer. After two quarters of noncompliance invoicing, the company’s Indian customer flags the issue during their own GST audit, requiring retroactive IRP registration and coordination with the Indian Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, after which both companies are now under scrutiny.What 2026 changedIndian’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has extended its GST compliance data-matching to include payment platform records in 2026. This means the gap between what companies report and what payment processors transmit to the government has become an active audit sign, rather than a passive discrepancy. Companies that have been invoicing in a noncompliant manner in the past while payments clear through Indian banking channels are now facing a higher likelihood of audits.Additionally, in the EU, the new digital reporting requirements are also moving member states towards more standardized e-invoicing frameworks. France's mandate went live on Sept. 1, 2026 for large and mid-sized companies, and it's not an isolated case. Belgium's B2B mandate took effect at the start of 2026, Poland is phasing in its KSeF system through the first half of the year, and Germany already requires businesses to be able to receive structured e-invoices. Globally, more than 30 countries globally have some form of e-invoicing mandates in effect with dozens more scheduled in the near future.Finance team checklist itemFor every new market you enter, determine whether e-invoicing is mandated, along with what format and transmission method is required. You should also flag whether your billing infrastructure can produce compliant invoices before ever issuing a single one, rather than waiting for a customer to flag an issue.Blind Spot #3: Missing Deemed-Supplier And Marketplace-Facilitator RulesThe trapDeemed-supplier, or marketplace-facilitator, rules are provisions that move VAT collection responsibility from the seller to an intermediary platform. They were originally meant to be for large e-commerce marketplaces, but U.S. enterprise companies are increasingly getting caught up in them in ways they don’t anticipate.The most common situation involves a U.S. company that sells through a third-party platform in an international market. Under traditional VAT logic, the U.S. company might expect to have the collection and remittance obligation. Under deemed-supplier rules, though, the platform may be treated as the supplier for VAT purposes. This means that it collects and remits VAT, shifting the U.S. company’s obligation.While seemingly simple, and perhaps even a benefit, it creates a unique problem. The U.S. company may accidentally be reporting transactions with its own VAT filings that the platform is already reporting, potentially leading to duplications or mismatches that trigger an audit on both sides.Real-world exampleConsider a Seattle-based enterprise software company that starts selling its product through a regional online marketplace in the EU. The U.S. company registers for VAT in the marketplace’s home country or where their customers are located, thinking it’s their obligation, and begins filing returns that include revenue flowing through the reseller. What they missed is that the marketplace qualified as a deemed supplier under EU standards, meaning the platform has already been collecting and remitting VAT on those transactions. The U.S. company has inadvertently been double-counting taxable supplies in its own filings, which causes an unwinding of 18 months of filings and results in issuing corrected returns in multiple jurisdictions when an audit occurs.What 2026 changedAt the start of the year, Manitoba extended its Retail Sales Tax to remote sellers of cloud computing. It’s one of the most recent North American examples of a jurisdiction expanding its indirect tax net to grab foreign digital suppliers who previously fell outside the rules. The province joins a growing list of Canadian jurisdictions that now require nonresident digital service providers to register and collect. It’s also representative of a growing trend globally.Finance team checklist itemFor any market entered via a third-party platform, distributor, or reseller, determine right away whether that party qualifies as a deemed supplier under local VAT rules. Coordinate filing positions accordingly to avoid double-counting.Blind Spot #4: Misreading Audit Exposure From Data-Matching ProgramsThe trapThe standard audit exposure that most U.S. finance teams carry when thinking about VAT risk is mitigated by time. If something is wrong with past filings, a tax authority might audit you later in the future. It’s an uncomfortable reality, but one that is manageable due to the lengthy timing. Exposure is also limited to what’s on your filings, for the most part. However, this is an outdated approach.Tax authorities in major markets are are increasingly cross-referencing VAT filings against other data they already hold — e-invoice records, marketplace and payment platform data, and electronic receipts — to flag inconsistencies automatically. For example, Italy's tax authority, for example, ran a nationwide campaign in 2026 that cross-checked VAT returns directly against e-invoice and receipt data already on file. This doesn't mean every mismatch becomes an audit overnight, but it does mean discrepancies get surfaced automatically rather than waiting for a manual review to stumble onto them.Real-world exampleThink for a moment about a New York-based data infrastructure company that expands into India and registers for Goods and Services Tax. Its GST returns are all filed correctly and on time. What’s missed, though, is that some customer payments are being processed through an Indian payment gateway that reports the transaction-level data to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. This data shows that gross payments are slightly higher than what’s appearing in the GST filings. This is flagged for two quarters. What would have been a small correction under the old audit model now becomes a formal inquiry due to the length of time, with documentation that may take weeks or months to satisfy.What 2026 changedMBB Corporate Services, the global strategic consultancy and professional services firm, outlined how India’s CBIC extended its GST scrutiny framework this year. This action resulted in payment platform data, invoicing systems, e-way bills, income tax filings, and corporate filings, with GST filing data as a standard matching input, rather than an exceptional audit flag. Companies operating in India should now assume that any discrepancy between reported turnover and other government data sources will be found on a systematic level, rather than being caught only if stumbled across by a human auditor.Further, the EU’s VAT in the Digital Age implementation strategy includes a phased rollout of digital reporting that creates real-time transaction visibility for member state tax authorities. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s ongoing Tax Administration 3.0 initiative is pushing towards greater international interoperability between these national data systems as well. This means that data-matching audit exposure isn’t just confined to individual enforcement markets, but rather becoming a global baseline.Finance team checklist itemAudit your data consistency before you file, rather than after. Ensure you reconcile all payment processor data, billing system output, and VAT return inputs as a standard pre-filing step and maintain documentation explaining any differences.The compliance posture shift enterprise teams need nowThe 2026 regulatory landscape, including ViDA’s digital reporting infrastructure, India’s payment-data matching, the UAE’s amended enforcement posture, and the ongoing expansion of indirect tax obligations into markets like Canada, has changed. All these changes reflect a global shift towards real-time compliance. Tax authorities no longer need to wait for an audit cycle to identify a mismatch, since systems capture them instantly and aggregate them for when the audit comes.For finance leaders, the posture shift isn’t about adding resources but about moving indirect tax compliance upstream in the market-entry process. Treat VAT registration, e-invoicing infrastructure, and filing requirements as pre-launch diligence tasks rather than corrections after the fact. By making this shift, you can ensure you aren’t paying high penalty costs for remediation in the future.This story was produced by Anrok and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Gas prices up 20 cents per gallon in the Quad-Cities, diesel up 31.6 cents Prices in the Quad-Cities are 25.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.
	Clinton community raises awareness with No Data Center Concert The goal was to protect the communities needs against a data center proposal in Clinton.
	What is a business line of credit and how does it work? What is a business line of credit and how does it work?A business line of credit gives you flexible access to funding exactly when you need it. Unlike a traditional loan, you don't receive a lump sum up front. Instead, you draw only what you need and pay interest on the amount you use. It can help you handle seasonal dips and jump on growth opportunities without locking you into fixed payments.What is a business line of credit?A business line of credit is a revolving loan that gives you access to a set pool of funds you can draw from, repay, and reuse, paying interest only on what you use. This makes it useful for covering short-term costs, managing gaps in cash flow, or handling unexpected expenses without dipping into reserves.Unlike a traditional loan, you're not locked into fixed payments. You control how and when to access funds. Lines of credit are the top product for 36% of large banks and 17% of small banks, showing their growing role in mainstream business lending, Ramp reports.Lenders set your credit limit based on factors like revenue, time in business, and credit history. As you repay, those funds become available again without the need to reapply.Business line of credit vs. traditional business loanA traditional small business loan gives you a lump sum with fixed repayment terms. You start paying interest immediately, whether or not you use the full amount. With a line of credit, you borrow only what you need, when you need it, and pay interest on the drawn amount. Ramp Types of business lines of creditSome companies need fast access to working capital to manage cash flow. Others need structured business financing for larger, planned expenses. Lenders offer different types of credit lines to match these needs based on how your small business operates, your assets, and how predictable your revenue is.The main distinction comes down to secured vs. unsecured options: Secured lines require collateral and typically offer higher limits with lower rates, while unsecured lines trade those benefits for speed and simplicity.Secured business line of creditA secured business line of credit requires you to back your credit with collateral. That collateral can be inventory, equipment, accounts receivable, or other business assets. If you default, the lender can seize those assets to recover losses.As the risk is lower for lenders, you can usually qualify for higher limits and lower interest rates. For example, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's most current guidance on accounts receivable and inventory financing, banks commonly advance 70%–80% of eligible receivables as the basis for a credit limit. This makes secured lines a practical choice if you need consistent access to capital but don't want to pay high interest.If your business owns valuable assets and has a strong repayment plan, this option gives you more leverage. It's especially common in asset-heavy industries like manufacturing, wholesale, and construction.Choose a secured small business line of credit if you operate in an asset-heavy industry and want to maximize your credit limit while minimizing your interest rate. You'll need to be comfortable pledging equipment, inventory, or receivables as collateral.Unsecured business line of creditAn unsecured business line of credit doesn't require you to pledge any assets. Instead, lenders look at your business credit score, annual revenue, and time in business to determine your eligibility.This type of credit is ideal if you run a service-based business or operate without heavy equipment or inventory. It's also helpful if you want to protect your assets while still accessing flexible capital.As there's no collateral, lenders take on more risk. That means you usually have higher interest rates, and credit limits are tighter. Still, the tradeoff can be worth it if speed and simplicity matter more than size.Many fintech lenders now offer unsecured lines of credit with streamlined applications and minimal paperwork. According to the Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey, 31% of applicants to online lenders were fully approved for the financing they sought in 2023, and 70% received at least partial approval.That approval rate applies broadly to loans, lines of credit, and cash advances rather than to lines of credit specifically. But it still points to online lenders as a viable option, particularly for businesses that don't meet a traditional bank's full underwriting bar but can still walk away with some financing.Revolving business line of creditA revolving line of credit gives you ongoing access to funds up to a set limit. As you repay what you borrow, that amount becomes available again without the need to reapply.This structure is built for flexibility. You can draw funds as needed, repay on your schedule, and reuse the credit as your business needs change. It's ideal if your cash flow is unpredictable or tied to seasonal cycles. E-commerce businesses, for example, often rely on revolving credit to smooth out seasonal cash flow swings between peak and slow periods.Most business lines of credit fall into this category. Revolving credit works well if you need to make frequent purchases, manage short-term gaps, or maintain a buffer for unexpected costs. It keeps your capital accessible without locking you into a long-term commitment.Non-revolving business line of creditA non-revolving business line of credit gives you a fixed amount of funding option. Once you use and repay it, the account closes. You can't borrow again without applying for a new line.This type is useful when you need short-term access to capital without ongoing borrowing. It gives you flexibility on how you use the funds, but you can't draw again after repayment.You may get better terms than with a revolving line, like lower fees, fewer conditions, or faster approval, as the lender limits long-term exposure. That makes it a good fit for planned, one-time expenses where you don't need continued access to credit.Here's an example: A contractor takes a single $40,000 draw from a non-revolving line to purchase a specialty excavator. They repay the balance over the 12-month term, and the line closes. If another equipment need arises later, they apply for a new line.How a business line of credit worksOnce you're approved for a business line of credit, it works differently than a business loan. You don't receive funds all at once. Instead, you draw what you need, repay it, and reuse it without having to start over.Apply and get approved: To start, you apply through a bank, credit union, or fintech lender. Approval of your credit line will depend on your revenue, time in business, and ability to repay.Access your credit limit: Once the credit line is approved, the lender will set a maximum credit limit. This is the total amount you're allowed to borrow at any one time.Draw funds on demand: You can access the funds through your lender's portal or mobile app. You decide how much to draw and when.Repay what you borrow: Interest is charged only on the amount you draw as you use the line. You can repay early to reduce your interest costs.Reuse your credit: Once you repay what you've borrowed, your credit limit resets. This makes it easier to manage cash flow over time and respond to new expenses as they come up.Business line of credit interest rates and costsBusiness line of credit interest rates are typically variable and tied to a benchmark like the Prime rate, and you only pay interest on the balance you actually draw.Understanding the total cost of a business line of credit means looking beyond the interest rate. You'll encounter several potential fees:Interest on your drawn balance: This is your primary cost. Rates are usually expressed as Prime + a margin based on your creditworthiness.Draw fees: Some lenders charge a small percentage each time you access fundsAnnual or maintenance fees: Many lenders charge a yearly fee to keep your line openOrigination fees: A one-time fee when you open the line, though many fintech lenders skip thisCurrent market rates vary by lender and credit profile. The interest-only-on-what-you-draw structure makes a commercial line of credit rate more cost-effective than a term loan when you don't need the full amount. If you're approved for $100,000 but only draw $20,000, you pay interest on $20,000. Ramp What you need to qualify for a business line of creditBusiness line of credit requirements vary by lender, but most share a common set of qualifications. Here's what you'll typically need:Time in business: Usually 6 to 12 months minimumPersonal credit score: Generally at least a 600 to 680+ FICO scoreAnnual revenue: Often around $100,000+, or $3,000+/month with some lendersDocuments: Bank statements, tax returns, profit and loss statement, balance sheetA business bank account: You may need to open an account with the lenderTo get approved for a business line of credit, you must show that your company is financially stable, has consistent revenue, and can manage debt responsibly. Lenders want to see that you're running a healthy business and you can repay what you borrow without risk.Time in businessStart with how long you've been in business. Most lenders require at least 6 months of operations, but some may ask for a full year or more. According to the Federal Reserve's 2024 Report on Startup Firms, startup employers were less likely than older, more established employers to be fully approved for financing. You're already in a stronger position if you've been in business for more than 2 years.RevenueNext, look at your revenue. Many lenders set a baseline of around $100,000 in annual income. If you fall below that, you might still qualify, especially if your cash flow is steady and your bank account shows consistent deposits. Fintech lenders tend to be more flexible here than traditional banks.Credit scoreYour credit score also matters to lenders. Most of them will check your personal credit, and they're usually looking for a score of 600 or higher. Some will also check your business credit if you've built a profile. A stronger score can unlock better rates, but qualifying with fair credit is still possible if the rest of your finances are solid.Business documentsBe ready to share your documents. At a minimum, you'll need to provide recent bank statements, business tax returns, a profit and loss statement, and a balance sheet. Lenders use these to understand your cash flow and see whether you can manage repayments without strain.Business bank accountYou'll also need a business bank account. Lenders use it to verify income and transfer funds if you're approved. If you're applying through a fintech platform, you'll likely connect your account directly during the application process so they can review your financial activity in real-time.How to apply for a business line of creditA business line of credit is common among growing companies that need flexibility but don't want to take on long-term debt. The application process is often faster than applying for a business loan.Choose the right lender: Decide whether you want to go through a traditional or online lender. Banks may offer lower rates but usually take longer and require more paperwork.Complete the application: You'll need to provide basic information about your business, including your legal name, structure, industry, time in business, and estimated annual revenue. Most lenders also ask for your employer identification number (EIN) and a business bank account.Submit financial documents: Lenders typically ask for 3 to 6 months of business bank statements, your most recently filed business tax return, and financial statements such as a profit and loss report and a balance sheet. If you're applying for a secured line, be ready to provide a list of assets as collateral.Go through the review process: After you apply, the lender reviews your financials to evaluate risk. They'll look at your revenue trends, cash flow, credit history, and ability to repay.Review your offer: If you're approved, the lender will send you an offer outlining your credit limit, interest rate, repayment terms, and any fees. Smaller lines of credit are often approved in as little as 24 to 72 hours, though this varies.Accept and access funds: Once you accept the offer, your account opens, and your credit line becomes available. You can draw funds as needed, repay what you use, and continue using the line without having to reapply.Online lenders can typically approve and fund credit lines within one to three days, though timelines vary by lender. Traditional banks may take a week or more, depending on how much you're requesting and the complexity of your financials.Pros and cons of a business line of creditA business line of credit offers on-demand capital with interest charged only on what you use, but variable rates and potential fees mean it's not the right fit for every situation.ProsDraw funds on demand, up to your limitPay interest only on what you useReuse credit after repayment without reapplyingTypically faster approval than term loansConsVariable rates can rise with the marketFees add upMay require a personal guarantee or collateralenders can reduce or freeze your limitHow to decide if a business line of credit is right for youA business line of credit gives you flexible access to working capital without locking you into long-term debt. It's built to manage cash flow, cover short-term needs, and keep your operations moving.But not every business owner needs one. A term loan might offer better rates if you're planning a one-time investment. If you're consistently running close to your limit or struggling to repay, a credit line may not solve the root problem.To decide if it's the right fit, look at how and when you spend. A line of credit works best when your cash flow is healthy but uneven, like during seasonal slowdowns or delayed customer payments. If you have consistent revenue, a clear repayment strategy, and a need for flexible funding, it's a strong tool to keep in your financial stack.Choose a line of credit if:Your revenue fluctuates seasonally or month to monthYou need a financial buffer for unexpected expensesYou want to avoid locking into fixed loan paymentsYou prefer paying interest only when you actually use fundsConsider an alternative if:You need a large, one-time capital investment (term loan may be better)Your cash flow can't support regular repaymentsYou're consistently maxing out your available creditYou want a fixed rate to lock in predictable costsHere's a real-world scenario: A retailer experiences a three-month revenue dip every summer when foot traffic slows. A revolving line of credit lets them draw $30,000 in June to cover payroll and inventory, then repay it in September when sales pick up. A term loan would have locked them into 36 months of fixed payments regardless of their cash position.This story was produced by Ramp and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	States that cap rent increases, and where support for rent control is building States that cap rent increases, and where support for rent control is buildingIn states with rent control, the law limits how much a landlord can raise rent. Those legal caps typically reset every year (and vary by location), but cities and counties within the same state may still have vastly different rent control laws.Landlords who operate rental properties in areas with these laws can face plenty of frustrating hurdles when raising rent. As operating costs creep up, rent caps can make it harder for them to keep pace with the market. If a landlord doesn’t understand the rules, they could end up refunding excess rent or pleading their case in front of a judge.On the other hand, for tenants, those same caps can soften the jolt of a renewal increase that might otherwise force them to move to a new rental. That predictability makes it easier to budget for housing costs from one lease term to the next.TurboTenant looked at the states that cap rent increases, how rent caps and related regulations work, and what those rules could mean for landlords and tenants.Rent caps and regulations in 8 statesWhat often gets overlooked is how differently rent control works from one state to the next.Some states tie rent control to the consumer price index (CPI), regardless of whether a rental is in areas where rents are rising fastest. Before raising rent, landlords in these places typically need to track annual changes and figure out which rules apply.Note: CPI measures how prices for everyday goods and services change over time, giving states a common way to track inflation.Washington, Oregon, and California, for example, all cap rent through a statewide formula. New York takes a different approach by applying Good Cause Eviction Laws in NYC, while allowing other municipalities to choose their own approach. In New Jersey and Maryland, rent control laws are common, and Connecticut’s fair rent commissions review tenant complaints about excessive rent increases on a case-by-case basis.Then there is Massachusetts, which does not have traditional rent control for standard private-market housing, but came close to getting it onto the ballot in 2026.If this all sounds a little murky, use the table below to see which states have rent control in the U.S. today and then dive into the list below for more information about each state’s relationship to rent control. TurboTenant 1. WashingtonWashington state’s rent control law took effect in May 2025, and the Department of Commerce set the 2026 cap at 9.683% (7% plus CPI), with a 10% overall ceiling.The law also affects lease structure. For example, rent for a fixed-term Washington residential lease can’t differ by more than 5% from month-to-month rent for the same unit. Further, landlords must also give tenants 90 days’ notice of a rent increase, up from the old 60-day timeline. That 50% extra runway aims to make a sizable increase less jarring for renters.A single infraction can trigger civil penalties as high as $7,500 for landlords, with damages for unlawful and excess rent tacked on for up to three months. In its initial round of enforcement in August 2025, Washington saw eight landlords back down from their rent increase notices and return excess money to their tenants.Landlord associations across the state have objected to rent control, citing concerns about housing investment, supply, and rising property operating costs.2. OregonThe state capped Oregon rent increases in 2019 and became the first state in the U.S. to implement a statewide rent control law. From the start, the law didn’t satisfy everyone: Renters argued the cap was too high, while others warned it could raise rents and reduce housing supply.The Department of Administrative Services corrected the 2026 percentages to 6% for facilities with more than 30 spaces, including manufactured-home parks and marinas, and 9.5% for most other covered rentals. Both numbers are below the 10% maximum Oregon allowed in 2025.Each year, the department’s Office of Economic Analysis calculates and publishes the maximum allowable rent increase percentages, which go into effect every Jan. 1.3. CaliforniaCalifornia’s rent control formula takes a little unpacking. As a baseline, the statewide Tenant Protection Act limits annual increases to 5% plus the regional change in CPI, or 10%, whichever is lower.But the exact allowable cap depends on the rental’s address and the applicable CPI.For rentals governed by the statewide cap in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim, for instance, landlords can raise rent by up to 8.7% between Aug. 1, 2026, and July 31, 2027, up from 8% the year before. Each year, California recalculates regional caps using April CPI data, and the new limits take effect every Aug. 1.To add even more nuance, certain single-family homes are exempt from the Tenant Protection Act if the owner isn’t a corporation, a real estate investment trust, or a limited liability company with a corporate member, and the landlord has served the tenant with the correct statutory notice that the unit is exempt.As far as public reception, tenant advocates have welcomed the measures, while apartment groups argued they wouldn’t fix the housing shortage and could discourage new construction.4. New YorkSince the Good Cause Eviction Law took effect in April 2024, many New York tenants have enjoyed much-needed protection from steep rent increases and lease nonrenewal. Notably, the hot-button law applies automatically in New York City, while other municipalities can choose whether or not to adopt it.By May 2026, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) listed 19 municipalities outside of NYC that had opted in. Albany joined first in June 2024, followed by Kingston in July. One key difference is how jurisdictions define a small landlord: New York City sets the line at 10 units, while most participating towns use only one.Good Cause laws don’t set a strict rent cap; instead, they treat increases above 5% plus inflation, or 10% total, as potentially unreasonable.In essence, this standard means that landlords can still attempt to charge rent higher than the limits discussed, but if the tenant challenges the rent hike, the landlord will need to justify the increase in front of a judge.Naturally, both sides aren’t quite satisfied: Tenant advocates want broader statewide coverage, while landlord groups oppose limits on rent increases and nonrenewals.In June 2026, New York City’s rent debate heated up under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who backed a rent freeze for roughly 1 million rent-stabilized apartments across the Big Apple.Important legal note: To stay fully compliant, regulated landlords must also include required Good Cause language in New York residential lease agreements, renewals, and certain eviction notices and court filings.5. New JerseyRent control in New Jersey depends largely on local rules. The state Department of Community Affairs tracks which of New Jersey’s 564 municipalities have a rent stabilization ordinance, and more than 100 municipalities regulate rent increases locally.Since March 2026, state law capped rent increases for covered manufactured-home sites at 3.5% over any 12 months, subject to limited exceptions. For most conventional rentals, however, landlords still need to look toward municipal regulations to determine whether a local cap applies.Take Passaic, for example. In September 2025, the city reduced its annual base-rent cap for covered units from 6% to 3% (although landlords may add a qualifying prorated property tax increase). The amendment also ended vacancy decontrol for covered units, meaning rent increase limits remain in place even after an old tenant moves out and a new one moves in.6. MarylandWhile Maryland doesn’t have a statewide rent stabilization law, local caps still apply in some jurisdictions. For instance, Montgomery County limits rent increases for covered units to 5.2% through June 30, 2027, based on CPI for all urban consumers plus 3% or 6%, whichever is lower.In simple terms, allowable rent increases can grow with inflation but cannot exceed 6% in a given year.One exception is that properties on Montgomery County’s Troubled or At-Risk Properties Report. These properties cannot raise rent until they’re removed from the report, though a landlord who can’t correct the violations may submit a Fair Return application. Montgomery County landlords also cannot increase rent midlease, even on a multiyear lease.Prince George’s County also has rent stabilization with the same July 1 reset date: 5.7% for most regulated units and 2.7% for age-restricted senior housing in 2026-27.Renters and tenant advocates in these jurisdictions have pushed for greater stability, while property owners and developers have warned that tighter caps could jeopardize new housing construction.7. ConnecticutIn practice, Connecticut regulates rent by complaint instead of by percentage.By 2028, municipalities with at least 15,000 residents will have to create or join a fair rent commission, which can limit increases it finds harsh and unconscionable after a tenant complaint. In 2024, proposed hikes of up to $900 a month at one East Lyme apartment complex helped fuel a local push for a fair rent commission.A 2026 proposal, HB 5092, would have treated increases above the greater of 5% or inflation as excessive in some cases involving recently transferred properties, but ultimately the bill did not become law. For landlords, this means there still isn’t one statewide formula to check before raising rent. Instead, they’ll need to see whether a local fair rent commission has jurisdiction and what rules apply there.8. Massachusetts (Close, but no rent control)Massachusetts isn’t like the other states on this list.As of August 2026, Massachusetts doesn’t allow rent control on ordinary private-market rentals, though the issue nearly made it to voters. The state has had a broad prohibition on mandatory rent control in place since 1994. By November 2025, supporters of a change claimed to have collected over 124,000 signatures for a statewide measure to bring rent control back.The Supreme Judicial Court ended that effort in June 2026 when it struck the measure from the ballot. The issue was an exemption for certain religious institutions. Justice Frank Gaziano wrote that the petition “relates to religion, religious practices or religious institutions,” and therefore violated Article 48’s ban on such petitions.Although the measure never reached voters, the push for rent control remains top of mind for landlords and tenants across the state. Lawmakers are also considering separate legislation to let cities and towns adopt local rent stabilization on their own.Rent control changes constantly. Are you ready?Knowing the states with rent control is only the start. States and localities update their rules on different schedules, so landlords with rentals in more than one market need the right tools to keep up with their growing pile of day-to-day responsibilities while tracking several limits at once.Not to mention, states without rent control in 2026 could adopt new restrictions later. To prepare for a potential law change, landlords should update their lease and renewal process accordingly and use a state-specific lease template instead of recycling an outdated generic agreement, year after year.Before raising rent, landlords should check the current cap or standard that applies to their specific property and the notice rules tied to their rental’s address. Ironing out those details beforehand can help landlords avoid costly mistakes, while tenants will have a much better idea of exactly what to expect come renewal season.This story was produced by TurboTenant and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Is AI content bad for SEO? Here’s what determines ranking Is AI content bad for SEO? Here’s what determines rankingAsking whether AI content is bad for SEO usually means asking a more practical question: Will publishing this hurt my rankings? The answer depends on how the content was made rather than what made it.Google’s core position has remained consistent since February 2023. Its ranking systems reward quality regardless of production method, and the spam policies target automation used to manipulate rankings rather than automation itself.That leaves the harder question, which is what separates AI content that performs from AI content that gets buried. Here, WebFX covers Google’s actual position, the process failures behind most underperforming AI content, and what a workflow that produces rankable AI content for SEO looks like.Is AI content bad for SEO?AI content is not bad for SEO. Bad content is bad for SEO, and AI makes bad content faster to produce, which is why the two get confused.Consider what happens when someone opens a chat window, types a keyword, and publishes the output. The result has no research foundation, no original data, no verified claims, and no brand context. It would underperform if a person had written it the same way.Now consider the same model working from a strategist’s outline, competitive research on what currently ranks, first-party data, and a documented brand voice, followed by expert review. That output can compete, and often does.The variable is the process, and the process is where the skill lives. Most teams reaching for AI have not built one yet, which is the real reason so much AI content underperforms.Does Google penalize AI content?No. Google does not penalize content for being AI-generated, and it has said so directly since publishing its guidance on AI-generated content in February 2023. Its ranking systems reward original, high-quality, people-first content that demonstrates experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness, however that content is produced.The policy line sits at intent. Using automation of any kind with the primary purpose of manipulating search rankings violates Google’s spam policies, and that applies equally to a person and a model.Google also noted the concern is not new. Roughly a decade earlier, mass-produced human-written content raised similar alarms, and the response was to improve ranking systems to reward quality rather than ban a production method.What the spam policies actually coverThe relevant policy is scaled content abuse, which addresses producing many pages primarily to manipulate rankings rather than help users, typically with little or no original value. Whether a person, a model, or a combination created those pages is not the test.Enforcement follows the same logic. The March 2024 core update folded helpfulness signals into core ranking alongside the updated spam policies, and Google completed the rollout on April 19, 2024, reporting 45% less low-quality, unoriginal content in results against an expected 40%.That number measured low-quality and unoriginal content rather than AI content, so it cannot be used as evidence of an AI-content penalty.Why most AI content failsThe pages that lose traffic after a core update share a pattern, and it is not the presence of a model in the workflow. Each failure below describes a step someone skipped.No research foundationContent that ranks is built on knowledge of what already ranks. A draft produced without studying the current results has no way to identify what the top pages cover, where the gaps are, or what the reader actually came for.A model does not automatically know your current SERP or competitive context unless the workflow supplies it. Skipping the research step means the draft has no target beyond the keyword itself.No original inputSearch results reward pages that contribute something unavailable elsewhere. First-party data, a client example, a tested workflow, an internal benchmark, or a named practitioner’s judgment all qualify.A model working only from what exists tends to restate the consensus, and a restatement of page one gives Google no reason to rank you above page one. The same applies to a human writer who read the top five results and nothing else.Unverified claimsGenerative models produce confident, well-formed sentences around statistics that do not exist. They also cite sources that turn out to say something different from the claim attached to them.Publishing unverified specifics damages trust with readers faster than any ranking signal, and in regulated categories it creates real liability. Every number needs a primary source you opened yourself.No brand or audience contextA model given a one-line prompt produces copy that could belong to any company in the category. Voice, positioning, terminology, and the specific way your audience describes its own problems are all context the model cannot infer.Maintaining brand voice with AI-assisted drafting is achievable, and it depends on supplying that context before drafting rather than editing tone in afterward.No expert reviewSomeone with domain knowledge has to read the draft before it publishes. That person catches factual errors, thin recommendations, and the confident statements that turn out to be wrong. Volume makes this failure worse rather than causing it. Publishing one unreviewed page creates a quality problem. Producing large amounts of low-value content primarily to manipulate rankings can cross into scaled content abuse.How to use AI content for SEOUsing AI well is a skill, and it takes time to build. The teams getting results treat generation as one step inside a process that starts with research and ends with expert review, rather than as the process itself.Here is what that sequence looks like in practice: WebFX 1. Research before draftingStudy the current results for your target keyword before drafting begins. Identify what the top pages cover, how they structure the answer, what they leave out, and what the searcher actually wants.This step determines everything downstream. An outline built without it produces a draft aimed at nothing in particular.2. Build a strategic outlineThe outline is where strategy gets decided: Structure, key messages, supporting evidence, the angle, and the keyword scaffolding. A person owns those decisions and approves the result, and AI can help develop or refine the structure once the direction is set.An outline built on real research produces a usable draft. An outline the model invents from the keyword alone produces the same shape as every other page on the topic.3. Load real context before you promptGive the model your brand guidelines, audience research, performance data, and the outline before asking for a draft. The difference between a model working from that and a model working from a one-line prompt shows up in accuracy, in voice, and in whether the piece contributes anything new.Context engineering is the part of this work that separates useful output from generic output, and it is the part most teams skip.4. Let AI draft against the scaffoldingGeneration is where AI earns its place. Expanding a detailed outline into sentences and paragraphs is faster with a model than without one.Treat the output as a draft rather than a deliverable. It is raw material shaped by your outline rather than a finished page.5. Verify every factual claimOpen every source. Check that the statistic exists, that the number matches, and that the source says what the draft claims it says.This step is not optional and it does not compress. It is the single highest-value use of human time in the entire workflow.6. Add what the model could notOriginal data, a client example, an internal benchmark, a practitioner’s judgment, a real timeline. This is the information gain that determines whether the page contributes or restates.If nothing in the draft could only have come from you, the piece has no competitive argument.7. Review against quality standardsRead the finished page against the criteria Google’s search quality raters apply: Does it fully satisfy the search intent, does it demonstrate real expertise, would a reader trust it. Then check brand voice, flow, and formatting.Grading content against those standards before it publishes catches the problems that otherwise surface as a ranking drop.What AI does well and what it does notThe workflow above assumes a clear split between what AI handles and what a person handles. Here is where that line falls, task by task: WebFX The pattern is consistent. AI accelerates execution, while judgment, verification, and original contribution stay with people. That division is why AI-assisted copy can be strong copy, and why unreviewed AI output usually is not.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Home equity reaches a record $18 trillion among US mortgage holders. Here is where it runs deepest Home equity reaches a record $18 trillion among US mortgage holders. Here is where it runs deepestFor millions of Americans, the home they already own has become one of their strongest financial assets. U.S. mortgage holders collectively held a record $18 trillion in home equity in the second quarter of 2026, according to ICE Mortgage Technology's August 2026 Mortgage Monitor. Within that total, ICE classified $11.7 trillion as tappable equity, held by 47.5 million mortgage holders.That does not mean every borrower can access their full share of that total or would qualify to borrow against it. ICE also counted roughly 813,000 borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth, a 44% increase from a year earlier, concentrated among FHA and VA borrowers and people who bought between 2022 and 2025. Both figures describe the same market: housing wealth at a record high, and a small but growing group of recent buyers with no equity to draw on.To see where that cushion is deepest, Griffin Funding reviewed ATTOM's Q2 2026 U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report and its state-by-state equity ranking. The result is a striking divide: In Vermont, nearly four out of five mortgaged properties are equity-rich. In Louisiana, fewer than one in five meet the same standard.ATTOM defines a mortgaged property as equity-rich when the combined estimated balance of loans secured by the home is no more than half of its estimated market value. Nationally, 41.1% of mortgaged residential properties met that definition in Q2 2026.Where home equity runs deepestVermont led the country by a wide margin, with 78.9% of mortgaged properties classified as equity-rich. Montana ranked second at 59.0%, followed by Rhode Island at 54.9%, South Dakota at 53.6% and New Hampshire at 53.1%.The Northeast is especially well represented. Seven of the 10 highest-ranking states are in the region, and Vermont sits nearly 38 percentage points above the national rate.At the other end of the ranking, Louisiana had the smallest equity-rich share at 17.5%. Minnesota followed at 20.1%, then Maryland at 28.0%, Alaska at 30.4% and Iowa at 32.2%.The distance between those markets is a reminder that a record national total does not describe every mortgage holder's experience. Source: ATTOM; analysis by Griffin Funding. The national cushion is strong, but not evenly distributedThe record $18 trillion total is a strong national backdrop. But ATTOM's Q2 report contains an important countertrend: The share of mortgaged properties considered equity-rich fell from 47.4% in Q2 2025 to 41.1% one year later.After four consecutive quarterly declines, the rate is near a five-year low. ATTOM also updated the report to exclude transactions in which a single jumbo loan is secured by multiple properties. The company did not quantify the effect of that change, so year-over-year comparisons should be interpreted cautiously.Only four states posted year-over-year increases: North Dakota, South Dakota, Kentucky and Wyoming. Every other state in ATTOM's state-level ranking had a smaller equity-rich share than a year earlier.Minnesota experienced the sharpest decline, falling from 37.6% to 20.1%. It also had the highest seriously underwater rate in the country at 12.1%, up from 2.6% a year earlier, per ATTOM’s Q2 report. Minneapolis had the highest seriously underwater rate among large metros ATTOM analyzed, with the second-lowest equity-rich share behind Baton Rouge. Michigan dropped from 50.8% to 39.3%, while California declined from 56.9% to 45.6%.The pattern also appeared across large metros: 104 of the 108 areas ATTOM analyzed had lower equity-rich shares than a year earlier. The bottom of the distribution moved as well. ATTOM counted 3.2% of mortgaged properties as seriously underwater, meaning loan balances at least 25% above estimated market value, up from 2.7% a year earlier.At first, that may seem to conflict with ICE's record equity figure. It does not. ICE estimates the total dollar value of equity held by mortgage borrowers. ATTOM measures the percentage of mortgaged properties that clear a much higher bar: having at least 50% equity.The country can therefore hold more equity in total, while a smaller share of properties meets ATTOM's equity-rich threshold. A homeowner can also have meaningful equity without owning half of the property outright.Low-rate mortgages are changing how owners access equityHome equity is not cash sitting in an account. To use it, a homeowner generally has to sell the property or borrow against it.For many owners, the second option now comes with a difficult calculation. They may have substantial equity, but they may also have a first mortgage secured when rates were considerably lower.A cash-out refinance replaces that existing mortgage with a new, larger first mortgage. For someone who already has a favorable rate, refinancing the full balance may be an expensive way to access only part of the home's equity.That helps explain renewed interest in HELOCs and other home equity financing options. A HELOC, home equity loan or other second lien may allow a qualified homeowner to borrow against the property while leaving the original first mortgage in place.In the first quarter of 2026, 54% of all home-equity extraction came through second liens, according to ICE's June Mortgage Monitor. Second-lien withdrawals reached their strongest first-quarter volume in 18 years as more borrowers sought to preserve existing low-rate mortgages.TransUnion's Q2 2026 Credit Industry Insights Report showed a similar shift. Home-equity originations rose 5.8% year over year to 560,000 in the first quarter of 2026, driven by a 16.8% increase in HELOC originations. TransUnion reports origination data one quarter in arrears.Borrowing against a home is not free money. It adds debt, creates another payment and uses the property as collateral. But for qualified homeowners who understand those tradeoffs, accumulated equity can create choices that would not otherwise exist. Sources: ICE Mortgage Technology, ATTOM and TransUnion; analysis by Griffin Funding. The same equity can serve very different homeownersA longtime homeowner may view equity as a safety net that can remain untouched for years. Another might use part of it for renovations, debt consolidation or a large, planned expense.For a self-employed homeowner, the challenge may be less about whether wealth exists and more about how income is documented. Business owners, freelancers and entrepreneurs often have earnings that do not arrive as a steady paycheck. In those cases, bank statement loans may evaluate qualifying income using deposits rather than relying solely on W-2s, pay stubs or traditional tax-return calculations.Real estate investors may look at equity differently. Equity built in an existing rental property can become part of a decision to renovate, refinance or pursue another acquisition. When financing rental properties, debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) loans primarily evaluate the property's rental income rather than the investor's traditional employment income.These borrowers may have different goals, but the underlying benefit is the same: financial flexibility.For many mortgage holders, the real value is having optionsThe record $18 trillion figure is a sign of strength, but it should not be read as an invitation for every homeowner to take on more debt.Some owners may choose to borrow against their equity. Others may leave it untouched, allowing it to remain part of their long-term household wealth.What matters is that millions of mortgage holders now have a meaningful cushion inside the homes they already own.That cushion is deeper in Vermont than in Louisiana, while many recent buyers have far less equity to draw on. But across the country, home equity remains one of the most important sources of household financial resilience.For many mortgage holders, its greatest value may be simple: It gives them options.MethodologyGriffin Funding reviewed ATTOM's Q2 2026 state-level home equity data to identify where mortgaged properties had the highest and lowest equity-rich shares. The review also compared Q2 2026 figures with Q2 2025 percentages for each state in ATTOM's published ranking.ATTOM classifies a mortgaged residential property as equity-rich when the estimated combined balance of loans secured by the property is no more than 50% of its estimated market value. State percentages describe mortgaged properties, not individual people or homes owned free and clear.ATTOM notes in its Q2 2026 report that it updated the analysis to exclude activity in which a single jumbo loan is secured by multiple properties, which previously offset loan-to-value ratios in markets with heavier investor participation. Year-over-year comparisons in this analysis should be read with that revision in mind. Negative equity figures come from ICE's August 2026 Mortgage Monitor. TransUnion reports origination volumes one quarter in arrears, so figures cited from its Q2 2026 report describe first-quarter originations.National total and tappable-equity estimates come from ICE Mortgage Technology. Home-equity origination and second-lien trends are based on data from ICE's June Mortgage Monitor and TransUnion's Q2 2026 Credit Industry Insights Report.This story was produced by Griffin Funding and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	One dead after workplace incident at Smithfield Foods, Monmouth One person is dead after a fatal workplace incident at Smithfield Foods in Monmouth this morning. The company emailed a statement to Our Quad Cities News about the incident. “We are deeply saddened to confirm the loss of a team member who was fatally injured in a workplace incident this morning at our Monmouth facility. [...]
	Inside America’s rising fraud hotspots: 2026 update Inside America’s rising fraud hotspots: 2026 updateFraud has quickly become one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. According to the FTC, Americans reported losing $3.5 billion dollars to imposter scams in 2025.As our lives move more and more online, scammers find new and more covert ways to adapt to the digital landscape. In the past, scammers were limited to the people in their vicinity; today, they can target thousands of people at a time.Data has repeatedly shown that fraud tends to occur in clusters; scammers tend to gravitate towards “hotspots” for a wide variety of reasons. As such, certain cities and metropolitan statistical areas tend to be magnets for fraudulent activity.Here, PeopleFinders takes a look at five of America’s biggest fraud hotspots, signs of fraudulent activity, and ways that you can protect yourself against it.Identifying America’s Biggest Fraud HotspotsFraud is essentially any scheme that tricks a person into giving away money, personal information, passwords, or access to their private accounts.These hotspot rankings are based primarily on the FTC Fraud & Identity Theft Maps, and also draw from the FTC’s most recently available nationwide data report, the 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. Metropolitan statistical areas are ranked by their total number of fraud reports. Metropolitan areas are ranked using fraud reports per 100,000 residents.It’s important to note that higher reporting rates don’t necessarily mean residents are more likely to be victimized; they may simply reflect that residents report fraud more consistently.10 Rising Fraud Hotspots in AmericaWhere is fraud happening the most in the United States? The following 10 metropolitan areas consistently rank among the highest for reported fraud in FTC data.The data below is per 100,000 residents:Homosassa Springs, Florida – 304Ocala, Florida – 298Punta Gorda, Florida – 297Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida – 285Wildwood-The Villages, Florida – 276Prescott Valley-Prescott, Arizona – 276Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida – 275Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, Nevada – 273Jacksonville, Florida – 267Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – 266Interestingly, Florida’s metropolitan areas take up a staggering seven slots out of the 10 available, including all of the top five. Florida consistently ranks among the states with the highest fraud reporting rates for a host of potential reasons, including its large and growing population, its high proportion of retirees, its tourist-heavy seasons, and its high levels of online vulnerabilities.These potential reasons are not unique to Florida. While the FTC doesn’t specifically identify a reason why certain areas report higher fraud rates, experts generally point to many of the aforementioned reasons across the board. In other words, all U.S. states, including those both on and off of the list, may be vulnerable to fraudulent activity due to a combination of the following reasons.Common Warning Signs of FraudThough fraud is not confined to the aforementioned cities, it may be beneficial to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior if you live in or near one. If you notice any of the following warning signs, proceed with extreme caution.Someone Creates a False Sense of UrgencyScammers thrive off of false senses of urgency; they know that putting people under pressure makes them more likely to act impulsively. Be wary if someone claims that immediate payment is required, threatens unjust legal action, warns of an emergency involving your loved ones, or says that your account will be closed.Requiring Unusual Payment MethodsUnusual payment methods include:Gift CardsCryptocurrencyWire TransfersPayment AppsSending Cash via MailLegitimate organizations rarely request these methods. If someone asks you to utilize them, you should proceed with caution.They Ask for Personal InformationIf someone asks for your Social Security number, banking credentials, credit card information, or for you to share one-time verification codes, it’s a huge red flag. Legitimate organizations will rarely request sensitive information unexpectedly.Something Seems OffDoes the interaction feel strange? Trust your instincts. Poor grammar, generic greetings, fake websites, and inconsistent details can be surefire signs that something is awry.How to Protect Yourself From FraudLooking to implement preventative measures? Work the following tips into your interactions to reduce your likelihood of falling victim to fraud.Research Unfamiliar People Before RespondingScammers often impersonate people to gain their victims’ trust. People search tools can help you identify known scammers and recognize fake identities.Verify Before RespondingMake sure that you only contact businesses using their official websites and phone numbers. Also, never utilize or rely upon contact information that’s provided in strange or suspicious messages.Slow Down Before You Send MoneyScammers rely on panic and urgency; they know it makes you more likely to act impulsively. Before you send money, you should pause, verify, and consider seeking a second opinion.Be Cautious About Links and AttachmentsNever click unexpected links, and look carefully at URLs before you open them. If possible, manually typing out website addresses can help you ensure that you’re navigating to the correct website.Monitor Your Financial AccountsReview your bank statements regularly for unfamiliar charges. If it’s an option, consider setting up account alerts so you’re notified of strange activity the moment it happens.Fraud Isn’t Limited to HotSpot CitiesJust because you’re in a hotspot city doesn’t mean you’re at risk, and just because you aren’t doesn’t mean you’re risk-free. Scammers operate nationwide, and fraud attempts remain common across the board.As criminals begin to increasingly exploit online methods, they slowly chip away at geographic boundaries that once posed barriers to their schemes. Taking precautions and staying informed can mean the difference between a fraud attempt and a successful fraudulent attack.This story was produced by PeopleFinders and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What property data APIs are changing about how investors find and evaluate real estate deals What property data APIs are changing about how investors find and evaluate real estate dealsIn the increasingly cutthroat world of real estate investing, both large and small firms are continually searching for ways to find potentially profitable deals before the competition. One answer, seemingly, has come in the form of property data APIs, or application programming interfaces.You may have heard of APIs if you listen to tech podcasts or follow tech influencers on social media. However, if you invest in properties, you might not have realized that these APIs could transform your own workflow by dramatically scaling your research methods.PropertyReach takes a look at property data APIs, why you should consider using them for your real estate investment business, and how you can get started with this groundbreaking technology.What, Exactly, is an API?An API (application programming interface) is a digital tool that retrieves data from external databases, analyzes it, and presents it in a way that users want. It’s somewhat like a digital middleman—an entity that receives requests from a human user, goes to another place on the internet, and comes back with well-presented datasets.How Does a Property Data API Work?Many real estate investors—especially those at smaller firms—have company websites that primarily function as communication tools, and little else. The mountains of data live on other websites. But an optimal website for the real estate investor would still need to access and use those external datasets so visitors can get the information they need.So, an investor will either create or subscribe to a property data API service that has permission to interact with relevant data. If, for instance, an investor wants a list of motivated sellers in a specific ZIP code, they could set up an API to fetch all properties with lis pendens notices and tax delinquencies within that specified area.Without the investor or someone on the staff having to dedicate time to manually research properties, APIs can save valuable resources.Real Estate Investors Benefit Uniquely from Property Data APIsNearly every profession on earth is becoming more data-driven, which is the primary reason APIs have surged in usage and popularity. Some lines of work benefit more from this technology than others, though, and real estate investing is one of them.Investors often evaluate hundreds of properties before deciding to send one “get-to-know-you” letter to a property owner. Before they actually put in an offer, they could go through tens of thousands of properties.Finding the proverbial needle in the haystack or diamond in the rough is much more feasible when you don’t have to personally inspect each blade of grass. Other industries heavily reliant on APIs include health care, manufacturing, telecommunications, and general professional services.3 Ways Property Investors are Using APIs to Optimize their OperationsThe value an investor can get out of a finely tuned data API is really only limited by their imagination and ingenuity. Below are three features and benefits real estate investors are currently getting from their APIs.1. Automated Scoring SystemsOne of the best, most practical uses of property data APIs is the ability for investors to obtain automatically scored properties. Even the most sophisticated filters on real estate websites with robust datasets may not be able to score properties within seconds the way APIs can.For example, investors could request a list of properties with a mortgage origination date of at least 20 years prior, combined with absentee ownership and an appreciating value. They could then select the characteristic they deem most important and weigh the overall score accordingly.2. Valuation Modeling.Another way for tech-savvy real estate investors to take advantage of the API boom is for property valuation modeling. It’s one thing to see listing prices on platforms like Zillow or Redfin, but building up your own subjective valuation model can be much more precise.Your sophisticated valuation model needs data, though, and lots of it. Enter your property data API. It brings together expertise in your field and cutting-edge data technology tools.3. Ongoing Analysis for Portfolio Properties.Property data APIs can continue working for real estate investors after they’ve used them to home in on qualified properties. Every now and then—or even regularly—you could have an API fetch data on comps for properties your firm already owns.Other potentially useful information might include:Area listing price trendsFuture rental estimatesProperty tax recordsHOA feesLocal vacancy ratesSchool district scoresUtility ratesHow to Get Started with Your New Property Data APIIf the latest technology has never been your forte, learning about APIs, much less using them effectively, can seem a little overwhelming. During your search (and eventual onboarding) for a good property data API, view the following steps as your North Star.Define Your Scope and Target DatasetsBefore doing anything else, you need to define what you want your API to do and where you want it to go. You’ll have no shortage of options once you start looking, but each API performs unique actions.Do you want granular information on each property’s physical characteristics, or would you rather zoom out for exhaustive data on properties’ geographical areas? Answering those types of questions will help you find the right tool.Select an API and Obtain Your KeyAfter you sign up for an API service, you’ll need to get the key so that your API has permission to get information from external datasets. You should also connect your new API with existing data within your organization.Test the API’s Capabilities on Properties You’re Already Familiar WithLike any other serious real estate investor, you’re eager to get the ball rolling and start analyzing some promising properties. However, it’s best to start with a few test subjects so you can get fully acquainted with your API.After you get your first results, check the information against reputable online databases and property search tools. If you notice huge discrepancies, it might be time to adjust the API’s settings.Embrace New Technology for Better WorkflowsThe learning curve dissuades many professionals from adopting APIs. The initial time investment, though, can unlock countless hours during the workweek you can use for more human-centric tasks.The bottom line is that your property data API should complement your natural ability to identify lucrative property investments. If all goes well, you can beat the competition to the punch without feeling rushed.This story was produced by PropertyReach and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	KWQC+ to stream special River Bandits show KWQC+ will stream a preview show Tuesday at 2 p.m. ahead of Game Two of the Midwest League championship series between the Quad Cities River Bandits and the Dayton Dragons.
	Deere calls back 375 workers in Quad-Cities The company will return 150 employees to Seeding and Cylinder operations in Moline and approximately 225 employees to Harvester Works in East Moline.
	16th annual Hispanic Heritage Parade & Fiesta held in East Moline The 16th annual League of United Latin American Citizens Council #5285 Hispanic Heritage Parade & Fiesta was held at Runner’s Park.
	What families need to know about postpartum psychosis What families need to know about postpartum psychosisA few weeks after a healthy delivery, a young mother became convinced her husband was having an affair. There was no affair. But her parents believed her. Her sister believed her. So did her therapist and, later, her lawyer. Everyone believed her, because nothing about her looked like an illness. Only when the fear hardened into something stranger, and then frightening, did anyone suspect the truth: She was in the grip of postpartum psychosis — one of the rarest and most dangerous conditions in psychiatry, and one that most clinicians will never see in an entire career.That gap between how devastating the illness is and how seldom it is recognized sits at the center of every high-profile postpartum psychosis case that reaches a courtroom. The Massachusetts prosecution of Lindsay Clancy has renewed a national conversation about how a new mother can allegedly seek help repeatedly and still slip through the cracks. Two decades earlier, the trial of Andrea Yates in Texas raised the same question. The purpose here is not to weigh guilt or innocence, but to explain a clinical reality: Postpartum psychosis is easy to miss, and understanding why is the first step toward catching it in time.While postpartum psychosis symptoms and warning signs are very important, LifeStance Health examines a different question: Why does an illness this serious so often go unrecognized, even when a mother is already under a clinician’s care?Why the illness is so easy to overlookPostpartum psychosis affects an estimated 1 to 2 in every 1,000 deliveries, which makes it one of the least common conditions a mental health professional will encounter. Rarity is a core reason why the diagnosis may be missed.Consider the arithmetic of a single clinician’s career. In more than four decades of this author’s psychiatric practice, only three cases of postpartum psychosis have knowingly presented, and each looked strikingly different from the others. One patient developed the belief that her husband was deceiving and “messing with” her mind. Another, seen in a New York hospital in 1988, arrived showing severe signs of psychosis and mania, insisting on a fabricated identity. But only later did the team learn she had recently given birth, and the postpartum origin of her illness was recognized well after admission. A third presented with manic symptoms and a conviction that her husband was looking “strange” and had somehow changed; she was diagnosed with bipolar mania and maintained on lithium for over a decade.Three cases, three entirely different faces of the same illness. If an experienced psychiatrist sees the condition only a handful of times in a lifetime, a newer clinician — or a therapist, obstetrician or nurse practitioner who has never encountered it — may not recognize it.Postpartum psychosis vs. depressionMuch of maternal mental health screening is built around depression since postpartum depression and anxiety are far more common after giving birth. But the tools designed to catch them are not designed to catch psychosis. A standard depression questionnaire asks about sadness, guilt and loss of interest; it does not ask, for example, whether a mother believes her baby is in supernatural danger or if her partner has been replaced. A mother experiencing psychosis can also look calm and lucid between episodes, since the symptoms wax and wane.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends routine perinatal screening for depression and anxiety using validated questionnaires, yet it does not call for universal screening aimed specifically at psychosis, largely because the condition is so rare. The result is a real blind spot: A mother experiencing psychosis who does not screen as depressed can pass through a well-run system without her actual illness ever being named. Rising concern about broader maternal mental health has sharpened attention on this gap, but the screening mismatch remains.Postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorderOne of the most important clues is also one of the most overlooked. A 2016 review in the American Journal of Psychiatry describes postpartum psychosis as closely tied to the bipolar spectrum — essentially an atypical presentation of bipolar disorder triggered by childbirth, with symptoms that most often begin within the first two weeks after delivery. Individuals with bipolar disorder tend to respond to mood stabilizers such as lithium and to antipsychotic medication (when taken as prescribed) rather than to antidepressants alone.This distinction has enormous practical weight. When the underlying illness is bipolar in nature, antidepressants on their own may not address the problem and can sometimes worsen symptoms. A postpartum patient cycling through multiple antidepressant trials without meaningful improvement is a signal that the diagnosis may be inaccurate. Medications are appropriate only when prescribed by a clinician and taken exactly as prescribed, and finding the right one is a careful process handled through medication management. A pattern of repeated medication changes without noted progress should prompt a fresh look at what is actually being treated.There is a further trap. Because most women with postpartum depression recover within a few months, the bipolar connection can be hard to confirm in the moment. On the other hand, a smaller group of women in the postpartum stage does go on to develop classic bipolar disorder and need long-term treatment. The same illness can therefore look like a one-time crisis in one individual and a lifelong mood disorder in another.Why the diagnosis gets missedSeveral forces line up to keep postpartum psychosis hidden.The first is training. Although earlier editions of psychiatry’s diagnostic manual listed postpartum psychosis, it carries no standalone code in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), or the U.S.’s mental health guidebook. As a result, U.S. textbooks, courses and clinical training often give it little attention, and clinicians may never be taught to look for it. On the contrary, the World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and subscribing European nations do acknowledge postpartum psychosis.The second is the illness itself. Individuals often have enough self-awareness during lucid periods to hide their most frightening thoughts, especially from authority figures, out of fear of hospitalization or losing custody of their children. The distressing or delusional thoughts that accompany postpartum psychosis are not the same as the fleeting, unwanted intrusive thoughts that many anxious new parents experience. A delusion feels completely true to the person living it, which is exactly why a new mother may not report it.The third is disconnected care. A new mother may be seeing an obstetrician, a therapist, a prescriber and sometimes an inpatient team, each holding a single puzzle piece. Cross-examination in the Clancy case highlighted exactly this danger: providers who were not comparing notes. When no one connects the fragments, the larger psychiatric picture may not come into focus, so a disjointed care model likely makes diagnosis more difficult.How clinicians diagnose postpartum psychosisBecause the illness disguises itself so well, catching it depends less on a single test than on a thorough, deliberate evaluation. Here’s what a provider should consider:Rule it in, not out. Any unusual thinking or behavior in a woman who has recently given birth should raise postpartum psychosis as a possibility, even when she does not look depressed.Interview the family, not just the individual. Because mothers frequently conceal psychotic thoughts (out of fear), input from a spouse, parent, sibling or friends is often what reveals the true picture. Experienced clinicians insist on speaking with those closest to her.Prioritize an in-person evaluation when someone is not improving. Subtle changes in affect, expression and behavior are easier to read face-to-face than on a screen, and judicious in-person visits matter most precisely when an individual is doing poorly.Coordinate across providers. A connected, team-based approach, and the idea behind a collaborative care model, help ensure that a therapist, prescriber and obstetrician are not working from partial views.When to seek helpFamilies should never dismiss dramatic personality changes, unusual beliefs, paranoia or a sudden loss of touch with reality in the weeks after a birth. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency, and it warrants urgent inpatient hospitalization, preferably in a dedicated mother-baby psychiatric unit. If symptoms like these appear, seek care immediately rather than waiting to see whether they pass. When there is any concern about a mother’s or infant’s safety, contact emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room.The most hopeful part of this difficult subject is that the illness is often treatable once it is correctly identified. Getting to the right diagnosis and getting the right care is what allows that kind of improvement to reach the mothers who need it. If something does not feel right after giving birth, keep asking questions until the concern is fully addressed.This story was published by LifeStance Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The hottest new degree on campus this fall? A bachelor’s in content creation The hottest new degree on campus this fall? A bachelor’s in content creationArizona State University will enroll its first Content Creation majors this fall. The bachelor’s degree, housed in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, teaches video and podcast production, audience analytics, and personal branding, and its capstone requires students to build a following on a platform of their choice and show measurable growth before they graduate. It is the newest entry in a quiet wave: Three content creation bachelor’s degrees launched in the fall of 2023 alone, and Syracuse University opened the nation’s first academic center for the creator economy last September, Net Influencer reports.These programs are easy to mock. Nobody needs a diploma to go viral, and the MrBeasts, Ms. Rachels, and Alix Earles of the world never majored in it.The story is the scale of the need. An entire economy now runs on this breed of entertainment, personality-driven video built to capture and hold attention in the feed: creator companies staffed like studios, brands building creator teams of their own, agencies in between. All of it is thirsty for people who understand how it works, and until now those people were trained nowhere. The degrees are for them, not for the stars.One Face on Camera, a Company Underneath Net Influencer The organization behind MrBeast, one of the largest creator businesses on earth, spans Beast Industries, Feastables, Beast Philanthropy, and Viewstats. A Net Influencer reconstruction of public employment records counts roughly 370 people working there today, out of more than 1,100 who have passed through over the company’s history.The most common job title in the MrBeast organization is not influencer. It is producer, followed by assistant editor and camera operator. Barely a third of the jobs today involve making content; the rest sit in operations, finance, engineering, marketing, and HR, the jobs of a mid-size media company. One face carries the channel. The rest is a company, and every seat in it demands fluency in a breed of entertainment nobody was teaching.The pattern holds at every scale. “Hiring people was the turning point when my work started to feel like a small business,” says creator Ryan Kelly. Creators stall at the point where growth means management, and the successful ones recruit seasoned executives, because operating experience is the one thing an audience cannot teach. The trade runs both ways: the executives arrive with the operating experience and must develop a fluency in the attention economy that no previous job taught them. A creator, at scale, is a payroll.Attention Is the Contest Net Influencer Creator companies staff for attention natively, because attention is the business. Beast Industries spent June recruiting a Head of TikTok for all MrBeast ventures, and the posting’s requirements measure how thin the qualified pool is: six to ten years running TikTok or short-form social for a major creator or consumer brand, with team management and proven channel growth. TikTok has been available in the United States for eight years. The company is asking for someone who has held a job almost as long as the job has existed.Brands are bidding for the same thin pool, in public. The job postings of the last two months read like a roll call of the consumer economy: Unilever building a global influencer function, and Cadillac, e.l.f. Beauty, Temu, SharkNinja, Rivian, Instacart, Hilton, Campbell’s, SEGA, and Warner Music Group all hiring creator and influencer roles, with OnePay offering $240,000 to $290,000 for a Head of Social and Influencer Marketing. These are not media companies; they are car makers, soup makers, and hotels, and a $290,000 salary for social media is what scarcity looks like. Ishveen Jolly, founder of OpenSponsorship, summarizes where the market has landed: no brand is skipping influencer marketing anymore; the only question left is whether to do it in-house or through a third party.The logic driving this is one mapped in June. Attention lives in feeds, content spoils in hours, and no marketing department can produce at feed velocity, so companies buy the capacity from creators. But the buying side is itself skilled work: sourcing, vetting, briefing, negotiating, measuring. Gabe Gordon of the agency Reach watched that work move onto payrolls, with large companies writing standing job descriptions for roles that used to be one-off agency engagements. Marketing has run this play before: the tech sector began pulling agency work in-house around 2013, starting with media buying. What is moving in-house now is the entire discipline of manufactured attention.Nobody Trained This Payroll Net Influencer “Influencer marketing is kind of stuck in most brands because they cannot hire,” says Aurélie Sauthier, who runs the influencer agency Maiden. The discipline does not scale like software, she notes. It scales like staffing, and the staff does not exist.Jeremy Barbara, a consultant who builds influencer programs inside brands, prices the gap in time: Hiring one in-house influencer marketer takes about six months, then three to six months of testing before anything works, roughly a year from decision to functioning program. The brands that call him keep arriving with the same opening line: we do not know where to start.Run-of-the-mill marketing degrees have not improved the talent pipeline. Jacob Hiler, a marketing professor at Ohio University, says the standard curriculum has barely moved since his own student days: still the four P’s, consumer behavior, market research. Kyle Hjelmeseth and Kofo Jolaoso, who run the talent firm G&B Digital Management and the education venture College of Influence, dated the gap precisely: Until this year, students received virtually no education about influencer marketing, despite its becoming a giant share of the digital marketing mix. An economy-wide hiring need, met by a syllabus written before the feed existed. Markets do not leave gaps like that open.The Tuition Was Already Being PaidThe paradox of creator education is that the information is free, and people pay anyway. One course business has put more than 30,000 students through its programs. One creator community charges $5,000 a year. Talent firms now run mandatory monthly workshops for their own rosters, and the YouTube franchise Spy Ninjas is building what it calls a creator class, “essentially like a creator university,” where recruits are paid while they learn. Every technique these programs teach is a search away. What buyers pay for was never the information. It is structure, mentorship, and a signal they can show someone else.That signal is becoming formal. The industry has started manufacturing credentials for itself: BBB National Programs is building an influencer certification, digital training with an exam and a credential at the end, and the EU, Australia, and India already run formal creator training and certification. An industry writing its own exams has stopped debating whether the training matters. It is deciding who the certifier of record will be, and the universities are slowly noticing that trade groups, foreign regulators, and the creators themselves are encroaching on turf that was historically theirs. They have been responding in ascending order of prestige: a community college certificate in 2022, three bachelor’s degrees at small colleges in 2023, a Texas public university in 2024, and the flagship journalism schools in 2026.What Film School Actually Sold Net Influencer Higher education has run this exact sequence before. On Feb. 6, 1929, the University of Southern California opened a course called Introduction to Photoplay, built with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with Douglas Fairbanks giving the first lecture and a founding faculty that read like a studio call sheet: Mary Pickford, D.W. Griffith, Ernst Lubitsch, Irving Thalberg, Darryl Zanuck. USC’s own history records that the “crazy idea was the talk of Hollywood.” Three years later, USC granted America’s first bachelor’s degree in cinema, in 1932.Film school never minted stars. The great directors still come from everywhere, and the degree was never selling stardom anyway. It sold three things, and all three worked: standardized training for the crew, a hiring pipeline for the studios, and a respectable reason for parents to fund a child’s entry into a disreputable industry.The two clocks nearly match. Film: one course in 1929, a degree in 1932. Creators: a first-of-its-kind influencer course at USC in 2019, the first bachelor’s degrees in 2023, the flagship journalism schools in 2026.The wave will produce failures, the way credential markets always do. East Carolina’s much-publicized MrBeast credentialing partnership never launched, and Columbia College Chicago is folding its early social media major into a generic marketing degree. Neither is evidence against the trend. It is how a real market separates winners from losers.The Universities Need This, TooWhat makes institutionalization stick is that the need runs both directions. Higher education is under a microscope on return on investment, enrollment is the revenue line, and journalism schools have spent a decade watching their traditional destination industry shrink. For Cronkite and its peers, the creator economy is a lifeline.Nobody sits closer to that calculation than Mark J. Lodato, who spent 14 years at Arizona State’s Cronkite School and now, as dean of Syracuse’s Newhouse School, is building the rival: a Center for the Creator Economy led jointly with the business school, with a minor open to any major on campus. He describes the demand engine plainly: students argue they do not need college because they can earn as creators, while their parents very much want the diploma. The standoff resolves in the university’s favor. The student gets the industry, the parent gets the degree, and the school gets the enrollment. His warning to his own sector is blunt: The creator economy will keep pushing higher education to adapt, and if it fails, the industry will pass it by.The Filters Are Coming Net Influencer The industry built these jobs on its own. The degrees are the outside world catching up: The institutions that certify professions have decided this one qualifies. The sequence from here is predictable because it has run before: standardized titles, then salary bands, then credential filters, then campus recruiting. No job posting anywhere requires a degree in content creation yet, and none will for years. That is what early looks like. The jobs arrive first. The filters follow. And at the end of the sequence, one school’s name becomes the default line on a résumé. That is what certifier of record means, and the contest for it opened this fall.The graduates will go, overwhelmingly, to work for creators and for the brands chasing them. Twenty years from now, nobody will ask why anyone would major in content creation. For the jobs that fill the org chart under the face, the strategists, campaign managers, and producers, the question will point the other way: Why would we hire someone without it? The studios that called film school a crazy idea spent the next century hiring from it. The companies laughing now will do the same, and sooner.This story was produced by Net Influencer and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	When is the best time to move? What a million moves say about timing When is the best time to move? What a million moves say about timingThe best time to move is mid-September through mid-October. Movers are more available, the weather is comfortable for heavy lifting, and you are not competing with half the country for the same weekend.Most guides get there by a different route. Nearly every "best time to move" article tells you to move in January to save money. But across more than a million completed local moves over the past five years, the month barely impacts the price, according to data from Lugg, an on-demand moving and delivery service. The gap between the cheapest month of the year and the priciest is under 4%. What the calendar does decide is whether the date and the arrival window you want are still available when you go to book, and that varies a great deal.Almost all of this is about local moving. Roughly three in four Americans who move each year stay within the same state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The everyday American move is a few rooms of furniture carried a few miles across town, which is the kind this data covers.Is there a cheapest month to move?Not in any way worth planning around. Month by month the median price moves within a couple of percent of itself all year, with no real seasonal shape to it.Whether that holds for you depends on your moving company. Some add a peak-season surcharge in the busy months and some do not, so it is worth asking how yours prices before treating the calendar as neutral. Interstate movers are explicit about it: the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's own moving glossary defines peak season rates as higher line haul charges applicable during the summer months. Hourly moving companies work differently again, generally billing $105 to $165 an hour for two movers, with minimums that keep even a short job from being cheap.What is the busiest month for movers?August, and it has been every year Lugg has measured. According to the data, August runs about 23% above an average month and roughly half again as busy as December at the other end of the year. The industry's own calendar agrees on the shape: The American Trucking Associations calls May National Moving Month and describes peak season as running from May through the summer. May is the ramp, and August is the peak. Ask for a specific date and arrival window in February and you will usually get it. Ask in August and you are picking from what is left. How hard that bites depends on where you live: In Boston, August runs at twice an average month, while Los Angeles and Seattle barely have a season at all.The best season to moveFall, September through November, is the sweet spot. Demand falls off sharply after Labor Day. Families are settled into the school year, and summer leases have turned over. There is more crew capacity around, so you are more likely to get the date and arrival window you asked for.The first days of September are their own rush, though. In cities built around a Sept. 1 lease turn, the turnover is dense enough to have earned a name. Boston calls it Allston Christmas. If your lease dates are flexible at all, aiming for the second half of the month puts you past it.Winter, December through February, is the quietest stretch. December and February are the two quietest months, so this is when you have the widest choice of dates. But weather can be a factor. A storm can delay a move by days, and shorter daylight leaves less room if the job runs long, so a holiday-season move needs more slack in the plan than a September one. If you are somewhere without hard winters, like Phoenix, Los Angeles or Miami, winter is the easiest time of year to move and carries little of that risk.Spring is the ramp. Volume climbs steadily out of the February trough as end-of-lease season begins, and keeps climbing through the summer. If you are selling a home, spring is prime time. If you are renting, the deeper into the season you go the more you are competing for the same weekends.Summer is the peak. Most people move in summer, because of school schedules, graduations, and the simple fact that nobody wants to move in a snowstorm. That does not mean you pay more, but it does mean tighter scheduling and less give on your arrival window. College move-out and move-in compress into a few days on either side of the academic calendar, so a dorm move is worth booking as far ahead as the school will confirm the date.Does the day of the week matter?For the price, no. For getting the slot you want, more than you would think. Across more than 250,000 completed Lugg moves in the past year, Saturday and Friday are the two busiest days by a clear margin and Thursday is the quietest, with a little over 20% between them. Sunday sits in the middle.So the old advice to move midweek is right, for the wrong reason. It will not cut your bill, because the price does not depend on the day. What it buys is an emptier day: more crews free, lighter traffic, and less competition for a parking spot, a loading zone or a freight elevator. If your lease dates give you a choice between a Saturday and a Wednesday, take the Wednesday.When the date is not up to youMost people do not get to pick a month. A lease ends, a closing date lands, a job starts, and the calendar is decided for you. Four smaller levers usually stay open.Where your date falls inside the month is the first, and it matters more than the month itself. Leases cluster at the edges, and the last three days of a month run about 16% busier than a mid-month day according to Lugg data. If your lease gives you any latitude at all, the 12th is a much easier day than the 31st.The building is the second, and it is usually the real bottleneck rather than the movers. Freight elevator reservations and loading dock windows go first come, first served, and in a large building the good ones are gone weeks out. Reserve that window as soon as your lease is signed, then book the move to fit it.Lead time is the third, and it is where the season shows up most clearly. August is the one month of the year when the typical mover plans ahead, and planning ahead of them is the whole advantage.Time of day is the fourth lever, and the one almost nobody uses. The earliest arrival window your building allows is the best one: The crew is fresh rather than coming off another job, you beat afternoon traffic, and in summer you avoid the worst of the heat. Early windows are also the easiest to book, since most people default to mid-morning or afternoon.Is it cheaper to move in winter?The move itself, no. The apartment, yes. The national median rent falls by about 1.6% from its summer peak to its low point in November, according to Apartment List, and landlords are more willing to offer move-in incentives when fewer people want to sign a lease in the cold. The trade-off is a smaller selection of units, which matters most if it is your first apartment.An apartment move also carries a cost the calendar cannot help with, which is paying two rents at once. If your dates are negotiable, closing the gap between leases is the first thing to fix. On timing, September through November is the easiest window: Summer is peak turnover season, especially in college towns and dense cities, and by September the rush is over, so there is more negotiating room on the apartment itself and an easier time booking a cross-town move into it.What actually reduces the billThe month, the weekday and the time of day barely move the price. The following factors do, and they are worth more of your planning than any date.Reduce the volume. Every item carried costs time, so sell, donate or clear out anything not making the trip. If a good pile of it is going nowhere, finding the dump or donation center before moving day is cheaper than carrying it twice.Be packed before the crew arrives. Boxed, labeled and staged near the door. This is the single largest controllable factor in how long a job takes, and it starts with having the right supplies on hand a few days early.Disassemble ahead of time. Bed frames apart, table legs off, hardware in labeled bags taped to the piece.Get the vehicle right the first time. A second trip costs more than the next size up, so size the truck to the load before you book.Book with enough runway. A week out puts you ahead of the great majority of August bookings and gives you the widest choice of arrival windows. Off season, a few days is usually plenty.How to pick your moving dateIf you have a choice, move in late September or October, mid-month rather than at either end, and midweek if your lease will allow it. Volume is off its peak, the weather is workable, and the dates are still open. If scheduling freedom matters more than the weather, December and February are the quietest months of the year.What you should not do is reorganize your life around the calendar expecting a discount. How much you are moving, and how ready you are when the crew arrives, is the bill.This story was produced by Lugg and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Monmouth Smithfield Foods worker dead after workplace incident A worker at the Smithfield Foods Monmouth location died Monday morning after a workplace incident.
	Finding the best skin care routine for acne-prone skin Finding the best skin care routine for acne-prone skinWhat is acne?Acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and sometimes bacteria. It can appear anywhere on the body but is most common on the face, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne can range from mild congestion to more inflamed breakouts. Dove breaks down the different types of acne to help you choose the best skin care routine for your skin’s needs.Whiteheads: These are small bumps that form when pores become clogged and remain closed at the surface of the skin. They often appear white or flesh-coloured and are a common form of mild acne.Blackheads: Blackheads happen when a clogged pore stays open. The dark appearance isn’t dirt, it’s caused by oxidation when oil and dead skin cells are exposed to air.Papules: These are small, red, inflamed bumps that can feel tender to the touch. Papules develop when clogged pores become irritated and inflamed.Pustules: Often recognized as classic “pimples,” pustules are red bumps with a white or yellow center filled with pus. They can occur when inflammation and bacteria build up within the pore.Nodules: Nodules are larger, deeper, and more painful breakouts that form beneath the skin’s surface. They can take longer to heal and may require targeted treatment.Cystic acne: This is one of the more severe forms of acne. Cysts are deep, painful, pus-filled breakouts that can increase the risk of scarring if not treated carefully.What causes acne?Acne can develop for a number of different reasons, and often it’s caused by a combination of factors rather than just one. Understanding what may be triggering your breakouts can help you build an effective acne-prone skin routine.Excess oil production: When the skin produces too much oil (sebum), it can mix with dead skin cells and clog pores, creating the perfect environment for breakouts to form.Clogged pores: Dead skin cells, oil, and impurities can build up inside pores, leading to congestion and acne, such as blackheads and whiteheads.Bacteria on the skin: A build-up of acne-causing bacteria inside clogged pores can trigger inflammation, redness, and more noticeable breakouts.Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones — particularly during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or periods of stress — can increase oil production and contribute to acne flare-ups.Stress: While stress doesn’t directly cause acne, it can increase cortisol levels, which may stimulate oil production and worsen existing breakouts.Diet and lifestyle factors: For some people, factors like lack of sleep, dehydration, smoking, or certain foods may contribute to breakouts or inflammation, although triggers can vary from person to person.Heavy or irritating skincare products: Using products that are too harsh, overly oily, or not suited to your skin type can clog pores or irritate the skin, potentially making acne worse.Friction and sweat: Tight clothing, sports equipment, or sweat sitting on the skin for long periods can contribute to body acne, especially on the back, chest, and shoulders.Morning routine for acne-prone skinThe right morning and night skin care routine is a key step towards clearer skin.Your new morning skin care routine starts in the shower, with a whole-body cleanse using with 1% clearing Salicylic Acid. This helps remove overnight oil build-up without stripping your skin.Follow with a lightweight, non-comedogenic body moisturizer.Don’t forget your SPF — a broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from UV damage, which can make acne worse.Nighttime skin care routine for acne-prone skinYour night skin care routine is all about removing the day’s impurities. It can be tempting to reach for harsh products to tackle acne, but acne-prone skin is often sensitive, and gentleness is your best friend.Ready to wash away the day? A sensitive-skin-specific body wash is perfect for this step, offering a thorough cleanse without irritation. A bar version of this also gently washes away germs and dirt, while treating your skin to a big dose of hydration.Once a week, add a gentle exfoliation to help remove dead skin and boost your skin’s radiance.Follow with a nourishing moisturizer to repair and soothe your skin overnight. Look out for a non-greasy, barrier-boosting option.Top tips for managing acne-prone skinConsistency is key. Stick to your routine both morning and night.Be gentle. Avoid harsh scrubs and over-washing, which can irritate your skin.Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin healthy from the inside out.Mind your diet. Foods high in sugar and dairy can sometimes trigger breakouts.Don’t pick. As tempting as it is, picking can lead to scarring and further breakouts.What do dermatologists recommend for acne-prone skin?Dermatologists often recommend taking a balanced approach to your acne skin care routine. They suggest using products with proven ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide while maintaining a gentle touch, as targeted acne treatments can leave skin sensitive and dry..This story was produced by Dove and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Jeni Grouws Band brings blues, soul, roots to Cambridge concert Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jeni Grouws will bring her powerful blend of blues, soul and roots rock to Ca d’Zan House Concerts in Cambridge on Friday, Sept. 18. Presented by Crossroads Cultural Connections, the all-ages concert will begin at 7 p.m., after an optional community potluck dinner at 6 p.m. Bishop Hill Creative Commons will serve as [...]
	Galesburg announces cemetery cleanup week Cleanup at Linwood and East Linwood Cemeteries in Galesburg starts later this month. The City of Galesburg said cleanup week at the cemeteries will be Sept. 28 -Oct. 2. Cemetery staff will remove all decorations, flowers, flags and other items placed on gravesites. Families and plot owners who wish to keep the items should pick [...]

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