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

Friday, July 17th, 2026
	At the World Cup, has 'VAR' gone too far? Some fans say it's ruining the tournament In this World Cup, VAR, or video assistant referee, has become ubiquitous (and despised by many). But there was a time when fans and teams loved it. What went wrong?
	China's Xi calls for step up of global effort in AI, as US curbs squeeze China's tech access American-led restrictions have blocked China from accessing some of the world's most advanced technologies, spurring China's efforts to build its own know-how and intensifying the tech race between the world's two biggest economies.
	Rubio convenes countries on left-wing political violence Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday convened leaders from more than 60 countries to take part in the Trump administration's latest effort to quell what it calls "left wing" political terrorism.
	Japan revises law to ensure supply of (male) heirs to the imperial throne A popular princess drives support for having a female Japanese Emperor. But the country's first female prime minister opposes it.
Thursday, July 16th, 2026
	MercyOne Genesis pediatric therapy patients compete in their own Junior Bix The tradition goes back almost two decades.
	What would making Daylight Saving Time year-round do to the Quad Cities? A LeClaire farmer says time changes negatively impact his feeding schedules, but the North Scott superintendent says late mornings can bring safety concerns.
	Helicopter pilot survives crash in Iowa field A helicopter pilot survived a crash in a field just west of Iowa City. Investigators say the helicopter was spraying crops when it went down near Union Township. A passerby helped the pilot until first responders arrived. The pilot was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. There is no word on the [...]
	Young competitors tackle GOPEDS pediatric therapy race Kids with all abilities took part in a beloved version of the Jr Bix and Bix 7 in the Genesis Outpatient Pediatric Therapy (GOPEDS) race. Our Quad Cities News photojournalist Mike Colón caught up with the runners, who all came away as winners.
	Rep. Miller-Meeks touts One Big Beautiful Bill’s law enforcement provisions at Pella campaign event Iowa Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks said President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill has boosted support for law enforcement by putting more money in officers’ pockets, while adding that more still needs to be done.
	MidAmerican warns customers about customer service phone number scam MidAmerican Energy is telling customers to be careful when searching for it’s customer service phone number online.
	US House Speaker campaigning in Iowa responds to President’s election fraud claims U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed President Donald Trump's newest election fraud claims.
	Second seasonal exhibit on display at Geneseo Quilt Gallery Now on exhibit at the Geneseo Quilt Gallery is the second seasonal show of quilts made by members of the Geneseo Quilt Guild, a news release. These colorful and artistic creations show the skill of local artisans while also demonstrating some of the many reasons a quilt might be made. One quilt, titled “Y2K Millennium Charm [...]
	Historic 1-room schoolhouse set to be relocated in Wilton A one-room schoolhouse built in the 1800s is set to be moved July 22 in Wilton, Iowa, as organizers work to restore the Sharon School and preserve Muscatine County's rural classroom history.
	As Trump administration offloads federal office space, what takes its place? The J. Edgar Hoover Building in downtown Washington, D.C., has been the FBI headquarters for 50 years, but the agency is abandoning it, one of many properties the federal government is trying to get rid of. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)By Jory Heckman The Trump administration is moving more aggressively than prior administrations to shrink the federal government’s massive real estate portfolio. The General Services Administration, which manages 40% of the federal government’s office space, is accelerating plans to offload underutilized buildings and those falling into disrepair as part of a $50 billion maintenance backlog. But what happens next for these recently sold buildings — and those marked for disposal — is still coming into focus. Some buyers, are looking to convert former federal office buildings into apartment buildings. Others are marked for demolition, while a former federal building site in San Antonio will eventually become an arena for the city’s basketball team. One former Agriculture Department building is now a luxury apartment building. Nearby, part of USDA’s headquarters complex is also on the market: The South Building, once the largest office building in the world, until the Pentagon was built in 1942, is the largest single liability in GSA’s portfolio, with $1.6 billion in delinquent maintenance costs and The Trump administration, spurred by reports of federal office buildings that have been largely empty since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, is offloading government real estate nationwide. But its disposal efforts have the potential to reshape whole neighborhoods in the nation’s capital. While 85% of the federal workforce lives and works outside of the national capital region, much of the consolidation is happening in Washington, D.C., where several agency headquarters buildings could be on the market. In Southwest Federal Center, the administration is planning to sell the headquarters for three agencies — the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Energy Department and Voice of America. USDA reasserts plan to shutter Beltsville, part of reorganization to move thousands of federal jobs The Public Buildings Reform Board, created by Congress in 2019 to help GSA fast-track disposal of underutilized federal buildings, is looking at more opportunities to shrink this cluster of federal buildings. The board estimates underutilized federal office space costs GSA more than $1 billion annually. Former Rep. Mike Capuano (D-Mass.), a member of the board, said members are looking at the USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center — which is set for closure under the department’s sweeping relocation — the Denver Federal Center and the Southwest Federal Center for its next and final round of disposal recommendations. Capuano said the board has been assessing federal buildings in Southwest D.C. over the past year. “However, we have thus far refrained from making any additional disposal recommendations,” he said at a June 25 board meeting. “Absent an identified anchor tenant for Southwest, the market is not ready to absorb all of this additional square footage.” Without a master plan for redevelopment — similar to the blueprint that transformed the nearby Navy Yard neighborhood — Capuano said the future of Southwest D.C. remains unclear. “As it stands, without a comprehensive district development plan, underwriters are not willing to assume the risk and the unknowns for these properties, which is why selling the properties piecemeal won’t work,” he said. “An entity can lead disposition and redevelopment planning, helping to attract an anchor tenant and ensuring the proper phasing occurs to bring the right properties to the market at the right time.” Board member David Winstead, a former commissioner of GSA’s Public Buildings Service, said GSA “is very involved” in discussions with the D.C. government and the National Capital Planning Commission on a potential master plan for redeveloping Southwest Federal Center. Capuano said the board has received eight unsolicited letters of interest from parties looking to acquire federal assets that may soon hit the market. “This proves we’re digging in the right spots and knocking on the right doors,“ he said. The PBRB’s third-round disposal recommendations are due to the Office of Management and Budget by December 2026, when the board is scheduled to sunset. Congress extended the board’s authorization last year, and Capuano said lawmakers should consider keeping the board around a bit longer. “If you believe, as we do, that more work remains and taxpayer savings can still be reaped, we’re happy to continue serving the American people,” he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. GSA has sold and offloaded several buildings from PBRB’s most recent round of recommendations — but most of those properties are on hold until agencies can relocate their employees. PBRB’s second round of disposal recommendations includes the Wilbur Cohen Building, which is home to Voice of America and rare New Deal-era murals, Energy’s James Forrestal Building and the Maryland headquarters for USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The list also includes federal buildings in Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Nashville and Houston. Rich Butterworth, a senior adviser for GSA’s Office of Real Property Utilization and Disposal, said most relocations are scheduled for 2028 and 2029, “due to the need for funding for those tenant relocations and buildout in order to move them.” GSA Administrator Edward Forst told the Senate Appropriations Committee in May that half of GSA’s real portfolio of buildings is in “fair” or “poor” condition. Forst led the heads of 22 agencies in a recent letter asking Congress for full access to the Federal Buildings Fund, a pot of money that includes all rent payments GSA receives from tenant agencies. Over the past 15 years, Congress has skimmed about $1 billion annually from the fund to cover other expenses. But those funds are not enough to address a $50 billion backlog in maintenance and repair projects — more than double GSA’s previous highest estimate — according to a report released in March by the PBRB. The board recommends a “radical reduction” of GSA real estate to address this backlog. “Our administrator has been very clear that, no, we cannot appropriate our way out of problems,” Butterworth said. Prior presidential administrations focused on freezing and shrinking the federal real estate portfolio, but these efforts were put on hold at the start of the pandemic. But GSA is now hitting milestones in its accelerated disposal efforts. GSA announced last week that it had sold all 12 federal buildings that PBRB recommended selling in its first recommendations seven years ago. Its last sale from the “high-value” list was the former Chet Holifield Federal Building, a step-pyramid building on nearly 90 acres in Orange County, California. Sales from these properties have generated more than $533 million that will go toward further consolidation activities. GSA also recently sold a federal building and nearly six acres of land to the city of San Antonio, which plans to use the site to build a new arena for the San Antonio Spurs. GSA said it completed that sale five years ahead of schedule. Former federal buildings are also being adapted for residential use: Winstead said GSA’s former national capital region building, at 7th and D streets SW, is being converted into apartments. Quotation If they have low occupancies and they take a lot of money to bring back up to functional Class A space, it’s on our radar screen, and we’re looking to recommend that the government get rid of it. The government does not appropriate enough money to renovate all the buildings that the government owns. – Former Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.V.), a member of the Public Buildings Reform Board “It’s going to be challenging. But the city’s looking for housing in Southwest. There is very little. So that’s potentially a benefit,” Winstead said. Winstead said the recently sold Liberty Loan building, the former home of the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, would be another strong candidate for residential conversion. “In the case of Liberty Loan, it’s got one of the best views in town. It could either be a commercial hotel, it could be residential,” he said. The board’s next round of disposal recommendations is focused on finding federal buildings with especially low occupancy rates and high deferred maintenance backlogs. “If they have low occupancies and they take a lot of money to bring back up to functional Class A space, it’s on our radar screen, and we’re looking to recommend that the government get rid of it,” said former Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.V.), another member of the board. “The government does not appropriate enough money to renovate all the buildings that the government owns.” Rahall said the board’s review of the federal real estate portfolio turned up “leaking roofs, unsafe elevators and flooded basements” — as well as air-handling systems from the 1940s that are still in use. “The maintenance backlog translates into unhealthy and sometimes unsafe work environments for our federal employees,” Rahall said. “The federal buildings that the PBRB has toured are in poor repair, are in need of extensive capital investment, and cannot possibly be serving the best interests of the agencies they house.” The former Department of Government Efficiency spent much of last year focused on reducing the government’s real estate portfolio — but primarily on cutting federal leases. At DOGE’s urging, hundreds of federal leases were canceled, but hundreds of lease terminations were also walked back. Maryland sues Trump administration for ‘illegal’ action to keep FBI headquarters in D.C. Rahall said the PBRB is not part of DOGE or GSA, but is instead an “outside set of eyes” meant to reform the process of offloading excess federal buildings. Despite the Trump administration’s push to bring workers back to the office full-time, Rahall said new occupancy data collected by GSA shows that federal employees fill “somewhere between a quarter to a half of those buildings.” “The vast majority of federal office space remains vastly underutilized. This means that taxpayers are paying enormous sums to provide for the few who do come to work,” he said. In March, GSA published its first governmentwide snapshot of federal building utilization data. That data shows that none of the federal buildings that submitted data are meeting a minimum benchmark that would spare them from mandatory consolidation. Under the USE IT Act, which former President Joe Biden signed in his final weeks in office, agencies must demonstrate that their buildings meet at least a 60% utilization rate or develop plans to downsize their office space. But GSA is taking a closer look at the data. Acting Public Buildings Service Commissioner Andrew Heller recently told the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that USE IT Act data looks at total square footage, and doesn’t distinguish between office space and auditoriums, conference rooms, libraries and spaces “where people shouldn’t be reasonably expected to work during a given day.” Former PBS Commissioner Dan Mathews, another board member, said there are “some issues with the data, but it’s a good first step,” that will help identify where GSA should focus its future disposal plans. “There are some details that are going to be improved, but this is absolutely critical to make good decisions,” he said. While the USE IT Act data gives some indication of building utilization, Mathews said it doesn’t tell the whole story. He said no FBI field office, for example, would meet the 60% occupancy threshold without differentiating office space from holding cells, evidence rooms and armories. There are other issues. The PBRB wrote on June 29 that GSA’s data only accounts for around 275,000 federal employees — a small fraction of the 2 million in the federal workforce. “The conclusions that can be drawn from the data are not generalizable to the entire portfolio,” the board wrote. “The veracity of the data is unknown, as well.” Courtesy of Maryland Matters
	Create Quad Cities celebrates 10 years with free community block party in Moline The whole family can enjoy the free celebration on Saturday, July 25 at Pour Bros Craft Taproom.
	Utah’s air pollution cocktail linked to preterm birth, study says Air thick with particulate pollution and fog hangs over Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The AQI at the time was listed at 130 according to AirNow.gov, and the National Weather Service had issued a dense fog advisory. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)The air pollution cocktail that expectant mothers often breathe in Utah is associated with more preterm births, University of Utah researchers found in a new study. That repeated exposure to a combination of air pollutants during early pregnancy stages, even in moderate levels, is associated with nearly three times greater odds of preterm birth, researchers found. That’s when infants face higher risks of health complications. “People are exposed to multiple things at once, over multiple times,” Brenna Kelly, lead author of the study said in a news release. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. The findings “raise questions about whether current air quality index (AQI) ratings — typically based on the single pollutant posing the greatest harm — may be missing serious health risks to the public,” according to the release. Pregnancy puts higher oxygen demands on expectant mothers, so when air quality is unhealthy, they also breathe in a larger quantity of pollutants, the release said. Previous studies had linked individual air pollutants, like PM2.5 or ozone, to delivery before 34 weeks of gestation. But, according to University of Utah researchers, those studies haven’t taken a deep dive into the exposure of multiple pollutants at the same time. For this new study published in June, researchers used artificial intelligence to study a cohort of almost 45,000 first-time expectant mothers who gave birth in Utah, which has occasionally experienced some of the worst short-term air quality in the country. At the time of the study, Utah also had several non-attainment areas, where air pollution levels consistently exceed healthy standards. Let us know what you think... Because the air quality index doesn’t take the exposure to multiple pollutants into account for its ratings, the Environmental Protection Agency considers the contamination levels of individual pollutants to be safe. However, when mixed, they may still represent health risks, according to researchers. Exposure to a mixture of ozone and fine particulate matter in the late first trimester of pregnancy, for example, had the strongest link to preterm birth. “Early pregnancy is a critical period because the placenta and arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the fetus are still developing,” Michelle Debbink, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the university and coauthor of the study, said in a prepared statement. “Exposure to pollutants at this juncture could impair this process, increasing the risk of complications such as preeclampsia, which can require preterm delivery,” Debbink said. “Repeated exposures could also cause inflammation and damage that accumulates over time, further increasing the risk of preterm birth.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Utah News Dispatch
	The Heart of the Story: Baby foxes down on the farm Our Quad Cities News is partnering with award-winning journalist Gary Metivier for The Heart of the Story. Each week, Gary showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff, enjoying their hobbies and living life to the fullest. Stories that feature the best of the human condition. The say the corn can be as high [...]
	Getting to Know Frances Williams: Mercado on Fifth's Executive Director Chief Meteorologist Andy McCray talks with familiar faces around the Quad Cities in the Getting to Know Podcast. Learn more about important people around our area and have a good time doing it. Each week will feature a new guest from restaurant owners, to area leaders, to Our Quad Cities News Staff. In this episode [...]
	RFK Jr. comes to Tampa to roll out ‘Make Hospital Food Healthier’ pledge Tampa General Hospital CEO John Couris, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, and chef Geoffrey Zakarian at a press conference at Tampa General Hospital on July 16, 2026. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)/TAMPA — U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins came to Tampa General Hospital Thursday to celebrate hospital officials signing on to the Trump administration’s new dietary initiative, the ‘Make Hospital Food Healthier’ pledge, designed to improve hospital food. “It’s really incredible that we’ve been feeding patients this pudding and Jello with sugar drinks when 50% of them are pre-diabetic or diabetic and, for a long time, we’ve understood the relationship between food and health and recovery and recidivism and all of these issues, and it’s good to see the leadership from John Couris and this extraordinary hospital,” Kennedy said, referring to Tampa General’s president and general manager. While Kennedy, Rollins, and the Trump administration have been rolling out their plan to provide healthier food to patients, Tampa General under Couris’ leadership and with celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian have had a head start, deciding about two-and-a-half years ago it was time to redesign their menus, rebuild their kitchens, train their staff, and collaborate with physicians at the University of South Florida on building a menu designed to raise the quality of food they serve their patients. Hospital officials said Thursday that since the new menu was completed in October, patients have reported a 53% increase in food quality. Kennedy’s nomination as HHS secretary was controversial because of his long track record of questioning vaccine safety. His “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) platform has earned more popular support. He said Thursday that one of the first things he and Rollins worked on after the Trump administration 2.0 began was to invert the traditional food pyramid by prioritizing proteins, dairy, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats and reducing highly processed foods. HHS and the USDA released that document in January. “When Brooke and I came in, we were handed the dietary guidelines that had been worked for four years during the Biden administration,” he said. “They were 453 pages long. They were incompressible, and it reflected the mercantile impulses because they were written by food industry lobbyists. “And the same impulse had driven Fruit Loops at the top of the old food pyramid. Which isn’t even a food, it’s like a foodlike substance. And we brought together the best scientists and nutritionists in the country from the biggest universities in this country, and we basically locked them in a room for a year, and we said we want something under 10 pages that everybody can understand.” In March, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent a notice telling hospitals they would be required to follow the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans to continue to receive Medicaid and Medicare payments. Healthy template That memo said that hospital leadership and nutrition departments must evaluate: Elimination of refined grains, replacing them with 100% whole grains. Prioritizing minimally processed protein sources, including plant-based options. Emphasizing vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, seafood, and healthy fats. Making sure vegetables and proteins are baked, broiled, roasted, stir-fried, or grilled rather than deep-fried. Eliminating processed meats and foods that are high in added sugars, sodium, and artificial additives. Making sure meals contain less than 10 grams of added sugar, unless clinically appropriate. Kennedy said “a template” for serving healthy foods in hospitals had been created at Tampa General, and that as one of the largest hospitals in the country (with 1,000 beds, soon to go up to 1,200 beds), “we can say that, ‘If they did it, you can do it.’” Kennedy said that the concept of providing healthier meals will spread across government departments. “Pete Hegseth is cooperating with us and doing it on all of the military bases,” he said. “Two-thirds of the military meals were thrown out because the only metric they used in purchasing food commodities is shelf life. Nobody was looking at nutrition. And the troops weren’t eating it.” He added that healthier foods would also be introduced in schools, prisons, and military bases. Courtesy of Florida Phoenix
	New Kewanee outreach center helps people leaving prison rebuild their lives What started as a mission to help people leaving prison has grown into a new outreach center in downtown Kewanee.
	Iowa professor receives prestigious international statistics prize for 'R' Newly retired University of Iowa professor Luke Tierney has spent 30 years working on the free, open-source computing tool. Today it's used by millions worldwide.
	New Mexico local governments lag in spending opioid settlement funds, new report finds A new report from the New Mexico State Auditor’s Office examines how local governments have spent roughly $115 million in opioid settlement funds between 2023 and 2025. (Douglas Sacha/Getty Images) More than three years after New Mexico counties and towns received the first installments of a nearly $1 billion opioid settlement fund, almost half of them had failed to report any spending by July of last year, according to a new report from the New Mexico State Auditor’s Office. Beginning in 2023, New Mexico began receiving opioid litigation settlement payments meant to compensate communities for the harms caused by prescription opiate manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies in creating and exacerbating a national epidemic acutely felt in New Mexico, where the drug overdose death rate has been one of the highest in the nation for most of the last two decades. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. The funds will ultimately total more than $920 million in New Mexico, including more than $344 million that is designated for local governments. But the new report released Wednesday from the New Mexico Office of State Auditor’s Government Accountability Office determined that 15 of 33 counties and seven of 12 municipalities that had received that funding had yet to report any expenditures as of June 30, 2025, the end of the three-year period the office examined. Counties and towns that reported zero expenditures were predominantly rural. New Mexico State Auditor Joseph Maestas told Source NM on Thursday that the report’s findings should trouble New Mexicans concerned about the opioid crisis and show the need for more state involvement in helping local governments spend the funding. “This report, I think, should be construed as a wake-up call to not just the state of New Mexico, but to these recipients, particularly the ones that have really not done a good job in spending their funds,” Maestas said. In total, the report found that counties and municipalities reported spending just $15 million of the roughly $110 million they received in the three-year period the office examined. Of the counties and municipalities that reported spending, four of them had spent less than $1,100, including Harding, Otero and Roosevelt counties and the City of Santa Fe. A spokesperson for the city, which reported spending just $605, did not immediately respond to Source NM’s requests for comment Thursday. Roosevelt County reported spending just $18 of the $390,000 it received. As overdoses surge in Northern New Mexico, state spending on opioid crisis remains hidden Fabian Muñoz, a Roosevelt County commissioner, told Source NM on Thursday that Roosevelt and four other eastern New Mexico counties entered into an agreement in 2022 to spend all or most of their settlement funds to build a regional behavioral health facility in Clovis, N.M. But he said the project has stalled amid rising construction costs and the challenge of finding a provider to operate the facility. Maestas said that many of the local governments surveyed identified similar barriers to spending the funding, namely the lack of qualified addiction services providers in their areas. The report noted counties and cities with large populations had better success spending the funding. Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, the report noted, formed a partnership to improve efficiency and had spent about $10 million of the roughly $60 million in the three-year period the office analyzed. The report recommends the New Mexico Legislature consider legislation during the upcoming legislative session starting in January to expedite local governments’ opioid spending and make it more transparent. “There could be a role for the state Legislature to take action,” Maestas said. “But we want to make sure that it doesn’t undermine the autonomy that these local governments have to spend the money again that best suits their communities and addresses this public health crisis.” Courtesy of Source New Mexico
	Cyclosporiasis case in Rock Island County traced to Michigan farmers market As of July 13, roughly 1,700 lab-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in the U.S. Here's what local health officials said to stay safe.
	MidAmerican issues scam warning about fake customer service phone numbers MidAmerican Energy is warning customers that scammers are using fake customer service phone numbers in search results to steal personal and financial information.
	Rain chances creeping up for Friday After a few isolated showers Thursday, rain chances are a little higher Friday. We'll see a 40% chance for some scattered showers and t'showers on Friday. The storms do not look to be overly strong, but could drop some heavy rain once they form. Most likely timeframe would be in the afternoon into the early [...]
	St. Ambrose University, Quad City Symphony aim to build music facility in downtown Davenport Space for music rehearsals in Davenport are at a premium for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and St. Ambrose University. When the symphony isn't performing in a popular auditorium like the Adler Theatre, they are musical nomads, jumping from place to place for practice. "It's not sustainable. We are not a priority in any of [...]
	Helicopter used for spraying crops crashes outside Iowa City The Tiffin Fire Department said it was dispatched at 7:44 p.m. July 15 to an aircraft crash near 2862 Rohret Rd.
	Interview: Taste of Mercado, Moline, postponed because of possible storms Mercado on Fifth is gearing up to host its annual Taste of Mercado competition, which has been postponed for a week because of the chance for inclement weather. Organizers have announced that, because of the potential of storms on Friday, July 17, the event has been moved to Friday, July 24, before Bix festivities. "It's [...]
	Retired University of Iowa professor earns international award for statistics tool 30 years ago, a small team of scientists began working on "R." Now, it's a free computer program that helps people make sense of large amounts of information.
	Crime Stoppers: Deputies search for woman who vandalized vehicle Deere & Co. headquarters Rock Island County deputies are looking for a woman who spray painted and burned a maintenance vehicle at Deere & Company headquarters in Moline.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted in Bettendorf on drug charges Mickeal L. Bloch, 28, is wanted in Bettendorf for marijuana delivery, interference with official acts, and assaulting an officer.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted in RI Co. for failure to appear on armed violence charge Christian Beard, 28, is wanted by Rock Island County for failing to appear in court on an armed violence charge.
	Case of cyclosporiasis in Rock Island County likely contracted at Michigan farmers market As of July 13, roughly 1,700 lab-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in the U.S. Here's what local health officials said to stay safe.
	The Third Place will remain closed Thursday following window broken overnight Third Place officials said those needing a cooling center on Thursday can go to Project NOW, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
	Scholten leads House Democrats seeking answers on Grand Rapids airman’s death U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) talks about gun control legislation in Grand Rapids on July 29, 2024. \| Lucy ValeskiAfter calling for a full investigation into an influenza outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) is leading a group of House Democrats demanding answers about the Department of Defense’s decision to rescind its influenza vaccine requirements and the death of an airman from Grand Rapids. Keon McDaniel died on June 16 amid the outbreak at Lackland. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat whose district includes the Air Force base, later told reporters the Air Force confirmed McDaniel had died from influenza. In a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Scholten, Castro and six other House Democrats asked about the department’s decision to rescind and later reinstate its influenza vaccine requirement. Also signing the letter were Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee’s Military Personnel Subcommittee and Reps. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit), Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham), Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City). letter_to_sec._hegseth_re__airman_mcdaniel_ (1) Hegseth, in an April message posted to social media, called the mandatory vaccine requirement “overly broad and not rational” and said service members would not be forced to take it unless they chose to do so. That stance was subsequently reversed in June after an influenza outbreak affected up to 275 people at the base, which serves as the Air Force’s basic training hub. The lawmakers also asked Hegseth whether the department had initiated a formal review into the circumstances surrounding McDaniel’s death, and what support and information it had provided to McDaniel’s family after his death, among other questions. “We urge the Department to ensure that Airman McDaniel’s family receives timely and direct answers to any questions they may have about the circumstances of his death before any additional findings or information are made public,” the representatives wrote in the letter. “Keon’s family has already made the greatest sacrifice. They deserve to hear the truth directly from the Department, delivered with compassion and respect.” They also asked the department to provide a briefing on the influenza outbreak and the vaccination policy change for the signatories of the letter, the House Armed Services Committee and any other interested members of Congress. A department spokesperson told Michigan Advance, “As with all congressional correspondence, the Department will respond directly to the authors.” Courtesy of Michigan Advance
	White House says ICE traffic stops will continue after deadly shootings The comments came following widespread reports earlier in the week that those stops would be put on pause after two immigrants were fatally shot by ICE agents in early July.
	Flood sirens blare in southcentral Texas as rivers reach perilous heights Flood sirens blared early Thursday in Comfort, Texas, as the Guadalupe River rose more than 30 feet in three hours, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The storm could bring even more rainfall than last year's deadly Fourth of July floods.
	Flood sirens blare in South Central Texas as rivers reach perilous heights Flood sirens blared early Thursday in Comfort, Texas, as the Guadalupe River rose more than 30 feet in three hours, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The storm could bring even more rainfall than last year's deadly Fourth of July floods.
	Kelly Lao will become director of Muscatine Art Center The Muscatine Art Center will welcome a new director in August after a three-month national search to replace former director Melanie Alexander, who resigned on April 2, 2026, a news release says. After a unanimous vote on July 10, the Muscatine Art Center Board of Trustees has selected Kelly Lao, of Rock Island, for the [...]
	Jo Daviess County K-9 Sam dies after battle with cancer K-9 Sam passed away on July 10. The police dog served the department since 2018.
	Pennsylvania poised to strike down its last law criminalizing HIV With Gov. Josh Shapiro's signature, Pennsylvania will eliminate the last criminal charges singling out people living with HIV. (Screenshot from livestream)Decades after state lawmakers created criminal charges penalizing people living with HIV in the name of public health, a bill striking the “stigmatizing” language only needs Gov. Josh Shapiro’s signature to become law. “People living with HIV in Pennsylvania are finally being seen and heard as citizens deserving of dignity (and) protections — not punishment,” said Waheedah Shabazz-El, an activist living with HIV in Philadelphia. Shabazz-El and others gathered in Philadelphia on Thursday said the change would encourage more people to get testing or treatment and reduce the negative public perception. Waheedah Shabazz-El, an activist living with HIV in Philadelphia, at a July 16, 2026 press conference in Philadelphia. (Screenshot from livestream) The proposal’s advancement and support recognizes “a fundamental truth,” Shabazz-El continued, “that living with HIV is not a crime, but criminalizing people because of their HIV status is an injustice.” Under Pennsylvania law, people living with HIV can be charged with a felony for prostitution or related offenses, crimes that would otherwise be a misdemeanor. “For too long, our laws have not kept pace with medical science. Instead of promoting public health, they have reinforced stigma and unfairly singled out people with HIV,” said Rep. Ben Waxman (D-Philadelphia). Senate Bill 45, which mirrors some of the language from Waxman’s House Bill 632, received one “no” vote in the Senate in June and passed the House unanimously on Sunday, the same day the General Assembly greenlit the $50.8 billion budget. Shapiro signed that and a few other bills passed at the same time, but hasn’t approved Senate Bill 45 as of Thursday. Where do these laws come from? Congress tied funding from the 1990 Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act to laws that prosecuted people living with HIV — incentivizing many states to add new criminal charges, though some already had the laws on the books. Ronda Goldfein, the executive director of the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, said such action was taken “in a misguided attempt to prevent HIV transmission,” though the laws haven’t reduced the virus’ spread. “Criminal penalties for living with HIV have never served an effective law enforcement purpose. No credible research has ever linked penalties with reduction in HIV transmission,” added Goldfein. The underlying bill, sponsored by Sen. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson) and Sen. Maria Collett (D-Montgomery), increases the penalties for human traffickers and buyers who “groomed, manipulated or forced” victims into sex work. The effort, which also diverts fines, fees and restitution to fund preventative grants, is a product of the bipartisan, bicameral Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus. Though Congress struck the funding provision in 2000, states have been slow to strike laws criminalizing HIV — just over half either have a law or sentencing enhancement for people living with the condition. While advanced in the name of public health, Jay Costman — who treated patients with HIV and AIDS for decades in Philadelphia — argued they had the opposite impact, treating HIV “as a crime instead of as a controllable health condition.” “When HIV first appeared in the United States, the lack of understanding of the disease and the lack of empathy for people who were living with HIV led to great stigmatization. That stigma discouraged people from getting tested and treated, fueling the epidemic, particularly among marginalized populations,” he said. Today, HIV disproportionately impacts gay and bisexual men as well as Black and Latino Americans. Today, medication can reduce the risk of getting HIV by as much as 99%, but there are barriers to accessing the daily pill or long-acting shot. Costman is the chief medical officer of Philadelphia FIGHT, a community health provider that offers HIV treatment, which received $285,000 in the latest state spending plan. “We know today that when people living with HIV are taking medications and have an undetectable level of virus in their blood, they can’t transmit the virus to other people. Therefore, there’s no scientific basis for criminalizing HIV,” added Costman. Legal reprecussions An October report from the UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute identified 78 HIV-related criminal cases in Pennsylvania for prostitution or “patronizing prostitutes” over the last decade — with Philadelphia accounting for 40% of all cases. Cases have declined over the years, but are still consistently filed. States are limiting HIV drug assistance programs The two charges — along with “promoting prostitution” — are “typically considered a misdemeanor” unless that person lives with HIV, at which point the charge becomes a felony “punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine not exceeding $15,000.” The law, which is the last to explicitly charge someone because of their HIV status in Pennsylvania, doesn’t consider if someone used a condom for protection or has an undetectable viral load, the latter of which can make the virus’ spread next to impossible. “In the 30 years since the penalties became law, they have rarely been charged. So why are we standing around on this hot day celebrating their demise? Because stigmatizing a medical condition instead of treating it has never gotten us anywhere,” said Goldfein. Clients over her organization’s 38 years of existence “regularly” share the ways that public perception “impedes their lives and dissuades them from seeking healthcare and sharing their diagnosis with others,” she continued. “If people are afraid to get tested and treated for fear that someone will learn they are living with HIV, this epidemic will never end,” Goldfein said. Courtesy of Pennsylvania Capital-Star
	RI state budget extends pilot program offering fruit and veggie discounts to SNAP recipients Amy Nunn, executive director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, speaks at a press event to celebrate the extension of Eat Well, Be Well at the State House on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Photo by Nolan Page/Rhode Island Current)More than 140,000 Rhode Islanders will have another year of access to fresh produce discounts at select grocery stores thanks to funding in the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget. Since Eat Well, Be Well debuted as a pilot program in January 2024, more than 100,000 households have received a total of around $10 million in benefits, according to an evaluation by the Rhode Island Public Health Institute). The program pays Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries 50 cents for every dollar they spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers and automatically loads the rewards onto their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, up to $25 a month. The program was set to expire on June 30. But Eat Well, Be Well will now continue with $4.1 million allocated to the program in the fiscal year 2027 state budget, which took effect July 1. “It helps Rhode Islanders put healthy meals on the tables,” Kimberly Merolla-Brito, director of the Department of Human Services, said during a press event Thursday morning at the State House to celebrate the program’s continuation. Amy Nunn, executive director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, said the funding will extend Eat Well, Be Well for about another year. “Everybody feels a sticker shock at the grocery store, and it’s been a particularly difficult time with all the inflationary pressures on grocery prices,” Nunn said. “People want to eat right. A lot of people just can’t afford it.” Providence’s West End is among the state’s communities with the most SNAP recipients, according to a report by the Economic Progress Institute. Eddie Lee was one of the neighborhood’s recipients until he recently lost his benefits. Before that, the 28-year-old father of two said he regularly maxed out the program’s $25 limit when using his EBT card. Eat Well, Be Well offered relief as grocery store prices continued to rise, he said. “It opens a lot of doors, puts a lot of different foods on people’s plates that they generally don’t even have the option to get,” Lee said. Luna Walker, owner of West African Superstore, speaks to celebrate Eat Well, Be Well at the State House on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Photo by Nolan Page/Rhode Island Current) Eat Well, Be Well is the nation’s first and only statewide SNAP retail incentive program, according to the House budget. Among other states, Massachusetts has offered a similar incentive program since 2017, but benefits are unavailable at major grocery chains. Rhode Island’s program is available at every Walmart and Stop & Shop in the state, as well as West African Superstore, a locally owned market in Upper South Providence. Lee usually gets groceries at Stop & Shop, where he learned about the program from members of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute. The institute reported 73% of SNAP households have used the program, but Lee still thinks there’s room to grow. “I don’t think this program is as big as it should be,” Lee said. “I don’t think it’s being talked about and promoted as much.” According to the Rhode Island Public Health Institute evaluation, 70% of SNAP recipients with children reported being able to feed their family more fruits and vegetables because of the program. About the same share of all SNAP recipients reported low food security and their benefits not being enough to feed their families each month. Communities across the nation were reminded of the crisis of food insecurity when SNAP benefits and funding halted on Nov. 1 amid the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown left Rhode Island’s more than 140,000 SNAP recipients without benefits until a federal judge on Nov. 6 ordered the Trump administration to fund the benefits meant to go out at the start of the month. Programs like Eat Well, Be Well can help tackle food insecurity and support more nutritional options, Nunn said. While most people have heard of food deserts, Nunn explained that there are also “food swamps,” where communities are flooded with unhealthy fast food options. Nutritious food is especially accessible to children of color, she added. “We have a moral duty to make sure that our children can access healthy foods,” Nunn said. Quotation “It helps Rhode Islanders put healthy meals on the tables,” Kimberly Merolla-Brito, director of the Department of Human Services, said during a press event Thursday morning at the State House to celebrate the program’s continuation. The program makes business sense too. One unnamed participating retailer reported $650,000 more revenue from fruit and vegetable sales than expected without Eat Well, Be Well, according to Rhode Island Public Health Institute’s evaluation. Walmart comprises nine of the program’s 36 participating retailers, alongside Stop & Shop’s 26 locations. “It made a lot of sense for us as a company, and it made a heck of a lot of sense for our own customers,” said Chris Buchanan, Walmart’s public affairs director. West African Superstore, Rhode Island’s largest African market, is the only participating small-scale retailer. Owner Luna Walker said her customers have been “very appreciative” of the program. She hoped to see Eat Well, Be Well expand beyond fresh produce to add frozen fruits and vegetables, which she said were commonly used in her culture. As the only current nonchain partner, Walker encouraged other smaller retailers to partner with Eat Well, Be Well. Advocates also hoped this year’s funding expansion wasn’t the last step in the program’s development. Nunn said Eat Well, Be Well is looking to add more stores, with her targets set on Shaw’s, Aldi, Price Rite and Market Basket. She also hoped Rhode Island’s first-in-the-nation effort could inspire the federal government to embrace a similar initiative in its omnibus farm bill, which governs years of agriculture and food programs. “That is my ultimate policy goal,” Nunn said. “We have to demonstrate that this works.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Rhode Island Current
	After years of false claims on voting, Trump to give an address on election integrity President Trump, who for years has sowed doubt about the security of American elections, is scheduled to give a primetime address Thursday night about election integrity. Trump has long contended, without evidence, that he won the 2020 election
	Pennsylvanians can use Medicaid to cover abortions — at least for now A federal judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction on a federal provision targeting Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers’ Medicaid funding for some states starting next week. The Trump administration is expected to appeal. (Photo by Sarah Ladd / Kentucky Lantern)This story was updated at 4:50 p.m. on July 16, 2026 to include a statement from Planned Parenthood Keystone CEO and President Melissa Reed. A Commonwealth Court judge ruled Pennsylvanians can use Medicaid to cover abortions, at least temporarily overturning a decades-long ban. “This is the day we’ve been fighting for since 2019,” said Christine Castro, a senior staff attorney with the Women’s Law Project. “For the first time in more than 40 years that this discriminatory coverage ban has been in effect, Pennsylvanians enrolled in Medicaid can no longer be denied abortion coverage.” Since 1982, Pennsylvania has banned the use of Medicaid funds to pay for abortions. But in April, the Commonwealth Court sided 4-3 with a group of reproductive health care providers and overturned that ban, finding it violated the state constitution’s Equal Rights Amendment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. After the ruling, Republican state Attorney General Dave Sunday appealed the case to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, a move that automatically stayed the lower court’s decision and effectively maintained the ban on Medicaid-funded abortions. But on Wednesday, Commonwealth Court Judge Matthew Wolf issued an opinion allowing the court’s ruling to stand, even as the state Supreme Court considers the case. That’s in part because Wolf found that an earlier state Supreme Court ruling, which said the abortion ban could be challenged under laws against sex-based discrimination, indicated that they’re likely to side with the reproductive healthcare providers. Wolf also wrote that it’s in the public interest not to enforce a law that the court found to be unconstitutional. “Continued enforcement of the Coverage Exclusion irreparably injures Providers and their prospective patients as a matter of our most fundamental law,” Wolf wrote. The case was first brought in 2019 against the state Department of Human Services. When Josh Shapiro served as Attorney General until his election as governor in 2022, he had declined to defend the state’s ban on Medicaid-funded abortions, calling it unconstitutional. But when Sunday was elected in 2024, he intervened in the case to defend it. A spokesperson for his office declined to comment on the ongoing case. “For decades, politicians singled out people with low incomes and denied them insurance coverage for abortion care simply because they relied on Medicaid,” Melissa Reed, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Keystone said in a statement. “Every Pennsylvanian deserves the freedom to make their own health care decisions without financial barriers standing in the way. Regardless of income level or type of insurance, Planned Parenthood Keystone will now be able to provide critical care.” Courtesy of Pennsylvania Capital-Star
	Iowa physician sues federal agency over report tied to 2015 patient death The Iowa Board of Medicine regulates the state's medical profession as part of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing. (Photo by Getty Images, board seal courtesy the State of Iowa) An Iowa physician who successfully challenged the state’s efforts to privately sanction him for incompetence is now suing the federal government. In 2017, the Iowa Board of Medicine issued Dr. Mark B. Irland, a licensed physician who practiced primarily in Marengo, what it called a “confidential letter of warning.” Court records show the board sent Irland the letter after reviewing a complaint about the medical care he provided patients. The board’s confidential letter, which Irland later made public through his own court filings, referenced “serious concerns” regarding his October 2015 treatment of a 29-year-old man, Nicholas Novak, who died after Irland allegedly “failed to recognize the seriousness of Mr. Novak’s medical condition and ignored the concerns of other health care professionals involved in his treatment.” The court records show the Marengo Memorial Hospital had conducted an internal investigation of the death and had revoked Irland’s clinical privileges for emergency medicine due to what it called “serious concerns” regarding his clinical competency, “disruptive behavior and unprofessionalism and substandard care which may have contributed to a catastrophic patient outcome.” The board’s confidential letter indicates that in responding to the board’s inquiry, Irland told the board the hospital’s disciplinary process was unfair and that its actions resulted in “significant economic costs” and damage to his “reputation and social well-being.” The board’s letter echoed the hospital’s concerns and advised Irland “to take appropriate steps to avoid similar concerns in the future.” The board also ordered Irland to submit a paper to the board describing what he had learned from the matter. Noting that Irland was not practicing medicine at the time, the board said it was opting not to pursue further action but warned Irland that if he opted to return to the practice of medicine, the board would take “appropriate action,” including issuing an order requiring him to complete a comprehensive clinical competency evaluation. The board issued the confidential letter without publishing any public statement of charges against him or publishing a final order in the case. Quotation Cloaking discipline within confidential warning letters undermines the public’s right to know when a physician’s competence has been called into question by a licensing board. – Iowa Supreme Court Irland then took the board to court, seeking judicial review of the matter and asserting the letter constituted illegal disciplinary action that should have been filed in conjunction with an investigation, a published statement of charges and an opportunity for a hearing on the matter. The matter eventually resulted in an Iowa Supreme Court decision in which the justices sided with Irland. “Cloaking discipline within confidential warning letters undermines the public’s right to know when a physician’s competence has been called into question by a licensing board,” the court ruled. “In our view, the (board’s) letter, by its plain language, presently restricts Dr. Irland’s ability to return to practicing his profession … The board cannot use a ‘confidential letter of warning’ to sidestep procedural requirements for imposing and reporting discipline … To protect the public from incompetent physicians, board-imposed discipline is a public record.” Irland sues board, hospital and HHS Separate from Irland’s litigation with the Board of Medicine, the physician also challenged Marengo Memorial Hospital over its actions, which led to a binding settlement agreement between the parties in 2021. Despite that agreement, Irland sued the hospital in 2022 for defamation, noting that in 2016, long before the settlement agreement was in place, the hospital had submitted its report to the National Practitioner Data Bank, documenting its concerns about Irland’s ability to practice medicine safely. As part of his lawsuit against the hospital, Irland argued that due to the settlement agreement the hospital should have retracted its 2016 report to the NPDB. The district court granted the hospital summary judgment in the case, which the Iowa Court of Appeals later upheld. Now, more than 10 years after the patient death that sparked those lawsuits, Irland, 71, has initiated a new round of litigation, this time aimed at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In his current lawsuit, filed in federal court, Irland is representing himself and arguing that in 2023 the Iowa Board of Medicine issued a final order in his disciplinary case finding no medical incompetence, imposing no disciplinary action, and explicitly rescinding its prior administrative valuation order and leaving his state medical license “completely unblemished.” The lawsuit asserts that on April 29, 2026, after Irland disputed the validity of the NPDB report that was based on the Marengo hospital’s concerns, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, issued a final order indicating the NPDB report would remain in place. The lawsuit asserts HHS’ refusal to eliminate the report from the database amounts to a “severe abuse of discretion” and constitutes a violation of his due-process rights. HHS has yet to file a response to the lawsuit. Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
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	How artificial intelligence is changing the mental health space How artificial intelligence is changing the mental health spaceWhat if your next therapy appointment involved opening an app instead of talking to another human? From chatbots that lend an ear at 2 a.m. to smart platforms that track emotional patterns over time, artificial intelligence is reshaping how people access and experience mental health care.AI technology aims to help create machines that can do tasks that require human intelligence and problem-solving. You’ve likely already seen how AI has changed many industries, such as finance, retail, entertainment, and even healthcare. Researchers have also found ways to incorporate AI into mental health care, a field based largely on human connection and understanding.Artificial intelligence therapy can't replace human connection, but AI is beginning to play a real role in how people access mental health support. AI therapy can offer ways to support your emotional well-being, such as AI chatbots that can lend an ear and sophisticated tools that help mental health professionals personalize treatment plans. This article from Talkspace explores how AI therapy works, and if it can be an effective alternative to in-person or virtual therapy.Quick Summary:AI therapy uses technologies like chatbots, natural language processing, machine learning, and predictive analytics to deliver mental health support or enhance human-led care.AI tools can help with mood tracking, skill-building, early symptom detection, and personalized treatment insights, but they can’t replace the empathy, nuance, or clinical judgment of a licensed therapist.AI therapy is best used as a supplement or starting point — not a standalone replacement for relationship-based mental healthcare.‍What Is AI Therapy?AI therapy uses AI technology to deliver mental health interventions through a digital platform. Some AI therapy tools let you interact directly with the AI. Other types of AI for therapy work behind the scenes to provide powerful analytics to support and enhance human-led therapy.Common types of AI therapy tools include:Chatbots: An AI-powered chat that can have supportive conversations with real-time responses. When people use AI therapy chatbots like ChatGPT as therapists, these bots often try to use techniques from therapy to give you advice so you can manage depression, anxiety, loneliness, and more.Mental health apps with AI features: A mobile or web-based platform that uses AI to offer personalized therapeutic tools, like mood tracking and guided meditationTherapist-assisted tools: AI tools that can help support therapists by refining personalized treatment plans, predicting treatment outcomes, and analyzing patient dataPredictive analytics: AI tools that can analyze someone’s mental state using biomarkers such as voice analytics, sleep patterns, or heart rateAI Therapy Tools vs. Human TherapistsBecause AI therapy can look different from traditional care, here’s a simple breakdown of how AI tools and human therapists each support mental health. Talkspace How Does AI Therapy Work?Although AI may seem like a modern innovation, researchers have been asking, “Can you use AI for therapy?” for over 60 years. In 1966, researchers developed the first AI tool for mental health, called ELIZA — a chatbot designed to simulate human conversations for therapeutic applications.The underlying technology that powers AI therapy has come a long way since ELIZA. Researchers train AI programs by designing special algorithms that tell the computer how to use and analyze data.Below, explore some of the advances in AI technology that make modern AI therapy possible:Natural language processingNatural language processing (NLP) enables chatbots to simulate a natural conversation. NLP involves techniques that help AI understand, interpret, and generate human-sounding language.You’ve likely interacted with AI programs using NLP. Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa use NLP to help understand requests and respond in a natural way. AI therapy uses NLP in a similar way to understand what you’re saying and respond in a conversational tone that doesn’t feel robotic.Machine learningMachine learning (ML) involves AI systems that can learn by themselves. ML allows AI systems to identify patterns and unique relationships. Chatbots commonly use both NLP and ML to understand what you’re saying and generate more personalized responses over time. That’s because ML helps chatbots learn about you the more you interact with them. This allows the chatbots to refine their responses and treatment suggestions over time.Predictive analyticsMental healthcare providers can use predictive analytics to help predict your risk and the likely outcome of a mental health condition. With predictive analytics, researchers can use historical data (information from your past) about you to predict future outcomes.Predictive analytics AI programs use a number of different factors to help predict risk and outcomes, including:Your genetics: The genes inherited from your parentsPhysical traits: Characteristics like your weight, heart rate, and voiceEnvironmental factors: Past trauma or social isolationLifestyle choices: Diet, physical activity, and sleep patternsSocial factors: Income, education, and support systemSome predictive analytics programs can help predict how you might respond to a certain treatment. This allows your mental healthcare provider to personalize the best treatment plan for you.Sentiment analysisSentiment analysis is an AI tool that can help mental healthcare providers predict your mental status using NLP and ML. AI tools with sentiment analysis may be able to pick up on subtle clues from social media, journals, or chats that give insight into your mental state. For example, AI may be able to predict people at risk of depression or anxiety by looking for certain words or phrases.A human therapist may use AI tools with sentiment analysis to detect subtle emotional cues in your voice or facial expressions during talk-based therapy. A shift in your voice’s pitch, tone, or rhythm can signal to your therapist that you may be experiencing anxiety or depression. AI analysis of your facial expressions may help therapists diagnose depression early.Pros and Cons of AI TherapyAs AI therapy becomes more common and widely available, it’s natural to explore what it does and doesn’t do well. AI therapy is still in the early stages, but research has revealed some of the strengths and limitations to keep in mind.Pros of AI therapyOne of the most persuasive arguments for using AI mental health tools in therapy is to ease the demand for accessible and affordable mental healthcare. Traditionally, therapy involves in-person or real-time video chats with a human therapist. However, there are often more people who need therapy than therapists, and one therapist can only talk to one person at a time. AI-powered therapy can interact with several different people at once. This makes AI therapy a potentially helpful first step or supplement to traditional therapy.Some of the benefits of AI therapy that people seek out include:Accessibility: You can access an AI therapist chatbot 24/7 with no wait times.Affordability: It’s often free or offered at a lower cost compared to human therapy.Stigma reduction: AI therapy may be an easier entry point for those who are hesitant to see a therapist.Personalization: Many AI tools adapt over time, using your input and patterns to tailor responses, track your progress, and offer more relevant coping strategies.“AI therapy tools can be a helpful first step for individuals who feel hesitant or overwhelmed about starting therapy, offering accessible, judgment-free support anytime,” says Talkspace therapist Cynthia Catchings, PhD, LCSW-S “They can also supplement traditional therapy by helping clients track moods, practice skills between sessions, and reinforce therapeutic progress.”Cons of AI therapyWhile there are many potential benefits of AI therapy, it’s also important to understand its limitations. Some drawbacks to AI therapy include:Lack of empathy: Chatbots can’t truly replicate a real human connection.Limited scope: AI tools aren’t designed to handle complex mental health problems, so AI therapy is often only helpful for people with mild to moderate symptoms.Crisis inadequacy: AI therapy isn’t safe or recommended for people in an active mental health crisis.Privacy concerns: The data collected by AI therapy systems is at risk of patient data breaches or misuse. There are no ethical guidelines to protect your data.Bias in algorithms: If AI therapy programs are trained on biased data, they may not produce the best or most appropriate responses.Inaccuracy: AI can sometimes hallucinate information, resulting in wrong or inappropriate advice.“From a clinical standpoint, my biggest concern is that AI tools can lack the empathy, nuance, and cultural understanding needed to fully support someone in crisis or with complex trauma,” Catchings says. “While helpful in some areas, they should never replace the human connection that is often central to healing.”Can You Use AI for Therapy Successfully?“Yes, AI can support therapy by helping with self-awareness and skill-building, but it works best when paired with human connection and clinical guidance,” Catchings says.Research shows AI can be effective in delivering mental health support, particularly for mild to moderate symptoms. A 2025 study published in NEJM AI found that users of an AI therapy chatbot, Therabot, experienced significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and disordered eating symptoms. However, results across studies remain mixed. While this research shows that AI chatbots can help temporarily reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, other studies find little to no benefits for stress or overall well-being.Either way, AI isn’t a replacement for licensed professionals. It lacks clinical judgment, crisis response capabilities, and the emotional nuance of human care. Used thoughtfully, though, AI therapy tools can offer accessible, scalable support, especially for those who might not otherwise seek help.Human Support Still Matters: Where AI Meets Licensed TherapistsAI tools can change how we access and interact with therapy, but can AI replace therapists altogether? No, AI therapy isn’t meant to replace the care, empathy, and expertise of a licensed therapist. AI-powered digital tools can improve access to mental health care and may offer helpful support for mild or routine mental health concerns in between sessions. However, AI for therapy isn’t designed to fully replace trained professionals because they can’t understand nuanced human emotions and build a therapeutic relationship.This story was produced by Talkspace and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	5 train cars derail near West Burlington Five BNSF train cars derailed on a siding near West Burlington Tuesday, blocking the main tracks. No injuries or hazardous materials were reported.
	Muscatine community foundation advances rural housing initiatives, granted $250,000 The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine received a $250,000 grant to advance rural housing initiatives aimed at lower long-term costs and environmental impact for homeowners.
	Crop-spraying helicopter crashes right outside Iowa City, pilot hospitalized The Tiffin Fire Department said it was dispatched at 7:44 p.m. July 15 to an aircraft crash near 2862 Rohret Rd.
	Bettendorf Community School District reaches agreement with former superintendent The Bettendorf Community School District (BCSD) has reached an agreement with its former superintendent to end her contract two years early, calling for her to receive over $700,000 in compensation. According to the terms of the agreement, Dr. Michelle Morse, whose contract was scheduled to end on June 30, 2028, and the district agreed to [...]
	IPO guide: The pros and cons of investing in an IPO and how to do it IPO guide: The pros and cons of investing in an IPO and how to do itAn IPO is the first public sale of a company’s stock. Individual investors may be able to buy IPO shares either through an eligible brokerage or on the public market after trading begins. However, access is often limited, and you may not be guaranteed shares, Wealth Enhancement explains. Additionally, given the nature of these sales, the initial stock price can be volatile.What Is an IPO?An IPO — short for initial public offering — is when a private company publicly sells its shares for the first time through a registered offering. Before an IPO, ownership of company stock is generally limited to founders, employees, and private investors such as venture capital firms.Companies go public for multiple reasons, including raising additional capital, creating a liquidity event for founders and early investors, and boosting a company’s reputation and brand credibility.IPO shares are sold on the primary market by underwriters on behalf of the company. After that initial listing, they usually trade on a stock exchange such as the Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).Access to IPO shares doesn’t guarantee a winning investment. An IPO can be an inherently volatile time for a company. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, IPOs should be treated as speculative investments rather than sure things.How IPOs WorkThe process of preparing for an IPO begins long before the first public share of stock is actually sold. Many companies spend one to two years preparing for their IPO.1. The Company Prepares to Go PublicDuring the early IPO process, a company will assemble its team of legal, financial, and underwriting professionals. It will tighten up its finances and financial reporting, do internal audits, and build up its internal processes to meet regulatory standards.2. The Company Files a ProspectusBefore a company can sell shares publicly, it must register with the SEC. The process begins with the company filing its prospectus, which is an important document that includes a company’s:Business modelManagement teamFinancial statementsRisk factorsUse of proceedsShare structure and ownershipLockup termsIPO termsThe prospectus is part of the company’s S-1 filing, the comprehensive registration document it files before going public. The prospectus is designed to relay important information to investors and help them decide whether to buy stock. When you’re evaluating an IPO stock, the prospectus should be the core research document you refer to.3. Underwriters Help Price and Distribute SharesWhen a company decides to go public, it chooses an investment bank (or more than one) to serve as the underwriter for its IPO. The early job of the underwriters is to assess demand for the stock, set the IPO price, and distribute the IPO shares.Institutional investors, which include mutual funds, pension funds, and hedge funds, are often major investors in IPOs and typically get priority over individual investors. Before the IPO, the underwriting banks will complete what’s known as a roadshow, which is when they meet with and present to key investors and get an idea of how much they can charge for the shares.4. Shares Begin Public TradingThe IPO price, which is what early investors pay in the offering, isn’t always the same as the price at which the shares first trade in the public market. IPOs can be volatile, and prices often fall after the IPO. According to Nasdaq data, only about half of companies outperform the market in the first day after their IPO, and about two-thirds underperform the market after three years.Most people who buy shares after a company IPOs aren’t actually buying IPO shares — they’re buying shares in a public secondary market that had been previously purchased, either before or during the IPO.How to Invest in an IPOInvesting in an IPO isn’t as simple as logging into your brokerage account and placing a buy order. Here’s what you’ll need to know if you want to buy IPO shares.Step 1: Check Whether Your Brokerage Offers IPO AccessNot every brokerage firm has access to IPO shares, and those that do often limit eligibility based on account type or size. To see if your brokerage offers IPO access, visit the company’s website and search for an IPO page. Top firms like Fidelity and Schwab offer IPO shares, but that doesn’t mean all customers will have access to them.Step 2: Review the Preliminary ProspectusBefore investing in IPO shares from any company, read the prospectus. Pay special attention to risk factors, financials, and policies outlined in the document, as well as how the company plans to use the proceeds. For more help reviewing the prospectus, visit Schwab’s IPO due diligence checklist.Step 3: Decide How Much to RequestConsider the maximum dollar amount you’re comfortable investing in the IPO shares. Factors to consider may include your risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, and tax consequences.Generally speaking, an IPO should take up no more than 5%-10% of your investment portfolio. IPOs are inherently volatile, and even with a lower-risk stock, you take on some concentration risk by letting a single stock take up too much of your portfolio.Step 4: Place an Indication of Interest or Conditional OrderPlacing an order for IPO shares, sometimes called an indication of interest, is a request for shares, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get them. You may not receive IPO shares at all, or the final allocation may be smaller than what you requested.You may need to confirm your participation in the IPO after the final pricing. Review the final price compared to your expectations to make sure you’re still comfortable investing at the same level.Step 5: Monitor the Stock After It Begins TradingOnce the shares begin trading, make sure to keep an eye on price movement in the early days and weeks. Pay attention to volume, which is the number of shares being bought and sold.As time goes on, pay attention to company updates and earnings reports. These are likely to affect the stock price. Analyst coverage can also give you an idea of how the post-IPO period is going.Finally, keep an eye on the stock value and its position size relative to the rest of your portfolio. IPOs usually include a lockup period, but once that expires, you may want to sell some of the shares to make sure you’re still comfortable with your asset allocation.Can You Buy IPO Shares After the Company Goes Public?Many interested investors don’t request shares directly as a part of the IPO. Instead, they wait and buy on the secondary public market once the company is public.There are several benefits to waiting, including:More price discoveryThe ability to watch early tradingMore public informationLess pressure from IPO hypeOn the other hand, there are downsides. The price could rise before you get the chance to buy. Not only will you have to spend more to get your shares, but you’ll miss out on any early gains you could have earned. However, it’s impossible to know ahead of time how an IPO stock will perform, so each individual investor must decide for themselves what they’re comfortable with.Pros of Investing in an IPOPotential Early Access to a Newly Public CompanyIPOs can offer you a chance to invest in a company before it enters the public markets, giving you a head start over other investors. However, IPOs don’t always perform as expected, so that early access won’t necessarily translate to outperformance.Ability to Participate in Future Public-Market GrowthIf the company’s stock performs well after its IPO, early shareholders will benefit from that growth, both in the initial days and in the long term. If the company sees major stock price growth in the early days, you would miss out on that growth by waiting to invest.More Public Disclosure After ListingPublic companies are subject to more ongoing reporting requirements than private companies, giving investors more visibility into what’s going on behind the scenes. In addition to creating more transparency, this often affects the choices that companies make in the first place.Liquidity Compared With Private SharesPublic shares are far more liquid than shares for private companies. When you want to sell some or all of your shares, you can easily do so in your brokerage account, often the same day.Portfolio Exposure to New Companies or SectorsPortfolio diversification is key, and an IPO can provide the opportunity to add new companies, sectors, or market caps to your portfolio.Cons and Risks of Investing in an IPOLimited Public Operating HistoryCompanies that are newly or about to be public have limited public reporting compared to more established companies. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future performance, some investors may not feel as comfortable investing in a company without past quarterly reports to review.Valuation RiskDemand, scarcity, and media attention can push IPO prices above what the underlying fundamentals support. It’s easy for a company to become overvalued, only to have the stock price correct in the days or months following the IPO.First-Day and Early Trading VolatilityIPO stocks aren’t a guaranteed home run. There’s often plenty of volatility in the early days and weeks, and you may find your shares quickly lose value, at least in the short term.Allocation Limits for Individual InvestorsEven if you want to invest in an IPO, individual investors often receive fewer shares than requested (or no shares at all), as most go to institutional investors.Lockup Expiration PressureCompany insiders and early investors are typically restricted from selling their shares for a set period after the IPO — often six months. Prices can drop as that lockup expiration date approaches, as investors anticipate the large number of shares that are about to go up for sale.Hype and Emotional Decision-MakingThere’s a lot of hype and media coverage around IPOs, which can lead to investors making emotional decisions rather than prudent financial ones. If you’re considering investing in an IPO, make sure to consult your financial advisor to make sure it’s the right choice for you.IPOs vs. Direct Listings vs. SPACsIPOs, direct listings, and SPACs are three different methods that companies use to sell shares on the public market. The three have different processes and benefits for companies.IPOAn IPO is a registered public offering where companies work with underwriters (usually investment banks) to sell shares. It’s the traditional method for going public.Direct ListingA direct listing is another path that companies can use to enter the public market, usually by allowing their existing shareholders to publicly sell their shares. It’s more commonly used by large, consumer-facing companies, as it has lower administrative costs than an IPO.SPACA special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) is a different route to the public market. The SPAC goes public as a shell company, and then merges with an existing private company. Through the process, the private company becomes public without going through an IPO.What to Look for Before Investing in an IPOInvesting in an IPO requires serious due diligence because of the associated risk. Here are some factors you should consider before investing.Business ModelHas the company clearly explained in its prospectus how it makes money?Revenue Growth and ProfitabilityConsider whether the company’s revenue is growing, whether its growth is accelerating or slowing, and whether it’s currently profitable. If the company isn’t profitable (which is the case for most IPO companies), does it have a clear path to profitability?Use of ProceedsHow will the company use the money it raises in the IPO? Will it use it to fund further growth, repay debt, provide liquidity for existing shareholders, or something else altogether? More importantly, will the use of the proceeds help the company grow and boost its value?Competitive PositionWhere does the company stand in the market? Who are its direct and indirect competitors, and how does it protect its market position? This is more challenging for newer companies than those that are more established in their industry.Customer ConcentrationHow concentrated is the company’s customer base? It can be risky for a company to depend on a small number of customers, even if they make a lot of money from those customers.Debt and Cash FlowDoes the company have enough money to support plans while also managing its current debt? Are its current debt levels manageable? A company that’s overleveraged can be a red flag.ValuationWhat is the company’s valuation, and how does it compare with its public peers? Consider whether the company seems over- or under-valued based on its IPO price, and whether the IPO price already reflects aggressive future growth.Insider Ownership and LockupsWho are the company’s current owners, and when can those owners sell? Early investors are generally subject to lockup periods, but often sell off a portion of their shares when lockup periods end, which affects other investors.Portfolio FitDoes this investment fit your overall investment strategy? If it would create overconcentration in your portfolio, what’s your strategy to address that?Special Considerations for Employees of a Company Going PublicIf you work at a company that’s been planning to go public, you may have been given the opportunity to buy company stock at a reduced price, either before or after the IPO. The question of whether to buy company stock requires different considerations than it does for other investors. Some questions to ask yourself include:At what price can I buy the stock, and how does that compare to the IPO stock?What are the tax implications of buying company stock?Am I subject to a lockup period, and for how long?What will the concentration of company stock in my portfolio be, and am I comfortable with that?Do I have the liquidity to make a large stock purchase with a lockup period?How will I further diversify my portfolio away from my employer’s stock?Much of the question of whether to invest in your company’s IPO is based on taxes. It’s best to start considering your capital gains tax implications ahead of time, especially as it relates to your vesting schedule, when you’ll buy the shares, and when you plan to (or are allowed to) sell them.Tax Considerations When Investing in IPOsInvesting in an IPO can have major tax implications, and making the wrong move can increase your tax burden. There are several things to consider and speak to your tax professional about.Capital Gains After Selling IPO SharesWhen you sell your IPO shares, you might pay capital gains-based taxes on the type of account you held them in, how long you held them, whether you made or lost money on them, and your overall income situation. It’s important to do your capital gains tax planning before a major event, not after.Short-Term vs. Long-Term Holding PeriodsThe amount of time you hold your IPO shares affects the amount you’ll pay in taxes. Shares you hold for one year or less are subject to short-term capital gains taxes, which have a higher tax burden. Meanwhile, if you’ve held your shares for more than a year, you could be eligible for a more favorable tax treatment. Make sure to consult a tax professional to verify how your shares will be treated for tax purposes.What if the IPO Stock Falls?If your IPO stock’s value falls, you’ll lose some of your principal investment, but you’ll also open up tax planning opportunities. You can use a strategy such as tax-loss harvesting to take advantage of your losses and help reduce your overall tax burden.Alternatives to Buying IPO Shares DirectlyBuying IPO shares isn’t the only way to benefit from a company going public. There are other (often less risky) ways to participate.Buy After the Stock Starts TradingRather than buying IPO shares directly, you can wait until the stock is already trading publicly and buy your shares in the secondary market. This is ideal for investors who want more price discovery and public market information before committing.Use Diversified FundsInvestors who want to avoid a concentrated stock position might opt for diversified funds that include the IPO shares. Mutual funds, index funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are an excellent way to gain exposure to many companies at once without allowing any one to have an outsize effect on your gains.Focus on Long-Term Portfolio DesignOne IPO shouldn’t drive your entire investment strategy. Think of it as one piece of a puzzle that could include many different individual stocks and diversified funds.Common IPO Investing Mistakes to AvoidIPO investing can be exciting, but it can also lead to emotional or impulsive mistakes on the part of investors. Here are some mistakes to avoid:Chasing a First-Day PopShort-term price movement isn’t the same as long-term investment quality. Even if the price shoots up after the IPO, it doesn’t mean the company will have long-term success (and vice versa).Ignoring the ProspectusThe prospectus is the most important information available when you’re making the decision to invest in IPO stock. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring the prospectus in favor of the media buzz.Overconcentrating in One CompanyIf you decide to invest in an IPO company, it shouldn’t make up too large a portion of your portfolio. Invest an amount that’s appropriate based on your other holdings.Forgetting About TaxesTaxes are a key part of investing, and the last thing you want is to be surprised with a large tax bill. Your gains, losses, account type, and timing all make a difference in your tax liability.Treating Media Attention as Due DiligenceThere’s a lot of hype around some IPOs, but hype doesn’t replace due diligence and prudent investment management. Pay attention to the facts and your own financial situation.IPO Investing ChecklistIf you’re wondering if you should invest in an IPO, this checklist can serve as a final reference point to ensure you’ve done all of your due diligence and understand what you’re getting yourself into:I read the prospectus.I understand the business model.I reviewed the risk factors.I understand how IPO proceeds will be used.I compared valuation with public peers.I checked profitability and cash flow.I reviewed debt levels.I know the lockup expiration date.I understand that allocation is not guaranteed.I decided on a maximum position size.I considered tax consequences.I would still want to own the stock without media attention.The investment fits my written financial plan.When an IPO May Make SenseInvesting in an IPO might make sense if you have clear investment goals with a time horizon you understand, and you know the IPO fits into those goals. It might also be right if you can tolerate the volatility and only invest a modest portion of your overall portfolio.When an IPO May Not Make SenseAn IPO probably isn’t the right choice if you’re unfamiliar with IPO investing, but you’ve been swayed by recent media attention. It also likely doesn’t make sense if you’ll need the cash right away, you’re only investing because you think the stock price will skyrocket, or if doing so would leave you overconcentrated in a single stock.Final Thoughts: Treat IPOs as Investments, Not EventsIPOs can be exciting, but excitement isn’t an investment strategy. Rather than buying into the hype around an IPO and envisioning it as a get-rich-quick scheme, ask yourself how it fits into your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. From there, make sure you understand the company you’re investing in and the tax implications, and that you’re prepared to take on the level of risk required.FAQs About Investing in IPOsWhat is an IPO in simple terms?An IPO is the first time a private company sells its shares in a public market. It’s a registered offering, meaning it requires the company to register with the SEC beforehand.How do individual investors buy IPO shares?It’s usually institutional investors that buy IPO shares, but individual investors can sometimes participate if they have an account through a brokerage firm that’s participating in the offering. Eligibility and allocation aren’t necessarily guaranteed for individual investors.If you’re unable to purchase shares in the actual IPO, you can buy the company’s shares in your brokerage account once the IPO is complete.Are IPOs risky?Yes, IPOs are risky because they are new companies with a limited public track record, and they often lead to overvaluations that cause the stock price to later fall. The SEC recommends treating IPOs like speculative investments.Do IPOs always go up on the first day?No, IPO stock prices don’t always go up on the first day. On the contrary, many companies see their stock prices fall on or after the first day.What is an IPO lockup period?An IPO lockup period is a length of time that founders and early investors are prohibited from selling their shares after the IPO. It usually lasts about six months, at which point those individuals are allowed to sell.Is it better to buy an IPO or wait?Waiting until after the IPO allows you to see what happens to the price and volume immediately following the IPO, but it can also mean missing out on initial gains. It’s up to you and your financial advisor to determine whether an IPO is the right choice based on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals.What should I read before investing in an IPO?Before investing in an IPO, read the company’s prospectus, which includes key information about the company’s risk factors, finances, how it’ll use the proceeds, ownership structure, and more.Can employees sell shares after their company goes public?No, employees and other company insiders are often subject to lockup periods that prohibit them from selling their shares immediately after the IPO.How much of my portfolio should I invest in an IPO?There’s no universal answer to how much of your portfolio you should invest in an IPO, but most investors should limit a single IPO stock to about 5%-10% or less of their assets. The exact right number for you depends on your financial goals and risk tolerance.Are IPOs better than index funds?IPOs and index funds serve very different purposes in a portfolio. An IPO has more risk, but can be an opportunity for major growth. Index funds, on the other hand, carry less risk, but also don’t have the potential for as explosive growth.This story was produced by Wealth Enhancement and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Mercer County Better Together receives $20,000 state grant to help rural homeless residents Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs recently announced that $195,000 in Charitable Trust grants were awarded to 10 nonprofit organizations across the state that provide food and housing to people in need. In the QCA, Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) received a $20,000 grant and VNA Community Services in Galesburg also received $20,000. “Through these grants, [...]
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	How AI is reshaping higher education program discovery How AI is reshaping higher education program discoveryProspective college students used to begin with a search engine and a list of links. Many now begin with a question typed into ChatGPT or Claude, and an answer that may never send them to a university website at all.The shift is no longer just a forecast. A Pew Research Center survey released in June 2026 found that 60% of U.S. adults say they have read AI-generated summaries at the top of search results, while 42% use AI chatbots to search for information.For higher education, that shift is already showing up in learner behavior. A 2025 UPCEA and Search Influence study of prospective adult learners interested in online and continuing education found that nearly half use AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Gemini weekly and that 79% read Google AI Overviews. More than half of prospective students surveyed said they are more likely to trust brands cited in AI Overviews.The implication, as the education technology company 2U laid out in a March article on AI and program discovery, is that visibility no longer depends mainly on where a program ranks in Google. It depends on how AI systems source, interpret, and present information about that program.How AI is changing student discoveryOnline higher-ed program marketing was, for years, a fairly settled discipline. The work centered on earning strong organic rankings and converting that visibility on a well-built program website, with paid placements filling the gaps. Because prospective students did their research online before applying, search visibility was the foundation that the rest of the funnel rested on.That sequence is breaking down. Prospective students now meet AI-generated summaries early in their research, and those summaries pull in rankings, salary data, and community discussion from forums like Reddit. A learner’s impression of a program can form long before they visit its page or click an ad.The shift is prompting some higher-ed providers to rethink how programs are surfaced and compared. Rather than optimizing for clicks, some institutions are investing in how their programs appear inside AI-generated answers, treating visibility within a chatbot response as the new threshold for discovery.Higher-ed programs increasingly compete for citations and credibility inside AI answers rather than for clicks, a different test than ranking a page of links. A June 2026 SparkToro analysis of Similarweb clickstream data found that 68.01% of U.S. Google searches in the first four months of 2026 ended without a click.What the early AI search data suggestsHard numbers on AI-driven program discovery are still scarce, but much of what exists comes from the companies building for it. 2U, for its part, reports that partner programs adopting AI-discovery practices have seen their mentions in AI-generated summaries double, and that traffic arriving from ChatGPT has climbed since 2025 and converts at twice the rate of other organic sources.The company reads the higher conversion as a sign that learners arriving through AI tools are further along in their decision-making. The figures are program-specific, but they point in the same direction as the broader market data.A playbook built for how machines readA few patterns sit underneath the data on higher-ed program performance in AI search. Authoritative, well-structured university websites tend to surface more often, because AI systems lean on credible sources when they generate answers. Pages that plainly answer who a program is for, what skills it builds, and what it leads to fare better than dense catalog copy. And consistency across sources matters, because models weigh websites, rankings, salary data, and public discussion together.The emerging playbook starts with a simple technical premise: Content that AI systems cannot crawl will not surface in their answers. From there, the academic detail has to be translated into explicit, citable facts such as cost, format, skills, and outcomes. Pages should be built around the questions learners actually ask, and reputation signals from rankings, reviews, and public discussion need tending, since they feed back into how models rank programs over time. The common thread is that traditional search engine optimization (SEO) is no longer sufficient on its own.What it means for universitiesFor institutions, the practical implication is that AI tools reward trusted, well-documented sources. This gives universities with strong reputations and clear program information a built-in edge, provided they can coordinate the technical, editorial, analytics, and reputation work that visibility now requires. But that coordination is harder than it sounds, and it is the kind of cross-functional effort many campuses are not structured to run alone.AI-first discovery is still in its early stages, but the numbers suggest it is settling into the pattern its early advocates describe. The first impression of a program increasingly forms inside an AI answer, and being discoverable there is becoming a threshold for everything that follows in a prospective student’s research and comparison of higher-ed programs.This story was produced by 2U and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Tick season is getting longer. So is the list of states trying to keep up. A dog walks along a wooded trail in a Maryland park. Ticks are commonly found in wooded and grassy habitats, and the lone star tick has expanded well beyond its historic range in the Southeast. (Photo by Amanda Watford/Stateline)The tiniest menace of summer doesn’t care if you’re hiking through the woods, walking the dog or pulling weeds in your backyard. It just wants a ride and a meal. As ticks spread into new parts of the country and emergency room visits for tick bites climb higher than usual, states are scrambling to monitor where the pests are showing up, what diseases they may be carrying and how to warn residents before a bite turns into something far more serious. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in April that emergency department visits for tick bites were higher than expected across much of the United States and at their highest levels for that point in the year since 2017. In June, there were 112 tick-related ER visits per 100,000 people, compared with 110 per 100,000 during the same period last year, according to the CDC’s online tick bite tracker. That suggests this year’s summer trend may be in line with 2025. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Nationwide, the latest available data show an estimated 65 tick bite-related emergency department visits per 100,000 people, up from 47 per 100,000 last year. This year’s current figures are preliminary and subject to change, but if they hold, this year’s rate may be the highest since 2017. Health officials say the trend reflects a combination of expanding tick populations, changing environmental conditions and increased human exposure during warmer months. The concern extends well beyond Lyme disease. The lone star tick, once found primarily in the Southeast, has steadily expanded its range and is known for its aggressive host-seeking behavior, often actively crawling toward people and animals. An adult female is distinguished by a white dot or “lone star” on her back. The species has been linked to alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy that can cause people to develop severe reactions after eating beef, pork and other mammalian products. Researchers also continue to monitor ticks that carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis and other illnesses. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Tick surveillance by state health officials varies widely across the country. Some states maintain active surveillance programs that collect and test ticks to identify where disease-carrying species are becoming established. Other states rely more heavily on human disease reports or passive tick submissions, making it harder to detect changes before infections begin to rise. Those differences can leave public health officials with an incomplete picture of how quickly tick populations are changing — and where people may face the greatest risk. Several states, including Massachusetts, Missouri and Oklahoma, have expanded surveillance efforts in recent years or launched public education campaigns as tick habitats shift. All three joined the list of states that now or will soon mandate reporting of alpha-gal syndrome. Other states are studying the spread of lone star ticks and the increasing recognition of the syndrome, which experts believe remains underdiagnosed. Some experts say warmer winters in many parts of the country have allowed ticks to remain active for longer periods each year while expanding into regions where they were once uncommon. At the same time, growing white-tailed deer populations and changing land use have created more opportunities for people and ticks to cross paths. Public health officials say the best defense remains preventing bites altogether. They recommend using insect repellents registered by the Environmental Protection Agency, wearing permethrin-treated clothing, including long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas, checking people and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors and removing attached ticks as soon as they’re found. For states, the challenge is becoming less about responding to tick season and more about adapting to a future in which, in many places, the season is lasting longer — and the tiny hitchhikers are turning up in places they never did before. Stateline reporter Amanda Watford can be reached at awatford@stateline.org. Courtesy of Stateline
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	Looksmaxxers. University researchers. Celebrities. They all want colostrum. Looksmaxxers. University researchers. Celebrities. They all want colostrum.Egor Knyazev was a 16-year-old in southern Ukraine who wanted to improve his looks, his height, and his health. And he wanted to become famous on the internet, famous enough to make money.Those desires soon led him to another quest: Ccolostrum.Inspired by popular “healthmaxxing” and “looksmaxxing” social media influencers, many American and some European, Knyazev befriended a local farmer on Facebook Marketplace who lives about 50 miles (80 kilometers) outside Odessa. Surprised and bemused, he agreed to sell Knyazev some of the salty, thick drink some call “liquid gold.” It’s the first form of milk produced by a mammal, in this case, a cow — and increasingly also a rare and expensive ingredient pursued by the fitness-obsessed and health-conscious.Sure enough, Knyazev, now 18, tells Sentient the video he made about colostrum “blew up” his Instagram page, where he goes by @smartbones21, gaining him about 600 followers (he has about 2,100 now). It got by far some of the most views of any of his videos: 186,000, per Instagram’s count.But he hasn’t been able to find colostrum since. His local farmer’s cows won’t give birth again for another year, and convinced the raw form is the best, he doesn’t want to take the powder or capsule forms that have become popular enough to end up on mainstream store shelves. A small jar at Target, Amazon, or Costco can run buyers in the U.S. anywhere from $15 to $100, depending on the brand. The colostrum that ends up on shelves can only be sourced from dairy farmers who have a surplus; farmers have to ensure their own baby animals have enough, because it’s essential for calves’ health. In other words, there’s a finite amount of this trendy substance for the colostrum-curious.Knyazev fears the competition for colostrum will only grow more fierce. “The amount of animals that are giving birth will not increase, but not only that, I think that because more people are trying to buy it, it will be not in stock and preordered more,” he says.A shortage in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, this past spring illustrated the growing demand among both livestock producers and consumers. Celebrities have promoted the product as part of a wellness regimen. A university medical researcher in Nebraska wants to study its possible applications for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. One Amish producer who doesn’t use the internet is even bringing on someone to help with social media.Colostrum supplement sales have jumped 3,000% in the last two years, according to a February Bloomberg article citing NielsenIQ data. But unlike other dairy-based trends like cottage cheese or whey protein powder, it’s harder to just ramp up production, because colostrum is so unique: It only gets produced at a specific time, after mother cows give birth, and so far, research on synthetic colostrum is in such early stages that nearly all companies on the market today source from animals. And that raises questions about how exactly the industry plans to grow.That might mean, like Knyazev suggests, that it gets more expensive. But it might also create new ethical dilemmas in a landscape of unregulated supplements, Corrie Whisner, an associate professor of nutrition in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University, tells Sentient.“If bovine colostrum became really popular amongst humans for their consumption, what does that mean for the calving industry?” Whisner asks. “I don’t think that we really know the answers to that, and it’s something that we’d have to really think through if popularity continues to grow for these specific products.”Who Wants Colostrum?To keep up a steady supply of milk for the dairy industry, farmers breed cows so that they give birth about once a year. A mother cow produces milk for about 10 months of the year, with about two months off from milking before she calves again, says Matthew Lippert, a regional dairy educator with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, which connects agricultural researchers with farmers and the public. Many farms use artificial insemination, with some using hormones or embryo transfer to get the timing right and improve genetics. Lippert tells Sentient that artificial insemination can be safer for workers than keeping a bull around.After giving birth, mother cows produce colostrum, but it’s different from regular milk. Calves urgently need colostrum in their first few hours, since their immune systems are still naive and they can’t get their immunity from the placenta like humans can, Dr. Michelle Schack, a dairy veterinarian based in Arizona, tells Sentient.A colostrum surplus can depend on factors like weather, time of year, and whether the cow has twins, Schack says. Bigger farms, with more cows giving birth at any one time, often have more colostrum readily available. Some farmers prefer powdered colostrum replacer because it’s more consistent or because they don’t have enough cows to save much excess; others never use powdered colostrum, preferring milked colostrum from their own farm.Schack doesn’t personally work with any farmers who sell their colostrum for human use. Many farmers prefer to feed extra colostrum to calves as they get older, she says, or to freeze and store the extra for the future since it’s so valuable on farms. Many keep colostrum on hand in case one of their cows doesn’t produce enough or a good enough quality, Schack says. “I have never encountered a farmer who is choosing to sell the colostrum at the risk of the health of the animals,” she says.Schack adds that many farmers bottle-feed colostrum and use blood tests to make sure the calves get precisely what they need, and that early access to colostrum is a requirement on most animal welfare audits. It’s included in one by the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Animal Care Program, a voluntary program that 98% of U.S. dairies follow, according to 2019 research in the Journal of Dairy Science. Calves that don’t get enough colostrum can develop a condition that leaves them more vulnerable to sickness later in life.Kendel Hofer, who runs a herd of about 150 beef cattle in northwestern North Dakota, tells Sentient she’s seen the price of colostrum go up over the years, but she’s never considered going without it. She pays on average $40 for a bag, and each calf needs about two bags.“If you couldn’t access it,” she says, “it would kill calves. I mean, they would just die. So, I mean, that is kind of a scary idea, but I don’t know if we’ll ever get to that point.”For some buyers in Canada this past spring, the surge in demand created a brief uproar. One farm store in Alberta, SR Feed & Farm Supply in Vegreville, wrote in a Facebook post in April, “There is a health fad going around, and people are now taking colostrum and willing to pay premium dollar amounts for it from the human health companies, so that is the main cause of the shortage.”Store staff declined an interview but wrote in a Facebook message to Sentient that the business has started receiving colostrum again.Saskatoon Colostrum Company Ltd CEO Michael Chubb wrote in a May statement that the shortage was “due to increased demand and ongoing supply constraints impacting production timelines” and that the company would be expanding its production capacity.And the demand for colostrum is growing in more areas than one.Amy Slark, a territory manager in Illinois and Wisconsin with cow supplement company Tech Mix, tells Sentient that the colostrum market for animal health has grown alongside the human one. Her company now also uses colostrum in products like electrolyte mixes for treating diarrhea in calves or liquid products used to combat animals’ stress from transportation, she says.Kaitlyn Keller, who owns animal health company KSX Performance LLC, tells Sentient she’s heard there are more people interested in taking colostrum, but that the growth she’s seen at her business has come from the animal side. She also says it’s easier to get colostrum in the U.S. than in Canada, which is why she has a lot of demand for her products there. She gets colostrum from large dairies in Idaho and Oregon, and isn’t too concerned about human cravings cutting off her supply. “The USA is very big on fads,” Keller says, and most fads fizzle.She also thinks cattlemen are starting to talk more about the importance of colostrum for their animals on social media, adding to the demand. While it used to be taboo to talk publicly about what they did on the farm, “they got more social, I think,” Keller says. “It was an outlet that we could use to get correct information out.”Social Media Driving the TrendAaron Fisher runs a farm called Golden Gallon Acres in Oxford, Pennsylvania, where he sells beef, pork, chicken, and, per the terms of his Pennsylvania license, raw dairy products from his 110 cows. He also sells colostrum, which he tells Sentient is “a product you can never have enough of.”Fisher is also Amish. He doesn’t have a computer or use social media. But he does know the internet is where people keep finding out about his colostrum, and why he can’t seem to keep it in stock. So that’s why he has someone to take care of the website, answer questions, and occasionally post on socials.“I really do think after COVID, people started digging into finding ways they could help themselves stay healthy and fuel a good immune system, and I think that increased demand on colostrum,” Fisher says.Jesse Meerman owns Green Pastures farm in Michigan, where, under state laws permitting the distribution of unpasteurized milk, members of his herd share can pay to legally access raw milk every month. He tells Sentient that when he has a little extra colostrum, some of his herd share members sometimes ask him for that too. They usually fall into one of two categories, according to Meerman. They’re either looking for help with a medical condition or they’re athletes.There’s some overlap between buyers seeking raw milk and fresh colostrum, and it takes a similar amount of additional effort to get to a limited supply of the fresh product. Federal regulations in the U.S. require milk products intended for human consumption to be pasteurized if sold to consumers in another state, so some smaller sellers get around that by marketing their colostrum as pet food (which, incidentally, is also an area where colostrum is becoming a trendy ingredient, according to market research firm NielsenIQ).But the supplement industry is regulated differently, and it’s unclear where many colostrum brands source their colostrum from or how it’s processed.Prospective buyers of colostrum supplements have a range of options and formulas to consider. One company sends out a free milk frother with the purchase of a “starter kit” that comes in chocolate and vanilla flavors. Another sells travel-size sticks and colostrum sodas. Goop and Vogue have published interviews with colostrum supplement company founders or testimonials, and Jennifer Aniston and Kourtney Kardashian Barker have both promoted colostrum. On forums like Facebook, users (who are sometimes also sellers) tout a range of benefits. Hair, skin, nails. Gut health. Weight loss. Immunity. Muscle recovery. Cavities. Allergies.Much of the research on colostrum’s potential benefits is in early stages, and some colostrum companies make health claims that lack credible evidence. In cases where the Food and Drug Administration has found colostrum marketed as a drug, it has issued warning letters.While colostrum could have some potential upsides for humans, especially for people who are immunocompromised or with certain gastrointestinal conditions, more work needs to be done to understand the most effective formulations and doses, says Whisner, of ASU.But many don’t want to wait, and they’re willing to pay to try it out sooner.“In California, you go to Erewhon, and if you have money, you can buy the best quality food ever on this earth, or you can just find Amish farmers easily, easily,” said Knyazev, who dreams of traveling beyond Ukraine and living elsewhere, maybe in America someday. “In U.S., if you have money, you can be the healthiest man out there.”‘This Is Not Going Away’John Oehlerking grew up raising dairy cattle in Nebraska. Now he has about 60 beef cattle in addition to row crops. He’d seen commercials for colostrum supplements on late-night TV, but never really thought about trying them or selling any from his herd.Then his wife’s cousin reached out and asked if his family might be able to help with a research project at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Howard Gendelman, a professor of infectious disease and internal medicine and director of the Neurodegenerative Disease Center at Nebraska, was looking for someone to get him fresh colostrum that he could study in a lab.Oehlerking says as a farmer, he was naturally a skeptic. “I think people are looking for things to improve their lifestyles, right, and they’re all looking for that miracle in a bottle,” Oehlerking tells Sentient. ”There are people out there willing to sell people that hope of a miracle in a bottle, no matter if it holds true or not,” he adds.But after talking more with Gendelman, he started to think pharmacy applications for colostrum might be different. If Gendelman’s company takes off and the trials show promise, Oehlerking said he might consider raising more cows to supply the colostrum.Gendelman, who is also a partial owner in two biopharmaceutical companies, says that if his product is successful, he’ll have a bridge to cross: where to get all that colostrum. “I’m worried that this is going to be successful, and one farm may not be enough,” he says.It may be a while before they reach that bridge. The studies aren’t in clinical trials yet, and Jeffrey Kordower, founding director of Arizona State’s ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, tells Sentient by email that the early studies of colostrum and Parkinson’s use an outdated animal model that “limits the interest in this approach.”Gendelman defends his use of the model but acknowledges it has some limitations. More broadly, he believes colostrum is worth studying more rigorously.“To be honest, colostrum has, you know, recently, within the last couple years, has been a big product,” Gendelman tells Sentient. “What fascinated me is, it was totally uncontrolled, so people were taking colostrum and they were making powder out of it, putting it into a bottle and selling it for $100. It was really crazy, and the science was almost nonexistent.”He thinks it’s more than a trend. “From all the work that I’ve done and everything that I’ve read, this is not going away,” Gendelman says.This story was produced by Sentient and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	Federal officials probe whether White House teleprompter profited off Trump's words It's the first known instance of officials investigating suspected insider trading on a prediction market from inside the White House.
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	Alabama Department of Public Health confirms 11 cyclosporiasis cases in state Vegetables and lettuces at a grocery store in Michigan. Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said leafy green vegetables have historically caused the parasitic illness cyclosporiasis, but there is no confirmed cause in the nationwide outbreak. (Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance)The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) said Thursday the state has 11 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasite that causes intestinal illness and has been spreading around the country. Nine of Alabama’s cases are in the northern district, one in the northeastern district and one in the southwestern district, said Ryan Easterling, director of communications for ADPH, on Thursday. There have been no hospitalizations or deaths, he said. “One or two of those are linked to outbreaks in other states that we know about,” said Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s State Health Officer, on Thursday during a meeting of the State Committee on Public Health. “The others, we’re not sure about how they’re linked or if they’re linked. There may be other cases as well.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite cyclospora. Symptoms include watery or “explosive” diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps. It’s often contracted by eating or drinking something contaminated with the parasite, which lives in feces. The illness is not contagious, and symptoms can develop within about 10 days and last for a few days to up to a month without antibiotic treatment, according to the CDC. Harris said ADPH staff are evaluating cases and engaging in testing. “What we know just from historical outbreaks is that it’s associated with leafy greens,” Harris said. “Although they haven’t identified a single producer, there’s a lot of speculation in the press about certain fast food restaurants, but that has not been demonstrated conclusively to this point.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified 1,645 cases in 34 cases as of July 13, not including Alabama. The CDC says that is likely a severe undercount because those with symptoms are not always tested for Cyclospora nor seek treatment. The outbreak is concentrated in four states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. According to the CDC, there were 141 hospitalizations and no deaths as of July 13. Harris said that cases of cyclosporiasis are common every year, but an outbreak is not. According to ADPH data, there were 21 reported cases in 2025, 30 in 2024 and 139 in 2023 in the state. “I know even from my time as a real doctor, it was pretty common in HIV populations and people that had advanced immunodeficiency, so it’s certainly well known to us. Cyclospora right now, though, has erupted and seems to be centered around Michigan and Ohio,” he said. While there is no confirmed origin of the outbreak, Harris recommended Alabamians buy produce from smaller retailers to reduce risk. He also said buyers should discard the outer leaves of heads of lettuce and thoroughly wash inner leaves. “Probably, you’re better off buying fresh products from small local producers, at least until we get a better idea of the source. We’re continuing to monitor it so that we can keep Alabama safe,” he said. Courtesy of Alabama Reflector
	Enterprise invoice automation guide for finance leaders Enterprise invoice automation guide for finance leadersMost enterprise accounts payable (AP) teams have already automated parts of their invoice workflow, but the manual work that remains is rarely obvious until close week. The problem is that most automation covers the easy invoices. The messier ones, which are precisely where automation would deliver the most value, are still landing in human queues. When enterprise teams are already understaffed, this compounds into downstream delays, missed early-payment discounts, and close cycles that drag longer than they should.For CFOs, controllers, and AP directors, optimizing the accounts payable process is a strategic priority. The harder work is designing an operating model and choosing tools that can handle the volume, complexity, and control requirements of enterprise finance. That tension is what this article is designed to help resolve.Get it right, and the payoff extends well past AP. Controllers get real-time liability visibility instead of a month-end close reconciliation sprint, and the finance team’s time shifts toward work that actually requires their judgment. This Brex article covers what enterprise invoice automation involves at scale, what separates enterprise-grade vendors from midmarket tools, and how to structure an implementation that delivers.What is enterprise invoice automation?Enterprise invoice automation is software-driven management of the invoice-to-pay lifecycle at the volume, complexity, and control level that large finance teams actually work with. For enterprise teams, the software you choose shapes how your accounts payable function runs across entities, currencies, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.At that scale, enterprise solutions are built to handle multi-entity structures, fragmented ERP environments, complex approval hierarchies, and compliance requirements like Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), without manual workarounds at each layer.How enterprise automation differs from midmarket AP toolsEnterprise constraints and requirements demand a different operating model than what midmarket AP tools can offer. Simpler tools can only handle capture and approval for a single entity with standard payment terms. Enterprise invoice processing should support multi-entity consolidation, multicurrency settlement, multiple ERP instances, complex delegation of authority, and audit trails. The difference comes down to how the software handles legal entity separation, operating unit structures, consolidation rules, and governance layers. Depth in those areas is where many midmarket tools start to break down, which means enterprise teams need to evaluate depth, not just ease of use.Why it matters to finance-leader metricsThe impact of choosing the wrong architecture can show up directly in finance metrics. Design choices affect days payable outstanding (DPO), days-to-close, early payment discount capture, late fee avoidance, and fraud reduction. Slow invoice processing puts vendor relationships at risk too. Late payments affect supplier cash flow, erode trust, and in recurring cases can affect supply continuity and the terms suppliers are willing to offer going forward.The difference in processing speed between automated and manual AP translates directly into faster close cycles, stronger working capital positions, and capacity that finance teams can redirect toward higher-value analysis. A Hackett Group's 2025 research paper backs this up. Digital World Class finance teams operate at 45% lower cost than their peers, with approximately 80% of AP workflows fully automated.The end-to-end invoice automation lifecycleEnterprise invoice automation usually fails at the handoffs between stages. Invoices move smoothly through capture, matching, and approval, then fall into manual queues whenever they pass from one stage to the next. The sections below walk through the lifecycle from receipt to analytics so finance leaders can see where those breaks happen and where design choices matter most.Receipt captureThe lifecycle starts where invoices enter the process. Invoices arrive through email, electronic data interchange (EDI), vendor portals, and dedicated AP inboxes in formats ranging from PDF and paper to XML and e-invoicing standards. At enterprise scale, capture needs to do more than read a document. Intelligent document processing (IDP) uses machine learning for field extraction, classification, and normalization across semistructured formats, and it is the foundation most automated invoice processing depends on.IDP also handles anomaly detection and vendor matching at intake, including flagging duplicate invoices and identifying signals that indicate potential payment fraud. Errors and fraudulent invoices that pass through undetected here create manual work all the way downstream, lower the chance of touchless processing, and become significantly harder to catch once an invoice is in the approval queue.Invoice matchingReliable intake helps if the invoice can also be checked automatically. Once captured, invoice data is validated against purchase orders and goods receipts within configurable tolerances for price and quantity variance. The touchless invoice rate depends heavily on how well invoice matching works. If matching logic is weak, invoices pile up in exception queues. If it's strong, more volume moves through without AP staff stepping in, so matching design has a direct effect on AP capacity.Routing and approvalsAs more invoices pass validation, approval design has a bigger effect on throughput. After validation, invoices move through approval workflows that apply policy rules, approval matrices, and escalation paths. At enterprise scale, those chains often cross entities, time zones, and functional hierarchies.The workflow engine has to enforce delegation of authority rules that match the organization's documented control framework. It routes invoices to the right approver based on amount, entity, vendor category, and general ledger (GL) coding. When policy and workflow stay aligned, approvals move faster without opening a control gap.Exception handlingEven with strong matching and routing, some invoices will still fall out of the straight-through path. When invoices fail matching or validation rules, they move into exception queues. Rules-based exceptions can handle repeatable patterns, while human review is still needed for edge cases, suspected duplicates, and first-time vendor invoices. Payment execution then has to support global rails such as Automated Clearing House (ACH), wire, virtual card, and check.Once payment is authorized, ERP integration syncs the transaction to the general ledger and closes the loop on the payable. If that handoff is weak, the finance team still ends up reconciling by hand, which undercuts much of the automation value. Strong native ERP integrations are what keep posted invoices matching manual-entry audit trails.AnalyticsAt the end of the lifecycle, finance leaders need to measure the ROI of their investment. Some useful metrics here are touchless invoice rate, cycle time, discount capture, exception rate, and real-time liability visibility. Tracking touchless rate alongside cycle time and exception rate by entity, region, and exception category gives controllers a way to refine workflow rules and spot recurring bottlenecks. Clean spend reporting is what tells controllers where process design still needs work.4 enterprise invoice automation challenges that shape your design choicesCapabilities that look strong in a demo get harder to deploy in a fragmented finance environment. Design issues tend to determine whether the deployment scales cleanly, so they belong in the plan before implementation starts.Multi-entity, multicurrency, and multi-ERP structuresConsolidation, foreign exchange, intercompany invoices, and ERP synchronization need to be designed from day one. Master data harmonization has to come first, or two-way matching and workflow routing can become unreliable at scale. This is also where support for global entities separates enterprise platforms from midmarket tools.Approval matricesDelegation of authority sits alongside segregation of duties as a formal control structure. Any mismatch between documented delegation rules and system-enforced routing becomes a control deficiency finding, so the authority matrix must be clear before automation starts.Internal controlsAudit trails, segregation of duties, SOC 2 alignment, and SOX compliance often overlap in practice, especially as companies add more finance systems and integrations. But a vendor's SOC 2 Type II does not replace your SOX internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) obligations. Finance and audit teams still need to design, document, and test their own control model, including any complementary controls required on the customer side.Change management across teams and regionsTeams need buy-in from senior management and employees, especially when workflows vary by region or business unit. However, these variations aren’t always a standardization problem. Some may reflect local compliance requirements or regional payment infrastructure, for instance, and flattening them without understanding why they exist creates control gaps. Change management has to address both the habits and structural constraints that shape how teams actually work, not just the technical transition.How to evaluate an enterprise invoice automation vendorMost enterprise AP automation deployments that underdeliver trace back to a vendor selection process that prioritized features over fit. But fit looks different for every organization. A platform that works for a global manufacturer on SAP across 12 entities looks very different from one built for a multi-entity Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company on NetSuite. Your entity structure, ERP footprint, approval model, and control requirements should drive the shortlist, not the other way around. Here’s what to evaluate at each layer.ERP fit and integration depthERP fit usually comes first because it affects close work, reconciliation, and reporting from day one. Integration depth should be near the top of your checklist. Real-time sync versus batch processing, supported ERPs, and the quality of data flowing both directions all affect whether the software reduces close work or adds to it. Probe for line-item detail, tax codes, cost center allocations, and GL account coding moving bidirectionally. For most teams, certified connectors for the ERP they actually run can matter more than a long list of logos because daily accounting work depends on them. If you’re on NetSuite, SAP, or Microsoft Dynamics, ask specifically how the connector handles bidirectional sync, not just whether the integration exists.Generic accuracy claims don’t account for the variance that comes with different invoice formats, entity structures, and coding conventions. So when you get to the demo, ask vendors to show you the GL coding accuracy rate from a customer running your ERP with a similar invoice volume and entity structure.Security, compliance, and control frameworksMost enterprise teams treat compliance certifications as a checklist item, but a certification may not tell you whether your controls actually hold up across every system that touches your finances. Baseline requirements usually include SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) data residency controls, and SOX control mapping. Even then, enterprise teams should think across the full finance environment. In multi-ERP environments, segregation of duties controls enforced in the AP automation layer can still be undermined by access rights in connected ERP systems. The evaluation needs to account for all financially relevant software, not the invoice tool alone, because weak adjacent controls can undo strong workflow design.This evaluation should extend to fraud controls as well. Ask vendors how the system handles duplicate invoice detection, vendor master manipulation, and payment redirect schemes, and what the alerting and audit trail looks like when those controls fire.AI maturity and human-in-the-loop designVendors vary widely in how they use AI, how overrides work, and how model drift is monitored. Test vendor AI claims against your actual invoice mix and process maturity before committing to a shortlist, because a workflow that performs well in a controlled demo may behave very differently in a decentralized enterprise environment. How often your team still needs to intervene, and where, ultimately determines whether the automation reduces manual work. The most credible AI invoice automation pairs autonomous processing with human review on the cases that genuinely need judgment.A few questions worth asking every vendor:How does the system handle invoice formats it hasn’t seen before?What does our process look like for flagging and correcting model drift over time?Can you show us accuracy rates broken down by invoice type from a customer with a similar volume and entity structure?Implementation approach and vendor stabilityA strong product can still disappoint if the rollout model is weak. Time to value by entity, the delivery model, and vendor financial and roadmap stability all affect rollout risk. It's also worth asking for reference customers with similar entity complexity, because that tells you more than a generic enterprise logo list. If the software fits but the rollout model doesn't, the project can still struggle, which is why implementation deserves the same scrutiny as features.A 5-step roadmap to implement enterprise invoice automationExecution becomes the main source of risk and value once evaluation is done. Most enterprise invoice automation projects succeed or fail before the full rollout starts. Baseline discipline, data cleanup, and pilot design usually matter more than the software demo. The steps below move from initial preparation to steady-state improvement so finance teams can scale with fewer surprises.Step 1. Baseline current process and KPIsThe rollout should start with the metrics you plan to improve. We suggest starting with the numbers you already need to manage the function, including touchless invoice rate, cycle time, exception rate, and cost per invoice. Baseline figures shape the business case, and they also become the reference for post-launch measurement. If the baseline isn’t clear, it’s hard to prove progress later, which makes follow-on investment decisions harder too.Step 2. Clean vendor and GL dataOnce the baseline is set, data quality becomes the next dependency. Data quality problems show up quickly in automation projects. Duplicate vendors, stale contacts, and inconsistent GL coding can create failures that look like software issues but start with the data itself. Harmonize vendor master records, verify tax IDs and banking details for active vendors, and standardize naming conventions and GL mapping across ERP instances before configuration begins. Upfront cleanup gives matching and routing logic a better chance of working as intended, which makes the pilot more useful.Step 3. Pilot in one entity or regionCleaner data gives a pilot a better chance of producing usable lessons. A pilot works best when it is large enough to reveal real issues and simple enough to control. Pick an entity with enough invoice volume to learn from, then set success criteria before launch, such as shorter cycle times, fewer exceptions, or cleaner data. The pilot tests whether your organization can run the process inside its existing control environment, which makes it a governance exercise as much as a technology test.Step 4. Scale and governIf the pilot proves the process, expansion needs the same discipline. Once the pilot works, scale deliberately. Roll out entity by entity, and use pilot KPIs as the trigger for expansion. Governance matters here because ownership questions become more visible as more entities come online. Finance teams need clear answers on who owns design, who signs off on controls, and how deviations are approved. Without a consistent ownership structure, each new rollout can introduce a different version of the process.Step 5. Measure and iterateAs more entities go live, the process benefits from ongoing refinement well past the initial launch. After launch, compare performance to baseline on a regular cadence. Track invoice cycle time, straight-through processing rate, cost per invoice, exception rate trends, and audit cycle findings. Then use exception pattern analysis to refine workflow rules. Continuous refinement keeps improvement grounded in actual process behavior, which is how enterprise teams maintain momentum after rollout.The visibility blind spot that AP automation can createOnce invoice automation is running, finance leaders usually want the same visibility across the rest of company spend. When invoices, corporate cards, expense management, and bill pay live in separate tools, liability visibility gets fragmented, making forecasting, policy enforcement, and close work harder than they need to be. A unified spend platform can show invoice commitments, card spend, and scheduled payments in one place, giving finance teams a more complete view of obligations and improving working-capital decisions across timing, liquidity, and control.A shared view also improves downstream accounting data and simplifies controls. When spend data sits in one environment, finance teams can apply GL coding more consistently and reduce reconciliation cleanup. Multi-entity controls then pair with bidirectional ERP sync and AI-assisted coding with human review.When cards, invoices, and bill pay follow the same approval and policy structure, audit trails are easier to follow. Overrides and coding changes are recorded in one place, which means finance teams spend less time piecing together evidence and more time confirming how policy is enforced.Design enterprise invoice automation around your operating modelEnterprise invoice automation works best when you design it around the way your finance organization actually operates. Teams that get value from it tend to baseline the current process, clean vendor and GL data, pilot before scaling, and choose a platform that fits their ERP and control architecture. For finance leaders trying to connect invoice data to the rest of company spend, a shared data layer can make visibility and control easier to manage.Enterprise invoice automation FAQsWhat is the difference between invoice automation and AP automation?Invoice automation covers the invoice-to-pay lifecycle, receipt through payment of vendor invoices. AP automation is broader, adding vendor management, payment execution across global rails, and full AP analytics. Most enterprise platforms bundle both, but the distinction matters when scoping implementation because each involves different stakeholders and integration requirements.How long does enterprise invoice automation implementation typically take?Implementation timing depends on entity count, ERP instances, data cleanup, and regional compliance. Most enterprise rollouts run six to 12 months end to end, with single-entity pilots completing in eight to 10 weeks. Timelines get stretched more by data harmonization and change management than by software configuration, which is why upfront cleanup pays off across the rollout.What touchless processing rate should an enterprise aim for?Organizations using advanced AP platforms reach about 60% touchless invoice processing and 3.5 times higher AP productivity, according to the Hackett Group. Aim for incremental improvement over your baseline, since achievable rates depend on invoice mix, vendor compliance, and data quality. Tracking the rate by entity helps surface where rollout still needs work.Is invoice automation worth it for enterprises with complex multi-entity structures?Multi-entity complexity is where enterprise invoice automation delivers the highest return. Intercompany invoices, cross-entity approval routing, multicurrency settlement, and consolidated reporting all scale poorly with manual processing. The investment case strengthens with entity count, especially when teams running multiple ERPs need a single audit-ready data layer.Can enterprises automate or schedule invoice payments, or does someone release each one?Payments can be scheduled for a future date, batched, or set to recur, so teams aren’t releasing each invoice by hand. Approvals still run first; a bill is paid only after it clears its approval chain, which keeps controls intact while removing the manual release work that slows AP teams down.How does enterprise invoice automation handle multiple entities and ERP systems?Each invoice is mapped to the correct legal entity, routed through that entity’s approval rules, and synced to the matching ERP record in real time.This story was produced by Brex and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	Boat season is here: How to protect your boat, jet ski, and gear this summer Boat season is here: How to protect your boat, jet ski, and gear this summerWarm weather is here, and the boats, jet skis, and paddleboards are coming out of storage. Whether you're taking the family out on the lake, towing the kids on a tube, or finally launching that jet ski you bought over the winter, summer on the water is one of the best parts of the year.It pays to spend a few minutes making sure you're protected before you go, because the water is also where things go wrong. The most recent data from the U.S. Coast Guard counted 3,887 boating accidents in 2024 that led to 556 deaths, 2,170 injuries, and $88 million in property damage. The real number is probably higher, since smaller accidents often go unreported.Your home insurance barely covers your boat. It might help with a small boat or a paddleboard while it's sitting in your garage, but only up to a small dollar amount. The moment you put it in the water, you're mostly on your own. If you own anything bigger than a kayak, and especially if you own a jet ski, you'll need a separate boat policy to be truly protected.Insure.com explains how homeowners and boat insurance work together to protect boats, jet skis, and other gear on the water.Are boats covered by homeowners insurance?Homeowners insurance does cover boats and watercraft, but only small or nonmotorized ones, only while they're on your property, and only up to about $1,000 to $1,500. Once you get into bigger boats, faster boats, most jet skis, or anything that goes wrong out on the water, you're generally not covered.“Homeowners covers watercraft to some extent for fire, theft and those types of things,” says Erica Ostrander, vice president of markets and franchise success at We Insure.Liability is the bigger blind spot. Typically, you won't have liability coverage for your watercraft through your home insurance, or if you do, it will be limited and won't cover larger boats. So if someone gets hurt on your boat or you bang up another vessel, you could be stuck paying for it yourself — the kind of bill a real boat policy would have handled.What boats does a homeowners policy typically cover?A homeowners policy typically covers smaller boats and nonmotorized watercraft as personal property, meaning they're protected the same way your furniture or bike would be. The usual qualifiers are:Boats up to 25 feet in lengthWatercraft with outboard motors up to 25 horsepower or inboard motors up to 50 horsepowerPaddleboardsKayaksCanoesOther nonmotorized watercraft, like rowboats and small sailboatsEven when your watercraft makes the list, the protection is thin. Coverage is usually capped at an amount that may not come close to replacing a paddleboard or a small sailboat. And while you're protected against fire and theft, the on-water stuff that actually sinks boats — collision, capsizing, running aground — is excluded. Anything used for racing, rentals, or business is out too, and personal watercraft like jet skis need their own policy entirely.What won't homeowners insurance cover for a boat or jet ski?Homeowners insurance won't cover larger or faster boats at all, and it excludes most personal watercraft because their motors almost always exceed the horsepower limits insurers set. Even for the small boats it does cover, the policy generally stops protecting you the moment you leave your property, which is exactly when most accidents happen.That means you shouldn't count on your homeowners policy for any of the following:Capsizing or sinkingCollisions with other boats, docks, or objectsMechanical breakdownsWear and tearOnboard electronicsJust about anything that happens while you're out on the water“Flood (protection) is a big piece of this,” Ostrander says. Even if a homeowners policy will cover a boat, it won’t pay a claim if damage is related to flooding. Homeowners need a separate boat insurance policy for that.Does homeowners insurance cover paddleboards and kayaks?Paddleboards and kayaks are covered by homeowners insurance as personal property, the same category as your electronics or furniture. Because of that, they're often protected even when they're away from home, so a kayak stolen from your car at the trailhead or damaged in a storm may still be covered. That off-premises protection is usually capped, though, commonly at around 10% of your total personal property limit, or a specific amount spelled out in your policy. Any claim is also subject to your deductible.What the policy won't cover is damage that happens while you're actually out on the water, or the normal wear and tear from regular use. So a kayak stolen from your garage or your roof rack is likely covered, while one that cracks against a rock midstream is on you.Just because it's covered doesn't mean you should fileEven when a claim is technically covered, it's often not worth filing. Because paddleboards and kayaks tend to be low in value, the payout can be smaller than your deductible, or nonexistent. Say you have a $750 kayak and a $1,000 deductible.Your insurer won't pay a cent, since the loss falls entirely under what you'd owe out of pocket. Worse, filing anyway can count as a claim on your record and raise your annual premium. For inexpensive gear like this, paying to replace it yourself is usually the smarter move.When to get a separate boat or jet ski insurance policyIf your boat is worth more than about $1,500, it's time to look into a dedicated policy. That's roughly the point where a homeowners policy stops being enough, and for most motorized boats and any jet ski, it's really the only coverage that will do the job."If the value of your boat is over $1,500, that's when you need to look into it," Ostrander says.The upside is that a dedicated boat or personal watercraft policy actually covers the things that go wrong on the water, offering broad coverage for:Physical damage from collisions, storms, and other accidentsLiability if you injure someone or damage another boat or dockFuel spills, for which you can be held responsible for cleaning upOnboard equipment and gearSinking and the often-pricey cost of wreckage removalJust as important, a separate policy covers your boat wherever you take it, not just while it's parked at home. That's the gap a homeowners policy leaves wide open, since the water is exactly where you're most likely to need coverage.Your auto liability coverage will cover you when you're towing — but just for liability, not damage to the boat.How your boat gets valued after a total loss (and why it matters)Not all boat policies pay out the same way, and the difference can run into the thousands. When you buy a policy, check whether it covers your boat at its agreed value or its actual cash value, because that single line determines how big your check is if the boat is ever destroyed.Agreed value: You and the insurer settle on the boat's worth up front, and that's the amount you're paid in a total loss, no depreciation deducted. It usually costs a bit more, but there are no surprises at claim time.Actual cash value: The insurer factors in depreciation, your boat's age, wear, and condition when deciding what to pay. That means a claim check that may fall well short of what it costs to replace the boat.Agreed value costs more month to month but protects you when it counts. If you're insuring a newer or higher-value boat, it's usually worth the difference.The risk that costs way more than your boatMost boaters worry about damage to their own boat, but the bigger financial risk is often what you might owe someone else. A cracked hull costs a few thousand dollars to repair. Seriously injuring a passenger or swimmer can cost hundreds of thousands, and that's the kind of bill liability coverage exists to handle.There's no shortage of ways to end up on the hook out on the water:Injuring passengers or swimmers, whether from a fall, a collision, or the propellerDamaging another boat, a dock, or a moored vesselAccidents during watersports like tubing, water skiing, and wakeboarding, where the people you're towing are especially exposedIf you're sued over any of these, solid liability coverage is what stands between you and your savings. And if you have real assets to protect, it's worth looking at an umbrella policy, which extends your liability limits well beyond what your boat or homeowners policy alone provides, usually for a modest annual cost.How much does boat and jet ski insurance cost?Most boat insurance costs a few hundred dollars a year, usually less than people expect. At Progressive, one of the country's largest boat insurers, the average annual policy from 2023 to 2024 ran from $267 in Minnesota to $839 in Florida. Jet skis and other personal watercraft tend to sit at the lower end, since they're worth less than most boats.A few things drive your rate.The type, value, age, and horsepower of your boatYour boating history and how much experience you haveWhere you keep and use the boatWhere you live makes a real difference. Northern and landlocked states like Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin are usually the cheapest, while coastal states with longer seasons and hurricane risk, like Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, tend to be more expensive.There are also a few easy ways to pay less.Take a state-approved boating safety course, and most insurers will knock money off your premiumBundle the boat with your home or auto policy for a multipolicy discountInsure more than one boat to pick up a multiboat discountPay the year up front and in full to save a little moreDo you need insurance to rent a boat or jet ski?Renting instead of owning? Don't assume you're covered just because the rental company handed you the keys. Ask what their policy actually covers before you sign, because rental coverage often protects the company's boat, not you, and may not cover injuries to your passengers or damage you cause to another boat.Ask the rental company three quick questions before you head out.Is liability coverage included, and how much?What's the deductible if the boat gets damaged?Can I buy a damage waiver?For a one-day rental, that damage waiver is often the simplest way to protect yourself.Your own coverage might help, but usually only partway. Some boat policies extend to a rented boat of a similar size, so it's worth a quick call to your insurer before your trip if you already own one. Your homeowners policy won't help once you're on the water, and your auto policy only covers liability when you are towing and provides no coverage for damage to the boat. For a weeklong charter or a pricier boat, a short-term rental policy is usually the smarter buy.How do I make sure I have the right boat insurance before getting out on the water?To get the right coverage before summer, read your homeowners declarations page for watercraft caps and exclusions, get quotes for a standalone boat or personal watercraft policy, and confirm your boat is registered in your state. If your boat is worth more than about $1,500 or has a real motor, a dedicated policy is almost always the answer, and you can usually have one in place within a day.Here's how to actually get covered:Start with your homeowners declarations page. This is the summary page listing your coverages and limits. Check the personal property and liability sections for watercraft caps or exclusions. If your boat is worth more than the cap, or coverage stops at the shoreline, that's your cue to buy a separate policy.Get quotes from a few sources. You can often buy boat insurance through your current home or auto insurer, which often means a multipolicy discount, through an independent agent who can compare carriers for you, or directly from a marine specialist. Getting quotes from multiple insurers helps you spot a fair price.Know what to ask for. Push for agreed-value coverage on a newer or higher-value boat, make sure liability limits are high enough to protect your assets, and ask about an umbrella policy if you have significant savings to shield. "You can customize these policies to fit your needs," Ostrander says.Handle registration and records. Confirm your boat meets your state's registration requirements, which are separate from insurance, and keep serial numbers, photos, and receipts for the boat and its gear so any future claim goes smoothly.Get coverage as soon as possibleSort your coverage out a week or two before your first trip, not five minutes before you back down the ramp. That gives you time to actually read a policy instead of grabbing whatever's fastest.And watch the one gap people miss most — the trailer. Your boat policy usually covers the boat, and your auto policy covers the truck, but the trailer hauling everything in between often falls through the cracks unless you specifically add it. Ask about it before you're broken down on the shoulder of the highway.Not sure what your policy actually covers? Ask your agent these questionsInsurance documents are dense, and the watercraft details are often buried in fine print. Rather than guessing, call your agent and get clear answers to these questions:Is there a horsepower or length limit for watercraft on my policy? This tells you right away whether your boat even qualifies, since most policies cap out around 25 feet and modest motor sizes.Does my coverage follow the boat onto the water, or only while it's on my property? For most homeowners policies, motorized boats are covered on-property only, which is the single biggest gap to know about. Nonmotorized gear, like kayaks, works a little differently, since kayaks are covered as personal property rather than watercraft. That can extend some protection to your property against theft or damage, though still not while you're actually out on the water.Do I have liability coverage if I injure someone or damage another boat or dock? And if so, how high does it go? A low limit can leave you exposed to the costliest kind of claim.Is my boat covered for its full value, or does depreciation get deducted? This is the agreed-value versus actual-cash-value question, and it can mean thousands of dollars at claim time.Is the trailer covered, too, or do I need to add it separately? The trailer often falls between your boat and auto policies unless you specifically ask.Get on the water knowing you're coveredA little planning goes a long way here. Homeowners insurance is great for a kayak or paddleboard sitting in the garage. But for anything with a motor, you'll want a dedicated boat or personal watercraft policy. That's what gives you real liability protection, coverage that follows you onto the water, and a payout that actually reflects what your boat is worth.Take ten minutes before your first trip out. Get three to five quotes for a standalone boat policy if you own anything motorized, and make sure your boat and trailer are both registered and documented with photos and serial numbers.Run through the same quick check once a year, since your boat and how you use it will change over time, and you'll spend the season focused on the water ahead of you instead of the coverage behind you.Frequently asked questionsDoes homeowners insurance cover a jet ski?No, not typically. Most jet skis exceed the horsepower limits in homeowners policies, and a separate policy must be purchased for them.What size boat does homeowners insurance cover?Boats up to 25 feet in length are typically covered. Boats also must generally have engines that are no larger than 25 horsepower for outboard motors or 50 horsepower for inboard motors.Are paddleboards covered under homeowners insurance?Yes, paddleboards are covered as personal property. That means they will be covered if stolen or damaged on your property. However, you may not have protection when using your paddleboard on the water.This story was produced by Insure.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	Small business owners are paying to access their own money. Congress may have a fix. Small business owners are paying to access their own money. Congress may have a fix.A bipartisan bill targeting America's payment infrastructure is gaining momentum, and new data on small business cash-flow gaps shows exactly why it matters.For many small business owners, getting paid is only half the battle. The other half is waiting for the money to arrive.Nearly 3 in 5 small business owners (59%) paid an extra fee for instant transfer or fast deposit in the past year, according to the QuickBooks 2026 Late Payments Report. For 15%, it's routine. They're paying, repeatedly, just to access money they've already earned.That frustration has made its way to Washington. In April 2026, Representatives Sam Liccardo (D-CA) and Young Kim (R-CA) introduced the Payments Access and Consumer Efficiency Act, or the PACE Act, a bipartisan bill designed to speed up the U.S. payment system and lower the cost of moving money by modernizing how payment companies access federal payment rails.How payment processing delays affect small business cash flowWhen a customer pays by ACH or card, the funds can take one to three business days to clear, even when the transaction is technically complete. For small business owners with thin margins and no cash buffer, that gap shows up fast.Nearly half of owners (49%) say standard payment processing times create critical or moderate cash-flow gaps. The wait forces real tradeoffs: Over the past 12 months, processing delays caused 26% of owners to delay paying their own salary, 19% to take on additional debt or use a credit card they otherwise wouldn't have used, and 18% to pay a bill late and incur a fee or penalty.What the PACE Act would doThe current U.S. payments system is built on networks, called payment rails, that route transactions and determine when money actually arrives. The Federal Reserve operates three of these networks: FedACH, Fedwire, and FedNow.Currently, only banks and credit unions can connect to those Federal Reserve networks directly. When a nonbank payment app processes a transaction, it has to route through a bank first, adding a step and often adding time and fees along the way.The PACE Act would create a supervised path for qualifying nonbank providers to connect to those Federal Reserve networks directly. To qualify, a provider would need to come under OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) oversight, the same federal regulator that supervises national banks.Right now, nonbank payment companies operate under a patchwork of state licenses that vary in their requirements. Federal oversight would mean consistent consumer protections regardless of where a business operates. Providers that meet those standards could access the Federal Reserve's networks directly, cutting out the bank intermediary and potentially reducing delays and fees in the process.As Rep. Young Kim put it: "Hardworking Americans shouldn't have to wait days to access their own money or pay extra just to move it."The Financial Technology Association applauded the bill's introduction, noting that "American consumers and small businesses shouldn't have to wait days for a direct deposit to clear or a vendor check to arrive in the mail."What’s driving the push for payment reformThe PACE Act is moving through Congress as the broader policy environment shifts toward payments modernization. In May 2026, a White House executive order directed the Federal Reserve to evaluate what it would take to give nonbank companies direct access to its payment systems, the same question the PACE Act addresses through legislation.For small business owners, the cost of the current system is measurable. The QuickBooks data shows it in instant-transfer fees paid to access money that has already been earned, in credit card balances used to bridge a gap that shouldn't exist, and in delayed payments rippling downstream to vendors and contractors.Among businesses with overdue invoices, nearly 1 in 4 (24%) say delayed revenue led them to delay payments to contractors, suppliers, or vendors. One slow payment can start a chain.What faster payments could mean for small business ownersThe impact of faster payments is practical and immediate: the contractor waiting two days for a card payment to clear after finishing a job, the freelancer who paid $15 to get a payment the same day because rent was due, and the small retailer who took on short-term debt because payroll came before the funds settled.The bill is still early in the legislative process; whether it passes will become clearer over time. What's already clear from the data: for a significant share of small business owners, slow payment infrastructure creates a recurring monthly cost, whether they have to or not.Data in this article is drawn from the 2026 QuickBooks Late Payments Report.This story was produced by QuickBooks and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Inside Iowa Politics: How Pete Buttigieg thinks Democrats should show ‘tough’ Former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg doesn't think Democrats need to emulate President Donald Trump as they campaign before voters.
	REVIEW: The Wizard of Oz at Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island Director Tony Parise and his tech team have created an enchanting production true to the film that includes a huge spiral platform to suggest the funnel cloud that whisks Dorothy to the magical land of Oz along with a gingerbread farmhouse front, dancing apple trees, prancing poppies, and madcap munchkins. What can’t be duplicated onstage is accomplished by projections onto the scrim.
	REVIEW: Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk at The Black Box Theatre Five shows opened this past weekend in various venues. Of these, only Circa 21’s current production will run beyond next weekend. So, if your circumstances dictate that you can only choose one performance to attend next weekend you should choose The Black Box Theatre’s production of Grandma Gatewood Takes a Walk, Catherine Bush’s stage adaptation of Ben Montgomery’s New York Times best seller, Grandma Gatewood’s Walk here directed by the talented Jennifer Kingrey.
	Vandalism closes The Third Place for a day Vandalism has caused The Third Place QC to close today. A post on the group’s Facebook page said the building was vandalized Wednesday night and the front window was broken. “We do have camera footage, have identified the individual responsible and have shared all of the information with the Rock Island Police Department,” the post [...]
	7 benefits of linen sheets 7 benefits of linen sheetsFlax linen is believed to be the oldest textile known to man, with evidence of its use dating back 30,000 years. There's a reason linen has been a bedroom staple for all of history. Long before thread counts and temperature-regulating technologies, people understood that this ancient fabric is simply built differently.Today, linen sheets are having a well-deserved renaissance, and if you've ever wondered whether the splurge is worth it, the answer is a resounding yes. From the way they soften with every wash to their ability to keep you cool and comfortable year-round, linen sheets go far beyond good looks. Naturepedic shares seven benefits of linen sheets.First Things First: What Is Organic Linen?Linen is a type of textile woven from flax plants. Organic linen means it was grown without the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, prohibited by the Global Organic Textile Standard. The cultivation process of organic linen adheres to organic farming principles, which focus on maintaining soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance.Once harvested, organic flax fibers are processed using environmentally friendly methods to produce linen fabric. Organic linen is prized for its sustainability, breathability, and durability, making it a highly sought-after choice for bedding material.7 Benefits of Linen SheetsLinen sheets have become increasingly popular for their numerous benefits and aesthetic appeal, offering a blend of luxury and practicality that enhances sleep quality and interior spaces.Keep reading to find out the top benefits of linen sheets.1. Better for Your HealthBecause it is grown and processed without those GOTS-prohibited chemicals mentioned earlier, certified organic linen is better for your health, as it reduces your exposure to toxins found in synthetic materials and minimizes off-gassing. Linen is also allergy-friendly, as its looser weave prevents allergens from getting trapped in the fabric, making it a suitable choice for those with sensitivities.2. Planet-FriendlyFlax fibers are the oldest known to be used by humans, with evidence of their cultivation and linen weaving tracing back earlier than ancient Egypt. Linen, derived from flax plants, is typically grown using natural rainfall, reducing the strain on local water resources compared to water-intensive crops. When grown without GOTS-prohibited pesticides and fertilizers, organic flax farming minimizes harmful health and environmental impacts. Flax even improves soil health and absorbs carbon dioxide, actively contributing to a healthier Earth beyond just reducing harm compared to conventional crops.3. Durable and ComfortableLinen is light and airy, yet the natural strength of its flaxen fibers makes it more durable than conventional fabrics. Its loose weave and texture provide a luxurious, lived-in look. Additionally, linen becomes softer with each wash, providing a comfortable and gentle touch against the skin. Its longevity and resistance to pilling also make linen sheets a more sustainable and cost-effective choice for bedding.4. Cool and CozyLinen sheets are renowned for their exceptional breathability, moisture-wicking properties and durability.They naturally regulate temperature, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter with an insulating effect. This makes them ideal for year-round use and a great investment to have in your home.5. Aesthetic AppealingLinen sheets are elegant in an effortless, down-to-earth way, with a stone-washed finish for a lived-in look that’s trendy yet timeless. Opt for organic linen sheets in natural tones to avoid harsh dyes and chemical fabric treatments found in conventional bed linens, without having to compromise your home aesthetic in the name of better health.6. Easy to MaintainOne of the most appealing aspects of linen sheets is their easy maintenance. They can be machine washed and dried, making them convenient for everyday use. Unlike more delicate fabrics that require special care, linen is durable enough to withstand regular laundering without losing its quality or softness. Plus, there’s no ironing, steaming, or fluffing required — linen’s natural creases and texture are a part of its appeal.7. Ethically GrownOrganic linen begins with sustainable farming practices that prioritize environmental stewardship and fair treatment of workers. When a product is GOTS certified organic, it means it meets strict environmental and social criteria throughout the entire textile supply chain. This certification ensures that the product is made with organic fibers, is as free from harmful chemicals as is reasonable and meets stringent social and environmental standards in its production.GOTS certification covers the entire production process, from harvesting of raw materials through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labeling, to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer. Ethical linen production aims for transparency throughout the supply chain, from field to fabric, promoting accountability and supporting communities involved in its cultivation.This story was produced by Naturepedic and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Davenport chiropractor accused of leaving a patient paralyzed surrenders his license A Davenport chiropractor surrendered his license after an adjustment allegedly left a patient paralyzed. Read details of the state settlement.
	REVIEW: The SpongeBob Musical at Quad City Music Guild in Moline This show is a raucous, energetic, colorful romp that will set millennials’ toes to tapping especially during Squidward Q. Tentacles real tap dance number.
	Grant supports Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine housing initiative The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine has been awarded a $250,000 grant through the Community Foundation Climate Collaborative. The award is supported by the McKnight Foundation and will advance innovative housing solutions that reduce carbon emissions while making homes more affordable to build, less expensive to own and more resilient for generations of homeowners. The [...]
	REVIEW: Heaven Help Me at Richmond Hill Players Barn Theatre in Geneseo July has heated up to be as hot as h-e-double hockey sticks with humidity to match so if you’re looking to get out of the house but skip Gehenna I recommend a short jaunt out to Geneseo to take in Richmond Hill Players current production of Heaven Help Me by Joe Simonelli.
	The bras of 'Off Campus': Why the show's lingerie styling is sparking a bigger conversation about fit The bras of ‘Off Campus’: Why the show's lingerie styling is sparking a bigger conversation about fitThe bras on Prime Video’s "Off Campus" have become one of the show’s most talked-about wardrobe details.While fans are asking where the lingerie is from, much of the fascination comes from how naturally the bras seem to sit on different bust sizes. Fuller busts look supported without looking forced, while smaller busts look shaped without the stiff push-up effect so often shown on screen.The difference between those needs is something Felina has studied through fit and inclusive sizing, where the size on a label rarely captures how a bra will feel on a real body."Off Campus” may have made bras part of the conversation, but the reason people keep noticing them sits much closer to everyday life. After all, a good fit is easy to recognize, especially after years of wearing bras that never quite get there.Why the Show's Lingerie ResonatedLingerie is one of the most personal parts of a wardrobe, so it tends to stand out fast when it looks wrong on screen. But "Off Campus" avoided that problem by treating bras as part of who Hannah and Allie are, rather than as pieces brought in only for the camera.Costume designer Charlene Akuamoah told Elle India that lingerie is “the foundation of every single look,” and she carried that idea through the characters in different ways. Hannah’s bras stayed simpler with small pops of color, while Allie’s leaned into sheerness and shape in a way that matched her confidence.Akuamoah also told Page Six Style that she wanted the bras to look beautiful and truly fit each character’s aesthetic. And the care behind those choices is why the lingerie felt personal to viewers, especially for anyone who has ever wanted a bra to feel like part of their style instead of a problem to manage.Once a bra looks that good on screen, it becomes easier to understand why size and fit change the whole experience of getting dressed.Why Bra Fit Goes Wrong So OftenThe hardest part of bra fit is how often it makes shoppers feel like their bodies are the problem. A wrong size is usually a fit issue first, especially when breasts and ribcages rarely follow the neat pattern a size chart suggests.Bra-fit experts often point first to the band, which has to anchor the bra before the straps can help keep everything balanced. A loose band throws off that balance quickly, and a cup with too little room makes the same bra feel even more uncomfortable.Another reason sizing feels so unreliable is that a bra size can change as the body changes. For example, weight changes and hormones can affect how a bra sits, while pregnancy can make an old size feel completely different.And brand sizing adds one more wrinkle, with the same label fitting differently from one maker to the next. This is why regular remeasuring helps bring the bra back to the body, instead of leaving the body to keep adjusting to the bra.The Fuller-Bust GapWomen with fuller busts had another reason to notice the "Off Campus" bras, since fashion-first lingerie has often been easier to find in smaller cup sizes. Mainstream retail has long treated larger cups as a support problem first, leaving many shoppers to choose between pretty styles and bras strong enough to wear all day.Akuamoah’s Page Six Style fit advice gets at why the fix is rarely as simple as going up one cup. The idea is called sister sizing, where the band and the cup move together so a size change keeps the same breast volume in a better fit. But a larger cup without the right band can still leave support feeling off before a person even gets dressed.Experts stress that fuller busts need structured bands and wider straps before lace or sheerness has room to work. They also need enough cup depth to hold the breast without flattening it. And "Off Campus" made that combination visible, giving viewers a rare look at lingerie where support and style are allowed to belong to the same body.Smaller-Bust Support Matters, TooSmaller busts get a different version of the same frustration, with fit problems often brushed aside as if less breast tissue makes support simple. Bustle notes that smaller-chested shoppers often run into bras that do not sit right, such as cups that lift away and straps that never stay where they should.The frustration often starts with styles built to create shape first, leaving real support to feel like an afterthought. Push-up padding may make a bra look fuller on a hanger, but it does little if the band slides instead of anchoring. A smaller bust still needs a bra to sit close to the body and move cleanly under clothing.“Off Campus” helped make that point without spelling it out, since Hannah and Allie showed how different bodies can both look supported when the styling respects the person wearing the bra. Without that fit, easy styling turns into the old routine of adjusting and starting over.What Good Fit Actually Looks LikeNothing beats the feeling of a properly fitted bra, especially after years of wearing one that needs adjusting every time the body moves.A few simple checks that make the difference easier to spot at home, beginning with a band that sits level around the body and stays close enough that only two fingers slide underneath. A band that holds its place gives the straps a better job to do, letting them adjust without digging into the shoulders.The cups should follow with the same clean fit, sitting smoothly against the breast without empty space or spillage along the edge. The National Breast Cancer Foundation's bra fit guide points to the same basics, including smooth cups and a low, even band.Keeping that fit also depends on knowing when the body has outgrown an old size, especially after weight changes or pregnancy. Hormonal swings affect how a bra sits as well, giving shoppers another reason to recheck fit before a once-easy bra turns uncomfortable again.Conclusion: Why a Screen Moment Has Staying PowerAkuamoah told Elle India she loved seeing the online discussion around bras. But like any TV series, "Off Campus" will eventually give up its place on social feeds to the next show people want to talk about.However, the conversation it started has a longer life than the series itself, since it gave women language for something they had felt for years without naming it. So many had blamed their own bodies for a bra that dug at the skin or never sat right, when the fault lay in the design all along.Watching lingerie made for real bodies, on real women, gave people permission to expect the same for themselves. And that change outlasts any show, giving every woman a fairer shot at a bra that actually fits.This story was produced by Felina and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	5 Sparkling Milk Recipes You Have to Try! (BPT) - When temperatures rise and you need a refreshing beverage, consider sparkling milk! The idea might surprise you at first sip, but that surprise is part of the appeal. People are experimenting with sparkling milk recipes in their home kitchens, putting a playful spin on the milk they've loved since childhood.At its simplest, sparkling milk pairs milk with light carbonation, creating a drink that sits somewhere between soda and a creamy refresher. And while it's not an entirely new concept, sparkling milk has been increasingly showing up across social feeds, café menus and even in grocery stores — turning a familiar staple in the fridge into something unexpected and fun!Read on for five delicious sparkling milk recipes that can help hydrate and satisfy those afternoon cravings. And here's a recipe tip: you can get a boost of protein when you use the new Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Ultra-Filtered Milk — a new line of ultra-filtered, pasture-raised organic milk with 50% more protein and 50% less sugar than regular milk.So grab a carton of organic milk and your carbonated water machine and have fun experimenting with these sparkling milk beverage recipes. Cheers!Sparkling Orange Cow Milk This sparkling milk recipe is a bubbly twist on the nostalgic, creamsicle-flavored beverage, Orange Cow. It delivers sprightly sips by combining sweet citrus meets smooth milk, while the bubbles keep each sip feeling light and lively.1/2 cup Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk1/2 cup orange juice2 teaspoons simple syrup1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractCombine milk, simple syrup and vanilla extract into a liquid measuring cup; top with OJ and pour all of the ingredients into the carbonated water machine bottle. Press the carbonation button for 2–3 seconds (shorter time for smaller bottles and depending on how bubbly you like your beverages). Pour into a glass with ice and enjoy!Coconut Lime Sparkling Milk Creamy, tropical and bright, Coconut Lime Sparkling Milk brings a fresh take on a beach-inspired favorite. Smooth coconut blends with crisp lime — perfect for sunny afternoons or whenever you want a mini escape in a glass.1/2 cup Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk1/2 cup unflavored sparkling water (option: swap in a coconut or lime-flavored sparkling water and this can be made with your carbonated water machine or store bought)1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons coconut syrup1/2 lime, cut into wedgesCombine milk, sparkling water and coconut syrup into a liquid measuring cup. Squeeze in two lime wedges. Pour the mixture into the carbonated water machine bottle and carbonate for 2–3 seconds. Pour into a glass — we recommend adding ice, too — and enjoy. Add a little flair by decorating the rim of the glass with a lime wedge or a mini umbrella!Strawberry Shortcake Sparkling Milk Sweet, bright and lightly fizzy, Strawberry Shortcake Sparkling milk turns a classic dessert into a refreshing drink. It blends the flavor of ripe strawberries and vanilla cake with creamy milk and a gentle sparkle for a fun twist. It has a nostalgic charm that feels right at home on warm days or casual get-togethers.1/2 cup Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk1/2 cup strawberry flavored sparkling water (this can be made with your carbonated water machine or store bought)1/4 cup strawberries, diced2 tablespoons condensed milk1/2 teaspoon simple syrup1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractOptional: splash of strawberry syrupMuddle 1/4 cup fresh strawberries and pour into an 8-ounce glass. Combine milk, sparkling water, condensed milk, simple syrup and vanilla extract in a liquid measuring cup. Pour the mixture into the carbonated water machine bottle and carbonate for 2–3 seconds. Place ice cubes into your glass with the muddled strawberries, pour the sparkling milk recipe into the glass and then enjoy the strawberry sweetness in every fizzy sip!Cake Batter Sparkling Milk This sweet and creamy recipe might bring back memories of a childhood birthday! Cake Batter Sparkling Milk brings the flavor of birthday cake into a fizzy, sippable treat that is perfect for celebrations or anytime you want something fun and festive to drink. This recipe is milk-forward but you can always cut it in half if you want a lighter option by reducing the milk by a half cup and instead, adding a half cup of sparkling water.1 cup Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk1/2 teaspoon simple syrup1/2 teaspoon brown sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractOptional: 2 tablespoons condensed milk Combine all ingredients in a liquid measuring cup. Pour the mixture into the carbonated water machine bottle and carbonate for 2–3 seconds. Pour into a glass with ice, then sit back and celebrate — birthday or not!Espresso Sparkling Milk Put a spin on your morning coffee routine or bring a lively twist to your afternoon pick-me-up with this effervescent Espresso Sparkling Milk recipe. A cross between an iced latte and a soda, this recipe offers the option of combining milk with either shots of espresso or cold brew coffee, as well as making it a caffeinated or decaffeinated beverage.Recipe Option 1: 1/2 cup Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk1/4 cup unflavored sparkling water (this can be made with your carbonated water machine or store bought)2 shots of espressoSplash of your favorite flavored coffee creamerRecipe Option 2: 1/2 cup Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk1/2 cup cold brew coffeeSplash of your favorite flavored coffee creamerCombine all ingredients in a liquid measuring cup. Pour the mixture into the carbonated water machine bottle and carbonate for 2–3 seconds. Pour into a glass with ice and savor your newest coffee creation!You can add a little extra flavor to either recipe by topping off your sparkling coffee beverage with a splash of a flavored coffee creamer, like Organic Valley® French Vanilla Flavored Coffee Creamer or Organic Valley® Sweet Cream Flavored Coffee Creamer.Sparkling milk may have started as a curious idea, but it is quickly becoming a creative way to rethink an everyday favorite that can feel both familiar and a little more playful. And, when you use Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Ultra-Filtered Milk you can increase your protein intake, along with your bubbles!Want to learn more about milk? Below are a few more articles to consider reading while you enjoy your glass of sparkling milk:The Nature of Protein: From Soil to MilkIs Milk a Protein or Carb? What Is This About Cow's Milk Hydrating Better Than Water? Inspired to try other milk beverage recipes? Read more here: 5 Nourishing Milk Drink Recipes to Fill Your Cup Naturally Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Whole Ultra-Filtered Milk has 10% more of the daily recommended value for protein than regular whole milk; the protein content of regular whole milk is 8 grams per serving; Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Whole Ultra-Filtered Milk has 13 grams of protein per serving. Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Whole Ultra-Filtered Milk has 50% less sugar than regular whole milk. The sugar content of regular whole milk is 12 grams per serving. Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Whole Ultra-Filtered Milk has 6 grams per serving.* Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Reduced Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk has 10% more of the daily recommended value for protein than regular reduced fat milk; the protein content of regular reduced fat milk is 8 grams per serving; Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Reduced Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk has 13 grams of protein per serving. Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Reduced Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk has 50% less sugar than regular reduced fat milk. The sugar content of regular reduced fat milk is 12 grams per serving. Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Reduced Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk has 6 grams per serving.* Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk has 10% more of the daily recommended value for protein than regular fat free milk; the protein content of regular fat free milk is 8 grams per serving; Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk has 13 grams of protein per serving. Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk has 50% less sugar than regular fat free milk. The sugar content of regular fat free ultra-filtered milk is 12 grams per serving. Organic Valley® Protein Plus™ Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk has 6 grams per serving.
	Iowa chiropractor accused of leaving a patient paralyzed surrenders his license The Dietrich Chiropractic clinic in Davenport prior to its closing in 2025. (Photo via Google Earth)A Davenport chiropractor has agreed to surrender his license after being accused of leaving a patient paralyzed due to a botched treatment. The Iowa Board of Chiropractic recently charged L. Anthony Dietrich, who had been licensed to perform chiropractic in Iowa since 1998, with professional incompetence based on an alleged failure to conform to the minimal standard of acceptable and prevailing practices. The board alleges that on July 8, 2024, Dietrich provided chiropractic care to a patient’s cervical spine but failed to perform an initial examination or obtain a proper medical history. “During the session, the patient allegedly became unable to feel his hands,” the board alleges. “The patient suffered from sustained paralysis and ultimately became quadriplegic.” Deitrich and the licensing board recently agreed to a settlement that calls for Dietrich to surrender his Iowa chiropractic license with the understanding that he can apply for reinstatement in one year. Court records show that the patient in question is Randy Lee White, who in October 2024 sued Dietrich, alleging negligence. According to the lawsuit, White, who was then 64 years old, went to the Dietrich Chiropractic clinic on Davenport’s Kimberly Road in July 2024 due to a history of neck pain and a tingling in his arms that he had experienced after dental treatment three weeks earlier. The lawsuit alleged that after Dietrich adjusted White’s spine, White lost all feeling in his hands. Dietrich called 911 and White was taken by ambulance to Genesis Medical Center. According to the lawsuit, White was diagnosed with sustained paralysis to all of his upper and lower extremities as a result of the chiropractic adjustment performed by Dietrich. He was then transported to University of Iowa Hospitals, where he underwent emergency surgery. “Randy Lee White remains quadriplegic and has lost bowel and bladder function,” the lawsuit alleged. Dietrich denied any wrongdoing in the case. In September 2025, the lawsuit was dismissed by White’s attorneys with no mention of an out-of-court settlement. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was not able to reach Dietrich for comment. Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	15 summer supplements to heat-proof your health 15 summer supplements to heat-proof your healthAh, summertime: longer days, warmer nights, vacations and more time soaking up the sun. For many, it's an absolute dream, especially after months of gray days and freezing temps. But the reality is that the same things you love most about summer can have a not-so-great impact on your health if you don't plan for them.One of those things is the heat, which comes with increased sweat and the greater need for electrolytes to maintain balance. Also, because summer days are longer, you're getting more of the sun's rays. This can boost your body's production of vitamin D, but it can also affect your circadian rhythm and sleep patterns and contribute to premature skin aging.Adding the right supplements, like vitamin C and ceramides, to your routine can help you steer clear of heat-related pitfalls and make your sunny days shine even brighter. Below, Life Extension shares supplements to add to your routine and set your summer up for success.At a GlanceLonger days and UV exposure can impact your nutritional needs in summer.Vitamin B3 and other nutrients can help safeguard your skin from the inside out.More time outdoors doesn't mean you don't need vitamin D.Supplements like zinc and probiotics can help support immune system and gut health during summer travel.Core Summer SupplementsWhether you live where it's always sunny or your region is just waking up from winter slumber, summer supplements can offer support. "It's important to change your supplement routine for summer because the body's needs revolve just like the seasons revolve," said Stephen Tapanes, Ph.D., a research scientist at Life Extension.Consider these four nutrients your foundation for supporting summer vitality.1. Vitamin CFor longer days outside, vitamin C is a bright idea. The antioxidant's well-deserved reputation for immune support has been documented over decades of research and use. In fact, one clinical study found that a daily oral dose of 500 mg of vitamin C helped support immune function. Vitamin C also supports heart and respiratory health and collagen synthesis. While savoring slices of grapefruit or squeezing lemon into your water are good ways to get vitamin C, including a supplement in your routine can make your summer even sweeter.2. Vitamin DYes, sunshine naturally increases the amount of vitamin D your body creates, but you may still need vitamin D supplements in the summer. This is especially relevant if you stay indoors, use a high-SPF sunscreen, are older or have darker skin tone.While it's well known that vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, did you know it also promotes heart and cognitive health? And data from one study of 25 randomized controlled trials found that vitamin D supplementation also supports immune health. That makes vitamin D a bright spot in summer wellness.Try to get 10-15 minutes of morning sunlight two to three times a week, and put foods rich in vitamin D (fatty fish, eggs and mushrooms) on the menu. But even with diet, many Americans are lacking in vitamin D. Testing your levels and adding a daily supplement may help.3. MagnesiumWhen the sun's out, the fun's out: more outdoor sports, swimming, and running on trails instead of the treadmill. But summer's heat also means more sweat. As your body loses water, it also loses key minerals like magnesium, an electrolyte that plays a major role in more than 600 biochemical reactions that support (among others) heart, bone, muscle and nerve health.This can be important in fitness, because the need for magnesium may be 10%-20% higher in athletes and those engaging in high physical activity, thanks to sweat loss and urine.Staying hydrated is a great first step, but keeping your electrolyte levels steady is just as important when you're trying to beat the heat. That's where a magnesium glycinate supplement may come in handy. This special form of magnesium is combined with the amino acid glycine and is well-absorbed, meaning different parts of your body can easily make use of this valuable mineral.4. Immune system supportSummer activity can increase some of the metabolic demands on your body, and your immune system is already energetically demanding. And don't forget another trip around the sun (as in aging) means the aging of your immune system, called immune senescence.Fortunately, you can combat immune senescence with exercise (which may be easier to do in the summer), immune-promoting foods and supplements. Zinc and vitamins C and D are well known for immune support, and supplement formulas with mushroom and pu-erh tea extracts have been studied to help maintain a healthy immune response as you age.During the summer, strike the right mix of indoor and outdoor activities to support your immune system while staying out of the heat. Schedule swim sessions or pickleball matches at an indoor facility a few days a week, then take an early morning walk or sunset jog on alternate days.Heat-Beating SupplementsIf there's one thing summer always delivers, it's heat. As the mercury rises and activities move outside, these supplements can help protect your energy levels and skin from too much of a good thing.5. NAD+When you're out hitting the beach, the boardwalk, and the basketball court, chances are your energy level is taking a hit, too. That's where NAD+ comes in. A coenzyme found in every cell of the body, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) acts like a spark plug for cellular energy production.You can help your body maintain healthy NAD+ levels through exercise, diet and NAD-supporting supplements with precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Your body uses these molecules to support NAD+ production and encourage cellular energy. And since NAD+ levels naturally decline over time, you may want to take this healthy aging supplement year-round.6. CollagenCollagen, the protein synonymous with gorgeous, glowing skin, is an ally in supporting skin health, especially in summer months. UV exposure can cause premature skin aging, leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. Collagen is a key component of skin that helps keep it looking healthy and functioning properly.Collagen peptide supplements can support your body’s collagen production during the summer months and beyond, often more easily than collagen you get from food. The collagen normally found in your diet may be difficult for your body to absorb because of its size and structure. Supplements use the hydrolyzed, or peptide, form of collagen because it is easier to absorb. Hydrolyzed collagen also comes in capsules or a powder form that is perfect for adding to a summer smoothie.7. UV and DNA supportTo fully enjoy all your moments in the sun, stock up on mineral-based sunscreen, and add UV protective clothing to your summer wardrobe. These are important first steps for summer health and skin protection. You can take your UV and DNA support to the next level with a seasonal supplement that contains niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3. If you spend a lot of time outdoors year-round, there's no reason why you shouldn't take it daily. It is shown to support the body's natural immune response to UV exposure. Polypodium leucotomos, a fern extract, also helps support skin health and protect against premature aging from outdoor activity, plus it works to promote healthy DNA before, during and after ultraviolet exposure.8. CeramidesSummer's heat, and even the dry indoor air from air conditioning, can sap your skin's moisture. So you want to help your skin retain moisture and promote its overall health, appearance and smoothness. Ceramides promote a healthy skin barrier, which helps support skin hydration and health. Photoceramide supplements that include vitamin C and plant extracts may be even more effective, combining the benefits of hydration, collagen production and protection against everyday oxidative stress.Summer travel supplementsThere's nothing quite like summer travel: family, food, fun and faraway places. But these trips may throw off your well-being. Trust these five supplements to be your go-tos when you're going places.9. ZincWhen it comes to packing summer supplements, think zinc. This essential mineral and antioxidant is an affordable, accessible option that comes in many carry-on-ready varieties, perfect for taking before boarding the plane, train or bus. Zinc is key for immune function and is an essential component of superoxide dismutase, one of your body's most powerful natural antioxidant enzymes. Zinc is also required for the activity of over 300 enzymes in your body.Found naturally in oysters, beef, blue crabs, pumpkin seeds, and tofu, zinc is also an effective, eco-friendly ingredient in mineral sunscreen formulas.10. QuercetinChanging time zones, disrupted sleep patterns, and crowded airports can all challenge your immune system. Quercetin may be able to help. This antioxidant-rich dietary flavonoid, found naturally in fruits and veggies like dark grapes, berries and raw broccoli, encourages heart health and supports a healthy immune response. But traditional quercetin supplements aren't easy for the body to use. When choosing your travel companion, look for quercetin supplements with fenugreek fibers that help enhance the bioavailability.11. ProbioticsExploring new cultures and their culinary specialties is a thrilling part of summer vacation. What isn’t thrilling is how your gut may react to unfamiliar flavors and irregular eating schedules. The shift can challenge your microbiome, leading to occasional bloating, constipation and gas. Bring probiotics on your summer trip to help promote optimal digestive health and encourage GI comfort. Look for advanced probiotics combined with phage technology, which can provide comprehensive support for your gut microbiome, promote regularity and help relieve occasional gas and bloating. It’s a must-have for any culinary adventure.12. Digestive enzymesSummer is filled with barbecues, picnics and potlucks. Delicious as it sounds, all that summer feasting could be unsettling for your tummy—especially if you follow a plant-based diet or feel challenged by foods like dairy. Digestive enzymes may be just what you need to help provide your body with additional digestive support as you navigate summer's calendar. They encourage optimal digestion of the foods you eat, including plant-derived sugar and starch, protein, dairy, fiber and fat. This GI support can be especially welcome during a summer celebration or a long day of travel.13. GABABefore you catch that flight, grab your GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). This amino acid is your brain's main "braking" neurotransmitter, and it can help calm your mind in stressful situations—like an airport crowded with impatient passengers. GABA has been clinically studied to help relieve occasional stress, promoting a healthy stress response in as little as 30 minutes.It also encourages a relaxed state of mind, a balanced mood and better sleep, with participants in a clinical study reporting falling asleep faster than the placebo group. That means if your plane jumps time zones or you're sleeping in an unfamiliar environment, GABA may be able to help you rest a little easier.Summer must-haves for increased activityIf you're not the "lazy summer" type and plan to spend more time on your feet while checking out the local sites, you'll want to support your joints and muscles. Check out these seasonal supplements to keep you moving freely all summer long.14. CurcuminIf you're an avid runner, bicyclist, swimmer, or pickleball player, the summer heat isn't going to stop you. But your body may want reinforcements to keep moving smoothly. Curcumin, the bright-yellow polyphenol compound found in turmeric, is a great supplement for inflammation health support during the summer and beyond. Curcumin promotes a healthy inflammatory response, heart and brain health, and a healthy immune response. And advanced formulas deliver up to 45 times more free curcuminoids and include ginger extracts to complement curcumin's benefits.15. Acetyl-L-carnitine and creatineWhether you're a champion marathoner or a leisurely walker, your muscles and joints may feel more fatigued from summer exercise. When the heat is on, your cells work overtime to produce energy. You can count on creatine and acetyl-L-carnitine for cellular energy support, and this two-punch formula can give your brain a boost, too!A well-known fitness booster, creatine supports muscle function, promotes cellular energy, and encourages exercise performance and recovery. Acetyl-L-carnitine has been clinically studied to encourage both mental and physical energy as well as cognitive function. This formula is available as a powder, making it easy to add to your favorite summer beverage.Here's a quick guide to seasonal supplements and how they support your well-being not only in the summer, but all year long: Life Extension This story was produced by Life Extension and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	MidAmerican Energy warns of company phone number scam MidAmerican Energy is telling customers to be cautious when using a search engine to find the company’s customer service phone number. Scammers are using paid search engine ads and other tactics to manipulate search results and promote fraudulent call center numbers for utilities, including MidAmerican. When customers call a fraudulent number, scammers pose as MidAmerican [...]
	MidAmerican advises caution online amid scammers MidAmerican Energy is advising customers to be careful using online search engines with fraudulent scammers seeking personal and financial information.
	Pilot injured after helicopter crash in Johnson County The Tiffin Fire Department says a helicopter pilot was taken to the hospital for injuries after a crash Wednesday night in Union Township.
	Downstream effects of federal cuts seen in Kansas budget, access to healthcare, food assistance Megan Leopold, senior policy adviser for Kansas Action for Children, spoke July 14, 2026, about the effects the One Big Beautiful Bill Act had on the Kansas budget. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from virtual news conference)TOPEKA — Repercussions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act hit the Kansas budget with at least $16.4 million in costs and affected residents who lost health insurance and access to food assistance benefits. Nonprofit leaders on Tuesday delved into the effects of President Donald Trump’s reconciliation bill, H.R. 1, which passed about one year ago. They focused on downstream effects of policy changes. “When lawmakers come back in January, they’re already going to be facing hard choices,” said Megan Leopold, senior policy adviser at Kansas Action for Children. “The fiscal year 2027 budget is expected to spend $407 million more than the state brings in.” The Legislature is balancing the budget gap by pulling money from the savings, but that can’t continue, she said. Changes in the national reconciliation bill added to the problem, Leopold said. “The Legislature went into the 2026 session with a failed goal to cut $200 million to help balance the budget,” she said. “This bill extends expensive tax cuts while cutting federal support for programs that help vulnerable families. It pushes more responsibility onto the states, and in Kansas, where the budget is already under pressure, forces hard decisions about whether to cut services, raise revenue or reduce provider payments.” Budget effects Managing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will cost the state $16.4 million more, beginning this fiscal year, Leopold said. The state previously split administrative costs for the program in half with the federal government. Under H.R. 1, the state’s share rose to 75%, she said. In addition, under the state’s current error rate in SNAP, Kansas will pay $40 million more to the federal government, which penalizes states that have error rates over 6%. In the most recent announcement of state error rates, only nine states had rates below 6%, she said. The SNAP error rate refers to mistakes or errors made in SNAP applications and not to fraud. Healthcare effects Expiration of premium tax credits that helped people enrolled in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace caused a 20% drop in Kansans with marketplace coverage between February 2025 and February 2026, said Lacey Kennett, assistant director for Alliance for a Healthy Kansas. While some enrollees chose to maintain coverage as prices skyrocketed, Kennett said many switched to plans with fewer benefits and higher out-of-pocket costs. Kansans switch between four plan levels, from better to less-complete coverage: bronze, silver, gold and catastrophic. According to KFF, the percentage of Kansans enrolled in a top-level bronze plan dropped from 47% in 2025 to 34% in 2026, while silver plan enrollment rose from 45% in 2025 to to 56% in 2026. Gold plans rose from 7% in 2025 to 10% in 2026. “The decision to go uninsured doesn’t just affect our wallets, but also our health, of course,” Kennett said. “When people have high out-of-pocket costs or no insurance coverage at all, they go without preventive care. They skip taking needed prescription medicines and put off treating illnesses and chronic conditions until they become emergencies.” Kennett said about 20,000 to 30,000 Kansans have lost Medicaid. “Kansas has some of the strictest requirements to qualify for Medicaid in the entire country,” she said, adding that the program, which supports low-income individuals, also covers children, pregnant and post-partum mothers, people with disabilities and seniors. Medicaid changes beginning in January 2028 require Kansas to cut certain Medicaid payment rates by 10% each year, until they reach 110% of the Medicare rate, Leopold said. The resulting decreased payments to providers will further jeopardize Kansas medical facilities and their ability to serve Medicaid patients, she said. Food assistance effects About 11,000 Kansas children have lost access to SNAP since H.R. 1 was signed, said Haley Kottler, senior director for Kansas Appleseed. “H.R. 1 made it harder for families to qualify for SNAP by expanding work requirements, narrowing exemptions and increasing administrative barriers,” she said. “As a result, families who were previously eligible are losing benefits.” A primary concern, Kottler said, is the ripple effect of children losing school meals. “Many children qualify for free school meals automatically because their families receive SNAP or Medicaid through a process called direct certification,” she said. “It’s one of the smartest, most effective tools that we have to reduce childhood hunger. Parents don’t have to complete another application. Schools can spend less time processing paperwork.” But families that lost SNAP because of work requirements or paperwork problems also lose that automatic connection, putting children at risk of falling through the cracks, Kottler said. Another federal program, Community Eligibility Provision, allows eligible schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students without collecting household information for them, she said. While the Kansas Legislature encouraged eligible schools to enroll in the program this year, if fewer students are directly certified, schools may not be able to participate, Kottler said. “Federal decisions around SNAP never stop with SNAP,” she said. “They reach into our schools. They go into child nutrition and school meals, and our concern is that because of H.R. 1, we very likely could see Kansas schools leave the community eligibility provision or decide not to adopt it at all — not really because the need has disappeared, but because the numbers no longer work.” Community food bank effects Elizabeth Keever, chief resource officer for Harvesters, said changes in SNAP provisions are felt throughout the state’s community food bank system. “Every day, we see the realities that statistics alone can’t really fully capture,” Keever said. “And one year after H.R. 1, those realities have become impossible to ignore. We’re already seeing more families turning to food pantries for the first time.” Food insecurity was a challenge before the reconciliation bill, but the problem has grown larger since it passed, she said. “In our region, one in seven people are now experiencing food insecurity, including one in six children,” Keever said. “We know this number will continue to rise, and in fact, hunger is the highest that it’s been in two decades.” Food banks, she said, were created to respond to emergency needs for families. “We were never intended to be a long-term substitute for our nation’s nutrition security net that was created by the SNAP program,” Keever said. “Even before the cuts to H.R. 1, 59% of the 374,000 food insecure neighbors in our service area fell above the qualifying threshold of SNAP while still being food insecure. The truth is that we simply cannot fill the gap.” In the past five years, food costs have increased by 30%, and more recently, transportation costs are up 33%, she said. “Our charitable food system was built to complement federal nutrition programs, not replace them,” Keever said. “SNAP and food banks were always intended to work together.” Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Mental health assessments: What employers should look for to secure the best outcomes Mental health assessments: What employers should look for to secure the best outcomesAn employee finally decides to ask for help. Maybe their work has slowed. Maybe they have been missing sleep. Maybe they have been holding it together for months and can feel that changing.For an HR or benefits leader, that moment matters. The first experience an employee has with a mental health benefit can determine whether they get routed to the right care, wait too long, disengage, or start over later.That is why a mental health assessment deserves more attention than it often gets in vendor evaluations. It is more than a questionnaire. Done well, it is the clinical and operational front door to the entire mental health journey, Spring Health reports.Key takeawaysA mental health assessment should connect employees to the right level of care, not just collect symptoms.Strong mental health assessment tools use validated screeners, dynamic branching, safety protocols, and ongoing measurement.For HR and benefits leaders, the most important question is what happens after the assessment: matching, navigation, care planning, and outcomes reporting.Well-executed assessments can reduce trial and error, help employees start care faster, and provide employers with aggregate insight into program performance.What is a mental health assessment?A mental health assessment is a structured way to understand a person's symptoms, goals, functioning, preferences, and level of need. It may include self-reported questions, validated screening tools, clinical interviews, or ongoing symptom measures used during care.In a workplace mental health benefit, the assessment has a practical job: to help each employee find the right next step. That next step may be therapy, coaching, medication management, self-guided support, specialty care, crisis support, social-needs resources, or help from a trained navigator.A strong assessment does not ask questions for their own sake. It uses the answers to guide care.Why mental health assessments matter for employersEmployers are not responsible for diagnosing employees. They can be responsible for offering a benefit that identifies needs safely, route employees appropriately, and show whether the program is working.That makes assessment quality a business issue as well as a clinical one. A weak assessment can create friction at the exact moment someone is ready to act. A stronger assessment can reduce trial and error, improve the first match, flag risk earlier, and measure progress over time.For benefits leaders, the question is not only whether a vendor offers a mental health assessment online. The better question is what happens after someone completes it.What mental health assessment questions should coverAssessment questions for mental health should help a care team understand both symptoms and context. A practical workplace assessment usually needs to cover:The person's goals for care, including what they want help with now.Current symptoms related to depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, eating concerns, attention, mood, sleep, stress, or other needs.How mental health is affecting work, home, relationships, and daily functioning.Safety signals, including suicide risk, with clear escalation protocols.Care preferences, such as appointment time, language, modality, provider specialty, cultural fit, and prior experience with care.Social needs that may affect mental health, including financial strain, housing, food, transportation, caregiving, or safety concerns.Progress over time, so care can adjust when symptoms improve, persist, or change.The best questions are clinically grounded, easy to complete, and connected to a clear action. Employees should not have to answer a long questionnaire and then still figure out care on their own.Common mental health assessment toolsMany mental health assessment tools are validated screeners that help identify symptoms or severity. They do not replace a clinician's judgment, but they can support earlier identification and better routing when used appropriately. Spring Health The value lies in using validated screeners intelligently, with dynamic branching that asks more when the member's answers suggest more support may be needed.What to look for in a mental health assessment onlineDigital access can make assessment easier, faster, and more private for employees. But an online form is not enough. HR leaders should evaluate whether the assessment is built into a care model that can act on the information it collects.1. Clinical validationAsk whether the assessment uses validated mental health assessment tools and whether those tools are appropriate for the population, geography, and care model. The assessment should screen for common needs without overclaiming a diagnosis.2. Dynamic branchingA strong assessment should adapt based on the member's answers.3. Safety protocolsIf an assessment asks about suicide risk or other high-acuity needs, the vendor must have clear clinical escalation pathways.4. Care routingThe assessment should inform the next step in care That can include therapy, coaching, medication management, crisis support, specialty programs, social-needs support, or navigator outreach.5. Personalization and matchingAssessment data should improve the care match. The goal is a lasting care relationship, not just the first open appointment.6. Ongoing measurementAssessment should continue during care. Measurement-based care helps providers and care teams see whether symptoms are improving and adjust the care plan when they are not.7. Reporting for employersEmployers should receive aggregate, de-identified insight into engagement, access, outcomes, and program opportunities through a reporting layer. They should not receive individual clinical details.8. Privacy and employee trustEmployees are more likely to complete an assessment when they understand how their information is used and protected. A vendor should explain what is confidential, what is aggregated, and how assessment data supports care.Spring Health's published outcomes show why that model matters.92% of members reliably improved or recovered from depression or anxiety.62% achieved remission from depression or anxiety.Members recover in 5.9 weeks, across 5.6 to 6.6 sessions.Navigation also affects action. In a published PLOS One study, care navigation was associated with 7.1 times higher odds of starting therapy, 36%more sessions attended, and added symptom improvement for the highest-severity members.Matching matters too. Members matched to an algorithm-recommended therapist improved up to 8.5% faster and recovered at higher rates than those who self-selected, at 11%-13% lower cost per improved member.5 questions when evaluating assessment qualityDoes the assessment use validated tools, and are they appropriate for the population being served?Does the assessment adapt based on answers, or does every employee receive the same static form?How does the solution handle suicide-risk responses and other high-acuity signals?What care pathways can the assessment route someone into?Does the assessment inform provider matching, navigator outreach, and care planning?FAQWhat is a mental health assessment?A mental health assessment is a structured way to understand symptoms, goals, functioning, preferences, and level of need. In a workplace benefit, it should help route employees to the right care, not simply produce a score.What are common mental health assessment tools?Common tools include PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-2 and GAD-7 for anxiety, C-SSRS for suicide-risk screening, and other validated screeners for trauma, substance use, eating concerns, attention, and mood.Can employees take a mental health assessment online?Yes. Many workplace mental health benefits begin with an online assessment. The assessment should be clinically grounded, easy to complete, connected to a care plan, and supported by appropriate privacy and safety protocols.What assessment questions for mental health should employers expect?Assessment questions should cover goals, current symptoms, functioning, safety signals, care preferences, social needs, and progress over time. HR should not see individual answers, but employers should receive aggregate, de-identified program insights.How do mental health assessments influence outcomes?Assessments influence outcomes when they guide matching, navigation, measurement, and care-plan adjustments. They help members start with the right level of support and give care teams the information needed to adapt care over time.This story was produced by Spring Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Friday, July 17th, 2026

Thursday, July 16th, 2026