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

Friday, October 9th, 2026
	Christa Pike is walking with help and eating after failed execution attempt Pike has begun walking and eating again at a hospital a week after surviving Tennessee's attempt to execute her with lethal drugs, her attorneys said Thursday.
	Pentagon says the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter will be livestreamed The Pentagon says the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will be livestreamed after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution would be "public.
	Isaias strengthens into Category 2 hurricane on collision course with the Gulf Coast The first hurricane of the Atlantic season was forecast to intensify rapidly and cause dangerous conditions in the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi when it makes landfall late Friday or early Saturday.
Thursday, October 8th, 2026
	Davenport boy honored as kid captain for Iowa’s game against Washington JJ Ward may seem like a typical 6-year-old, but from the moment he was born, his life has been anything but typical.
	Meet JJ, Iowa's next Kid Captain JJ Ward, a 6-year-old from Davenport, has dreams of playing football for Iowa one day. "I like how they score a bunch of touchdowns in weird ways," Ward said. "Sometimes they dive headfirst and then sometimes they do a somersault in the end." It's a dream that was nearly altered a day after JJ was [...]
	Iowa postal workers rally in support of mail-in voting A recent executive order from Trump seeking to curtail the use of mail-in voting was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court.
	Iowa City school district facing $13.8 million spending reduction The district's superintendent said some schools are likely to close while they work to balance the budget.
	Tapestry Farms holds second annual Harvest Moon celebration All proceeds from the event go towards Tapestry Farms' work supporting refugees in the Quad Cities.
	Steel and Sears Dams on Rock River will not be removed The Illinois DNR studied safety modifications after a 5-year-old girl drowned in 2018. But it recommended to remove both dams.
	Facade of Muscatine Masonic Temple partially collapses Fire officials aren't concerned about public safety, but the alley surrounding the facade is blocked off as a precautionary measure.
	Facade of Muscatine Masonic Temple suffers partial collapse Fire officials aren't concerned about public safety, but the alley surrounding the facade is blocked off as a precautionary measure.
	Wake Brewing in Rock Island to close The brewery's last day will be Oct. 11.
	Illinois expands restaurant meals program to give eligible SNAP customers more options Illinois is expanding its restaurant meals program statewide, giving eligible SNAP customers more options for prepared meals. The program now includes 50 restaurants in 16 counties. This includes Pizza Hut locations in Colona, Geneseo, Milan, Princeton, Kewanee and Monmouth. The program is for SNAP households where everyone is 60 or older, has a disability, is [...]
	Great Pumpkin Fest will be in downtown Clinton Downtown Clinton will be filled with fall fun on Sunday, Oct. 11, during the annual Great Pumpkin Fest, a family-friendly celebration hosted by downtown Clinton businesses and the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. Families are invited to free and low-cost activities throughout the afternoon, including balloon twisting, face painting, yard games, chalk art, caricature drawings and [...]
	Building partially collapses in Muscatine KWQC is working to learn more information.
	Davenport Fire Marshal investigates blaze at unoccupied home The Davenport Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that occurred Wednesday night at an unoccupied home.
	Behind the lens: QC photographer celebrates Hispanic heritage, family connection Varela uses photography to celebrate Hispanic heritage and capture the moments that bring families and communities together.
	Iowa murder suspect accused of harassing couple before deadly shooting, records show Court records describe alleged harassment, a deadly shooting and an encounter that left an Iowa state trooper fighting to recover.
	Muscatine's $48 million solar farm takes shape as coal unit faces retirement Coal has long powered Muscatine. Now, a $48 million project will bring utility-scale solar into the city's energy mix for the first time.
	Civil War reenactment to be held in Princeton, Illinois Shadows of the Blue and Gray will be held in City County Park in Princeton Saturday and Sunday.
	OpenAI caught Russians and Iranians using ChatGPT for influence campaigns The company says Russian operatives used its AI chatbot to update their bosses, shedding light on influence campaigns previously not attributed to Russia.
	Davenport firefighters give students fire safety tips for National Fire Prevention Month October is National Fire Prevention Month and Davenport firefighters visited students at Jefferson Elementary School Thursday to give students fire safety tips.
	Muscatine residents invited to give feedback on Isett Avenue Corridor The City of Muscatine is inviting residents to attend a public open house and share their thoughts on the preliminary design for the Connect Isett Project, a reconstruction project of Isett Avenue and Cypress Street, a news release says. The open house will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Musser Public [...]
	The long-deployed USS Lincoln returns home to San Diego Bay The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has returned home after a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea supporting the Iran war. The extended deployment drew attention following reports of crew stress and supply shortages.
	From Iowa fugitive to San Diego head chef: How a 2012 Davenport shooting suspect hid in plain sight for a decade U.S. Marshals arrested Brian Anthony Williams in San Diego, where he lived as a head chef under an alias after fleeing a 2012 Davenport kidnapping case.
	The Heart of the Story: A fawn named Peaches 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. A discovery on the side of the road [...]
	Wellness center serving union members opens in Rock Island Premise Health, the largest direct healthcare company serving unions and large employers, in partnership with the National Coalition of Labor (NCL), Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council (MACRC), International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150 and the Midwest Operating Engineers Fringe Benefit Funds (MOE), and Teamsters Local 301 Health and Welfare Fund, has opened the MCL [...]
	Trump administration denies Illinois’ request for disaster relief — again President Donald Trump’s administration denied Illinois’ request on Thursday for federal disaster relief in eight counties after days of severe weather hit the state in August.
	Man involved in Davenport shooting sentenced to 10 years in prison A man involved in a Davenport shooting of two houses was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
	Rob Sand backs Medicaid pay changes for disabled Iowans, proposes ending privatization Sand spoke with caregivers and Iowans with disabilities during a roundtable discussion hosted by the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council.
	2 people, infant hurt in Henry County, Iowa, crash Henry County dispatchers got a report about a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Old Highway 34 around 9:45 p.m., according to a media release.
	Davenport launching 'Strong Minds' program to help local teens work through emotions The Davenport Parks and Recreating Department is launching Strong Minds, a program to help young people, ages 12 to 15, work through emotions.
	3 injured in 2-car crash near Mount Pleasant on Tuesday A 21-year-old man, a 29-year-old woman and her infant child were all treated by ambulance for their injuries. Both vehicles involved in the crash were totaled.
	Traffic Alert: Crash slows traffic on I-74 East north of John Deere Road A KWQC said the crash was in the construction zone on the interstate around 4:40 p.m.
	Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate visits Davenport to test Scott County voting machines Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate visited Scott County Thursday as election officials conducted a public test of voting equipment ahead of Election Day.
	Crime Stoppers: Scott County Sheriff wants man for sex offender registration violations Christopher Huntley is wanted by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office for sex offender registration violations.
	Crime Stoppers: Around $5K in fiber cable wire stolen off utility poles Officials said the estimated cost of the stolen wire is around $5,000.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted by Iowa Department of Corrections for escape Devonte D. McGee is wanted by the Iowa Department of Corrections, 7th District High Risk Unit for escape.
	New Davenport program gives teens tools to navigate emotions and mental health "STRONG Minds" is accepting applications for its fall session. The goal is to help local teens better understand and work through their emotions.
	Wednesday night Davenport house fire under investigation No injuries were reported in the fire, officials said.
	Help your business grow with the Level Up: Small Business Summit Running a business can be a real challenge, but you can join fellow entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals for real-world strategies to help your business grow! Ramon Ray joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Quad Cities Chamber's Level Up: Small Business Summit. For more information, click here.
	Scott County election officials test voting machines ahead of midterm elections Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate was present for the testing, in which election workers processed multiple ballot styles through tabulation machines.
	Getting to Know the CEO of Habitat for Humanity QC, Tom Fisher-King 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 [...]
	Scott County tests voting machines in Eldridge for 2026 elections Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate joined Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins Thursday morning, Oct. 8, as they did tests on election equipment in Eldridge ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
	Treatment for mental health illness combined with addiction Treatment is more effective addressing the two issues together, rather than separately.
	Small businesses and mental health: How to prepare for a crisis at work Oct. 10 marks World Mental Health Day, a great opportunity to review your business's emergency plan. For small businesses, that plan can slip through the cracks because it doesn't feel important enough, but preparing before an incident is key to staying in good legal standing.Mental health crises can present in many different ways. An employee may say something that suggests they are thinking about harming themselves or someone else. They may express feeling unable to cope or stay safe. They may experience severe distress that prevents them from continuing to work or communicating normally. Most business owners want to help but don’t know how. They may not know what's appropriate to ask, what to document, or where their legal responsibility begins and ends.The right response depends on the circumstances, especially whether there appears to be an immediate safety concern. Below, Rocket Lawyer explains what small business owners need to know to prepare for a mental health crisis.Mental Health Might Catch Small Business Owners Off GuardMost small businesses have a plan for a workplace injury or a fire drill. They will know what to do when the time comes and aren’t worried about the process of handling these situations. Far fewer businesses have thought through what to do when the "emergency" is a mental health crisis. Without a plan, you or your managers can unintentionally make a difficult moment worse for the employee. You might also mishandle the situation (asking the wrong questions, documenting incorrectly, or treating every situation the same way), which can, in turn, create legal exposure.Owners often assume they'd know what to do in these critical moments, but employees don't always share that confidence in how their workplace would actually respond. That gap between how prepared owners think they are and how prepared employees feel their workplace is worth paying attention to. By preparing documentation, you make your business a safer place to work.What Preparing For a Mental Health Crisis Looks LikeA crisis at work can take different forms, and each calls for a slightly different response:A visible emotional moment (crying, panic/overwhelm, completely shutting down) usually calls for patience and a simple check-in. Move the conversation somewhere private and ask whether they need help or some time away from the immediate situation. As an employer or manager, you can simply ask, “Would it help to step outside for a few minutes?”A concerning comment about hopelessness or not wanting to be here needs to be taken seriously and escalated. Follow your workplace response plan and focus on the employee's immediate safety rather than assessing or diagnosing their mental health. If you or your employee needs help, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the U.S.).A safety concern (if the employee's words or actions suggest immediate danger to themselves or others) shifts this from an HR moment to a safety response. Call 911 and don’t leave the person alone if it's safe to stay with them.The right response isn't one-size-fits-all. Depending on the situation, your actions should change. That's why having a basic response plan in place before a difficult situation arises matters.Questions to Ask About Mental Health and the WorkplaceBefore a mental health crisis might occur, learn if your business is prepared by asking yourself a few key questions:Do we have any kind of plan for this, or would we be improvising? Who on our team would take the lead if this happened tomorrow? Is this documented somewhere?What can we ask the employee, and what should we avoid asking? Are we clear on the difference between checking in and prying into a medical diagnosis?Are we documenting these situations appropriately? What belongs in a file, and what should stay a private, human conversation?When does a crisis shift from a personal matter to a safety issue? Would our team know the signs that mean it's time to involve emergency services? Do we have the numbers for these services readily available?What to Do NextTalk to your team now, before something happens. A short conversation about responding calmly and privately goes a long way.Develop a basic response framework you can adapt, something simple your managers can actually follow under pressure.Review how you document sensitive situations. Make sure notes are factual and appropriate, not speculative about someone's mental health.Talk to an attorney about where documentation, accommodation, and privacy obligations intersect for a business of your size.A simple plan means that when something happens, you can focus on the person in front of you, not on figuring out what to do.World Mental Health Day is a good moment to think about mental health. If you or someone you work with is struggling, consider reaching out to a mental health professional or a trusted resource.This story was produced by Rocket Lawyer and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Circuit Judge Peter Church elected to two-year term as Chief Judge of 14th Judicial Circuit Circuit Judge Peter Church elected to two-year term as Chief Judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit.
	Ameren shares Halloween safety and energy-saving tips Spooky season is also a perfect time to check your home for “energy vampires.”
	Keeping your green thumb through the fall and winter seasons As the days get shorter and cooler, that doesn’t mean your garden life has to be over. A horticulturist from Hoerr Nursery said that when the first frost happens, gardeners can keep gardening, but it takes more preparation.
	Iowa officials test Scott County voting machines ahead of November general election Iowa election officials and Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins tested all 66 voting machines using sample ballots to ensure accuracy and security.
	Davenport house fire under investigation No injuries were reported after a Wednesday night house fire in Davenport.
	Clinton postpones public hearing on data center zoning ordinance The public will have more time to review Clinton's proposed data center ordinance after the city postponed a hearing to provide additional notice.
	Discursive Verses: Vic Mensa and the rise of a rap manosphere counterculture NPR Music culture critic and reporter Rodney Carmichael ruminates on the latest in rap culture. This week: an unbothered, radically different, equal but opposite response to rap's podcast bros.
	Thursday's public hearing on Clinton's data center ordinance postponed The Special Council meeting will continue as scheduled for an item on the agenda that's unrelated to the data center ordinance.
	Crews investigating Davenport house fire Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 563-326-7906.
	The 10 best small US cities where renters get the most for their money in 2026 Small cities are gaining popularity as renters realize their budget can go further there. With lower rents than major metros, small cities boast a more favorable rent-to-income ratio for many renters. Yet, with thousands of these cities across the country, it can be tough to narrow them down. New Apartments.com data shows the 10 small U.S. cities where renters can get the most for their money in 2026.Affordability is a commonality across small cities, as shown by two cities tying for first place: Peoria, IL, and Cedar Rapids, IA. Renters in both cities spend just 9.3% of their income on a one-bedroom apartment, 40% below the national average. However, with the volatility of the rental market, rents are constantly fluctuating and they are rising in many of these small cities. This data can help renters identify cities where housing may currently be more affordable.To create this analysis, Apartments.com examined its own renter data, as well as U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Census Bureau and Census figures. 180 small and mid-size metro areas outside the 30 largest U.S. metros were ranked by rent-to-income ratio. The income figure used is the area’s median household income, not renter households specifically, so renters may find that the actual math differs a bit for them.Key TakeawaysRenters across all 10 ranked cities pay just 9.9% of their income for a one-bedroom on average, about 37% less than the national figure of 15.6%.One-bedroom rent rose more than 8% in a single year in five of the top 10 cities, led by a 17.3% jump in Columbia, MO. That is two times the national pace of about 4%.Every city on the list beats the national rent benchmark across all three unit sizes, from studios to two-bedrooms, not just one-bedrooms. Apartments.com The Top 10 Under-the-Radar CitiesZeroing in on the individual cities in this ranking shows just how much value renters are getting as compared to the national rent-to-income average of 15.6%. The table below ranks the top 10 small cities by rent-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the one-bedroom average rent of the city by the monthly median household income.Notably, the majority of the top 10 are Midwest metros. Many of them are also college towns, like Champaign (home to the University of Illinois) and Columbia (home to the University of Missouri), which bring unique energy to the cities with tons of restaurants, events, and year-round activities. Apartments.com 1. Peoria, IL (Tie) Rent-to-income ratio (1BR) in Peoria: 9.3%Average rent in Peoria: $818/monthMedian household income in Peoria: $106,100Cost of living in Peoria: -5.2%Peoria ties with Cedar Rapids for the most favorable rent-to-income at 9.3%. The most meaningful value comes from housing being 30.1% lower than the U.S. average, though groceries and goods and services are also lower than national rates.As the principal city of the Peoria metropolitan area, Peoria has a strong base across education, culture, employers, and entertainment. Caterpillar Tractor Company and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center are the largest employers in the city, alongside multiple colleges and several medical institutions. The Illinois River corridor, extensive park system, and retail and dining districts all keep the city active at a low price.2. Cedar Rapids, IA (Tie)Rent-to-income ratio (1BR) in Cedar Rapids: 9.3 %Average rent in Cedar Rapids: $816/monthMedian household income in Cedar Rapids: $105,300Cost of living in Cedar Rapids: -10%Cedar Rapids may have tied with Peoria for the number one spot, but its lower cost of living and lowest average rent out of all the cities give it an edge. At 10% below the national average, it boasts expenses that are below average across the board, except for healthcare and utilities. Yet, that doesn’t mean that Cedar Rapids will always be affordable, as rents increased 7.7% over the past year, the highest growth out of all the cities.As the economic hub of eastern Iowa and the second-most populous city in Iowa, Cedar Rapids has a diverse set of employers. The top industries range from education and government to aerospace and food processing.3. Fargo, NDRent-to-income ratio (1BR) in Fargo: 9.6%Average rent in Fargo: $917/monthMedian household income in Fargo: $115,200Cost of living in Fargo: -3.9%Fargo is the most populous city in North Dakota, and though it has a favorable rent-to-income ratio, expenses can still reflect the city’s status as a regional center. Fargo’s overall housing costs 4.4% more than the U.S. average for renters specifically, though overall housing costs are 16.8% lower. However, the average rent of $964/month is 42% lower than the national average of $1,665/month.The city’s economy has diversified in recent decades, as shown by its local employers, which cover a wide breadth of industries, including government, food processing, manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Fargo also has an arts and cultural scene befitting the biggest city in the state with festivals, museums, and performance venues.4. Champaign, ILRent-to-income ratio (1BR) in Champaign: 9.9%Average rent in Champaign: $946/monthMedian household income in Champaign: $114,300Cost of living in Champaign: -2.4 %While most cities have universities, Champaign stands out for being home to the University of Illinois, one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the country. This largely drives the city’s culture and economy, though it also holds several Fortune 500 companies and headquarters.Consequently, the cost of living is not as low as it is in many of the other cities in this ranking, at only 2.4% lower than the national average. Yet, the savings that matter the most to renters are noticeable. Housing costs are 16.3% below the national average, and rent prices are 33% lower.5. Topeka, KS (Tie)Rent-to-income ratio (1BR) in Topeka: 10%Average rent in Topeka: $820/monthMedian household income in Topeka: $98,800Cost of living in Topeka: -13.6%Topeka, Kansas’ capital, is a city that revolves around the state government. The State of Kansas is by far the city’s biggest employer, followed by education, healthcare, and social services. Even though it is the capital, Topeka offers a cost of living 13.6% lower than the national average, the lowest on this list. A major component of those savings comes from rents being almost 50% lower than the national average.6. Sioux Falls, SD (Tie)Rent-to-income ratio (1BR) in Sioux Falls: 10%Average rent in Sioux Falls: $986/monthMedian household income in Sioux Falls: $118,700Cost of living in Sioux Falls: -12.5%Like Fargo, Sioux Falls is the most populous city in its state, but despite this, it offers more value. The cost of living is well below the national average at -12.5%, and expenses are lower across all categories (except for healthcare). Renters should expect to pay around $3,874/month to cover expenses.Many financial companies have relocated to the city, possibly drawn by the lack of a state corporate income tax. Manufacturing and food processing remain significant contributors to the economy, and have been for a long time, but healthcare has grown into an equally important sector.7. La Crosse, WIRent-to-income ratio (1BR) in La Crosse: 10.1%Average rent in La Crosse: $889/monthMedian household income in La Crosse: $105,800La Crosse is one of the many cities on this list with average rent less than $900. It differentiates itself through its location on the Mississippi River and the Wisconsin – Minnesota border. This has made it an attractive place for companies to house headquarters, regional offices, and health systems, including Kwik Trip, Gundersen Health System, and Mayo Clinic Health System – La Crosse.8. Columbia, MORent-to-income ratio (1BR) in Columbia: 10.2%Average rent in Columbia: $1,011/monthMedian household income in Columbia: $119,200Cost of living in Columbia: -9.6%Columbia is one of the few cities on our list where all expense categories (groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and goods and services) are all lower than national averages. Housing delivers the biggest savings at 23.3% below the national average, and even the smallest discount, groceries, still comes in 3.2% below.It has become a hotspot for education, home to the University of Missouri, Stephens College, and Columbia College. This has also given rise to a major healthcare system, making education and healthcare the anchors of Columbia’s economy, with insurance, finance, and tech filling in the gaps.9. Casper, WY (Tie)Rent-to-income ratio (1BR) in Casper: 10.3%Average rent in Casper: $852/monthMedian household income in Casper: $99,500Cost of living in Casper: -10.1%Casper may be tied with Wausau on rent-to-income ratio, but it has the advantage in cost of living. Casper runs 10.1% below the national average, compared to 6.2% for Wausau, a 3.9 percentage point difference. Even though the city stands out for its affordability, its rents are rising. The average rent rose 5% over the past year, second to only Cedar Rapids on this list.10. Wausau, WI (Tie)Rent-to-income ratio (1BR) in Wausau: 10.3%Average rent in Wausau: $889/monthMedian household income in Wausau: $103,600Cost of living in Wausau: -6.2%Wausau embodies its motto, “Welcome home to Wausau.” It retains that small-town, close-knit vibe that some of the other cities have grown out of. With a city population of around 40,000 and the overall Wausau metropolitan statistical area reaching a little less than 140,000, it keeps a relaxed atmosphere with brick-lined streets, historic buildings, and city-wide events.Another part of its small-city draw is that the cost of living is 6.2% lower than the national average. These same savings extend to rent prices. With an average rent of $889/month, renters pay about $555 less each month than they would at the national average.Rents Are Climbing, But These Cities Still Offer Affordable OptionsRents have climbed all over the country, and affordability has become a major point of concern for many renters. In a recent survey, Apartments.com found that 47% of renters have changed their living situation or rental search criteria just to keep up with bills and other living expenses. Another survey found that four out of five renters cited price among their top three considerations when selecting their next residence. Apartments.com Nationally, renters spend 15.6% of their income on a one-bedroom apartment, but many face steeper prices in major metros, like San Francisco or New York. San Francisco's rent-to-income ratio more than doubles the national average at 33.8%, while New York's climbs to 70.8%, over four and a half times the national figure. The cities on this list offer affordability that doesn’t just beat out big cities but the national average, too. Across the 10 ranked cities, that average is 9.9%, about 37% lower than the national rate.Affordability isn't just for specific floor plans, either. Every one of the 10 cities beats the national rent across all unit sizes (studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms). The national average rent sits at $1,338 for studios, $1,444 for one-bedrooms, and $1,725 for two-bedrooms.But the value won’t last foreverWhile these cities currently offer unbeatable value, that could change with time. Rent growth in half of the top 10 cities is almost double the national pace of 4%. One-bedroom rent rose more than 8% in a single year in 5 of the 10 cities (Fargo, Topeka, Sioux Falls, Columbia, and Wausau). Columbia, MO, saw the biggest jump at 17.3%.It Pays to Think SmallThese 10 cities are easy to overlook, but the numbers make a clear case for renters to consider them. Each one lets renters keep more of their paycheck, with a lower cost of living across the board and rent-to-income ratios well below what most of the country pays.Since rent and listing data are constantly shifting, it's worth checking current numbers before making a move; today's affordability isn't guaranteed to last, especially in the fastest-rising markets on this list. MethodologyFor this report, Apartments.com ranked 180 eligible cities, drawn from markets outside the Census Bureau’s 30 largest metro areas.For each city, we compared two official government figures published by HUD: the typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment (HUD Fair Market Rents) and the typical family income for that area (HUD Income Limits). These are the 40th-percentile gross rents HUD sets for its voucher programs, not an average of Apartments.com listings.Dividing rent by income yields a percentage, which we ranked from smallest to largest to identify the top 10 cities. The term "income" throughout this analysis refers to each area's HUD median family income, not individual renters' income. Renters as a group typically earn less than the broader family-household median, so their actual share of income going to rent likely runs higher than these ratios suggest.The 15.6% national average uses this same formula, calculated for every U.S. county and then averaged, weighted by 2023 Census population. Nationally, the same population-weighted method puts the average Fair Market Rent at $1,338 for studios, $1,444 for one-bedrooms, and $1,725 for two-bedrooms.Apartments.com’s proprietary renter data and Cost of Living pages add context to the rankings, but the rankings themselves rely only on the government rent and income figures above.This story was produced by Apartments.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Survey: Baby boomers won the housing market, and are the least convinced it worked When it comes to homeownership, baby boomers are the generation that won, so to speak.They bought homes when prices were a fraction of what they are today, watched their equity climb for decades, and now hold roughly half of all the home equity in the country. If any generation should feel like homeownership delivered on its promise, it's this one.Yet when asked whether homeownership has lived up to its billing as a cornerstone of the American Dream, baby boomers were the most skeptical generation of all. In a recent American Dream survey of homeowners conducted by Hometap, baby boomers were the only age group whose single most common word for the state of that dream was "eroding," and they had the lowest share of any generation to say the dream has "fully delivered."That's the paradox: The homeowners who generally had it easiest are the least convinced homeownership has delivered. For younger homeowners, or people hoping to become one, that gap says something about the road ahead.Why the Generation That ‘Won’ Is the Most SkepticalSkepticism about homeownership might be expected to track with hardship — the people struggling most to buy a home would be the most disillusioned about the experience. The survey data shows something more surprising.Asked which single word best describes the state of the American homeownership dream today, baby boomers landed on "eroding" more than any other word, at 39.6%. Millennials and Gen X both led with "evolving," a notably more hopeful read. The youngest respondents saw the dream as changing shape; the oldest saw it wearing away.The pattern held when respondents were asked directly whether homeownership has delivered on its role as a cornerstone of the American Dream. Only 13% of baby boomers said it "fully delivered," compared with 22.8% of millennials and 18.3% of Gen X. Hometap The generation with the most equity, the highest homeownership rate, and the longest runway of appreciation was the least likely to say the dream paid off.It doesn't appear to be buyer's remorse, either — baby boomers overwhelmingly still value their homes; 58.3% chose "stability" as the word that best captures what homeownership means to them today. The skepticism seems to be less about the home itself and more about the system around it.The Winners Don't Feel Like WinnersEquity on paper doesn't automatically translate into security in retirement, and the data suggests baby boomers know it.Consider the timing. An average of 11,400 Americans are turning 65 every day — the largest wave of people reaching traditional retirement age in history, according to the Alliance for Lifetime Income's Retirement Income Institute, which calls the milestone "Peak 65." More than half of baby boomers turning 65 between 2024 and 2030 have assets of $250,000 or less, the same research found.That insecurity showed up in the survey data. Nearly two-thirds of baby boomers (63%) agreed they worry they'll need their own savings and assets for retirement before they can help their kids — a higher share than millennials (50.6%).The generation closest to being able to help their children financially, and with the most equity to help from, is the most worried they won't be able to.Other research echoes the same anxiety. FreddieMac research found that baby boomer homeowners' confidence in a comfortable retirement slipped to 68% in 2024, down from 81% in 2021. And 51% of U.S. adults surveyed by Northwestern Mutual in 2025 think it's somewhat or very likely they'll outlive their savings.So the "winners" are looking at substantial home equity on one side of the ledger and real retirement uncertainty on the other — a gap between wealth on paper and confidence in practice that helps explain why the dream reads as "eroding" to this generation, even as home values sit near record highs.Why It Matters to Younger BuyersIf homeownership feels this precarious for people who bought cheap and held on for decades, the challenge facing today's buyers is structural rather than just perception.The affordability math has genuinely changed. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found that home prices climbed to roughly five times the median household income in 2024, an all-time high. Home prices have risen 551% since 1980, as of 2024, while incomes rose 373% over the same period, pushing the national price-to-income ratio to about 5.08 — nearly double the level widely considered affordable, according to a Clever Real Estate and Best Interest Financial analysis. Hometap That gap has quietly rewritten the timeline of a life milestone. The typical first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old, an all-time high, and first-time buyers have shrunk to a record-low 21% of the market, according to the National Association of Realtors' 2025 profile. A generation ago, first-time buyers were routinely in their late 20s.This isn't a story of one generation versus another. Baby boomers moved through the housing market at a different moment than today's buyers, and survey data suggests many are as concerned about their children's prospects as their own. But the structural shift matters for how younger buyers might read their own experience: Finding a first home harder to reach at 40 than a previous generation did at 28 reflects a real change in the ratios, not a personal shortfall.Baby Boomers Aren't Leaving (and That's Reshaping the Market)For years, the housing industry anticipated a "silver tsunami" — a wave of baby boomers downsizing and freeing up family-sized homes for the next generation. It hasn't arrived on the timeline many expected, and understanding why explains a lot about today's tight market.Start with who's actually buying and selling. Baby boomers regained the top spot as the largest share of home buyers at 42% in the past year, per NAR, while millennials fell to 29%. Rather than exiting the market, many baby boomers are competing in it, often with cash from a lifetime of home appreciation.They're also holding onto space. Redfin reports that as of 2024, empty-nest baby boomers own 28% of the nation's large homes (three bedrooms or more), while millennials with kids own just 16% — roughly twice as many large homes held by people who no longer need the bedrooms as by the families who do.The incentives to stay put are considerable. Nearly 58% of baby boomer homeowners own their homes free and clear, with no mortgage payment. Combined with the rate lock-in effect, moving can look like a financial downgrade. And a 2024 AARP report found that 75% of adults 50 and older say they want to stay in their current homes as they age.The result is a market where the homes younger families want are owned, comfortably and mortgage-free, by people with little reason to sell. The typical homeowner now stays put for 12 years, according to Redfin, nearly double the 6.5 years that was typical in 2005.The Wealth Is Real, but It's Mostly Staying PutThere's an enormous amount of housing wealth in baby boomer hands. Federal Reserve data shows that, as of the second quarter of 2026, they hold about 52% of all U.S. household wealth, versus roughly 11% for millennials, even though the two generations make up nearly identical shares of the adult population.That gap is less about hoarding than about time. Adjusted for inflation, younger Americans at an average age of 34 hold slightly more average wealth than baby boomers did at the same age, according to Federal Reserve data. But baby boomers have had decades of compounding home appreciation that today's buyers, entering the market later and at higher prices, haven't had time to accumulate.That wealth will eventually change hands. Cerulli projects that an estimated $124 trillion will transfer to heirs and charity through 2048, with baby boomers and older generations accounting for the vast majority. The open question for younger buyers is timing and access: That transfer plays out over decades and flows unevenly. NAR reports that in 2024, 1 in 4 first-time buyers used a gift or loan from family for their down payment.The Hometap survey data points to a related pattern. More than two-thirds of baby boomers (67.7%) agreed they'd never thought of their home equity as a way to help their family buy a home — the highest share of any generation. When asked the most realistic way they could help their kids become homeowners, the most common answer among baby boomers was "leaving my home as an inheritance" (30.7%). For many respondents, help is associated with something that happens later, rather than a resource that could be accessed sooner. Hometap Price-to-income ratios are for the 100 largest metro areas by population. Income data for 2024 are based on Moody’s Analytics forecasts. Source: JCHS tabulations of National Association of Realtors, Metropolitan Median Area Prices; Moody’s Analytics estimates.What This Means for Younger HomeownersThe data suggests two things can be true at once. The deck is stacked differently than it was a generation ago, and a lot of the forces at play — rates, prices, inventory, who owns what — are outside any one person's control.There's a more practical takeaway, too. Homeowners who bought recently, even modestly, are building the same asset that became the foundation of baby boomer wealth. That equity is real, and it doesn't have to wait decades — or sit untouched until it becomes an inheritance — to be understood as a resource.The pattern in the survey data is that a large share of home equity nationally has gone unexamined as something that could be used sooner rather than later. Understanding what equity is worth, and what options exist for accessing it, is a separate question from deciding whether or when to use it — but it's one more homeowners may want to ask earlier than the generation before them did.Methodology: The survey referenced throughout this article was conducted by AYTM on behalf of Hometap among 1,000 U.S. homeowners ages 18 and over, representing a mix of ages, demographics, and regions. Respondents were recruited through AYTM's online panel and screened to confirm homeownership. Results reflect a 95% confidence level with an approximate 3% margin of error. For this analysis, generations were grouped as millennials (ages 25-44), Generation X (ages 45-64), and baby boomers (ages 65-79).This story was produced by Hometap and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Suicide is up among Black Americans. We need to talk about it. NPR's Michel Martin hosted a panel conversation about mental health and suicide in the Black community, exploring a difficult subject in deeply personal conversations.
	John Deere Classic's Birdies for Charity raises record-breaking $20.1M The John Deere Classic announced this year's tournament generated $20.1 million for 492 local and regional charities.
	Davenport weighs $1 million for regional homelessness plan Davenport leaders want to move from reacting to homelessness to addressing it more proactively. A proposed $1 million commitment could help fund a new regional strategy.
	US Senate Dems demand apology from Chuck Grassley to Jack Smith for attacks at hearing Democrats demand an apology after false accusations at the recent hearing for Jack Smith.
	Birdies for Charity raises around $20M for charities during 2026 John Deere Classic This broke last year's record of $16.9 million which had followed another record-breaking award.
	International Erosion Control Association conference taking place in Dubuque The conference will focus on erosion control and stormwater management to prepare for spring construction.
	Clinton postponing data center zoning public hearing Clinton is postponing tonight’s scheduled public hearing about the proposed data center zoning ordinance, according to a news release from the city. The city provided notice of the public hearing, according to the applicable requirements of Iowa state law, but while preparing for the hearing, a provision within the city’s zoning regulations was identified that [...]
	Report: Illinois tax revenue from gambling increased 19% last year Illinois bettors lost more money than ever last year, according to a new state report.
	Police looking for missing 11-year-old out of Silvis The Silvis Police Department is looking for an 11-year-old girl who was last seen on Wednesday.
	11-year-old reported missing from Silvis The Silvis Police Department is asking the community for help in locating a missing 11-year-old.
	Birdies for Charity raises record $20.1 million The 2026 Birdies for Charity program has reached a new fundraising milestone. The John Deere Classic announced that it generated a historic $20.1 million for 492 local and regional charities in 2026. This reinforces its position as one of the most impactful charitable initiatives associated with the PGA Tour. Most of the funds were raised [...]
	Vehicle crashes into Bettendorf emergency room Bettendorf authorities are investigating the cause of a crash that left a vehicle lodged into a window near the entrance of the emergency room at UnityPoint Health.
	California just made it legal to turn balconies into tiny power plants As free and abundant as sunlight may be, harnessing its power remains stubbornly difficult for homeowners. While the cost of solar energy has plummeted more than 90 percent in the last decade, panels remain a significant investment. And it’s not as easy as just slapping panels on a roof, as your home may need electrical upgrades too.It doesn’t have to be this way, Grist reports. Countries like Germany have encouraged the proliferation of balcony solar, also known as plug-in solar: smaller, cheaper arrays that hook into a home’s electrical outlets. This offsets some of a residence’s energy use, saving users hundreds of dollars a year, and opens up solar energy to renters with balconies or backyards. As a bonus, the less power homes have to draw from the grid, the less stress they put on the system, especially during heat waves when everyone is running energy-hungry air conditioners.On Sept. 30, California officially got in on the balcony-solar action as Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing residents of the nation’s most populous state to adopt the technology. It joins a handful of states, like Utah and Maine, in seeing the potential of the technology to generate clean electricity and save residents money as energy costs rise.“This technology is very important and very powerful,” state Senator Scott Wiener, who authored the legislation, said during a press conference Oct. 1. “And what this bill does is eliminate the massive barrier to people using plug-in solar, which is that you’d have to go and negotiate an interconnection agreement with PG&E [Pacific Gas and Electric Company] or the other utility.”The proliferation of plug-in solar marks a fundamental shift in how the electrical grid operates. Historically, utilities have generated electricity by burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. When demand rose, like when people returned home at the end of the day and switched on appliances, they’d just ramp up production. This kept the system in a sort of equilibrium, a constant balance of supply and demand.That, though, doesn’t quite work the same with renewables like wind and solar. If demand is holding steady and the sun is setting, a utility isn’t generating as much electricity with its panels. Same with wind, if the skies suddenly calm. So in addition to building out wind and solar farms, utilities are deploying huge batteries to save that energy for later use. This creates a more flexible grid that can still hum with electricity when things are dark or calm.This transformation is turning you, the consumer, into a more active participant in the grid. For years now, homes with solar have sent excess energy back to the grid. While plug-in solar might generate a fraction of what you’d get from a roof covered in panels, it can still help make the grid more flexible. Instead of feeding the system, it reduces the amount of electricity drawn from the grid. Scaled across a whole city, these small reductions can add up, offsetting some of the growth in demand from things like AI data centers and electrification. (Think induction stoves needing electricity instead of natural gas, and EVs charging instead of burning fuel.) “This is one of the most immediate, concrete, tangible, real, and affordable things that we can do to start to get control of our high energy costs, but also save our planet,” Bernadette Del Chiaro, senior vice president for California at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, said during the press conference. “So it’s really a twofer.”Basically, plug-in solar could help reduce congestion in the system at peak times — when it’s hot out and everyone’s running their AC, there’s also plenty of sun to strike the panels. It’s turning homes and apartments into a distributed network of tiny power plants. “It’s really ideal to use renewable electricity exactly where it’s generated,” said Amanda Smith, a senior scientist focusing on the built environment at Project Drawdown, a climate solutions nonprofit. This increased interactivity in the grid comes as utility bills continue to skyrocket. Basic plug-in solar systems will set you back a few hundred dollars, and you can potentially make back that money with energy savings in around four years. (The higher the energy costs in your state, the quicker you’d get that return on your investment.) Still, for a lot of households, that’s a major investment, so ideally a state also provides rebates for people to adopt the technology. With California now aboard the plug-in solar train, your state may well follow. “The big reason this is a big deal really is because it’s the most affordable way for people to actually participate with solar PV,” Smith said. “Whatever happens in California is going to influence, I think, a lot of other future state markets. So it’s going to be a key one to watch.”This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	5 housing market changes sellers aren't ready for Gone are the days when sellers could list a home and sit back as buyers started bidding wars. Today’s buyers have more choices, tighter budgets, and less patience for overpriced homes, needed repairs, or unfavorable terms.HomeLight’s latest Top Agent Insights report asked top-rated real estate agents nationwide what housing market changes they think sellers are least prepared for over the next six months. Here are the five themes that surfaced again and again.1. Rising inventory may give buyers even more leverageSellers are facing more competition as the number of homes for sale continues to grow. In August, 1.62 million existing homes were for sale nationwide, 5.9% more than a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That brought supply to 4.9 months, the highest level in more than a decade.For sellers, that means buyers may feel less pressure to act fast. A price or condition issue that buyers might have overlooked when inventory was tight can now be a reason to choose another home.“Sellers who expect multiple offers on day one without precise pricing, aggressive marketing, and turnkey presentation are going to be caught off guard,” says Lisa Archer, a Charlotte, North Carolina, agent with over two decades of experience. She called this the end of “passive selling.”With more homes competing for buyers, look closely at the properties you’ll be up against before you list. Pricing realistically, fixing obvious problems, and responding quickly if buyer interest is weak can help keep a listing from falling behind.2. Overpricing is becoming harder to recover fromAbout 42% of homes on the market are taking a price cut, according to Century 21 CEO Mike Miedler. For sellers, that makes getting the price right from the start more important.Starting high and lowering the price later may not work as well as it once did. “A lot of sellers still have 2021 in their heads. They think they can list a little high, wait for the bidding war, and negotiate down,” says Brian Burke, a Denver, Colorado, agent with 23 years of experience.Kent Rodahaver, a St. Petersburg, Florida agent, says today’s buyers are weighing far more than just the asking price. “They're comparing price, condition, insurance costs, property taxes, interest rates, seller concessions, and competing inventory before deciding whether a home deserves their attention.”Agents recommend pricing against current sales and competing listings from the outset. If buyer interest is weak in the first few weeks, they also advise making a meaningful adjustment early rather than letting the listing sit through multiple price cuts.3. Longer selling times may become more commonSellers shouldn’t assume they’ll have an offer within days. Recent national estimates put the typical time on market at roughly 50 to 60 days.A few extra weeks can mean another mortgage payment, plus taxes, insurance, utilities, and upkeep. It can also make the timing harder for sellers who need to sell before buying their next home.“Sellers who spend the first 60 or 90 days ‘testing the market’ may find that their biggest competition isn’t another seller — it’s time,” says Angie Williams, a Lufkin, Texas, agent with 21 years of experience.Agents recommend planning for those extra costs and giving yourself some flexibility around your next move. But that doesn’t mean waiting months to make a change if buyers aren’t responding. Of the agents surveyed, 83% said they would recommend a significant change within one to four weeks when a home is getting showings but no offers.4. More deals may face a second round of negotiationAn accepted offer may not be the final number. After the inspection, buyers may ask for repairs, a credit, help with closing costs, or a rate buydown.Of the agents surveyed, 36% said major inspection issues are the most common reason a deal falls through after going under contract. Another 39% said they typically recommend giving the buyer a repair credit when inspection problems come up.“Many sellers still think the deal is done when they sign the offer, and then the inspection comes back, and the buyer is back at the table asking for credits, repairs, or a rate buydown. That used to be the exception. It’s becoming the norm, and it’s where a lot of sellers lose money they thought they already had,” says Chase Whitney, a Cypress, California, agent with 25 years of experience.Before accepting an offer, talk through what you may be willing to cover if the inspection reveals problems. That way, you’re less likely to be caught off guard by a second round of negotiation or end up with less than you expected.5. Lower mortgage rates may not bring bidding wars backLower mortgage rates could bring more buyers into the market. But agents say sellers shouldn’t expect that alone to recreate the fast-moving market of a few years ago.“Even if rates improve, I don’t think we suddenly go back to the days where every house sells just because it hits the market. Buyers have choices, they’re price sensitive, and they’re willing to wait,” says Nicholas Himes, a HomeLight Elite Agent serving Georgetown, Texas.Aimee Kane, a Boise, Idaho, agent, says more buyer demand wouldn’t necessarily put sellers back in control. “Today’s buyers are payment-conscious, informed, and willing to wait for the right home.”Lower rates could help, but they shouldn’t change the basics of a good selling strategy. Price for the market you’re in, prepare the home before listing, and make changes quickly if buyers aren’t responding.How sellers can prepare for these housing market changesThe thread running through all five housing market changes is simple: Sellers have less room to get the price, timing, or preparation wrong. Buyers are still out there, but they’re looking more closely at value, and negotiations may continue even after an offer is accepted.A top local agent can help you plan for those possibilities before listing, from setting a realistic price and deciding what to repair to estimating likely concessions and how long the sale could take.That timing matters even more if you also need to buy your next home. If the two transactions don’t line up, options such as a buy-before-you-sell program may give you more flexibility instead of forcing you to rush either move.Whatever route you take, the bigger adjustment may be resetting expectations. The market you remember from a few years ago may not be the one you’re selling into today.This story was produced by HomeLight and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	New central Iowa exhibit honors acts of service made beyond the battlefield The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge in Johnston is welcoming a first of its kind exhibit that focuses exclusively on military nurses. The display will open to the public during a dedication event on Saturday.
	The midterms are coming. Here's what the stock market has actually done before and after since 1874 Since 1874, the S&P 500 has climbed in the year following 32 of the last 38 midterm elections, gaining an average of 14%, according to a Motley Fool analysis of election-year stock market history.Neither how many seats the president's party loses in Congress nor which party ends up running Washington afterward has been closely tied to the S&P 500's return in the following year, according to a Motley Fool analysis of Robert Shiller's stock market data set, official U.S. House of Representatives election results, and U.S. Senate Historical Office Party Division records.The historical record of stock market performance after midterm elections strengthens the case for long-term investing based on company fundamentals. It also suggests that trading on election odds or results, the way gamblers do on prediction markets like Kalshi, isn't a sound strategy.Below, The Motley Fool looks at how the stock market has performed before and after every midterm election since 1874.Midterm-year stock market history vs. the long-run averageMidterm-year returns have modestly outpaced the stock market's long-run average return, whether measured against any 12-month period since 1871 or against any November specifically. The Motley Fool About 150 million Americans own stock, either through a brokerage account or, for most, through a retirement account, according to Motley Fool research. How the market behaves around a midterm election and how investors react to it affect portfolios and retirement funds across the country. It isn’t just a concern for hedge funds and Wall Street traders. Stock market returns before the midterm electionsThe S&P 500 typically drifts slightly higher before a midterm election. The market has averaged a gain of 4% in the six months before a midterm and 1.5% in the month before Election Day, with positive returns 63% and 76% of the time over those two windows. The Motley Fool Stock market returns after midterm electionsOnce the votes are counted, the market cools off, and the following month is more muted than the previous one.The S&P 500 has averaged a gain of just 0.5% in the month after a midterm, positive only 55% of the time, compared with a 1.5% average and 76% positive rate in the month before.Bigger gains have historically shown up later: a 6% average gain three months after a midterm and a 10% average increase six months after, positive 76% and 87% of the time over those windows.Across all 38 midterms since 1874, the S&P 500 has gained an average of 14% in the 12 months after Election Day and finished higher 84% of the time, according to the Motley Fool analysis. The Motley Fool Best markets in the 12 months after a midterm election since 1874 The Motley Fool The market has risen sharply in the 12 months after a midterm election in a few standout cases, with little to no bearing on the election results themselves.The 1878 rally followed the recovery from the Panic of 1873.The 1934 rally followed the Great Depression's 1932-33 market bottom.The 1954 gain rode the postwar expansion that followed the Korean War.Worst markets in the 12 months after a midterm election since 1874 The Motley Fool Similarly, the market has dropped sharply after a handful of midterm elections, again tied more to historical circumstances than to the election outcomes themselves.The 1906 decline came just before the Panic of 1907.The 1930 decline landed in the early years of the Great Depression.The 1902 decline coincided with a broader economic slowdown.Swings like these are a reminder that bull and bear markets show up on their own schedule, midterms or not.Stock market returns under unified and divided government, by partyWhich party runs Washington afterward and how the branches of government are divided have influenced stock market returns in the 12 months following a midterm election, though not in a straightforward way.Divided government, where the House, the Senate, or both are controlled by a party other than the president's, has averaged stronger returns than unified government, where one party controls both legislative chambers and the White House. The Motley Fool Splitting unified and divided government by party changes the picture. The Motley Fool A unified Democratic government has had the strongest average return of the four groups, though it is based on just eight midterm elections, spanning the Wilson to Carter administrations.A divided government under a Democratic president has resulted from nine midterm elections dating back to the 1880s, and the market has been positive in the 12 months following eight of them.A divided government under a Republican president followed 14 midterm elections — the most of the four outcomes — and the market was positive 93% of the time in the 12 months after those contests.A unified Republican government is the one arrangement that averaged a negative return in the 12 months after a midterm election. The sample is the smallest, however, and three of the seven years immediately after a midterm election resulting in that arrangement, including 1902, 1906, and 1930, were the lead-up to financial panics that had little to do with which party held Congress.Stock market returns by the size of the president's party's congressional lossesHow many seats the president's party loses in the House or Senate in a midterm election has shown little relationship to market movements afterward. The Motley Fool In both chambers, a landslide loss has not been followed by weaker returns than a narrow one in the twelve months after the midterm. The relationship between seat losses and next-year returns is weak in the House, and about as weak in the Senate.Historically, voters who banked on significant political change to improve their investment returns may have been disappointed.How should investors think about midterm elections and the stock market?Since 1874, the S&P 500 has tended to rise in the year after a midterm election more than its average annual return, and that has held up regardless of which party won, how many seats changed hands, or who ended up in charge of Washington afterward.That should provide comfort to investors. While midterm elections make political headlines and their outcomes can generate angst and uncertainty, the data show they generally do not cause wild market swings once the dust has settled.Investors deciding what to do with that pattern can look past attention-grabbing political news and feel confident researching stocks to buy and hold for the long run.FAQsDoes the stock market always rise after a midterm election?No, but it usually has. The S&P 500 rose in the 12 months after 32 of the 38 midterm elections since 1874, or 84% of the time, according to a Motley Fool analysis of Robert Shiller's stock market data set.What is the average S&P 500 return in the year after a midterm election?The S&P 500 has averaged a 14% total return in the 12 months after a midterm election since 1874, compared with an 11% average for any 12-month period in the market's history.Does the stock market drop before a midterm election?Not typically. The S&P 500 has averaged a gain of 1.5% in the month before a midterm and posted a positive return 76% of the time, though gains have historically picked up after the election rather than before it.Does which party controls Congress after a midterm election affect the stock market?Somewhat. Under a Republican president, a Congress fully controlled by Republicans is the one arrangement where returns have historically been weak, though it rests on only seven elections, three of which directly preceded financial panics.Do landslide midterm elections hurt stock returns more than close ones?No. Since 1874, midterms in which the president's party lost 40 or more House seats have averaged returns similar to those of midterms with smaller losses.MethodologyThis Motley Fool analysis is based on Robert Shiller's monthly U.S. stock market data set, which tracks S&P 500 prices, dividends, and inflation back to 1871. Returns are total return, meaning stock price gains plus dividends, not adjusted for inflation, measured from the November reading of each midterm election year. Because the underlying data is monthly, the November figure is a monthly average, not an election-day closing price.House seat and control figures come from official U.S. House of Representatives election results dating back to 1856. Senate seats and control figures come from the U.S. Senate Historical Office's official Party Division records, which compare the Congress seated immediately before and after each midterm.Other research on this topic sometimes reports different numbers from those in this article. That is usually a difference in method, not a disagreement with a general trend. Some studies count only price gains, excluding dividends. Some measure a calendar year or a specific year in the four-year presidential cycle, rather than the 12 months immediately after a midterm election. Some start their data in 1950 rather than 1874. Some use the Dow Jones Industrial Average instead of the S&P 500. And some average returns across every year under a given party arrangement, rather than just the months right after a midterm.This story was produced by The Motley Fool and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The great sleep divorce: Why couples sleep separately For generations, the shared bed has been treated as a defining symbol of romantic partnership. But some couples are questioning whether sharing a life also means sharing a mattress every night.The trend, often called a “sleep divorce,” refers to partners choosing separate beds or bedrooms, either regularly or when circumstances make sleeping together difficult. The term sounds more dramatic than the practice itself. For many couples, the decision has less to do with relationship trouble than with a practical question: What arrangement allows both people to get enough rest?The trend may be more common than you might think. A 2025 survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that 31% of U.S. adults had opted to sleep separately from a bed partner to accommodate their sleep needs. Below, BetterSleep examines the concept of “sleep divorce” and its impact on relationships and a good night’s rest.Why Couples Are Choosing to Sleep SeparatelyThe reasons couples separate at bedtime are often remarkably ordinary.Different schedules are one. A partner who works an early shift may need to go to bed hours before someone who works nights or keeps a later schedule. Different bedtimes and wake times can create repeated disruptions.Snoring is another common culprit, as are tossing and turning, frequent awakenings, and other nighttime movements. One partner's sleep problem can quickly become the other's, too.Temperature can also become a point of disagreement. One person may sleep comfortably in a cool room while the other wants more warmth or heavier bedding. Light, noise, pets and nighttime routines can create similar conflicts.The stakes are significant because insufficient sleep is already widespread. According to the latest National Health Interview Survey data, 30.5% of adults slept less than seven hours in 2024.The issue isn't necessarily whether couples want to sleep together. It may simply be whether their individual sleep needs are compatible.Is Sleeping Separately Bad for a Relationship? The expectation that couples should share a bedroom can make sleeping apart feel like a relationship statement. But a sleeping arrangement and an emotional relationship are not necessarily the same thing.A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 62 studies and 43,860 participants found that better couple relationship quality was moderately associated with better overall sleep quality and longer sleep duration. Greater partner conflict, meanwhile, was associated with poorer sleep quality.There is also evidence that sleep loss can make conflict harder to navigate. In one experimental study, couples who experienced a night of total sleep deprivation showed more negative affect and higher physiological stress during a discussion of a recurring conflict than couples who slept normally.That doesn't mean sleeping separately automatically improves a relationship. For some couples, eliminating nightly disruptions may remove a source of irritability and resentment. For others, sharing a bed may provide comfort, security, and closeness that contribute positively to sleep.There is no single sleeping arrangement that works equally well for every couple.Sleep Optimization and Couples' Nighttime RoutinesThe idea of “sleep divorce” reflects a broader shift in how people think about sleep.With the advent of sleep-tracking devices and apps, consumers are increasingly able to monitorthings like sleep duration, consistency, bedroom temperature, light exposure, and nighttime routines. Public health guidance similarly emphasizes regular schedules and a quiet, comfortable sleep environment.Instead of assuming both partners should adapt to one environment, couples can ask whether it supports both their needs.One person may love a cold bedroom; the other may not. One may be ready for bed at 9 p.m.; the other may not be sleepy until midnight.Personalized sleep environments allow for that flexibility.How Couples Can Protect Intimacy While Sleeping ApartThe biggest concern about separate bedrooms is usually emotional. If one partner interprets the decision as rejection, sleeping apart can create distance instead of solving a sleep problem.Communication matters. Couples can discuss why they're changing their sleeping arrangements and make clear that the goal is better rest, not less connection.They can preserve rituals that have nothing to do with falling asleep in the same bed: talking at the end of the day, sharing an evening routine, physical affection, eating together, or establishing a morning ritual.Separate sleeping doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Some couples may sleep apart every night; others may use separate rooms when work schedules clash, one partner is sick, or a temporary sleep problem makes sharing difficult.The arrangement can be flexible as long as both partners feel respected and connected.When Separate Sleeping May Be a Sign of a Bigger ProblemSleeping apart should not become a substitute for addressing relationship problems. If one partner uses a separate bedroom to avoid communication or unresolved conflict, the arrangement may only conceal the underlying issue.Persistent nighttime disruption can also point to a health problem rather than simple incompatibility.Snoring deserves particular attention when it is loud or accompanied by other symptoms. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute lists breathing that starts and stops, frequent loud snoring, and gasping for air among symptoms of sleep apnea. Excessive daytime sleepiness can also be a warning sign.In those situations, sleeping in another room may temporarily protect a partner's rest, but it doesn't address the underlying condition. A healthcare professional can help determine whether symptoms warrant further evaluation.Better Sleep Doesn't Have to Look the Same for Every CoupleThe traditional idea that couples must share a bed every night is beginning to look less like a rule and more like a preference.For some couples, sleeping separately may be a practical response to different schedules, temperatures, sleep habits, or nighttime disruptions. For others, sharing a bed may remain important to feeling connected and sleeping well.Neither arrangement automatically says anything about the strength of a relationship.The more useful question is whether both people are getting the rest they need while still making room for intimacy, communication, and shared time. Sometimes that means sleeping side by side. Sometimes it means giving each other more space after the lights go out.A healthy relationship doesn't require identical routines. Sometimes, creating more space at night can help couples show up better for each other during the day. This story was produced by BetterSleep and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Instacart's Halloween report: Reese's is No.1, regional candy quirks and the iconic banana costume Halloween means candy and costumes and Instacart’s latest data shows what millions of Americans put in their carts throughout October.Key TakeawaysReese's runs the country. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the No. 1 candy by ounces sold, and the top seller in 40 of 51 states and Washington, D.C. HI-CHEW stands out in Montana. The state buys HI-CHEW at +616% above the national share, the largest candy over-index anywhere in the country. Western states buy the most candy. Utah (+67%), Idaho (+50%), and Alaska (+47%) buy the most candy relative to the rest of the country. The Northeast buys the least. No judgment, but also…noted. The Pacific Northwest leads among cities. Anchorage, AK (+56%), Eugene, OR (+53%), Tacoma, WA (+51%), Vancouver, WA (+48%), and Spokane, WA (+47%) lead all cities in the country. Sour Patch Kids leads in Rhode Island. It's the only state where Sour Patch Kids beat both Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Peanut M&M's for the top spot. Banana is the top food-related costume. Among adults shopping for food-related costumes, “Banana” was the most popular choice. Bananas were also the No.1 selling item on Instacart. America's Candy Leaderboard: Reese's Takes the Top SpotReese's Peanut Butter Cups took the No. 1 spot by ounces of candy sold. The top five were all chocolate: Peanut M&M's came in second, Hershey's Milk Chocolate third, M&M's fourth, and Snickers fifth. Sour Patch Kids was the first non-chocolate candy on the list, coming in at No. 7. Instacart One Map, One Winner (Almost)State by state, the pattern holds. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the top seller in 40 of them. Peanut M&M's lead across much of the Plains and Mountain West and in Hawai‘i. Then there's Rhode Island, the lone sour candy holdout in a sea of chocolate, where Sour Patch Kids took the top spot. Rhode Island is the only state where Sour Patch Kids ranked ahead of both Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Peanut M&M’s. Instacart Now Here's Where It Gets Interesting The most popular candy in each state tells one story. The candy each state buys at a much higher rate than the rest of the country reveals another.Montana is buying HI-CHEW at +616% above the national average, the largest over-index among candies in the country. Louisiana buys Tootsie Pops at +141% above the national share. Rhode Island also stands out for Sour Patch Kids, buying them +109% above the national share. Colorado and Wyoming show a strong preference for candy corn, with the candy ranking among their most over-indexed purchases. Instacart Who Goes All In? Set aside any single candy and look at the full candy aisle: Which states devote the biggest slice of their overall cart to candy in October? The answer runs west, decisively.Utah (+67% above the national average), Idaho (+50%), Alaska (+47%), Washington (+43%) and Montana (+40%) buy candy the most often in the country. The Northeast leads in the other direction: Delaware (-18%), Pennsylvania (-16%) and New York (-15%) are the most restrained. Nobody has a sweet tooth quite like the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest. They lead the country in candy purchases during October. Instacart The Candy CapitalsZoom to the city level and the Pacific Northwest and Alaska show up once again. Anchorage, AK (+56% above the national average), Eugene, OR (+53%), Tacoma, WA (+51%), Vancouver, WA (+48%), and Spokane, WA (+47%) top the list. The bottom of the rankings is equally clustered: Newark, New York City, and a string of NY, NJ and PA cities all buying candy well below the national rate.What's fascinating is how clean the split is. The top cities are almost all in the Pacific Northwest, while the bottom cities are almost all in the Northeast. Both regions are up north, both get a proper chill in October, and both have plenty of family-friendly neighborhoods. Bottom line: Depending on where you live, Halloween traditions might just look a little different. Instacart Now, About Those Costumes When it comes to costumes, adults and kids tend to shop for classic and spooky options: Skeleton and Witch costumes lead the way for adults, while kids go for Ghostface masks from “Scream,” with Witch and Skeleton close behind. The accessories aisle runs on hats, jewelry and gloves, because the right hat can make the full costume.And then there are the food costumes.Since Instacart is a grocery technology company, it was worth taking a look. Among adult food costumes, Banana took the top spot. Fitting, since bananas happen to be the No.1 selling item on Instacart. Instacart The Bowl Is Full So whether you're filling the candy bowl with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, dressing up to go trick-or-treating, or trying to make it through October without eating all the candy before Halloween, it turns out that where you live can say a lot about how you celebrate Halloween. This story was produced by Instacart and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to create and design a website with AI, according to experts Today, there’s no excuse for not creating a website, especially when using an AI website builder to speed up the process. What used to take weeks now takes days or minutes.In fact, between 2025 and 2026, the average time to publish a website dropped 50%, from eight days to four, according to Wix’s State of Websites report. Before that, it dropped 43%, from 14 days in 2022 to eight days in 2025.Even the pros are tapping into AI as a tool: A whopping 93% of web designers report having used AI, according to a Hubspot report, with half using it specifically to design their websites.That said, when you’re learning how to design a website with AI, keep in mind that your artificial assistant should get you about 80% of the way there; the remaining 20% is all you.“AI usually nails the structure and the general aesthetic you're looking for,” says Oded Nachshon, head of Wix Editor at Wix, who helped build Wix’s AI agent. “But the moment you try to fine-tune that last 20% to your brand, you enter what I call ‘prompt purgatory.’" Plan to spend real time on that final 20%. It's where your site stops looking generic.In this guide, the team behind Wix’s AI website builder breaks down how AI website creation works and highlights the key steps to getting online fast, no matter which platform you use.How to design a website with AI in 5 stepsSo, how can you get started? Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of how to build a website with AI.1. Gather essential informationOften, the quality of an AI output depends on the quality of the information that you input. A full dossier of information about your brand can point your AI solution in the right direction. While you don’t need to have a full style guide in hand, you do need to know basic details like:The purpose of your siteYour intended audienceThe products or services that you plan on sellingWhat sets you apart in the marketplaceYour brand’s personality and/or valuesWhy does this matter? Let’s say that you want to build an e-commerce site that sells ring lights. Your site will look different if you’re primarily targeting Gen Z shoppers who seek your lights for personal projects, versus corporate clients who’d use your lights for professional projects. To limit the amount of back and forth in the web design process, you’ll want to decide which audiences matter most to your brand.On that note, vague prompts produce generic sites. "Build me a coffee shop website" gives you the mathematical average of every coffee shop online. "Build me a coffee shop website for a specialty roaster in Brooklyn focused on single-origin beans, with a subscription page and a story-driven About section" is a real brief. The more specific you are at the start, the less time you spend correcting later.2. Choose your platformThere are many AI-powered tools to consider, ranging from all-in-one platforms to single-task apps. Start by choosing from the best AI website builders.You might also want to consider a template as a starting point."When choosing between AI versus a template, you're essentially choosing between placing your trust in an AI model, which is trained on web design principles through an abundance of information and examples, or placing your trust in the curation and consideration done by an experienced web designer," says Sapir Ziv, a graphic designer at Wix who works on template creation.Make sure to weigh your options carefully. You’ll want to assess things like:Your must-have features: What’s your game plan for your site? Do you need to enable online scheduling? Do you require an online credit card payment solution? What about gated pages or other specialized functionality? Check that your solution can accommodate your particular line of business.Your in-house capabilities: Do you have in-house designers and engineers who can work with code? Or, are you a “solo-preneur” who wants to focus on sales and needs a more off-the-shelf solution?Customization options: Can you tweak details to make your site look just right? What flexibility do you have over the branding of your web pages?Integration options: Does your solution mesh well with other tools that you're using, like social media or email marketing platforms? Check which tools come built into your website builder, as well as what integrations are readily available.AI maturity: While AI is in its heyday, it’s not brand new to the world of tech, and some companies have been at it longer than others.AI builders and templates aren't either-or, by the way. Ashley Reckdenwald, founder of Land of Lovies, a U.S. charity she launched after the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, likes to start with a template, then go from there. "I always tend to go rogue from the template,” she says. “But it gives me a good skeleton. It allows me to take a look at what I have and then customize it."Working from a template, Ashley built her charity site herself and attracted media attention within days of launch. Her experience captures what AI builders do well at the moment: They remove the blank-page problem, which then lets you spend your energy on the parts that actually need your judgment.3. Design your site with AIThen, it’s time for the fun part: designing your site. The specifics will depend on the platform you choose, but here are some best practices to keep in mind for any AI website builder.Don't forget the human touch: While AI can greatly enhance the efficiency and functionality of your website, it's important not to lose your personality. Incorporate personal touches and elements that reflect your brand and values. Yarin Singolda, product marketing manager at Wix, puts the human-in-the-loop point bluntly: "If you approach AI without intention or direction, if you just say 'build me a bakery website' and walk away, then yes, you're handing over your creative license." The best results come from treating AI as a collaborator, not an outsourcer.Test and optimize regularly: Conduct A/B testing, collect user feedback and analyze data to discover elements to improve in the next iteration. Doing this regularly means your website remains relevant, user-friendly and aligned with evolving trends and user preferences.Make your site accessible to everyone: AI can improve accessibility by generating alt text for images or adjusting colors for better contrast, but it’s not a fix-all. Manual testing is still crucial for things like keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility and readable fonts. An accessible site isn’t just good practice; it can boost SEO and help you avoid legal issues.Use AI to boost SEO: AI is great for crunching numbers and finding keywords, but it’s not a content expert. It might suggest piling your site with keywords in a way that feels robotic. Instead, use AI as a research tool and make thoughtful edits to create content that works for both search engines and real people.Use AI to personalize: AI-driven personalization can transform a basic site into an experience tailored to each visitor. From smart product recommendations to dynamic page layouts, AI keeps users engaged. But it’s important to stay transparent about data collection, follow privacy laws, and give users control over their preferences.4. Refine, refine, refineRemember that 20% that makes your site stand out? Now’s the time. Any attention-grabbing website includes imagery and elements that not only look good but also reflect your brand well.If you’re feeling stuck, use AI to generate copy that you can edit later. When you think you’re done, read every paragraph aloud and rewrite any sentence that doesn't sound like you would say it. A 10-minute editing pass on AI-generated text is what turns a competent page into one that converts.5. Domain and hostingNext up, choosing a domain name and hosting your site. Your domain is your address on the internet, so pick something short, easy to spell and close to your brand name. If your first choice is taken, a domain name generator can help, or you can consider alternate suggestions.Hosting is the other half of the equation. Hosting is the website infrastructure that keeps your site fast, secure and online around the clock. Look for a plan with SSL included, solid uptime and room to grow as your traffic does.AI can get you online fast. Growing and scaling is where the work really begins.This story was produced by Wix and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Vehicle crashes into Trinity Bettendorf hospital, injuring driver Bettendorf firefighters responded to an unusual scene Wednesday night: A vehicle had struck a hospital building near the emergency room entrance.
	Vehicle crashes into Bettendorf hospital emergency room The vehicle had become lodged in a window near the emergency room entrance.
	The long-deployed USS Lincoln is returning home to San Diego The USS Abraham Lincoln is returning home to San Diego Thursday after supporting the Iran war during a record long deployment of 265 uninterrupted days at sea that included reports of deteriorating conditions among its crew.
	Suspect charged in Iowa realtor’s murder wants trial to stay in Dallas County Kristin Ramsey does not plan to file a change of venue request, according to court records.
	Quad Cities hosting 2027 Small Market Meetings Conference The Quad Cities will host the 2027 Small Market Meetings Conference (SMMC) on September 21-23, 2027, at Bend XPO in East Moline. The announcement was made at the Small Market Meetings Conference in El Paso. This will be the first time the Quad Cities has hosted SMMC. Click here for more information. Group Travel Family's [...]
	New U.S. indictment charges former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro with torture U.S. authorities charged the former Venezuelan president with conspiring to torture his fellow citizens as well as Americans. That adds to drugs and weapons charges against him.
	A post-acquisition rebrand framework for multibrand companies Your decision to rebrand (or not) following an acquisition will define its performance. This guide from WebFX provides the models and scorecards that teams can use to make an informed decision.Should you rebrand after an acquisition?Whether you should rebrand after an acquisition doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. As mergers and acquisitions have a 70% or higher failure rate, businesses need to do due diligence to determine whether to rebrand or maintain separate brands following an acquisition.How to decide whether to rebrand after an acquisitionDecide whether to rebrand after an acquisition with the following steps:1. Outline your optionsFirst, outline your options.In most cases, businesses use any of the following post-acquisition models: WebFX 2. Audit your acquired brand’s equityNext, take inventory of your acquired brand’s equity. If your business invested in due diligence services before acquiring the brand, you’ll likely have some of this information already available: WebFX Note: Operational efficiency is one area to consider when evaluating a rebrand following an acquisition. Businesses can often reduce costs and align structures through the house of brands or sub-brand model, which often generates bulk discounts from vendors.3. Choose your modelNow comes discussion time. This step in determining whether to rebrand an acquired company often takes months and considers factors outside your initial audit, such as execution costs and leadership preferences.However, to get discussions and brainstorms started, the scorecard below can help teams hone in on the most applicable models and surface which areas need deeper discussion.Get started with the scorecard by:Selecting a single option for each areaTallying the total pointsSharing your scorecard with other members of your team WebFX After tallying your points, interpret them using the table below: WebFX Note: The above scorecard is meant to support your discussions rather than make your decision.4. Run your rebrand playbookShould your business choose the transitional or consolidation model, the following playbook can help you rebrand while minimizing lost demand and downtime:Phase 1: ProtectStart by documenting everything that currently creates or captures customer demand.Inventory:Brand names and visual assetsDomains, subdomains, and URLsOrganic rankings and high-performing pagesBacklinks and referring domainsGoogle Business ProfilesReviews and local citationsCustomer and email databasesPaid-search and social campaignsAnalytics, CRM, and call trackingReferral sources and partner linksCustomer-facing sales materialsExisting conversion benchmarksCreate a pre-rebrand baseline for branded search, organic traffic, local visibility, direct traffic, qualified leads, conversion rates, customer acquisition cost, revenue, retention, and review performance.You cannot tell whether equity was transferred if you never established what it looked like before the transition.Phase 2: PrepareTurn the inventory into a migration plan.Prepare:New positioning and messagingCustomer communicationURL and redirect mappingDomain-migration sequencingBacklink-preservation outreachInternal-link updatesGoogle Business Profile changesLocal citation updatesPaid-search transition campaignsAnalytics annotationsCRM and tracking updatesEmail and social transitionsSales and employee enablementPay particular attention to search engine optimization when a rebrand includes a domain change.Map existing URLs to their closest relevant destinations. Use appropriate 301 redirects, update internal links, sitemaps, and canonical signals, maintain Search Console tracking, and monitor rankings after launch.Your brand consolidation and domain consolidation also do not have to happen on the same day. If the existing domain carries substantial digital equity, a phased technical migration may give your team more control over how that equity transfers.Phase 3: TransitionCoordinate the launch across every place customers encounter the business.That may include:Website and SEOPaid mediaGoogle Business Profiles and local listingsCRM and sales workflowsEmail marketingSocial profilesPublic relationsCustomer supportCustomer communicationsConsistency matters because customers experience a brand transition through individual touchpoints rather than through your internal brand architecture presentation.Make sure the old and new identities clearly connect during the transition period so customers understand they are dealing with the same business.5. Track your performanceNow compare post-launch performance against the Phase 1 baseline.Monitor:Branded search demandOrganic rankings and trafficLocal visibilityDirect trafficLeads and qualified leadsConversion ratesCustomer acquisition costMarketing-sourced revenueRetentionReviews and sentimentDefine thresholds before launch where possible. For example, decide which drops in branded traffic or organic conversion rates would trigger investigation and what recovery trend leadership expects to see.Do not judge success solely by whether the migration was launched on schedule.A successful rebrand transfers customer demand and digital equity to the new identity while producing the strategic benefits leadership expected from consolidation.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Henry County Humane Society welcomes 'Weather Watch Kittens' The Henry County Humane Society has seven new 'Weather Watch Kittens,' each named after a weather event.
	Negative political ads on the rise across Iowa You're right -- you are seeing more attack ads than normal
	Driver extricated after car crashes into ER entrance in Bettendorf Bettendorf police are investigating after a vehicle crashed directly into an emergency room entrance at UnityPoint Health-Trinity late Wednesday night.
	4 people on NASA's Crew-12 mission return to Earth after 8 months in space Four people — two NASA astronauts, one from the European Space Agency and a Russian cosmonaut — spent nearly eight months at the space station, conducting spacewalks, science experiments and research.
	College baseball tournament coming to Field of Dreams Iowa Community College Athletic Conference announced a three year deal to host the Region 11 Division II Baseball Tournament.
	Wetland project in Durant filters water, paves way for housing development "A completed wetland project in Durant, Iowa filters stormwater and protects Mud Creek, funded by a $750,000 state grant to support future housing growth.
	How real estate can help build generational wealth There are many ways to create generational wealth, and real estate is among the most established ways families have built it. Urban Institute research has tied homeownership to financial security, with property making up an important part of household wealth for many families. And the amount set to move between generations is enormous, with Cerulli Associates projecting that $124 trillion will transfer through 2048 and $105 trillion will go to heirs. A transfer of that size puts more focus on preserving family wealth, so more of what has been built remains available for the people who eventually inherit it. Preserving that wealth also shapes how experienced real estate investors approach ownership. Across multiple market cycles, Buchanan Street Partners has observed that long-term success in real estate is often driven less by predicting short-term market movements and more by disciplined ownership, allowing income to compound and investments to appreciate over time and tax-efficiently. The financial value behind that disciplined approach starts with how real estate builds wealth while an investor owns it.How Real Estate Builds Wealth Over Time Real estate has always been a cornerstone of long-term wealth creation, with property producing value through rising prices and income. The National Association of Realtors reports that between the third quarters of 2014 and 2024, the typical homeowner gained $201,600 from price appreciation. And mortgage principal payments build on those gains by increasing equity. But beyond price growth, rental property adds recurring income, with a July 2026 review noting that income has historically accounted for 70% to 80% of apartment returns. Tax treatment extends those financial benefits, with depreciation and other provisions allowing a significant portion of real estate distributions to be tax-deferred. Along with those tax benefits, lease renewals give property owners opportunities to adjust rents as costs rise, helping rental income respond to inflation. And since direct real estate returns have historically moved differently from stocks, adding property gives investors another source of return outside the stock market.The Many Ways to Invest in Real EstateThe beauty of real estate is that there is more than one way to invest, and Yahoo Finance notes that options vary by budget and how hands-on an investor wants to be.At one end of the spectrum is direct ownership. You’re the landlord, property manager, leasing agent, and sometimes the plumber. You’re fielding tenant calls after hours, coordinating repairs, collecting rent, and handling every detail required to execute the business plan.In the middle sits private real estate. Investors can access larger, institutional-quality properties while outsourcing day-to-day operations to experienced real estate professionals. You remain invested in the property’s success and enjoy the tax benefits without personally managing tenants, maintenance issues, or capital projects.At the other end are publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs). With a few clicks in a brokerage account, investors gain exposure to diversified real estate portfolios.The Benefits of Institutionally Managed Real EstateInterestingly, not many people know that individual investors have access to institutionally managed real estate without buying or operating an entire property themselves. PwC describes institutional-grade real estate as property sought by institutional buyers and meeting common institutional investment standards. Within that standard, professional teams handle sourcing and due diligence before a purchase, screening properties before capital is committed. The same teams then oversee leasing and operations, so investors are not personally handling tenants or repairs. And with those duties handled, commingled funds spread an investor’s money across multiple properties and provide access to commercial properties that would be difficult to buy alone. Managing many properties also gives an investment firm more bargaining power with lenders and insurers, helping it secure better loan terms and pricing. And with several professionals involved in managing the investments, decisions do not depend on one person staying involved over time.But even with those responsibilities handled, the way an investment is owned still affects how income is distributed and how much of it an investor ultimately keeps. Tax Considerations That Can Influence Real Estate Wealth StrategiesTax considerations are central to real estate wealth strategies, since taxes affect how much income investors keep. A major part of that tax treatment comes from depreciation, which the IRS describes as recovering an income-producing property’s cost through yearly deductions. Industry experts note that those deductions often defer tax on real estate distributions. The tax code also recognizes some of the costs that come with owning the property, with mortgage interest and many operating expenses deductible under IRS rules. Depreciation can also be accelerated, as cost segregation places qualifying property components into shorter depreciation periods, and bonus depreciation currently allows a 100% first-year deduction for certain qualified property. During ownership, depreciation and other factors can help reduce an investor’s taxable income, potentially allowing a larger portion of property cash flow to be tax deferred. Beyond the benefits available while holding the asset, long-term real estate investors may also qualify for favorable capital gains treatment when they sell. Real estate held for more than one year generally receives long-term capital-gains treatment, although a portion of the gain attributable to prior depreciation deductions may be subject to depreciation recapture. Instead of recognizing that gain immediately, investors also use qualifying 1031 exchanges to defer it by exchanging investment real estate for other like-kind real estate. If property is held until it passes to heirs, a step-up in basis generally resets its tax basis to fair market value at death, often reducing later taxable gain. REIT investors follow separate rules, with eligible taxpayers qualifying for a Section 199A deduction on qualified REIT dividends. REIT shareholders generally do not receive the same direct benefit from property-level depreciation deductions or access to tax-deferral strategies such as 1031 exchanges. In exchange for greater liquidity and convenience, REIT investors may face a different after-tax profile than investors in directly owned or privately held real estate.Building a Diversified Legacy Through Real Estate That Lasts Beyond One GenerationGiven how much goes into building a family legacy, combining different property investments starts with matching each choice to a family’s income needs and long-term goals. Real estate investment managers who work with family enterprises point to diversified investing and tax-efficient growth as important parts of building wealth across multiple generations.Keeping those investments aligned over many years requires consistency in how they are managed, especially as family circumstances and decision-makers change. Institutional real estate managers support that consistency through ongoing underwriting and asset management rather than leaving each investment dependent on one person’s involvement. Maintaining that consistency also depends on the people who eventually inherit responsibility, since understanding why the family owns certain investments helps guide how they are managed. Preparing the next generation means leaving more than financial resources behind. It means creating a portfolio that can continue serving the family long after today’s decision-makers are gone. By combining income generation, growth potential, diversification, and tax efficiency, real estate can play a meaningful role in preserving wealth across generations and help build a lasting legacy that future family members can understand, steward, and benefit from for decades to come.This story was produced by Buchanan Street Partners and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The trucking companies with the worst federal safety scores Roadside inspections offer one of the clearest public views into the condition of commercial vehicles operating across the United States. Federal records track how many vehicles and drivers inspectors examined, how many were placed out of service and how frequently carriers were involved in reportable crashes.A vehicle can be placed out of service when an inspection identifies a condition serious enough that the truck cannot continue operating until the problem is corrected. The resulting out-of-service rate represents the percentage of vehicle inspections that ended with an out-of-service order — not the percentage of a carriers entire fleet deemed unsafe.The distinction matters. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says the performance information in its Safety Measurement System is intended to help enforcement agencies determine which carriers may warrant additional attention. The agency cautions that the information should not be treated as an overall federal safety grade. FMCSA also notes that crash records show a carrier’s involvement in a reportable crash, not who was responsible.To examine how federal inspection findings differ among large interstate carriers, THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, a Las Vegas personal injury law firm, reviewed FMCSA carrier records and Federal Highway Administration freight corridor data. This analysis includes three active interstate carriers with more than 500 power units and at least 400 vehicle inspections, with reported vehicle out-of-service rates exceeding FMCSA’s national average of 22.26%. Freight corridors are included as geographic context based on each carrier’s registered headquarters. They do not represent verified company route shares.North American Van Lines: 31.3% vehicle out-of-service rateNorth American Van Lines reported 1,333 power units and 1,357 drivers in its FMCSA company snapshot. Of 485 vehicle inspections conducted during the preceding 24 months, 152 resulted in an out-of-service order, yielding an out-of-service rate of 31.3%. That was 9 percentage points above the 22.26% national average reported by FMCSA.Its driver out-of-service rate moved in the other direction. Inspectors placed drivers out of service during 3.9% of 883 driver inspections, compared with a national average of 6.67%.In the same report, FMCSA recorded 34 reportable crashes involving the carrier during the same 24-month period: two fatal crashes, 11 involving injuries, and 21 requiring a tow. The agency notes that its figures document crash involvement without assigning responsibility. North American Van Lines remained active and authorized to operate and held a satisfactory federal safety rating in the snapshot dated July 25, 2026.The carrier’s registered headquarters is in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Interstate 69 passes through the city, while Interstate 469 forms a bypass that connects with I-69 on Fort Wayne’s north and south sides. FHWA designates the portion of I-69 extending north from Indianapolis to the Michigan line as part of the Primary Highway Freight System, a network of nationally important freight routes. I-469 is also part of the National Highway Freight Network.Transco Lines: 29.7% vehicle out-of-service rateTransco Lines reported 565 power units and 655 drivers. Inspectors conducted 671 vehicle inspections during the 24-month reporting window and placed vehicles out of service in 199 of them, resulting in a 29.7% rate. The company’s driver out-of-service rate was substantially lower: 14 of 1,343 driver inspections resulted in an out-of-service order, or 1%.The carrier was involved in 56 reportable crashes during the period covered by the July 19, 2026, snapshot. One involved a fatality, 15 involved injuries,and 40 required a tow. Transco was active, authorized to operate and had a satisfactory federal safety rating.Transco’s registered headquarters is in Russellville, Arkansas, along the Interstate 40 corridor. FHWA classifies the entire 284-mile portion of I-40 between Arkansas’ borders with Oklahoma and Tennessee as part of the Primary Highway Freight System. Federal freight-flow analysis has also identified I-40, along with I-30, as one of Arkansas’ highest-volume routes for trucks passing through the state.Atlas Van Lines: 24.1% vehicle out-of-service rateAtlas Van Lines had the largest fleet in this group, reporting 2,731 power units. FMCSA records showed 879 vehicle inspections during the previous 24 months. Of those, 212 resulted in vehicles being placed out of service, for a rate of 24.1%.The company’s driver out-of-service rate was 4.3%, based on 71 out-of-service findings among 1,634 driver inspections. Both rates were closer to their respective national averages than those of the other carriers examined.Atlas was involved in 61 reportable crashes during the 24-month period: none were fatal, 13 resulted in injuries and 48 required a tow. Its July 2026 FMCSA snapshot listed the carrier as active and authorized, with a satisfactory safety rating following a 2024 compliance review.Atlas’ registered headquarters is in Evansville, Indiana, near the southern end of Interstate 69. The Indiana Department of Transportation describes I-69 as a primary north-south artery for moving goods and services and part of a longer corridor intended to connect the Canadian and Mexican borders. Portions of I-69 around Evansville are included in the National Highway Freight Network.What the federal records can and cannot showOut-of-service rates provide a standardized way to compare roadside inspection outcomes, but they do not measure every vehicle in a carrier’s fleet. Commercial vehicles are inspected at different frequencies and enforcement agencies may focus inspections on particular carriers, vehicles, locations or observed conditions.The numbers also describe different dimensions of carrier operations. A relatively high vehicle out-of-service rate can appear alongside a below-average driver out-of-service rate, as it did for all three carriers examined here. And although crash counts add context, they do not establish fault or show how many miles a carrier traveled for each crash.All three carriers remained authorized to operate and held satisfactory federal safety ratings in the latest records reviewed. FMCSA specifically notes that roadside performance indicators are not substitutes for those formal ratings or for a broader assessment of a company’s safety practices.Likewise, the highways identified here are major freight corridors near the carriers’ registered headquarters, not confirmed rankings of the roads their trucks use most. Public FMCSA inspection data can support an analysis of the states in which each carrier was inspected most frequently, but it does not include carrier-specific highway mileage or complete route histories.Used carefully, the records are best understood as a snapshot of what inspectors found, rather than a verdict on how a company operates across every mile of its network.This story was produced by THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Vehicle strikes UnityPoint Health-Trinity near emergency room Bettendorf firefighters were called to UnityPoint Health-Trinity after a vehicle drove into a window near the emergency room, according to a news release from the Bettendorf Fire Department. Firefighters were dispatched to UnityPoint Health-Trinity Bettendorf, 4500 Utica Ridge Road, on Oct. 7 at 11:30 p.m. for a report of a vehicle that had driven into [...]
	John Deere Classic to announce charitable contributions for 2026 John Deere Classic officials are announcing the total of their charitable contribution from this year’s event.
	What every woman should know about menopause and heart health Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., yet most doctors wait until cholesterol reaches dangerous levels to treat it. That can mean missing the silent cardiovascular shifts that begin years earlier — often during perimenopause.As Hone Health explains below, that’s why perimenopause is increasingly viewed as a critical “window of opportunity” to protect heart health. A 2026 analysis in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that perimenopausal women were twice as likely to have lower measures of cardiovascular health as women with regular menstrual cycles.Before menopause, estrogen clears cholesterol from the blood, keeps blood vessels healthy, maintains insulin sensitivity, and regulates inflammation — all of which support heart health. When estrogen levels fluctuate in perimenopause and then plummet after menopause, those protections erode, even as a basic cholesterol panel continues to stay within a normal range.How Declining Estrogen Affects the HeartEstrogen protects the heart across multiple pathways, which is what makes its loss during menopause so destabilizing. Hone Health Cholesterol and blood vesselsHDL cholesterol (the “good” kind) carries excess cholesterol to the liver for disposal. Estradiol, the main form of estrogen, helps regulate both the amount of HDL in the blood and how well it works. As estradiol falls, HDL particles can become smaller and less effective, even if HDL levels on a blood test fall within normal reference ranges.At the same time, LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) and ApoB, which reflects the number of plaque-forming particles in the blood, rise fastest in the year before and after menopause. So now you’ve got more bad cholesterol and fewer good particles to effectively clear it.Blood vessels may also become stiffer, making it easier for plaque to build. A study of more than 52,000 women linked estrogen loss during menopause with increased arterial stiffness.Abdominal fat and blood sugarBefore menopause, estrogen helps direct fat to the hips and thighs. As estrogen declines, fat storage shifts toward the midsection, where it’s more harmful for the heart.The 2021 SWAN study found that visceral fat, the deeply embedded fat surrounding the internal organs, begins accumulating faster in the two years before the final menstrual period. It rises from roughly 5%–8% of total body fat before menopause to 15%–20% afterward. Research has linked this buildup to increased plaque in the arteries supplying the brain, raising the risk of heart disease and stroke.Estrogen also helps cells respond to insulin and keeps blood sugar stable. As estrogen falls, insulin resistance may increase, raising the risk of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.Blood pressure and inflammationEstrogen’s anti-inflammatory effects help keep blood vessels healthy and blood pressure stable. As it declines, inflammation and blood pressure may rise.Inflammation makes arteries thicker, stiffer, and more likely to accumulate plaque, while high blood pressure forces the heart to work harder. Over time, both can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.Blood clottingEstrogen also helps regulate the platelets that form blood clots. As estrogen declines, the clotting system may become more reactive. A clot that forms on arterial plaque can block blood flow to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke.These shifts may help explain why stroke rates double in women between their late forties and early sixties.Heart Health Tests to Ask About in MidlifeA standard cholesterol panel is a useful starting point, but it may not tell the whole story. Ask your doctor whether you also need:Lipoprotein(a). This genetic marker, which you need to check only once, measures a sticky, inflammation-promoting form of LDL that independently raises risk for heart disease and stroke. Lp(a) levels rise after menopause by 20%–30%, but can be lowered with hormone therapy.Hematocrit. This marker measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. Higher levels mean thicker blood. Elevated hematocrit can signal reduced circulation efficiency and increased clotting risk.Blood pressure. Sustained increases over time, even within the normal range, can suggest blood vessel stiffening and warrant deeper cardiac evaluation.Hot flash frequency and duration. Women whose hot flashes persist across four or more annual checkups have a measurably increased cardiovascular risk. Studies have linked persistent hot flashes to stiffer arteries, which often lead to plaque buildup.Measuring estrogen itself generally does not reveal a woman’s heart risk. Levels fluctuate widely during perimenopause, and women with similar estrogen levels can have very different heart risks depending on their age, genetics, health history, and lifestyle.Can HRT Help Protect Heart Health?For many women, HRT can restore estrogen to levels that significantly reduce the factors driving heart disease, particularly when initiated at the right time and under the right conditions. Benefits may depend on these factors:TimingThe cardiovascular risk-benefit profile is generally most favorable when HRT is started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause. In the large-scale Women’s Health Initiative study, women ages 50–59 who received estrogen-only HRT had a 40% lower risk of heart attack than those who received a placebo.After age 60, the risk-benefit equation shifts, raising cardiovascular risk, which is why decisions made later require more individualized assessment.Type of HRTThe formulation of HRT affects how estradiol is metabolized and the risks it carries. Oral estrogen passes through the liver and can increase triglycerides and clotting factors in some women. Transdermal estrogen — delivered through a patch, gel, or cream — bypasses the liver and may offer a more favorable clotting profile for some patients.Whether a woman needs estrogen alone or estrogen plus progesterone also depends on her health history and whether she has a uterus. A clinician can help determine the safest option.Your health historyHRT requires individualized guidance if you have a history of:Breast cancer or another hormone-sensitive cancerBlood clots or a clotting disorderHistory of stroke, heart attack, or cardiovascular diseaseLiver or gallbladder diseaseSome women with these conditions may still have hormonal treatment options, but the decision should be made with a clinician familiar with their history. Hone Health A Smarter Approach to Midlife Heart HealthHone-affiliated physicians recommend going beyond standard cholesterol testing to assess whether estrogen loss is affecting arterial inflammation, metabolic health, liver function, and hormones together.If HRT is appropriate, treatment should be matched to the patient’s symptoms, health history, test results, and stage of menopause. But hormones are only one part of the picture. Strength training, aerobic activity, sleep quality, and diet all directly influence ApoB, blood pressure, and insulin resistance, the same markers driving cardiovascular risk.This story was produced by Hone Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Why you sweat more in Halloween costumes, and how to stay fresh anyway The look is perfect at 7 p.m., and it's only 55 degrees outside. But 10 minutes into wearing your Halloween costume, and you're already sweating. A lot. By 10 p.m., you're hunting for a bathroom to assess the damage.Knowing how to stay fresh in a Halloween costume starts with understanding why costumes turn into a sauna in the first place. It comes down to a simple chain: synthetic fabrics, layers, and zero airflow trap body heat. AXE, the deodorant brand for guys, shares why Halloween costume sweat happens and how to fix it. AXE How Halloween Costumes and Parties Turn Up the Heat1. Synthetic fabrics that trap moistureMost costumes are polyester, nylon, or vinyl, and they’re designed for affordability and durability, not airflow, giving bacteria exactly what they need to get to work. Vinyl, latex, and PVC are the worst offenders, with zero breathability and a full barrier against evaporation. Expect more sweat and a stronger odor in a full vinyl or latex costume."Clothing doesn't just absorb sweat; it changes the climate sitting on top of your skin, which directly determines how much your body sweats," says Unilever R&D scientist Matt Annecharico. "Breathable fabrics and natural fibers allow for more evaporation, while clothing that’s synthetic and fits tightly doesn’t allow for as much evaporation, which means more sweat can occur."Cotton-based costumes breathe better and are a more comfortable choice for Halloween-party freshness. But they also show those wet patches more.2. More layers, more sweaty buildupA costume may also require more layers than you'd normally wear. You may be wearing an undershirt, costume piece, accessories and a cape or robe on top. Each layer adds heaviness and reduces the chance of sweat evaporating.3. The heat traps of masks and hatsYour head and face release a significant share of body heat. Block them with a hat, mask, or headpiece, and your core temperature rises, triggering sweat production across your whole body.Wigs also trap heat and hold onto bacterial buildup faster than real hair while masks limit airflow around your face and neck. A few minutes of breathing into one creates warm, damp conditions where bacteria get busy fast.4. Crowded indoor partiesBody heat from 30 other people in a small space seriously raises the room temperature. Add dancing and drinks, and your body is working hard.5. Excitement triggering stress sweatThe anticipation and social energy of Halloween fire up your apocrine glands to release stress sweat. This is on top of your eccrine glands already doing the cooling-down work. Apocrine sweat contains proteins and fats that bacteria break down, and this is what causes a stronger odor.Halloween costume sweat isn't just about heat. It's two types of sweat hitting at once.How to Prep Before Putting on a CostumeThe work happens before the costume goes on. Here's how to set yourself up, so the fabric, the heat, and the crowd don't win.Shower with an odor-fighting body washBacteria turn sweat into odor. Start clean, and there's less for them to work with. A body wash with odor-busting ingredients is more effective than regular soap, especially before a long event in a costume.Apply antiperspirant the night beforeAluminum-based active ingredients in antiperspirant need time to work properly. Applying your product the night before to clean, dry skin keeps protection going through the next day.Towel dry well before dressingAntiperspirant on damp skin won't work properly. Towel dry your pits well before applying, and give it 60 seconds to set before the first costume layer goes on.Layer your scent familyBody wash, antiperspirant, and a spritz of body spray from the same scent family reinforce fragrance through the night. In a costume that traps odor, your scent needs all the help it can get.Antiperspirant or Deodorant Under a Heavy Costume?Antiperspirant and deodorant are different products with different jobs. Under a heavy or restrictive costume, this matters more than usual.Antiperspirant is the right base. It reduces sweat reaching the skin, which means less moisture trapped all night, less bacterial activity, and less odor. For full-coverage costumes with limited airflow, this is where you start.Deodorant alone won't cut it. It helps with odor but doesn't stop sweat. In a costume that traps moisture, the sweat itself becomes the problem.The move is an antiperspirant base the night before, and body spray during the night for scent refresh without needing a costume change.How to Stay Fresh All Night Without Breaking CharacterCarry a travel-size body sprayIt’s your most useful Halloween night accessory. A quick spritz to the neck and wrists refreshes scent without disturbing the costume or makeup. And it fits in a pocket or small bag.Strategic bathroom breaksA quick wipe of your pits plus a body spray refresh is a 30-second reset that buys you the next few hours. Don't reapply antiperspirant over sweat. It won't bond, and you'll get residue on the fabric.Plan a costume-light momentBetween events, trick-or-treating or before the afterparty, shed a layer or step outside for five minutes of cool air. Your body resets, and the next phase starts fresher.Watch your drinksAlcohol increases sweat. Pacing with water keeps you cooler inside the costume and reduces sweat output throughout the night.Skip the heavy pre-party mealSpicy food, garlic, and onions make body odor worse. Save the feast for after.Why Your Scent Is Part of the Costume TooScent is a powerful thing, hitting the part of your brain that handles emotion and memory even before you’re aware of it. Research also shows that wearing a scent you like boosts your mood and confidence. It’s useful when you're about to walk into a packed party in a hairy monster suit.The people around you also pick up on your scent, even when they don't consciously register it, so it makes sense to choose one that fits.A signature scent gives you something consistent when everything else is a costume. Layer your body wash, antiperspirant and body spray, and this move outlasts any single product on its own.FAQsHow long before Halloween should I apply antiperspirant?The night before. Not the morning of. Sweat production drops overnight, which gives aluminum-based active ingredients time to do their thing. Protection carries into the next day, even after your morning shower.What's the best way to remove sweat smell from a costume after Halloween?Mix one cup of white vinegar with cold water and pre-soak the costume for 30 minutes, then wash cold with an extra rinse cycle. Skip the fabric softener and air-dry if you can. Vinyl or latex? Check the care label first. Some need spot-cleaning only, and the dryer isn’t their friend.Will sweating in a costume ruin my Halloween makeup?Yes, if you're not prepared. Sweat breaks down cream-based and powder products fast. Setting spray, oil-control primers, and waterproof formulas hold up much longer. For the rest of your body, night-before antiperspirant means less sweat reaching your costume fabric in the first place.What antiperspirant works best for a Halloween costume party?A 48-hour antiperspirant stick applied the night before. Active ingredients get time to work while your sweat production is naturally lower, and protection carries through a full night of heat, layers, and the dance floor.Why does my costume still smell after washing?Synthetic fabrics trap bacterial buildup deep in the fibers. Standard detergent often can't shift it. Pre-soak in vinegar before washing to break down the residue. Skip the dryer if any smell remains. High heat sets odor into the fabric, and then it stays there.Halloween is one night. The costume is temporary. The memory of being the guy who smelled great in a full latex suit is forever.Apply antiperspirant the night before, use an odor-fighting body wash and keep a body spray in your pocket. That's the whole routine. It’s just a few steps to save you from a 10 p.m. odor emergency when you’re trapped in rubber.This story was produced by AXE and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Put the credit cards away. Workforce Pell will help pay for career training Indiana has more than 500 job openings for medical assistants, but training for the job isn’t cheap — between $1,500 and $4,000 at lower-cost schools, such as Indiana’s Ivy Tech Community College.The reduced $1,500 tuition for low-income people the college offers is still a challenge for students trying to bootstrap their way to an entry-level job.But a major expansion of Pell Grants, long a key part of college financial aid, will soon pay for a big part of career training programs and can make some programs like Ivy Tech’s essentially free to low-income students.The 74 examined how new Workforce Pell Grants, created by Congress last year and rolling out this summer, will help pay for training for career credentials taking less than four months, potentially in fields such as nursing, commercial truck driving or cosmetology. The change breaks Pell’s longstanding restriction to only pay for degree programs, which usually take two years or more.With Americans losing faith in colleges and seeking less-costly, less time-consuming ways to train for jobs, short-term programs that help students earn credentials have grown in popularity, tripling by some measures.Quick credentials rarely lead to jobs with middle class pay, with some offering less than $30,000 a year. Experts say students should look at them as just a building block to adding skills over time, but the grants will help students start working for more than minimum wage.“This is going to give students a real opportunity to enter into higher education for the first time, where they’re going to take on little to no debt…and get into the workforce faster,” Nicholas Kent, federal under secretary of education, told reporters earlier this year.Grant amounts depend on a student’s finances, but those with low income can receive as much as $4,000 to cover training costs, depending on the length of the program. Students in Ivy Tech’s program, at just eight weeks long, would receive about $1,800, leaving a few hundred dollars extra to pay for books and transportation.“This is going to be a huge benefit to both students and employers,” said Molly Dodge, senior vice president of workforce and careers at Ivy Tech. “We can reach more students who have financial need and support their education and training.”Iris Palmer, an analyst for nonprofit think tank New America, agreed that Workforce Pell will be a big help to some students. She pointed to an analysis last year by the Pew Charitable Trusts showing most people are paying for the costs of work credentials out of pocket, without help from loans or grants.“It will help a group of people not pay for these things on their credit cards,” Palmer said.Originally created by Congress as Basic Educational Opportunity Grants in 1972, the Pell Grants are the single biggest source of federal financial aid grants for low- and moderate-income students attending college. Students receive between $740 and $7,400 a year, depending on family size and income, toward associate and bachelor’s degree programs.Making smaller Pell Grants available for work training has been a goal of some legislators and advocates for two decades or more, and was even tested as a pilot at a few colleges between 2012 and 2017.After years of debate, Congress created the Workforce Pell as part of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer. The U.S. Department of Education released detailed rules in May to make sure grants cover training with a track record of helping students, and the program officially launched July 1.Rollout will be slow, however, as states sort through requirements that programs serve in-demand jobs, have a shorter length than traditional Pell (150 to 599 clock hours over eight to 15 weeks), show that students are hired quickly after finishing, and lead to pay of at least $24,000 a year — all factors that vary by program and local economies.States have to approve programs individually before sending them to the Department of Education for a final decision, which has states at varying stages of accepting, reviewing and approving applications from colleges. In many cases, income data for each program isn’t readily available or existing programs are a little shorter or longer than the new requirements, so they are not eligible without changes.“It’s going to take a while for states and institutions to figure out,” said Randall Stamper, who leads work training efforts at Virginia’s community colleges. “It’s just not plug and play.”The first program approved by the Department of Education was a 14-week EMT training program at Iowa Central Community College. Meanwhile, other states are still deciding which programs to even submit for federal approval.Ohio, for example, has received applications from six community colleges for 10 programs ranging from firefighting to nursing and EMT training. Ohio’s Department of Higher Education has rejected a few applications for not meeting requirements and has yet to approve any to pass on to the federal government.In Indiana, Ivy Tech’s Certified Medical Assistant training was the only program that could immediately meet all the requirements. The state submitted that program for federal approval in July, and the Department of Education approved the program in August.Dodge said the school is looking at other programs it can adapt, sometimes by adjusting training length, or if there are new ones it can create with businesses to help fill their needs for employees.“We really wanted to enable our campuses to have a program right off the bat to help us test this model,” Dodge said. “It’s brand new … We want a program that we can pilot, learn from, and then take those lessons learned into new program offerings.”Stamper said Virginia has few programs that immediately qualify, despite a statewide effort called Fast Forward aimed at helping students earn credentials at community colleges as fast as possible. Sometimes students can earn a credential in six or seven weeks or in just 80 to 120 hours — too fast, he said, to fit the Workforce Pell rules.Virginia, like other states, is exploring whether to adjust programs by a few hours or bundle training for a few certificates into one program, but Stamper said it won’t add extra hours only to qualify.“If a student can go to a college and earn a valuable credential in four weeks that will get them employed…I am reluctant to force that student to stay twice as long simply to be able to apply for a portion of federal money to pay for the tuition,” he said.Stamper understands why Congress and the Department of Education set the rules, though.“Do I think that some valuable programs are not going to be eligible because they miss that duration? Yeah, I do,” he said. “But I recognize the need to try to have some way to ensure value to a student if they’re going to receive Pell to pay for it. It’s a hard needle to thread.”With so few programs immediately matching Workforce Pell’s requirements, it’s hard for students to know if and when they might receive the help pursuing their field. But experts offer some hints at which fields are likely to have qualifying programs.Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, at the request of The 74, combined income data it tracks with a list of fields that require training that roughly meets the range covered by Workforce Pell. Researchers there found that training for welding, auto repair, cosmetology and early childhood education could potentially qualify, along with the fields colleges are already applying for.A separate analysis of earnings of training programs in Washington state by American University’s Postsecondary Education and Economics Research (PEER) Center found that training for fields such as vehicle maintenance, medical assisting, and clinical lab science are likely to qualify, but programs for practical nursing and cosmetology may not meet income requirements.PEER’s analysis differs from Georgetown’s, notably, on cosmetology, which often has such low pay that people often earn less than people with just high school degrees even after paying for training and earning a license.Cosmetology is one field where low pay will make Workforce Pell approval variable, depending on program cost and local demand and pay. But advocates say requiring programs and states to find real hiring and income data is forcing hard looks at the real value of all training programs, not just those applying for Workforce Pell, that should eventually weed out programs students may be wasting time and money on now.Jeff Strohl, director of Georgetown’s center, said students should consider the pay a program leads to carefully. Though a quick credential can give students an immediate pay boost, that credential alone is usually not enough to earn middle class wages over time. Students should consider them a first step and stack other credentials or degrees together as they go.“Not many of these bring a nonpoverty wage if that’s all you get,” he cautioned. “We have to be really, really careful trying to sell youth that you can go take a six-week course and expect to be getting a living wage.”This story was produced by The 74 and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The faster-turnaround advantage: How preferred SBA lenders help businesses move quickly Small businesses are a pillar of the U.S. economy, generating trillions of dollars in economic output and employing roughly 62.3 million workers. But they are also among the first to feel the pain of an economic downturn. Unlike large corporations, small businesses rarely have the luxury of large cash reserves.When cash gets tight, owners typically turn to bank loans, lines of credit, and credit cards to keep the business running, smooth out volatile cash flow, or fund growth. That makes funding speed critical. A business with only a few weeks of cash can’t afford to wait months for financing.This is why the Preferred SBA Lenders program exists: to give qualified lenders greater authority to approve SBA-backed loans and small businesses faster access to capital.Below, Plains State Bank explains how preferred SBA lenders can help small businesses.Why Preferred Lenders Cut Loan Approval Time in HalfThe Preferred Lenders Program (PLP) is an official program managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Its purpose is to streamline administrative processing, shorten loan turnaround times, and relieve federal administrative burden.Since the SBA does not act as a direct lender, the cash has to come from standard private institutions, also known as SBA lenders. Under PLP, some lenders perform better than others and are granted delegated authority.This means PLP banks can make final credit decisions, issue approvals, and handle loan servicing internally without waiting on the SBA.The Authority That Speeds ApprovalsSBA lenders without PLP status must gather applicants’ financial documents, complete underwriting, and then submit the full loan package to an SBA government processing center. A federal loan officer reviews the package and decides whether to issue the government guarantee.But if a lender receives PLP status, it means the SBA trusts it enough to step back. Unlike standard loan processing, where the data must go through the SBA, a PLP lender can make the decision internally.This means that an SBA preferred lender can cut weeks from a small business owner’s loan application. If the standard approval process can take 60-90 days, it often drops to 30-45 days with a PLP lender. For a small business financing its growth, this can be enough time to snag commercial real estate or acquire competitors before larger companies can act.Why PLP Status Is Rare and Hard to KeepThe Preferred Lenders Program is backed by a broad, nationwide network. Across the U.S., there are thousands of financial institutions authorized to issue SBA-guaranteed 7(a) loans, which gives small businesses access to a wide lender network.The network spans almost every tier of the financial sector, from national megabanks like Huntington National Bank or TD Bank, local community banks, non-bank institutions, and digital-first banks.Still, not every financial institution can gain PLP status. This privilege is reserved only for institutions vetted by the SBA that have demonstrated a high volume of successfully originated SBA loans, deep knowledge of SBA regulations, and low historical default rates.Also, PLP status is not permanent. The SBA reviews preferred SBA lenders every two years. If a lender’s default rates spike, or if SBA audits reveal they are taking shortcut risks, the SBA strips them of their delegated authority.How PLP Helps Small Businesses Move FasterThe main advantage of working with an SBA lender with PLP status is the shorter approval period. However, small business owners need to understand that this doesn’t bypass federal underwriting criteria. A borrower still has to provide standard tax returns, debt schedules, and financial statements.The timeline savings occur entirely in the administrative phase, not the borrower-preparation phase. Here’s a quick overview of the difference in funding speed between non-PLP lenders and PLP ones: Plains State Bank In fast-moving business scenarios, such as commercial real estate acquisitions, inventory buys, or business purchases, the shortened timeline can be invaluable. Owners can act on time-sensitive, high-dollar opportunities that are hard to come by in markets dominated by companies with larger budgets and operations.A PLP lender delivers the favorable interest rates and terms of a government-backed loan with the operational efficiency of a streamlined private commercial lender.Matching Your Deal Type to the Right LenderFinding the right preferred lender is more than just picking a bank off a list. A borrower’s deal profile (commercial real estate, working capital, or business acquisition) must match a lender whose internal risk tolerance aligns with the industry.Since PLP lenders have internal underwriters who make the final call, approval criteria vary significantly from one financial institution to another. So, even though the process is shorter, borrowers still have to identify, vet, and select the right PLP lender for their business.Businesses looking to finance a commercial real estate project should apply to large regional or national brick-and-mortar banks. For business acquisition and/or partner buyouts, it’s best to look to specialized digital/online SBA banks. Meanwhile, non-bank PLP lenders are more open to accepting higher-risk profiles or non-traditional cash flows.The Search for a Local LenderSince the PLP lender network is vast, the SBA streamlines the process for small businesses to connect with local, regional, and national lenders based on business type and funding needs.Owners can also use the SBA’s quarterly or annual Top 7(a) Lenders Report. The top 20 to 30 lenders on this list almost universally hold national PLP status and have dedicated, streamlined SBA underwriting departments.For a non-digital approach, businesses can contact their state’s SBA district offices and request a current directory of active preferred lenders in a specific market.Why PLP Matters for Growing BusinessesPreferred SBA lenders are financial institutions vetted by the SBA as trustworthy partners for small businesses in need of quick funding. Their purpose is to support small entrepreneurs by reducing the loan processing time without increasing risks.This story was produced by Plains State Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	A few scares, some laughs and dirt in your beverage \| Dani's Weekend Rundown for Oct. 8-11 Want to get out and get busy? It's the perfect weekend for a race, concert, vintage market, scary movie, festive food or raising awareness for a great cause.
	Three things to know: Oct. 8, 2026 Birdies for Charity, Junior Achievement of the Heartland celebrates 70 years and an update on your forecast.
	Self-Employed and Can’t Get a Mortgage? The Loan Type May Be the Problem Many self-employed borrowers who are told they do not qualify for a mortgage are not actually unqualified. They are applying through a loan type that measures income in a way that works against them. Conventional mortgages rely on tax returns, and for self-employed borrowers, tax returns are designed to minimize taxable income. That creates a gap between what a borrower actually earns and what a traditional lender sees on paper. Daniel Norris, a wholesale account executive at a California-based non-QM residential lender, says he encounters this disconnect daily, not just from borrowers, but from the mortgage brokers who are supposed to find them solutions. The Broker Bottleneck The first barrier for many self-employed buyers is not the lender; it is their own broker’s assumptions, according to Norris. He says the most common reaction he gets when reaching out to brokers about non-QM products is flat dismissal. “I don’t do non-QM,” he hears. “I just take my borrowers conventionally.” That response means the broker has already decided, before examining the deal, that any borrower who does not fit a conventional box simply does not get a loan. For a salaried W-2 employee with steady pay stubs, conventional lending works. For a freelancer, small business owner, or contractor, the rigid documentation requirements of conventional loans can be a dead end. Self-employed borrowers often have tax returns that understate their actual cash flow, Norris explains. Write-offs, depreciation, and other legitimate deductions reduce the income figure on paper. A conventional underwriter looks at that reduced number and rejects the application, even when the business itself is thriving. Alternative Documentation Paths Non-QM lenders address this gap with a range of alternative documentation products. Bank statement loans are among the most common for self-employed borrowers: rather than relying on tax returns, the lender reviews months of business or personal bank deposits to gauge actual income. Other non-QM paths include asset-depletion loans, which qualify borrowers based on liquid assets rather than income, and debt-service-coverage-ratio (DSCR) loans, used primarily by real estate investors and based on a property’s rental income rather than the borrower’s personal earnings. As Norris describes the bank statement approach, the idea is to “take a look at their bank statements and see what their business is doing and being able to go off of that income.” If money is flowing into a borrower’s accounts consistently, that deposit history can offer a more accurate picture of earning power than a tax return engineered to reduce a tax bill. These products still involve underwriting, credit review, and documentation requirements. They are not the stated-income loans of the pre-2008 era, but they answer the same underlying question — can this borrower afford this mortgage — using different evidence than a tax return. Beyond Self-Employment The self-employed scenario is the most common, but non-QM products fill other gaps as well. Norris notes that non-QM lending also serves foreign national borrowers, non-permanent residents, and buyers purchasing non-warrantable condos, properties that do not meet the criteria conventional lenders require for condominium financing. Each of these categories represents a buyer who has the financial capacity to purchase a home but does not fit the specific documentation or property requirements of conventional lending. The Cost of the Alternative Path Non-QM loans typically carry higher interest rates than conventional mortgages, reflecting the additional risk lenders take on with alternative documentation. The exact difference depends on the borrower’s credit profile, the loan-to-value ratio, and the specific product. Non-QM loans also fall outside the Qualified Mortgage designation established by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which carries certain borrower protections tied to standardized ability-to-repay documentation. Stepping outside that framework means both borrower and lender accept additional risk. For a self-employed buyer, the relevant question is whether paying a higher rate for a loan they can actually obtain is preferable to being shut out of homeownership by conventional underwriting. That is a personal calculation, not a universal answer. A Growing but Still Unfamiliar Market Norris frames the core problem as one of awareness. “The misconception is I already have what I need, I don’t do non-QM, I don’t need it,” he says of how many brokers think. Brokers who work exclusively in conventional lending may never present the alternative to borrowers who could benefit from it. Non-QM lending has expanded in recent years, with new lenders entering the space and some conventional lenders adding non-QM offerings alongside their existing lines. For self-employed borrowers shopping for a mortgage, the most practical step is asking a broker directly whether they work with non-QM lenders, and if they do not, finding one who does. About the Expert: Daniel Norris leads a wholesale sales team at American Heritage Lending, a California-based non-QM lender. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. The views and opinions expressed herein reflect those of the individuals quoted and do not represent an endorsement of any company, product, or service mentioned. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult qualified professionals before making any investment decisions.

Friday, October 9th, 2026

Thursday, October 8th, 2026