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

Thursday, June 18th, 2026
	The King of Rock Island This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Most cities in the United States feel slightly un-American if they can't boast at least one outlaw or crook of some…
	The Obama Presidential Center will be dedicated Thursday. Here's what to expect The Obama Presidential Center's grand opening ceremony will be a star-studded event. The center's museum highlights the legacy of the former president, but it is not a traditional presidential library.
	Poll: Most Americans have the summer blues about Trump and the economy A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds a record low share of Americans approve of President Trump's job performance and his handling of the economy heading into the summer before a key midterm election.
	What — and who — will be at the Great American State Fair? Here's a primer Several state governments have declined to participate in the 16-day event, though organizers say all U.S. states and territories will be represented by booths on the National Mall.
	As America turns 250, one museum makes history possible to touch Federal law requires most museums and other buildings to be accessible to people with disabilities. But access to what's actually inside is often still limited.
	All detainees from immigration facility 'Alligator Alcatraz' have been transferred All detainees at the detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," have been transferred to other facilities, the Department of Homeland Security said, citing concerns related to the hurricane season.
	Fans sold at TJ Maxx, Marshalls stores nationwide recalled over fire risk "The fan can overheat, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a fire hazard," the CPSC warned.
	New Yorkers are set to fete the Knicks with a ticker-tape parade New York is celebrating the Knicks in classic style Thursday, throwing a ticker-tape parade for the team that brought home the NBA championship longed for by generations of fans.
	FIFA hydration breaks have sparked criticism. But what do they actually do? For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA is mandating all soccer players take hydration breaks to protect them from the threats of extreme heat. But the new rule has sparked criticism.
	Over 1,000 people killed during Gaza ceasefire, Palestinian authorities say Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip have killed 1,005 Palestinians since a ceasefire was reached between Israel and the militant group Hamas last October, according to Gaza Health Ministry.
Wednesday, June 17th, 2026
	Clinton plays on new Field of Dreams field Clinton faced Western Dubuque Wednesday night at the new Field of Dreams field.
	River Bandits win game 2 against Timber Rattlers 3-2 Watch all the highlights from River Bandits game 2 win in the series against the Timber Rattlers 3-2.
	Red Cross' A Taste on the River fundraiser canceled due to weather issues The annual event was set to take place on Wednesday, June 17.
	Greg Behning sworn in as Davenport Police Chief Behning has served as interim chief since March, when former chief Jeff Bladel retired.
	Victim identified in East Moline homicide Early Tuesday morning, officers found 27-year-old Freddie Bass with multiple gunshot wounds at an East Moline apartment complex.
	Victim identified in East Moline homicide Early Tuesday morning, officers found 27-year-old Freddie Bass with multiple gunshot wounds at an East Moline apartment complex.
	DeWitt School Board approves master-plan updates with no property-tax increase The Central DeWitt Community School District Board of Education has unanimously approved an updated $54 million facility improvement master plan, according to a news release from the school district. The proposal, which aims to modernize aging infrastructure and consolidate all PreK–12 students onto a single connected campus, will be funded with no increase to the [...]
	Ollie’s Bargain Outlet to open Davenport store Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will open its new Davenport location Thursday.
	Juneteenth events in the Quad Cities area Communities in the Quad Cities area are holding events to celebrate Juneteenth.
	Illinois establishes Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 862 into law June 17, creating the Illinois Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship (IDAG). According to a release: Through its three primary divisions, the department will continue to provide critical support to thousands of individuals with disabilities across Illinois. The Division of State Guardian will serve as guardian [...]
	Inside Iowa Politics: How Zach Lahn responds to being called ‘part-time Iowan’ by opponent Zach Lahn responds to criticism about whether he will be in Iowa enough to serve as its next governor.
	Rock Island appoints interim public works director A longtime city employee is stepping into a new leadership role. Luke VanLandegen will serve as interim public works director.
	VanLandegen named interim Rock Island public works director Rock Island City Manager Todd Thompson has named Municipal Services Superintendent Luke VanLandegen as interim public works director, a news release says. VanLandegen replaces Mike Bartels, who resigned his position this month after 13 years with the city. “Luke VanLandegen has the leadership, experience and knowledge necessary to lead the largest department in the City,” [...]
	MercyOne Clinton Medical Center unveils new surgical robot MercyOne Clinton Medical Center unveiled its new piece of cutting-edge technology on Wednesday.
	Iowa racers sweep top 3 positions at DIRTcar Summer Nationals, West Liberty Iowa racers swept the top three positions at the DIRTcar Summer Nationals event held Tuesday, at the half-mile West Liberty Raceway. All night long the Summer National Late model drivers were chasing Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa. Chris set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 18.165 seconds. He won his heat race and [...]
	MercyOne Clinton Medical Center acquires new surgery robot The DaVinci Surgical System has a lifespan of about 20 years.
	Sand: Iowa school voucher program to cost $330 million as private school enrollment surges Iowa’s school voucher program is expected to cost the state nearly $330 million this year as enrollment in private schools has surged past state expectations, according to a new report released today.
	Davenport swears in new police chief The City of Davenport has a new chief of police.
	Wednesday storm damage widespread around Our Quad Cities area Wednesday got off to a loud start in the Quad Cities ...and surrounding areas. Severe t'storms packed winds up to 80 miles per hour across parts of Iowa and Illinois. Damage was widespread from the Quad Cities to Monmouth, Illinois.
	YOUR COVERAGE: Central Illinois hit by violent storms Wednesday Severe weather rolled through the Heart of Illinois on Wednesday. Here’s a compilation of the photos we’ve received.
	Online auction company hosting charity auction for Foster’s Voice The auctions run through June 22 on the MAC-BID website.
	Iowan among 8 killed in B-52 bomber crash at California Air Force base Maj. Brad Hovey was a pilot with the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base.
	1 year in, Macomb's glass recycling program is proving wildly successful Over the last year, the community program has saved 41 tons of glass from Macomb's landfill. That's the weight equivalent of about 6 large elephants.
	Bureau County man wins 2026 Golden Tee World Championship From small-town bar to world champion, it's been a nearly 20-year journey for Ladd, IL's Jeff Lannen. But he's now the best in the world at the popular arcade game.
	Traffic Alert: Construction to begin on Gateway Bridge in Whiteside County Construction on the U.S. 30 Mississippi River Bridge, also known as the Gateway Bridge, is set to begin Thursday.
	Litter of Pallas's cat kittens born at Niabi Zoo Niabi's litter is just one of two Pallas's cat litters born through the species' survival plan this year.
	Bureau County man wins Golden Tee World Championship Jeff Lannen has been playing Golden Tee for 25 years. What started as an after-hours hobby at work has now taken him to the world stage.
	Henry County Health Dept. finds first West Nile Virus of 2026 in specimen bath The Henry and Stark County Health Department reports that its first mosquito pool of the year to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) was a specimen batch collected and tested on June 5, according to a report from the Henry and Stark County Health Department. “The news of the first batch of mosquitos carrying [...]
	Las Culturistas Culture Awards take the elitism out of awards shows NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang of the Las Culturistas podcast about their tongue-in-cheek "Culture Awards" broadcast.
	License renewal processes to change for senior drivers in Illinois July 1 Drivers license renewal processes will change for seniors in Illinois. Under the Illinois Road Safety and Fairness Act, drivers 79 through 86 will no longer be required to take a behind-the-wheel test because of their age, but they will still have to renew the license in person and pass a vision screening test. Drivers 79 [...]
	Macomb celebrates 1 year of glass recycling program Residents have kept more than 41 tons of glass out of landfills. That's the weight of almost six large elephants!
	Severe weather update for the rest of the night After a very active morning with lots of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Quad Cities, things have began to calm down for the evening. Heavy rain dropped on the Quad Cities leading to flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorms producing 70-80 mph winds, causing damage like downed trees, and even a toppled train car [...]
	Central DeWitt school board approves updated master plan for improvements, includes no property tax increases District officials hope to put a $33.7 million bond referendum on the November ballot to help fund the plan, but it would only extend current levy payments.
	Here's how much the the Iran war cost -- and how its effects will linger More than three months after the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran, the costs and aftereffects are felt around the world.
	Here's how much the Iran war cost -- and how its effects will linger More than three months after the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran, the costs and aftereffects are felt around the world.
	Spend your Father's Day weekend at the Geneseo Music Festival Spend your Father's Day weekend enjoying live music, parades, food trucks, tractor displays and so much more! Lindsie Akers joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Geneseo Music Festival. For more information, click here.
	Longtime Freight House vendor publishes ‘City Farmers’ Market’ for young readers Scott Smith — known to families as “Mr. Homegrown” — has released a new children’s book, City Farmers’ Market, inspired by his decades at the Freight House Farmers Market and aimed at teaching kids about fresh produce, farming and local food.
	Iowa native, U.S. Air Force Maj. Brad Hovey, killed in B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base One of the eight B-52 bomber crash victims at Edwards Airforce Base in California this week was an Iowa native.
	Calming down Wednesday evening with quiet weather into Father’s Day weekend First Alert Day issued as a strong weather system brings damaging hail, gusty winds and isolated tornado potential through Wednesday evening
	A Taste on the River in East Moline cancelled While we are disappointed to cancel this beloved event, the safety of our guests, volunteers, chefs, sponsors, vendors, and community partners remains our highest priority, a media release said.
	J.T. Poston, Ben Griffin commit to 2026 John Deere Classic field The two players are currently in the top 40 of the World Golf Rankings.
	New local history mural completed at Davenport’s MLK Park A new colorful mural by nationally recognized artist and muralist Cbabi Bayoc is done, next to the Martin Luther King Jr. Interpretive Center, 501 N. Brady St., Davenport.
	Victim in East Moline homicide identified as Moline 27-year-old Officials have released the identity of the man killed in Tuesday morning’s shooting in East Moline. Another man has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
	Auditor examines Iowa’s Education Savings Account program State Auditor Rob Sand says the state’s Education Savings Account program cost taxpayers nearly $330 million dollars this school year.
	Multiple train cars on ground after derailment near Ormonde KWQC is working to learn more about a train derailment near Ormonde Wednesday morning.
	Victim in East Moline shooting identified A 21-year-old Rock Island man was arrested on a murder charge after a shooting in East Moline Tuesday.
	Lawmakers, stakeholders are ready for summer of data center negotiations Data centers, labor and environmental stakeholders say they’re ready to meet at the negotiating table as soon as possible because uncertainty is holding communities and projects in limbo.
	When a scam call turns into a real conversation: 6 verification steps and how a quick phone lookup fits in When a scam call turns into a real conversation: 6 verification steps and how a quick phone lookup fits inEvery year, billions of unwanted phone calls are placed to unsuspecting Americans. In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost more than $12.5 billion collectively to fraud, a 25% jump from the prior year.Imposter scams accounted for nearly $3 billion of that total. Among people who reported losing money to a scam that started with a phone call, the average loss per person was $3,690.The numbers are alarming, and what has actually changed is the sophistication of the scams behind them. The old generation of phone fraud featured an immediate ask, barely coherent script, and obvious pressure to take action. Now scams are more patient. A calm voice from what appears to be a real company number, a plausible reason for phoning, and a willingness to hold a conversation before making any type of ask.The standard advice of “just hang up” no longer applies. Instead, today’s consumers need a short sequence of steps that take just about two minutes and actually help determine whether the person calling you is a scammer.Spokeo has assembled this list using data and advice from leading institutions including the Federal Trade Commission, AARP, the Better Business Bureau, and the Federal Communications Commission to help you avoid becoming a victim to a fraudulent call.Why "just hang up" isn't enough anymoreBefore diving into the roadmap, it’s worth outlining why the strategy of old doesn’t hold up today. The short answer is that the advice made sense for a simpler era. When calls followed the same structure of pressure, bad script, and quick ask, it all took about 30 seconds. Typically, callers would demand you wire money to avoid arrest, in order to quickly cause an emotional reaction in the hopes you agree and don't think.The scams of today work differently. The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel data identifies imposter scams, where callers pose as representatives of businesses, government agencies, or employers, as the most commonly reported fraud category. It’s also the second-highest source of financial loss.Modern scam calls are designed to sustain a conversation as opposed to ending it quickly. After all, a caller impersonating a utility company’s billing department wouldn't demand payment right away. They would first establish context, confirm information they seemingly would have if they are who they say, and create a subtle problem that needs to be solved over multiple interactions. This makes just hanging up difficult for anybody, since it sounds plausible and could be real.Artificial intelligence has also accelerated the professionalization of these scam scripts. A CBS News report outlined how Americans are now getting 2.5 billion robocalls a month. AI tools help scammers generate call scripts from aggregated data breaches and create personalized approaches that potentially even utilize real data like the last four digits of your account number.The friction that used to separate fake calls from real ones is disappearing. What hasn’t changed is the underlying structure of the scam, and this playbook can give you the tools you need to identify what is real and what isn’t.Step 1: Listen for pacing and pressure cuesThe first 30 seconds of an unfamiliar call will contain more information than you think. While the content of what a caller says is easy to script, the pacing and emotional register of the call are harder to fake. Scammers work on a quick volume. They can’t actually spend a large amount of time on the call, which means the pressure to move towards an ask is usually detectable in how quickly they try to establish urgency or discomfort.A real business call will not require you to make a decision during that call. It’s meant to convey information and offer ways to follow up. A scammer needs you to stay on the line and comply before you have time to think more about the situation. The urgency is always the tell.Tip: Let the caller finish their opening statement without interrupting them. Then, follow up and ask for their name and the best number to reach them if you get disconnected. A real caller will answer without hesitation, but a scammer may resist a callback question.Warning Sign: Any suggestion that you need to act right away, have to stay on the line, or avoid hanging up to keep your account in good standing is a pressure tactic. Legitimate callers don’t require you to stay on an active call to receive what they’re offering.Step 2: Ask the caller to verify one detail about youThis is arguably the single most effective in-call verification step you have, but almost nobody thinks to use it.The idea is extremely simple. Rather than being the one to answer all the questions and providing information, reverse the direction of the conversation. If a caller claims they represent your bank, employer, insurance company, or any organization you’re affiliated with, ask them to confirm something personal about you.For example, ask questions like “What was the last transaction on my account?” or “What is the service address associated with this account?” While they may still be able to access the information as a scammer, it can give you a leaning indicator of whether they’re real or not.The FTC’s 2025 guidance on fighting impersonation scams calls this point out directly. They state that government agencies, banks, and utilities will all generally have your account information ready to go and can verify it with you, but they shouldn’t need to confirm information they’re expected to already have.Tip: Make the verification question something only your actual account would reflect. A recent payment amount, a specific service date, or a reference number from a prior interaction are all good options. Avoid asking for confirmation or information that the caller could have sourced from publicly available sites.Warning Sign: If the caller says they can’t access the information you’re requesting or pivots to asking you to confirm your details instead, end the call right away.Step 3: End the call and search the number directlyWhether or not the immediate call goes well, your next step should always be the same. End the call and search the number independently before taking any action the caller recommended. This step helps to remove you from the pressure of the live call and gives you a few minutes to think and research before deciding how to proceed.Even a basic Google search of the full phone number will often surface complaint reports, forum threads, or more. The BBB Scam Tracker is an excellent public resource where consumers file reports on numbers associated with scam activity. A number that has generated multiple recent complaints is a reliable indicator of fraud. Neighbor spoofing, when a scammer uses a number with the same area code as our own, is often detectable with this method.Tip: Search the exact number in quotation marks to force exact-match results on it. Scam numbers typically appear buried in forums with slight formatting differences, so quoting it will pull more results.Warning Sign: A number with no web presence, business registration, or search results is a warning sign. Real businesses should have a searchable digital footprint, and a number with no result at all has likely deliberately been kept clean.Step 4: Use a reverse phone lookup to cross-check the numberA basic web search will tell you what other consumers have reported about a number. A reverse phone lookup will add another layer to the result. This search checks the number against business registrations, carrier records, and contact profiles. This result will let you know whether the number is registered to the company the caller claims to be from.If the lookup shows the number associated with a real business at a matching address, it’s a green flag. However, this is not conclusive. Caller ID spoofing can still route a call through a legitimate-appearing number. The FCCs STIR/SHAKEN framework is a call authentication protocol that’s been implemented by major carriers and has reduced the ease of basic spoofing. However, full implementation across smaller carriers is still incomplete.Tip: Use the reverse lookup as a cross-check, not a verdict. A number that comes back clean isn’t necessarily safe as spoofed calls can pass through registered numbers. Simply use it to flag discrepancies rather than to clear calls you’re not sure about.Warning Sign: A number the caller attributed to a major company that comes back as being related to a different business, residential address, or unrelated organization is a major indicator of spoofing or an impersonation.Step 5: Call the company back through its verified main lineThis step is the most reliable verification method on this list. A direct callback to a company’s published number creates a clean channel that can’t be spoofed or manipulated.Utility impersonation scams are among the most common and the highest-volume imposter scams tracked by the BBB and Utilities United Against Scams coalition, and finding their real business number is possible with a simple Google search.When you call back through the verified line, ask specifically whether a representative called you and what the subject was about. Most large organizations log outbound call activity and will be able to confirm whether the call happened.Tip: Find the verified number before you actually need it. Add all the customer service numbers of your bank, utility company, and employer to your contacts. In a high pressure moment, having the numbers ready to go can remove one more step.Warning Sign: Never use a callback number that the caller gives you and never use a number that appears in the contact line of the person calling you. Always find the number independently from the company’s official website.Step 6: Report the number to the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business BureauIf your verification process confirms, or at least strongly suggests, that the call was fake, reporting it is a quick and easy process that can save others. The FTC’s ReportFraud site collects government complaint data that federal and state law enforcement use to identify fraud patterns, prosecute operations, and issue consumer warnings. A number that gets a large amount of complaints will trigger investigative attention that it otherwise may not have received.Similarly, the BBB Scam Tracker site is a consumer-facing complement. By reporting data to both platforms, you can maximize the reach of your complaint.Tip: When going to file the report, include as much detail as possible, including the full number, the date and time of the call, the name and company the caller claimed to be from, and the nature of the request.Warning Sign: If you provided any financial information during a call you think was fake, contact your bank right away before filing a report. The report documents the scam, but your bank can stop any immediate damage.Build the habit before you need itThese recommended steps take less than five minutes end to end, and the precautions that take the most time are the ones that matter the most. The challenge is to keep your cool during scam calls that are designed to pressure you into taking quick action.The best defense against imposter scams is to build the verification habits before you’re under any pressure. Run through the steps on a benign unknown call, such as a robocall from an insurance company, so the sequence feels automatic. Most victims of phone fraud acknowledge that something felt off on the call, but they didn’t know how to respond.Scam volume isn’t going to decrease anytime soon. What consumers have that scammers don’t is the ability to pause. You can always end the call and check before responding. That small pause, when applied consistently, can provide you with actual protection.This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What football managers’ cliché phrases reveal about communication under pressure What football managers’ cliché phrases reveal about communication under pressureA new AI tracker built for the world’s biggest football tournament is measuring clichés that fill the press conferences surrounding every match. The overused phrases that define these communications reveal a pattern that isn’t unique to sport.Every four years, the world's most-watched sporting event creates a singular form of pressure: the pressure to say the right thing at exactly the right moment, in front of an audience of billions.For the managers of the 48 national teams competing, that pressure plays out at the pre- and post-match microphone. Say something bland and you lose the room. Say the wrong thing and you risk losing something more lasting: trust.For brands communicating with customers during high-stake business moments, the challenge is the same, and it plays out in every notification, campaign, and customer message.The more pressure, the more clichésCreated by cloud communications provider Sinch specifically for the 2026 tournament, the AI-powered tracker is built on a 205-phrase dictionary of football clichés spanning six languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Arabic.Each phrase appears repeatedly in major tournament press conferences, regardless of the match context, and would be immediately recognized by fans as a well-worn fallback — phrases like "we take it one game at a time," "the boys gave 110%" and "there are no easy games at this level."The tracker, called the xC Tracker, borrowing the naming logic of football's xG (expected goals) metric, monitors every pre- and post-match press conference across the tournament and ranks all 48 managers on how often they default to stock phrases rather than offering something insightful and specific. Sinch The cost of empty wordsCataloguing football clichés is entertaining in its own right. But the patterns it uncovers go well beyond the sport.Every organization that communicates at scale faces a version of the same challenge. When the volume is high and the pressure is on, the notification that could have been relevant and timely can quickly become a templated, delayed message. The campaign that could have felt personal can arrive at the wrong moment and read like noise rather than valuable information. The customer support response that could have made a customer’s day can arrive too late, be too generic, and fail to address the issue entirely.During high-stakes moments — a Black Friday shopping rush, a platform service outage, or a flight cancellation wave — the cost of saying the wrong thing at the wrong moment is even higher. Messages compete not just against other brand messages but also against genuine stakes, and sometimes genuine frustration. These moments are when customers’ tolerance for anything that feels scripted is at its lowest.When a football manager tells reporters "we gave everything" after a defeat, the message lands the same way whether it was a tight loss to the tournament favorites or a humiliating collapse against the lowest-ranked team in the competition.When a retailer sends a generic ‘your order has been canceled’ notification to customers whose holiday purchases can't be fulfilled due to a stock shortage — instead of a proactive text that lets them reply and pick an alternative — the relationship the brand took months or years to build can unravel in a single send.One bad experience is all it takes: Sinch research shows 75% of consumers would switch brands because of it.The universal challenge of peak-time communicationWhat makes pre- and post-match communication interesting as a case study is its constraints. A football manager has minutes, sometimes less, to say something valuable at the microphone after the final whistle.Brands operate under similar constraints during high-stakes moments. When sending updates or campaigns to millions of customers during a major event, they have a narrow window in which they can make that message matter — and do so at scale. If they miss it, the opportunity has passed. If they rush it with something generic, customers notice. Research from McKinsey in 2021 found that more than 70% of consumers expect brands to personalize their communications, and Sinch research found that a third say they're frustrated when those messages are irrelevant. Sinch The most meaningful communications, in football and in business, have two things in common: specificity and reliability.A manager who offers a precise tactical observation after a match is adding something that couldn't have been said about any other match. The best communicators do it consistently, regardless of the circumstances, and players and fans take confidence from it.During peak moments like Black Friday, if a retailer sends a ‘biggest deals of the year’ email to someone who bought full price the day before, or a ‘last chance’ text that arrives after the deal has already ended, the messages fail on both counts. A brand message informed by today's context, rather than scheduled six weeks ago, requires infrastructure built to handle that volume, complexity, and scale — and a layer of AI to make it relevant to every recipient. This is how it earns its place in the moment it arrives.There are no easy messages at this levelMost people default to clichés under pressure too. The difference is nobody's keeping score. For brands, the audience always is. And it's in those moments — when the stakes are highest and timing and relevance matter most — that customer trust is won or lost.This story was produced by Sinch and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rare Pallas’s cat kittens born at Niabi Zoo mark conservation milestone Three rare Pallas’s cat kittens born at Niabi Zoo boost North American conservation efforts after storm recovery and habitat rebuild.
	Red Cross' A Taste on the River fundraiser canceled due to weather The annual event was set to take place on Wednesday, June 17.
	Tips to keep your brain healthy, Coal Valley daycare investigation: News 8 This Week - June 14, 2026 June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. We speak with Dr. Michael Stockman on how to take care of your brain. Plus, more on a News 8 investigation.
	Friends of Muscatine Art Center host Ice Cream Social The Friends of the Muscatine Art Center is hosting its annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 28 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Art Center, 1314 Mulberry Avenue. The free, family friendly event encourages residents to an afternoon of art, music, history and fun. The Friends organization will have slices of pie, brownies, [...]
	Scott County Recorder Rita Vargas to retire after all, withdraws name from ballot Rita Vargas will have served 24 years as Scott County recorder, elected first in 2002. Democrats will nominate a new candidate at a special convention this week.
	Severe weather across the QCA causes power outages Severe weather conditions across the QCA has caused power outages in our region. To keep track of coverage, use the following links: MidAmerican Energy Ameren Alliant Energy For more weather information, click here.
	Here’s where Davenport’s mobile speed cabinets will be through late June Heads up, Quad Cities drivers! Here’s where Davenport’s mobile speed cabinets are located June 15 - 21 and June 22 - 29.
	'Pride at Wake' returns with 2 drag shows supporting LGBTQ+ organizations You can enjoy a full day of food, auctions, vendors and performances on Saturday, June 20 at Wake Brewing in Rock Island.
	Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know! Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: MARK ALZAMORA, 36, 5’10”, 150 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes. Wanted by Scott County Sheriff’s Office for probation violations on convictions for harassment 1st [...]
	Upcoming showcase will feature and honor Monmouth-area entrepreneurs An entrepreneurial recognition ceremony will take place on June 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Legion on North 11th Street in Monmouth.
	'Stuff the Bus' school supply drive in Monmouth on Friday You can drop off items in front of the Recharge Teen Center at 213 S. Main St. in Monmouth from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Friday.
	Downed power lines, train derailment reported in Monmouth as severe storms hit Wednesday morning Thousands of power outages are being reported in western Illinois, with Ameren Illinois saying strong winds knocked down several lines.
	Niabi Zoo welcomes rare Pallas’s cat kittens Niabi Zoo is marking a significant conservation milestone with the birth of three new Pallas’s cat kittens. The kittens were born to Eevi and Haruto, the zoo’s Pallas’s cats, as part of the Pallas’s Cat Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative breeding program designed to help maintain a healthy, genetically diverse population of the species [...]
	'One of the biggest wins' MercyOne Clinton Medical Center celebrates new surgical robot "This is one of the biggest wins we've had in a long time, so it's something that our community really should celebrate."
	Man charged with several counts of child sexual abuse A LeClaire man has been charged with several counts of sexual abuse to a child.
	Inflation drives Davenport Mexican restaurant to raise Taco Tuesday prices Azteca Bar and Grill near 53rd and Brady has been serving 99 cent tacos for over a dozen years.
	Junior Achievement of the Heartland names new CFO/COO Junior Achievement of the Heartland has named Amy Barth as Chief Financial & Operating Officer (CFO/COO). She will join the organization on June 22 and has extensive experience in financial leadership, operations and strategic planning. Barth will oversee financial management, operational effectiveness, human resources and long-term sustainability initiatives. This leadership will help strengthen the organization's [...]
	Tropical Storm Arthur is the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season Forecasters say Arthur could generate life-threatening flash floods along the northern Gulf Coast. But it is not expected to strengthen further.
	Greetings from Maputo, Mozambique's capital, shaped by a modernist architecture An impromptu tour of Mozambique's capital city reveals a unique imprint left by architect Amâncio "Pancho" Guedes.
	Morning storms cause damage, power outages across region Severe morning storms cause widespread damage, thousands of power outages, and a train derailment across parts of Iowa and Illinois.
	Spanberger joins governors in Reproductive Freedom Alliance, signs related Va. bills into law Gov. Abigail Spanberger, seen here in Richmond on April 22, has joined a national coalition of governors committed to preserving access to reproductive health medications. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)From support for legislation and ballot referendums to helping states stockpile abortion and miscarriage management drug mifepristone, a growing cohort of governors are banding together as the Reproductive Freedom Alliance. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Wednesday that she has joined the coalition. Members include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Gov. Wes Moore from Maryland and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill — who was elected the same night as Spanberger last fall — among 23 others so far. As part of the alliance, Spanberger said she will “continue doing everything in my power to preserve the rights of Virginians seeking reproductive care and making sure families across our Commonwealth can continue making their own personal healthcare decisions.” Mifepristone has been subject to legal challenges, with opponents pushing for a national ban on mailing the medication. Several of the states are working to preserve access to the medication and have also enacted shield laws to protect patients’ privacy and expand coverage for over-the-counter contraception. On the heels of announcing she’d joined the governors’ group, Spanberger signed two new reproductive health bills into law in Lorton Wednesday. Years-long efforts dubbed the Right-To-Contraception Act and Contraception Equity Act will fortify people’s ability to access family planning measures. Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, who carried the legislation, has emphasized that contraception is also used to treat conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis. Price uses contraception to treat her own PCOS symptoms, she said. After signing the law Wednesday, Spanberger called contraception “vital for being able to contend with an ongoing health issue.” The coalition announcement and new laws preempt the fourth anniversary of the overturn of federal abortion protections by the U.S. Supreme Court and a ballot referendum in Virginia later this year to enshrine reproductive rights into the state’s constitution. How a 19th century law, central to a national telehealth abortion case, could impact Virginia With abortion drawing the most scrutiny, several states have enacted deep restrictions or bans on the procedure. Virginia, where abortion is legal to varying degrees in all three trimesters of pregnancy, is the least restrictive Southern state. As such, clinics and abortion funds have noted upticks in out-of-state patients in recent years. Blue Ridge Abortion Fund director April Greene said that 26% of people seeking assistance from her organization live outside Virginia, a 13% uptick since 2023. More people are relying on abortion funds for financial assistance, as rising fuel prices affect travel. “What this tells us is that abortion bans, anywhere, impact access everywhere,” Greene said. Spanberger, reproductive rights advocates, state lawmakers and congressional candidates will continue advocating for the constitutional amendment leading up to this fall’s election. Rising costs of fuel, other goods squeeze already strained abortion funds Despite some Republican-leaning states having already pursued similar measures, the amendment has fallen along partisan lines in Virginia. Every elected Republican in the state legislature has voted against the amendment, which had to clear the legislature two years in a row before it could appear on statewide ballots. “Once it becomes enshrined in our constitution it becomes harder to fight,” said Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb at the Virginia March For Life this past spring. Her organization, which staunchly opposes the amendment, has filed one of two lawsuits challenging the pending amendment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Virginia Mercury
	Oregon medical advocates push for 2027 legislation to cover biomarker testing There are 24 states that mandate insurance companies to cover the cost of a biomarker test, according to the American Cancer Society. Medical advocates push for Oregon to join that list. (Photo by Laura Tesler/Oregon Capital Chronicle)In 2022, Christy Scattarella felt like her brain was unraveling. The Portlander, then 63, kept misplacing items such as her purse or wallet, and she’d notice herself wearing her clothing the wrong way. She also kept getting into minor car accidents. She got an MRI, but doctors told her there was nothing physically wrong and prescribed anxiety medication. Unconvinced, Scattarella saw a neurologist 18 months later who ordered another MRI and a blood biomarker test, which measures molecules in the body to detect disease. Within five days, she had an answer. It was Alzheimer’s disease. Christy Scattarella, 67, told Oregon lawmakers on the interim Senate healthcare committee about how biomarker testing helped diagnose the disease she had previous tests weren’t showing. (Courtesy of Christy Scattarella) Doctors quickly prescribed her a drug that helped her regain her footing. Scattarella, now 67, found a purpose in advocating for people with the disease to live their best lives, and pushing Oregon to require that insurance companies cover the biomarker test that gave her her answer, she told state lawmakers on the interim Senate healthcare committee Tuesday. “It’s the first step toward making them standard medical practice, just like a mammogram screening, and just as accurate,” she said. “It’s too late for me. It is not too late for all of you. You have the power to change the course of Alzheimer’s for Oregonians. Please use it.” Oregon should follow other states’ footsteps, advocates say Nearly half of U.S. states mandate insurance companies to cover the cost of a biomarker test, according to the American Cancer Society. Scattarella and medical advocates from the American Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Association are pushing Oregon lawmakers in 2027 to join that list. The federal Food and Drug Administration approved many biomarker tests, which work by sampling tissue, blood or other body fluids to check for certain genes, proteins or other molecules that may be a sign of a disease or condition. Biomarkers can help diagnose a disease, show how likely a cancer is to progress or come back, and predict whether a certain type of treatment will work, according to Dr. Flavio Rocha, a professor and division head of surgical oncology at Oregon Health and Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute. Biomarker tests are the future of personalized cancer therapy, Rocha told lawmakers. Rocha, a liver and pancreatic surgeon, pointed to a study showing that pancreatic cancer patients treated with personalized therapies selected through biomarker testing can live longer. And in his personal life, biomarker tests helped Rocha’s mother diagnose a lung cancer that doctors previously thought was a benign tumor. The tests found that she has a rare mutation, and drugs exist to treat it. “She started that therapy,” Rocha told lawmakers. “We’re going on for about almost two years now, and it’s a combination of pills, so it’s not chemotherapy. It’s targeted. She feels great.” Rep. Hai Pham, D-Hillsboro, spoke in support of legislation in 2027 requiring that insurance companies cover biomarker testing. Pham is a cancer survivor himself, still living with leukemia but managing it with targeted treatment. Ren. Hai Pham, D-Hillsboro, at the Oregon Legislature on Feb. 12, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle) “I think it’s time for Oregon to follow those states’ footsteps,” he said. “We’re pioneers of leading by example, and it’s time that we do this for our state.” For Scattarella, the diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise. Her father and sister had dementia, and her mother had cancer. But she didn’t have an answer until she took the biomarker test. Along with access to biomarker testing, Scattarella said she wants people with Alzheimer’s disease to enjoy life. “You can have Alzheimer’s, and you can still have a great life,” she told the Capital Chronicle. “I’m not saying how long it’ll last, but I make a point of just really treasuring it every day, every moment, and living life to the fullest. All these things we said we were going to do someday, we are now doing them all.” She and her husband recently fulfilled their lifelong dream of visiting Egypt. They finally renovated their basement. And they’re treating their 22nd marriage anniversary as their golden anniversary. “As horrific as this disease is, and trust me, I’ve seen it about as bad as it can be, we can still find some good, not in the disease itself, but things that come from it,” Scattarella said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle
	Severe weather update After seeing heavy rain and strong storms throughout the morning we are still watching for a few severe thunderstorm warnings with 60-70mph winds. The worst of the storms has passed our area, but we are still tracking the chance of more severe thunderstorms late into the morning and lingering into the afternoon. Flash Flood warnings [...]
	Can you afford a home in 2026? A data-driven look at U.S. housing affordability Can you afford a home in 2026? A data-driven look at U.S. housing affordabilityIn a handful of states, for the right buyer in the right market, homeownership in 2026 is more within reach than headlines may suggest. This picture is not uniform, though. In most U.S. states, the income required to buy a median-priced home exceeds what median households earn. But in a meaningful cluster of states, the gap has effectively closed.Splitero has broken down data from leading sources, including Zillow and Federal Reserve Economic Data, to spotlight which states offer affordable homes compared to income.What does it cost to buy a home right now?Based on the National Association of Realtors' existing-home price data from February 2026, the median cost of a home in the U.S. was $398,000. Applying the 28% debt-to-income ceiling most conventional lenders use, that price point requires a household income of roughly $112,900. This creates a $29,200 disparity when compared with the U.S. median household income of $83,730. That’s the national picture.Here is a breakdown of the estimated household income required to buy a home, placed against the median household income, in that state. The required annual household income was calculated using the assumed traditional 28% debt-to-income ratio ceiling most conventional lenders lean on. Splitero Data: Data: Can You Afford a Home in 2026 [Splitero]Read another way, the picture is starker when you measure the gap between what households need to earn and what they actually do, both at the top and bottom of the list.On a state-by-state basis, the affordability picture turns on the gap between what households need to earn and what they actually do. Hawaii has the widest shortfall in the country: a household needs $191,449 to afford a median-priced home there, while the typical household earns $98,240, creating a $93,209 gap. California is barely behind, where a $192,600 required income runs $92,000 above the $100,600 state median. New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York round out the top five widest gaps, each with shortfalls between $58,000 and $73,000.Florida, despite its reputation as a budget-friendly alternative to other coastal states, doesn't escape the gap either. The state’s required income of $129,532 runs nearly $54,000 above the median household income of $75,630. This shortfall seemingly coincides with significant price increases during the pandemic-era migration period. Near the end of 2022, TD Economics reported that Florida home prices on average were up 58% from the start of the pandemic for perspective.West Virginia anchors the other end of the ranking. The required income needed to afford a median-priced home is just $46,843, against a median household income of $63,150. This $16,307 surplus is the largest of all the states. It also makes West Virginia one of only eight states on the list where a median household income can technically qualify for a median-priced home. The remaining seven are Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, North Dakota, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri.How affordability has changed: A 2022–2026 look backIt’s one thing to look at the modern state of homebuying as a point in time, but taking a historical glance shows just how the trends have evolved.Between 2022 and 2024, housing affordability fell faster than at any point in modern history. The National Association of Realtors’ Housing Affordability Index, which measures whether a typical family earns enough to qualify for a loan on a median-priced home, slid from above 150 to about 95 by mid-2023. A reading of 100 means a family has exactly enough; above 100 means a cushion, and below 100 means a shortfall.Since 2024, that trend started to reverse, driven by three forces: mortgage rates have eased from their 8% peak in 2023, wage growth has begun to outpace home price gains, and housing inventory has risen modestly. Home prices have climbed just 1.8% year-over-year as of Q4 2025, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, a sharp cooldown from the double-digit jumps of the pandemic era. The National Association of Home Builders reported the same shift, noting that homes remain broadly unaffordable but that conditions improved in the second half of 2025.The geography of affordabilityMid-size Midwest and Southern cities located adjacent to major metros have seen a strong surge in buyer interest. Chief economist of Realtor.com, Danielle Hale, put the math of the matter plainly in a video snippet on a piece covering home affordability in the U.S.: Where you choose to buy a home can determine not just how soon you can afford a home, but also the tradeoffs you will need to make. In markets where the income gap has closed or narrowed, the question shifts more from whether you can afford to buy to whether you want to put down roots in a certain location.The future snapshot of U.S. home affordabilityThe national housing affordability picture in 2026 is genuinely mixed. This should be treated as more hopeful than it sounds, though, given where things stood just two years ago.In the most expensive states, the income required to buy a median-priced home is still nearly double what median households earn. Even in those markets, the trend has finally started moving in buyers’ favor. In a meaningful cluster of states, including Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and West Virginia, the story is cleaner. These markets represent real opportunity, particularly for homeowners willing to look beyond their current geography. For those with equity already built up, having that flexibility could mean the difference between stretching indefinitely in a market that doesn’t work and planting roots in one that does.MethodologyTo determine the household income required to afford a median-priced home in each state, Splitero applied standard mortgage qualification criteria used by most conventional lenders. Splitero started with Zillow’s median home sale price for January 2026 and assumed a 20% down payment (the threshold that eliminates private mortgage insurance), leaving an 80% loan-to-value ratio. The remaining balance was amortized over a 30-year fixed term at 6.65%, the prevailing rate per Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey as of March 2026, using the standard annuity formula to derive monthly principal and interest. Splitero then layered in two additional carrying costs that lenders include in their qualifying calculations: monthly property taxes, derived from each state's average effective tax rate as reported by the Tax Foundation using 2024 American Community Survey data, and monthly homeowners insurance, based on MoneyGeek's 2026 state-average annual premium for a standard policy divided by 12.These three components, principal and interest, property taxes, and insurance, were summed to produce each state's total monthly housing obligation. Finally, Splitero calculated the minimum gross household income by applying the 28% front-end debt-to-income ratio, the conventional ceiling most lenders use to determine how much of a borrower's pre-tax income can go toward housing. The resulting figure represents the annual gross income a household would need to keep its housing payment at or below that 28% threshold, and states were ranked from highest required income to lowest. These figures were then compared to state-level median household income figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to identify the largest discrepancies betweenWe acknowledge that buyers with smaller down payments face higher income requirements.This story was produced by Splitero and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The degree lost its halo: More US adults now see certifications as the safer, smarter career bet The degree lost its halo: More US adults now see certifications as the safer, smarter career betFor decades, the four-year degree carried an unquestioned authority. It was expensive, but it was the answer. New research from U.S. Career Institute, an online career training provider, finds that authority is no longer going unquestioned.When asked which education path offers better long-term job security, 26% of adults say certifications or skills-based programs are the safer choice, compared with just 18% who say the same about a four-year degree. The traditional degree path has not gone away, but the certainty around it has started to crack. U.S. Career Institute The doubt extends to the cost. College was supposed to be expensive and worth it. The expensive part has not changed. The worth-it part is now a more open question. While 38% say paying for college feels like a necessary investment despite the expense, 29% say they question whether it is worthwhile. Asked at what level of student debt they would begin to reconsider, 32% say the threshold is under $10,000.Artificial intelligence is also adding pressure from a different direction. One in 4 survey respondents said office-based and white-collar workers are the type most likely to be replaced by AI in the next five years. For many, that concern is already part of how they are thinking about major decisions. Fifty-four percent of adults have reconsidered their education or career path due to concerns about job security or automation.Some have already acted on it. Twenty-five percent say they have already completed a certificate or skills-based program, and another 29% say they have seriously considered pursuing one.In this survey, stability has replaced prestige as the thing people say they are actually looking for. It is the most commonly cited factor influencing career decisions today, named by 53% of respondents, with prestige and status ranking lower. U.S. Career Institute It is also shaping the advice people give the next generation. Asked what they would recommend to a young person starting out today, 30% say a certification or skills-based program, while 24% say a four-year degree.For many, the reconsideration is personal. Twenty-seven percent say they would choose a different path entirely if making their education or career decision today, and 33% say they would look for something faster or more affordable. Knowing what they know now, just 17% say they would make the same choice again. The question of whether college was the right call is one that more U.S. adults are now willing to ask out loud. U.S. Career Institute MethodologyU.S. Career Institute commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 1,000 adults ages 18 to 54 throughout the United States. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted between April 22 and April 27, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.This story was produced by U.S. Career Institute and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Don’t Turn Your Back On Dog Bite Prevention (NAPSI)— If any of the nearly 90 million pet dogs in the U.S. is part of your household, here’s news you may care to consider: Last year, U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees suffered more than 5,200 dog attacks. What Can Be DoneTo combat this, USPS is sharing vital safety guidance to help pet owners protect mail carriers and ensure uninterrupted mail delivery: a month-long Dog Bite Awareness campaign through June with the theme of “Don’t turn your back on dog bite prevention.” “Every single day, our postal employees serve their communities across dynamic, fast-changing environments,” said Leeann Theriault, employee safety and health awareness manager. “Preventing dog-related incidents requires constant, shared vigilance. This campaign reinforces a vital truth: Animal behaviors can change in an instant, but proactive awareness from both our carriers and the customers we serve can stop painful injuries before they ever happen.” Keep Mail Delivery Safe: Tips for Dog OwnersEven the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled. Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents. Keep your dog in a separate closed room before opening the front door. If you step outside, ensure the door is firmly latched. Always use a leash if your dog is outdoors during mail delivery. Finally, never accept mail directly from a carrier in the presence of your dog, and teach children to avoid doing so, as dogs can misinterpret the interaction as a threat.Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and See the Mail on Your Electronic Device Before It ArrivesBy using the free Informed Delivery feature, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Over 70 million customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier might arrive.About The Post OfficeThe USPS is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.The Financial and Emotional Damage of a Dog AttackProtecting your carrier protects your wallet. If your dog attacks a postal worker, you could owe thousands of dollars out of pocket to cover their medical care, lost shifts, replacement clothing and emotional distress.“I was walking my route when a dog jumped the fence and lunged at me,” said San Antonio Letter Carrier Fiona Hudson. “I used my dog repellent and mail bag to defend myself, but it was too late. I was rushed to the hospital bleeding, with a broken bone, a severe arm sprain and was barely able to move. While my physical wounds have healed, the trauma of that vicious attack stays with me. Customers must take responsibility and secure their dogs during delivery hours.” Take Action: Unsecured Dogs Stop Mail DeliveryWhen a carrier feels unsafe because of a roaming dog, mail service can be temporarily suspended.Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner’s Post Office.If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver to and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents will have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery.If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office Box to receive mail.Armed with Awareness: How Carriers Prevent Dog BitesPostal carriers undergo extensive safety training to spot potential canine hazards. Carriers are instructed to remain vigilant and exercise these precautions:Announce entry. Rattle a fence gate or make a non-threatening sound before walking into a yard.Maintain visual contact. Never startle an animal and always keep eyes locked on the dog.Assume dog poses risk. Avoid petting or feeding any animal on the assumption that any dog has the potential to bite.Block exits. Secure outward-swinging doors with a foot to prevent a pet from escaping.If a dog attacks, carriers are trained to stand their ground, use their mail satchel as a protective shield and deploy dog repellent if necessary. To stay ahead of these risks, USPS also provides carriers with awareness tools, including handheld scanners that feature built-in dog warning alerts and physical warning cards that are placed into mail sorting cases to alert a carrier of a dog at a certain address.Learn MoreDog bite awareness events will be held across the country throughout June, and USPS will share information on social media using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.Word Count: 813
	Moline City Council discusses River Station building purchase and winter shelter report he Moline City Council is reviewing a $1.65 million downtown building purchase and evaluating a report on its winter emergency shelter operations.
	Top cities for first-time buyers in 2026: Owning vs. renting Top cities for first-time buyers in 2026: Owning vs. rentingFor first-time buyers, the rent-or-own question has become harder to answer in recent years.Home prices have stayed high in many markets, and mortgage rates remain well above their early-2020s lows.But the rent-versus-buy math usually leaves something out. Rent buys flexibility and shields renters from many repair costs, but it doesn’t build home equity.A mortgage payment works differently: Interest, taxes, and insurance are costs, just like rent, while the principal portion chips away at the loan balance. Add any gain in the home’s value, and ownership can build equity through appreciation too.Once you factor equity in, the rent versus buy comparison changes. To find out where that equity-building gives buyers the greatest financial advantage compared to renting, Lower analyzed for-sale and city-level appreciation data from its real estate search platform, Movoto.Key FindingsBuying beats renting in 56 of 136 cities (41%) when comparing three-bedroom ZIP code-level HUD rents against the net cost of owning, which factors in principal paydown and each city’s actual recent appreciation. The other 59% of cities still favor renting, and the median city still tilts that way, pulled down by markets where appreciation was flat or negative.Hartford, Connecticut, leads nationally, with buyers saving +$2,968 per month compared to renters. That was because Hartford had the highest annualized appreciation rate in the study at an 11.1%. This result rests almost entirely on recent home price growth and stands apart from the rest of the dataset. The next-highest advantage is Worcester, Massachusetts, at +$1,640 per month.Midwest and Northeast cities dominate the top of the rankings. Of the 10 cities where buying’s edge is largest, five are Midwestern, including Cleveland (+8.6% appreciation), Dayton (+7%) and Milwaukee (+6.8%). Three are in the Northeast, led by Hartford and Worcester.The study focused on housing markets where home prices fall within Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limits, which are designed to make homeownership more accessible to first-time buyers with lower down payments and flexible credit requirements.The final analysis includes 136 markets where home prices, rents, and appreciation data could be reliably compared.Lower compared rents against the estimated monthly cost of owning with an FHA loan. That cost included principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and the FHA mortgage insurance premium (MIP), which is a standard fee for FHA borrowers.The rent figures used throughout this study are based on Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Small Area Fair Market Rents data for three-bedroom units, measured at the ZIP code level. These annually published rent figures represent the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard-quality units, which are modest, non-luxury rentals. The study used ZIP code-level data to give each city its own rent benchmark rather than a broad metro-wide average.Why City-Specific Appreciation MattersThis analysis uses annualized listing-price changes from Movoto market data for 2023 to 2026 to reflect recent market performance. The tables break out equity from home price growth separately from equity built through monthly payments, making it easier to see what’s guaranteed versus what depends on the market. Lower National RankingsTop 25 Cities: Owning vs. Renting (3-Bedroom)Lower identified the 25 cities across the United States where buying shows the largest monthly edge over renting once equity is counted, focusing on places where homeownership is within reach for first-time buyers.The monthly difference was determined by subtracting the estimated equity-adjusted monthly cost of owning, after crediting any monthly equity built (principal paydown plus recent city-specific listing-price appreciation), from the median rent (3BR). Cities are ranked in descending order by the monthly difference.Buyers still pay the full mortgage amount each month. The net cost figure is an equity-adjusted estimate, not a cash-flow payment. Lower How the Math Works: Hartford, CTHartford leads with 11.1% annualized appreciation. Strong price growth in a market with tight housing supply, which intensified competition among buyers pushed appreciation higher over the period studied, but that trend may not reflect long-term or typical market conditions.Just because Hartford took the top spot doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best market for first-time homebuyers. Other markets where homeownership pays off, like Dayton or Cleveland, might have more opportunity for first-time homebuyers since they don’t depend on such rapid appreciation. Lower Top 5 Cities by RegionWest: Top 5The West has the lowest share of markets where buying has the advantage over renting of any region at just 26%.In most Western markets, appreciation from 2023 to 2026 was modest. The study’s average across cities in the Western United States was well below the national study average, which limits how much the appreciation component offsets mortgage costs.The West region's top two cities, Menifee, California (+$705 per month) and Lancaster, California (+$515 per month), succeed largely because their median rents are relatively high against more affordable home prices.The regional advantage narrows quickly after the top five. Only one additional Western city remained above break-even. Lower South: Top 5The South is the most represented region in the study with 74 cities, 22 of which (30%) favor buying after factoring in equity.Newport News, Virginia, leads the South at +$1,107 per month, powered by a 3.8% appreciation rate and a median rent that runs close to the gross mortgage.Maryland’s Baltimore ranks second in the South at +$990per month. Alabama’s Montgomery also reaches the top five at +$877 per month, helped by a 6.7% appreciation rate against relatively affordable home prices.The top five Southern markets are led by Newport News; Baltimore; Montgomery; Columbus, Georgia; and Jackson, Mississippi, where appreciation and principal paydown offset enough of the monthly mortgage cost to keep buying ahead of renting. Lower Northeast: Top 5Despite having the fewest cities of any region (just 11), the Northeast has the highest rate of markets favoring buyers, at 82%.Hartford, Connecticut, leads the region, and the entire study nationally, at +$2,968 per month. That result is driven by an 11.1% annualized appreciation rate from 2023 to 2026, the highest of any city in this analysis.Hartford is a genuine outlier. The next-highest advantage in the region is Worcester, Massachusetts, at +$1,640 per month, with a more moderate 5.8% appreciation rate. Lower Midwest: Top 5Buying comes out ahead in 19 of 28 cities (68%) in the Midwest, largely due to a combination of low home prices and solid recent appreciation.Cleveland, Ohio, leads at +$1,298 per month. With a gross mortgage of $1,625 per month and an 8.6% appreciation rate generating $1,314 per month in monthly appreciation equity, the net cost of owning is $152 per month against a $1,450 median rent.Dayton and Akron in Ohio, along with Milwaukee, all show the same trend of affordable entry prices and appreciation rates between 6% and 8% that drive meaningful equity accumulation each month. Noblesville, Indiana, is the exception: Higher home prices produce a $3,815 monthly mortgage, but strong 5.8% appreciation compensates for those higher prices, putting it at +$1,115 per month.For buyers focused on the most affordable markets in the study, the Midwest offers the widest selection of options. Lower What This Means For First-Time HomebuyersBuying comes out ahead in 41% of the cities studied once equity building is factored in. But whether buying pays off changes depending on both prices and appreciation.National averages tell you almost nothing about your own city. Appreciation varied widely from city to city between 2023 and 2026, and in some markets it was negative. In those cities, falling home values reduced the equity homeowners built each month, making the net cost of owning higher than the mortgage payment alone suggests. The opposite was true for markets where appreciation was high, as showcased by outliers like Hartford.Past appreciation isn't guaranteed to continue, but in every market, the principal paydown portion of equity is guaranteed by the loan’s amortization schedule, regardless of what home prices do.Keep in mind that rates can change. Rates have risen markedly so far in 2026 following a gradual decline from post-pandemic highs. A lower future rate could improve the math for buyers who refinance, while a higher rate would weaken affordability for new buyers.There are also costs beyond a mortgage when it comes to owning a home. Closing costs, maintenance, and HOA fees can all drive up the total cost of homeownership.Data and MethodologyLower analyzed homeownership costs and rents across U.S. cities with populations of 75,000 or more, focusing on markets where homes are priced within reach of FHA borrowers. Cities were included where the median listing price exceeded $100,000, median gross rent exceeded $900 per month, and the median listing price fell at or below the 2026 FHA national floor of $541,287 (per HUD and Lower.com, effective Jan. 1, 2026). Cities with fewer than 10 active MLS for-sale listings on Movoto were excluded to ensure listing price data reflected a meaningful sample. These filters produced 169 qualifying cities, of which 136 were successfully matched to both ZIP code-level HUD rent data and city-specific appreciation data.Median listing prices and city-level appreciation data come from Movoto, a real estate search platform and Lower company. Homeowners insurance estimates are from The Zebra, with state averages used where city-level data is unavailable. Population and state-level property tax rates are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 ACS 1-Year Estimates.Monthly mortgage cost uses a 5% down payment and a 6.52% 30-year fixed rate (Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, June 11, 2026) applied to Movoto’s median listing price, and includes principal and interest, property taxes (listing price multiplied by state effective tax rate, divided by 12), homeowners insurance, and FHA MIP at 0.55% annually. The upfront FHA MIP of 1.75% is rolled into the loan balance.Monthly equity built has two components. Principal paydown is the Month-1 principal portion of the mortgage payment, which is the amount that reduces the loan balance rather than paying interest, as determined by the amortization schedule. Monthly appreciation is calculated as the listing price multiplied by the city-specific annualized appreciation rate divided by 12, where the rate for each city is the annualized listing price change from 2023 to 2026, sourced from Movoto market data. Across the 136 cities in this analysis, the mean appreciation rate is 1.6%, and the median is 1.4%. Thirty-four cities have negative appreciation rates; in those cities the monthly appreciation figure is negative and increases the net cost of owning rather than reducing it. Total monthly equity equals principal paydown plus monthly appreciation. Net cost of owning equals gross monthly mortgage minus total monthly equity. Monthly difference equals median rent (3BR) minus net cost of owning. Cities are ranked in descending order by monthly difference.The rental benchmark is the HUD FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) for three-bedroom units at the ZIP code level, representing the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard-quality units. For each city, the median SAFMR across the city’s primary ZIP codes was used. Cities were matched to HUD FMR areas using county FIPS codes and to SAFMRs using primary ZIP codes, a deterministic method that prevents errors from cities sharing names across different states or metro areas.This study is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, mortgage, or investment advice. City-specific appreciation rates reflect what happened from 2023 to 2026, not what will happen going forward. The ownership cost does not include maintenance, closing costs, potential HOA fees, or the opportunity cost of the down payment. Individual results will vary.This story was produced by Lower and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The marketing job AI can't touch, and why the pay is up The marketing job AI can't touch, and why the pay is up Marketing jobs may be some of the earliest and clearest signals of how AI is reshaping work. For some roles, AI is outright replacing them, and for others, it is accelerating change in what marketing work is conducted and how. Most importantly, it is redefining how and where companies are willing to hire marketing professionals.Marketing was at the top of the list of job functions most exposed to automation and AI disruption. The key skills and roles that build the modern marketing function are also time-consuming and routine. As generative AI tools take off, companies are finding they can deploy them to work faster and more cheaply.However, this isn't the full picture. As generative AI takes flight, the roles most disrupted are those that manage the digital side: content marketing, digital marketing, and marketing technology. On the other hand, those that require a human touch, such as field or event marketing, are in some cases actually seeing employment growth, and paying 6.2% more than they did six months ago. As AI usage grows, authentic human presence, relationship-building, and boots-on-the-ground execution are becoming even more important.Analysis of hiring momentum and role prevalence across 9,000-plus companies shows how organizations are redesigning their workforces to meet the AI moment. Pave’s Hot Job Index scores and ranks jobs from −100 (cooling fast) to +100 (heating fast), providing insight into where organizations are investing at this moment. In short, the higher the score, the more companies value this skill set at this moment.The Marketing Jobs AI Is DisruptingMarketing Technology ManagementComing in at No. 5 on the Cold Jobs list is marketing technology management (martech), with an index score of -66. This job has seen a steady decline since 2023, with Pave data showing a drop in the prevalence of new hires from 0.08% to 0.05%. The dual forces of marketing technology consolidation and AI are amplifying this trend by enabling non-technical people to take on more technical tasks. Pave This job family often rolls up into other functions, with the senior leader wearing multiple hats. This may be another way AI is playing a role, as senior-level leaders are seeing their remits expand; companies may likely be consolidating martech ownership under a hybrid umbrella. Pave Digital MarketingDigital marketing sits at No. 3 on the Cold Jobs list, with a score of -77. These marketers are responsible for planning and executing online campaigns to build brand awareness or convert leads across various channels, such as social media, websites, and search engines. Since Q4 of 2023, hiring for this role has more than halved, from 0.40% of new hires down to 0.19%. Pave While you are seeing fewer of these jobs, that doesn’t mean you will see any fewer online ads anytime soon. In fact, AI tools are making it so quick and easy for non-marketers to build content, design, run, and optimize marketing campaigns that you are likely seeing a flood of new digital advertising.This is another role experiencing upward consolidation, as reflected in the premium companies are paying to new hires at the senior-most levels of this job family. Companies are increasingly hiring career/senior marketers to leverage their expertise and AI tooling to generate digital marketing tasks at scale—and they are willing to pay a premium for it. Pave Content MarketingThe fastest-cooling marketing job on the Cold Jobs list is content marketing, coming in at No. 2 with a score of -80. Hiring for this job has rapidly declined from 0.77% to 0.36% since 2023. As anyone who has used GenAI for their own use cases can attest, it is now easier than ever to generate assets, whether articles, whitepapers, or videos. As quickly as these tools became mainstream, leadership teams around the world began asking to what extent they still need to hire full-time copywriters and content marketers. Pave More interesting is the pay premium for this role. Unlike digital marketing, where only more senior hires are seeing a new-hire premium, content marketing is showing a premium across all three levels. As AI content proliferates and more AI slop is generated, organizations are investing in top talent to orchestrate high-quality content. The job has shifted from creation to strategic content development and curation. Pave The Marketing Job AI Can’t ReplaceAs AI takes over our digital lives, in-person engagement and connection with customers are becoming increasingly more important. Perhaps surprisingly to some, field marketing ranks No. 5 on the Hot Jobs list, with a score of +65—the only traditional marketing role currently experiencing growth.Overall, the share of field marketers being hired has risen from 0.17% to 0.25% over the last few years. The trendline shows continued growth into the latter part of this year. Also of note, Pave’s data found that the overall number of companies with a recent field marketer hire has also increased, from 4.83% to 8.35%. This shows that it is not just existing teams expanding this role; companies are building out brand-new functions. Pave The pay premium data is even more compelling. Entry-level employees are commanding new-hire premiums of 106.2%, showing that companies are competing even at the most junior level of this role. Pave Field marketing's rise isn't despite the AI moment—it's because of it. The more automated and impersonal digital marketing becomes, the higher the value of a human who shows up. In-person touchpoints are now scarcer and more valuable, and companies are hiring.Zooming OutThe ripple effects of AI tools and the transformation of work will be felt for years to come. As AI drives role consolidation, it also opens the door for new roles and expanded opportunities in ways yet to be defined. Marketing jobs may very well be the canary in the coal mine, as AI finds ways to automate time-consuming tasks, other job functions will feel the pressure.This story was produced by Pave and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How can accurate financial reporting help secure grants for nonprofits? How can accurate financial reporting help secure grants for nonprofits?Grants are often governed by strict regulatory frameworks, especially those that come from government agencies. State and private grantors also have their own compliance standards and agreement terms. These requirements ensure that nonprofits use grant funds appropriately and effectively. Some grantors offer grants in the form of reimbursements to prevent fund misuse.Regardless of the grant terms, keeping accurate financial reports improves your relationship with the grantor. Your transparency and accountability improve trust and impact your nonprofit’s reputation. Different grant types come with different reporting expectations. Marshall Jones explains how accurate financial reporting increases the chances of grant approval for nonprofits.Key TakeawaysAccurate financial reporting increases your chances of securing grants because it helps you:Comply with relevant regulations.Manage expenses according to grant terms.Present past achievements through tangible and measurable results.Showcase your trustworthiness and avoid penalties or accusations of fraud.Why Is Accurate Financial Reporting Crucial for Nonprofits Seeking Grants? Marshall Jones Accurate financial reporting strengthens your relationships with grantors, auditors and other stakeholders. Here’s how it can help you secure future grants:1. Meets Regulations and Reporting Obligations Set by GrantorsGrants must follow relevant federal and state regulations, especially if they’re provided by government institutions. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act established the government-wide reporting procedure that requires organizations receiving federal funds to publicly disclose their information. Among other requirements, you need to provide your organization’s name, grant amount, funding agency and location. You also need to report the following:Financial data: The expenses you paid for using federal fundsCompliance information: Information that showcases your compliance with federal regulationsProject data: Your progress report or community impactRelevant agencies may collect this information through regular progress reports, site visits and audits.Specific grant requirements will be found in the Notice of Award. With government grants, you’re required to submit a Federal Financial Report annually, unless you’re receiving domestic awards under the Streamlined Noncompeting Award Process or otherwise stated. When required annually, you may need to submit the report for each budget period up to 90 days after the end of the calendar quarter.Grants can come with other requirements, and their stringency depends on the grant type. Restricted grants can only be used for specific purposes as determined by the grantor, while unrestricted grants can often be used at a nonprofit’s discretion. Whichever grant you have, accurate financial reporting maintains transparency and demonstrates compliance with terms and regulations.2. Assigns Costs to the Appropriate Grants, Programs and Operational CategoriesProperly allocating expenses avoids overspending and fund misuse. Having a paper trail with clear, traceable financial records also makes reporting less stressful when deadlines approach. Maintaining thorough documentation involves keeping receipts, invoices, time sheets and other records that support audits. This data proves your reliability in complying with grant terms.Additionally, grant funds often need to be separated from other funds when tracking spending. You can use unique fund codes when monitoring spending to understand which expenses tie to which grant. This level of granularity improves the accuracy of your statements. It also reflects your nonprofit’s financial position, supporting board decisions and public disclosures.3. Presents How Funding Contributed to the Organization’s AchievementsAlongside financial statements, grants may require performance reports, which involve a combination of quantitative and qualitative data. This performance report demonstrates how the funds have contributed to your projects and whether your activities have benefited the community or the environment. It helps create a well-articulated mission statement that captures your nonprofit’s purpose and strategic direction. You should also define specific project outcomes you wish to achieve and their respective indicators.For instance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires grant recipients to submit a research performance progress report annually as part of the noncompeting continuation award process. Among other requirements, the reports should incorporate:The organization’s accomplishments.Plans for the next year.Produced manuscripts and publications.Involved project personnel.Project challenges, delays and plans to resolve them.Accurate financial and progress reports highlight past achievements and build credibility and stakeholder trust. They tell potential grantors that a nonprofit has made a tangible difference. For instance, you can highlight the number of beneficiaries you’ve served or the number of graduates in your program. Combining qualitative stories with quantitative data enables you to create a strong case for your nonprofit’s mission.4. Avoids Penalties and Funding LossGrant funding is susceptible to fraud, waste and abuse. Inaccurate financial reports raise suspicion about whether you’re using the funds based on the agreement. Using grant funds for personal gain, unjust enrichment or other purposes than their intended use is a form of theft. People involved could be subject to criminal and civil prosecution, where violations can include:False claimsFalse statementsTheft or briberyEmbezzlementMail fraud and wire fraudAccurate financial reports protect your nonprofit and enable you to spot fraud immediately. Regularly reviewing spending, timelines and compliance with grant terms can help you avoid clawbacks, where grantors take back the funds they’ve provided due to noncompliance. These clawbacks are possible for grants with clauses that explain repercussions for unmet conditions and are often nonnegotiable.Additionally, poor financial reporting leads to penalties and failed audits. For instance, the IRS penalizes charities and nonprofits that fail to file their tax return by the due date, costing $20 per day. The same penalty applies for incomplete and incorrect tax returns, with the maximum penalty being the lesser of $10,500 or 5% of the nonprofit’s gross receipts for the year.The Single Audit Act states that grant recipients can be subject to an audit annually to ensure compliance with government regulations. Conducting routine internal reviews, whether monthly, quarterly or during key project milestones, can ensure your spending aligns with grant conditions. Comparing actual expenditures to your budget enables proactive adjustments and prevents overspending or underutilization. Underutilizing funds can also lead to clawbacks.Grant Types and Their Accounting Implications Marshall Jones Some grants come with stricter requirements than others. Payment methods also vary, where some grants pay through reimbursements instead of paying up front. Check the grant terms so you can plan and allocate funds effectively. Grants generally fall under one of the following categories:Government GrantsGovernment grants fund an organization’s ideas or projects that benefit the economy or provide public services. They often support innovative research, critical recovery initiatives and other programs listed in the annual publication of assistance listings. They’re one of the many forms of federal financial assistance. However, they also have the strictest reporting requirements.Government grants come with three award phases:Pre-award phase: This phase includes the grant announcement and the application submissions and review.Award phase: Final award decisions come from the federal agency staff with fiduciary responsibility and legal authority to enter into agreements. They often make award recommendations based on the financial and programmatic reviews of the applications.Post-award phase: Once you receive an award, the federal agency assists and ensures you comply with the grant terms and conditions.Corporate GrantsCorporate grants are provided by companies to nonprofits to support specific missions, initiatives or projects. These grants are often part of the corporate social responsibility initiatives, which also means agreements can include branding or publicity obligations. Companies often award grants based on a nonprofit’s alignment with company goals and community impact objectives.Corporate grants can be part of an ongoing partnership or a one-time donation. They also take different forms:Direct grants: These grants are cash or funding that supports a specific project or program.Matching grants: These grants involve companies matching employee donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis.Challenge grants: These grants involve a company pledging to contribute funds if a nonprofit can raise a specific amount from other sources.In-kind grants: These noncash grants often involve product donations and services that can assist in projects or operations.Getting a corporate grant can increase your nonprofit’s visibility and credibility, especially if the company is well-known and reputable. You can easily build trust with volunteers, donors and other stakeholders, as the award signals that you’re capable of managing significant funding.To increase your chances of approval, you need to demonstrate how you’ve provided tangible results and how you plan to measure success. You also need a detailed budget showcasing how the funds can support your project’s goals. You may have to highlight how your nonprofit can sustain the project after you’ve exhausted the corporate grant.Private GrantsA private grant is funded by foundations or individual donors. It may come with reporting requirements, but tends to be more flexible compared to other grants. Grantors are often willing to provide seed money or general operating support, so you can experiment with new ideas or invest in infrastructure.While private grants have simpler technical requirements, they often have higher relationship gates, where grantors favor nonprofits or organizations with which they have an existing relationship. Networking is often part of an organization’s strategy to secure private grants.Project GrantsProject grants limit funding to specific initiatives or programs. You must often track spending for these grants separately from other sources. Your spending must also align with the approved project scope and timeline. Each grant comes with its own requirements.For instance, a project grant may require projects to be related to a specific field of study. You may also need to demonstrate that your nonprofit has the qualities to complete the project.Operating GrantsAn operating grant is also known as an unrestricted grant, as nonprofits can use this funding to pay for their overhead expenses or general mission. For instance, you can use it for rent, salaries and daily operational expenses. It may have broader conditions than other grants, but still requires careful financial reporting. Because these grants often come from individual donors, there’s typically no standard application process.Operating grants are popular, making the application process competitive and rigorous. Presenting an impeccable track record and demonstrating your trustworthiness through accurate financial reports can increase your chances of approval.How to Ensure Accurate Financial ReportingAccurate financial reporting is feasible by adopting certain strategies:Maintain a centralized documentation system: Having a dedicated location for your financial documents makes it easier to access the right information quickly. This centralization mitigates the risk for human error and helps you avoid missing reporting and filing deadlines.Review and reconcile accounts regularly: Many accounting teams reconcile accounts with long gaps in between sessions or too closely to relevant deadlines. Creating a consistent workflow for account reconciliations improves accuracy and expedites account reviews.Use effective accounting and management tools: Many resources are available to help nonprofits improve financial reporting practices. For instance, a spreadsheet can help you maintain accurate financial records, while budget trackers can help you generate relevant reports. Automation provided by these tools can help you meet grantor deadlines.Leverage accounting services: You don’t always need in-house expertise, which adds to your overhead expenses. Working with professional accounting services can be more cost-effective given their experience, saving you time and resources. These services also help you stay on top of relevant regulations, increasing your chances of securing future grants.Frequently Asked QuestionsNonprofits commonly ask the following questions to further understand grant fund management:What Is Grant Accounting?Grant accounting, also known as grant management accounting, involves tracking how your organization uses the grant funds to make sure you comply with the agreement. Accurate grant accounting enables you to use funds wisely and sustainably, so you can avoid negative repercussions while ensuring that every dollar makes a difference.What Is the Difference Between Fund and Grant Accounting?Fund accounting is the overhead framework, where grant accounting is its subset. Similarly, fund accounting tracks a nonprofit’s financial activities, but instead of focusing on grants, it includes tracking activity across funding sources. For instance, these sources may include individual donations, membership fees and charity crowdfunding. Grant accounting helps ensure you’re spending grant funds according to the terms.What Do Grant Accountants Do?Grant accountants manage your grant funds. Their duties often involve:Tracking grant expenses.Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and grant terms.Preparing financial reports.Supporting audits and grantor reviews.Accurate Financial Reporting Strengthens Trust With GrantorsAccurate financial reporting helps you secure grants, as it demonstrates your nonprofit’s reliability and trustworthiness. It’s often a requirement of grantors, especially for government grants with strict regulations. Without accurate reporting, you risk fund misuse, overspending, clawbacks and even fraud charges.To increase your chances of securing grants, review the grantor’s requirements thoroughly. Financial reporting requirements may also come with performance requirements that showcase the fund’s tangible impact. Having a centralized system and leveraging accounting tools can help with accurate documentation. You can also work with professional accounting services to make the process easier.This story was produced by Marshall Jones and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The benefits of using an ERP system in manufacturing The benefits of using an ERP system in manufacturingManufacturing businesses are becoming increasingly complex as they fight to stay competitive. Managing diverse product lines and expanding business functions to support growth often leads to fragmented tools and outdated data, creating significant operational challenges.To overcome these hurdles, many manufacturers are adopting enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. An ERP centralizes core business operations by integrating key functions onto a single platform, streamlining processes, and providing real-time insights. Comprehensive integration empowers businesses to enhance communication and foster data-driven decision-making across the organization.Use this ArcherPoint by Cherry Bekaert guide to better understand the benefits an ERP can deliver to manufacturing companies.ERP systems for manufacturing businesses at a glanceAn ERP centralizes a manufacturing company’s core business functions.The ERP can either replace or integrate tools used by manufacturing companies.Finding the right solution and provider is key to getting the best results from your ERP.The right partner can make implementing the ERP solution faster and smoother.What is an ERP system, and how does it work in manufacturing?An ERP system serves as a centralized platform that consolidates a business’s critical functions. It achieves this by either integrating existing tools, replacing them, or combining both approaches. The result is a unified operational environment that eliminates the need to toggle between disparate applications and platforms.Besides centralizing many of your business’s functions, such as supply chain management, accounting, and customer relationship management, an ERP can also:Automate manual processes: An ERP system can automate many tasks, such as production tracking, reporting, and customer updates.Create business-wide standards: Rather than having each person set their own standards, an ERP can provide consistent, high-quality output across the entire business.Improve inventory management: Your ERP can provide up-to-date stock levels, ensuring you always have sufficient inventory to fulfill orders.Provide a consistent infrastructure: Since your team will use the same system regardless of their position or responsibilities, an ERP creates cohesion at every level of your business.Connect business data: Your ERP can collate information from various datasets and departments within your business, improving data accessibility and validity.What are the benefits of using an ERP system in manufacturing?While ERP systems offer substantial advantages to businesses across all sizes and industries, they prove particularly transformative for manufacturing operations, leveraging capabilities specifically suited to their complex needs. ArcherPoint Increased transparencyEven a business that promotes a collaborative culture within its team will experience data-sharing and communication issues when each department uses separate platforms for its needs. Data can lose its formatting and become inaccurate, which takes time to fix.Similarly, if a team member needs information from a platform they don’t have access to or familiarity with, they have to wait for a different team member to assist. This wastes time and decreases efficiency. An ERP system eliminates these problems. By integrating everything into a single platform, you can provide everyone with access to the information they need to make informed decisions.Decreased costsFor manufacturing businesses, boosting profitability hinges on both increasing revenue and effectively decreasing costs. An ERP system facilitates significant cost reductions through several key avenues, including:Fewer software subscriptions: Since an ERP solution provides so many functions, it will likely mean you can cancel subscriptions for software that provides the same functions as your ERP.Faster, informed decision-making: When information is time-sensitive, being able to act quickly with the most current information can make all the difference in how much revenue you generate or costs you cut.Simpler IT maintenance: Rather than managing perhaps dozens of applications and platforms, your information technology team can focus on your ERP system.Accurate job pricing: By providing up-to-date cost information, your ERP enables you to confidently set job prices at your desired margins. It also helps to minimize waste by optimizing resource allocation and production processes.Collectively, these factors contribute to a leaner, more efficient operation, directly impacting your bottom line.Increased efficiencyA leading benefit of leveraging an ERP is that it speeds up many manual tasks by eliminating data barriers and providing a user-friendly interface. This makes it easier to access and share information.The ERP can also automate many tasks that may otherwise have to be completed manually, such as pulling reports, managing production schedules, and streamlining quality checks. By relieving your team from repetitive tasks that require minimal decision-making, you give them the freedom to focus on tasks that require more strategy and consideration.Your ERP can also provide accurate estimates of how long tasks will take, helping you better plan your team’s time. This applies to your machines, too, allowing you to minimize idle time and ensure maximum output. Plus, it can optimize your labor and material utilization, further improving your business’s efficiency.Real-time operational visibilityIt’s often said that information is everything, and this is especially true for a manufacturing company. ERPs can provide live data reports on demand, rather than waiting days or weeks for someone to manually pull a report from historical data. With this real-time visibility over your entire business, you can make timely decisions based on the best data possible.Beyond making decisions for the present, fast access to current data also makes looking to the future easier. User-friendly dashboards and customizable reports based on live data make it easier to forecast your finances for upcoming months and years. This foresight allows you to better plan for the future and meet your long-term business goals.Increased scalabilityThanks to automation, an ERP can help you quickly scale your processes up or down as needed without major changes to your operations. For a manufacturing company, this could mean pulling reports on larger inventory quantities or calculating the most efficient way to buy materials as production levels increase. Whichever way your business is scaling up, there’s a reduced need to hire additional personnel, increase costs, or decrease efficiency as you grow.Since you can easily add new functions and modules to your ERP, you can easily diversify your business functions and products, too.Robust compliance managementWhile an ERP system cannot guarantee compliance or identify specific regulatory requirements, it provides the tools and framework to significantly streamline your operations toward meeting the standards your business targets.When you implement an ERP, you can create workflows and add checks that help your team to comply with various aspects of any relevant standards as they carry out their duties. An ERP can also provide audit trails to serve as proof of compliance with standards or as an internal check to ensure your company is operating in accordance with them. These capabilities can be crucial aspects of certain standards, such as ISO certification and environmental guidelines.An ERP can also offer security features that help you meet data protection standards. It can protect your customer and business data from both internal and external threats while helping your business comply with data protection laws.Enhanced customer satisfactionSince an ERP can help your business operate more efficiently, you’re ultimately better able to meet your customers’ needs. Customers can benefit from your ERP through:Competitive pricingAccurate time estimatesTimely order updatesSince your customer support team will have access to all your business information, they’ll also be able to answer any customer query without having to ask another department for the relevant information.Plus, an ERP can enhance your data protection measures, so your customers can rest easy knowing their information is well-protected.How to choose the right ERP system for your manufacturing businessGiven the unique operational demands of each manufacturing business and the diverse capabilities of ERP solutions, selecting the system that aligns with your specific needs is crucial. ArcherPoint 1. Determine your functional requirementsWhether you’re implementing an ERP for the first time or switching from an existing ERP that doesn’t meet your needs as well as you’d hoped, you need to review which functions you’d like your system to provide.While core accounting and finance capabilities are standard for most manufacturing businesses, it’s crucial to actively determine how your ERP will support and enhance other vital areas, such as supply chain and customer relationship management.2. Ensure your ERP can integrate with your existing systemsIf your goal is to integrate your ERP with existing software rather than replacing it, prioritize solutions with robust integration capabilities. While many ERPs connect with popular business applications, this isn’t universally true for all programs. It is crucial to thoroughly verify compatibility with all your current systems before committing to implementation.Failure to integrate effectively can lead to significant compromises. You might be forced to acquire alternative software, rely on the ERP’s native modules, or undertake time-consuming manual data transfers to successfully maintain centralized data.3. Decide between a cloud or on-premise ERPYour ERP can be deployed on-site or in the cloud, with remote hosting by your provider. You can also choose a hybrid option.Each has its own benefits, so it’s essential to evaluate which one best meets your needs. While on-site ERP solutions can provide better data and system control, cloud-based ERP solutions can typically be:Deployed faster.Updated more frequently and with less disruption to the business.Accessed more easily on a mobile device.With cloud-based ERPs, your manufacturing business will also have the freedom to choose the solution that works best for them, regardless of your location. However, when you choose an on-site solution, you may be limited to an ERP provider that operates in your area.4. Find a partner to help with your ERPBeyond selecting your ideal ERP solution, securing the right implementation partner is crucial for success. An experienced and knowledgeable partner enhances the entire ERP journey, transforming a complex undertaking into a streamlined, efficient process.They offer invaluable strategic guidance and technical expertise, ensuring your investment yields maximum returns. A dedicated ERP partner delivers several distinct advantages:Optimal solution alignment: They leverage their deep industry and product knowledge to help you not just choose, but also configure, the ERP solution that aligns with your unique operational workflows and strategic business objectives.Proactive risk mitigation: ERP implementations can be complex and may introduce challenges, from unforeseen technical issues to user adoption challenges. An expert partner anticipates these common obstacles, guiding you away from costly mistakes and ensuring a smoother transition.Accelerated deployment and go-live: With their specialized methodologies and experienced teams, partners can shorten the deployment timeline, getting your new system operational faster and enabling your business to realize its benefits sooner.Comprehensive user empowerment: Beyond technical setup, a partner’s key role is to empower your team. They provide tailored training and support, ensuring your employees are proficient and confident in utilizing the new ERP program effectively from day one.Understanding these benefits underscores the value of an ERP partner. For detailed guidance on selecting the best partner for your manufacturing business, refer to the following section.How to find the right ERP partnerFinding the right partner for your ERP implementation can be the difference between a fast and successful deployment and an imperfect alignment with your business. To judge whether an ERP partner is right for you, consider their:Experience: An ERP partner who has successfully helped other businesses implement their ERP is likely to deliver the same for your business.Reviews: The opinions and experiences of an ERP partner’s past clients will shed light on what you could expect from them.Industry expertise: Many ERP partners specialize in particular industries. A partner with strong knowledge of the manufacturing sector will be better placed to help your company implement its ERP. Embrace the advantages of an ERP in your manufacturing businessTo address manufacturing complexity, ERP systems centralize operations, driving efficiency and enabling informed decisions. Achieving these benefits requires strategic planning — defining needs, ensuring integration, selecting a deployment approach, and partnering with specialists.With informed choices and expert guidance, your business can streamline operations, optimize resources, and secure a lasting competitive edge.This story was produced by ArcherPoint and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Moles vs. birthmarks: What's normal and what warrants a check Moles vs. birthmarks: What's normal and what warrants a checkMost people have spots on their skin they've never thought much about. A cluster of brown dots on the shoulder, a faint blue-gray patch on the lower back, and a bright red bump that appeared in infancy. These marks are common, and the vast majority are completely harmless. But knowing what each one is, and when its appearance should prompt a conversation with a doctor, is genuinely useful information.Below, Doctronic explains what’s normal and what needs attention when it comes to moles and birthmarks.Key TakeawaysMost adults have 10 to 40 moles, most of which are benign and stable throughout life.Birthmarks fall into two categories: pigmented (café-au-lait spots, Mongolian spots) and vascular (hemangiomas, port-wine stains).The ABCDE checklist (asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolving) is the standard tool for self-evaluating a mole.Additional warning signs include bleeding without injury, persistent itching, crusting, the "ugly duckling" sign, and any new mole appearing after age 40.Sun protection, monthly self-exams, and annual dermatology screenings (for high-risk individuals) are the core of prevention and early detection.What Are Moles?Moles are skin growths that form when melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in your skin, cluster together rather than spread out evenly. They appear after birth, usually beginning to show up in childhood and continuing to develop through about age 35. Most adults have somewhere between 10 and 40 moles, the majority of which appear on skin that gets regular sun exposure: the face, neck, arms, and upper back.In their typical form, moles are round or oval, evenly colored (tan, brown, or nearly black), and no larger than a pencil eraser. They can be flat or slightly raised. Most stay the same throughout a person's life, though they may gradually lighten or become less prominent with age.A small percentage of the population, roughly 2% to 8% of Americans, has what are called atypical or dysplastic moles. These are larger than average, have irregular borders, and may display more than one color within the same spot. Having atypical moles doesn't mean cancer is present, but it does mean those moles warrant ongoing monitoring.What Are Birthmarks?Birthmarks are marks present on the skin at birth or appearing within the first few weeks of life. They fall into two main categories based on their cause.Pigmented BirthmarksPigmented birthmarks result from an overgrowth of pigment cells in a localized area.Café-au-lait spots are flat, light brown patches that can appear anywhere on the body. The name comes from French and roughly translates to "coffee with milk," which describes their color accurately. They're common and usually harmless on their own, though a large number of them (typically more than six) can sometimes be associated with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis.Mongolian spots, now more often called congenital dermal melanocytosis in clinical settings, appear as blue-gray patches, most commonly on the lower back or buttocks. They're more prevalent in people with darker skin tones, are present from birth, and in most cases fade entirely by adolescence.Vascular BirthmarksVascular birthmarks are caused by abnormal blood vessels near the skin's surface.Hemangiomas are raised, bright red marks sometimes called "strawberry hemangiomas" because of their appearance. They're not typically present at birth but usually appear within the first few weeks of life and grow rapidly before slowing down. Most hemangiomas shrink on their own and are gone by ages 7 to 10 without any treatment.Port-wine stains are flat birthmarks that range in color from pale pink to deep red or even purple. Unlike hemangiomas, they are permanent and tend to darken and thicken over time. They appear most often on the face and neck, and some individuals choose to treat them with laser therapy for cosmetic reasons or because of associated health concerns.ABCDE: The Mole Evaluation ChecklistDermatologists use the ABCDE checklist as a practical framework for evaluating whether a mole shows signs that should be looked at more closely.Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other.Border: The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred rather than smooth and defined.Color: There are multiple shades within the mole (brown, black, red, white, or blue).Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters, roughly the size of a pencil eraser.Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, color, or texture, or a new symptom like bleeding or itching has appeared.No single criterion is a definitive alarm, but any one of them is reason to book a dermatology appointment rather than wait.Warning Signs That Go Beyond the ChecklistThe ABCDE framework focuses on visual characteristics, but there are other warning signs worth knowing.A mole that bleeds without any injury, itches persistently, crusts over, or develops a scab should be evaluated. These are signs that something may be happening beneath the surface.The "ugly duckling" sign is a useful self-examination concept: Most moles on a person tend to look similar to each other. A mole that looks noticeably different from all your others, the "ugly duckling" in the group, stands out for a reason and deserves attention even if it doesn't meet the classic ABCDE criteria.Any new mole appearing after age 40 is worth showing to a dermatologist. While new moles can form throughout life, they become less common as people age, and a spot that appears later in life should be examined.Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. The American Cancer Society projects approximately 112,000 new melanoma cases in 2026, around 65,000 of which are expected to be invasive. Early detection remains one of the most important factors in treatment outcomes.What to Do About BirthmarksMost birthmarks require no treatment at all. They're benign, and for the majority of people, the only decision is whether to leave them alone or pursue cosmetic treatment if they're in a visible location or affect confidence.Port-wine stains and large congenital melanocytic nevi, a type of pigmented birthmark, may be monitored over time because of a slightly increased risk of changes. A pediatrician or dermatologist can advise on whether any follow-up is appropriate.If a birthmark changes in color, texture, or size, or if it develops raised areas, irregular edges, or new symptoms, those changes should be brought to a doctor's attention.Prevention and Monitoring RoutinesSun protection reduces the risk of mole development and lowers the overall risk of skin cancer. Daily use of SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, protective clothing such as wide-brim hats and long sleeves during peak hours, and avoiding tanning beds all reduce cumulative UV exposure.Monthly self-exams using a full-length mirror and a hand mirror to check hard-to-see areas help build familiarity with what your skin normally looks like. That baseline is what makes it easier to notice something new or changing.Annual skin screenings with a dermatologist are recommended for people at higher risk: those with a family history of melanoma, a personal history of atypical moles, fair skin that burns easily, or significant past sun exposure. For lower-risk individuals, speaking with a primary care provider about the right screening interval is a reasonable starting point.Frequently Asked QuestionsAre moles and birthmarks the same thing?No. Moles form after birth when melanocytes cluster together, while birthmarks are present at or shortly after birth and result from either an overgrowth of pigment cells or abnormal blood vessels. They have different causes and different patterns of development.Can a mole turn into melanoma?Most moles never become cancerous. However, melanoma can arise within an existing mole or as a new spot on normal-appearing skin. Atypical moles carry a slightly higher risk, which is why they're monitored. Using the ABCDE checklist and reporting changes to a dermatologist is the most reliable way to catch problems early.When do hemangiomas go away?Most hemangiomas begin to shrink by around age 1 and continue fading through childhood. The majority are fully gone or significantly reduced by ages 7 to 10. Some may leave behind minor changes in skin texture or color, and in some cases, a doctor may recommend earlier treatment if the hemangioma is near the eye, mouth, or airways.Does SPF 30 sunscreen really prevent new moles?Sunscreen reduces the cumulative UV exposure that contributes to new mole formation and to melanoma risk. It doesn't guarantee that no new moles will ever appear, but consistent use from childhood onward meaningfully lowers the overall burden of UV damage to the skin.What does the "ugly duckling" sign mean?The term refers to a mole that looks distinctly different from the other moles on your body. Most moles on any one person share a similar general appearance. One that stands out from the rest, in size, color, shape, or feel, is worth having examined even if it doesn't fit the classic ABCDE warning criteria.Is it normal to get new moles as an adult?New moles can appear through about age 35 and occasionally beyond, but the rate slows with age. A new mole appearing after age 40 should be checked by a dermatologist, since new spots later in life are less common and warrant evaluation to rule out a concerning change.The Bottom LineMoles and birthmarks are a normal part of human skin, and the vast majority will never cause any health problems. The difference between something harmless and something that needs attention usually comes down to change: A spot that looks different from how it looked before, or a new mark that doesn't look like anything else on your body, is the one worth bringing to a doctor.This story was produced by Doctronic and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The rise of jojoba oil: Why it's becoming more popular in skincare formulas The rise of jojoba oil: Why it’s becoming more popular in skincare formulasAs consumers pay closer attention to what goes on their skin, jojoba oil has become one of the most trusted ingredients in modern skincare, valued for its versatility, compatibility with the skin, and ability to support hydration without heaviness.Most shoppers today already carry a mental list of what they want on their skin and what they'd rather avoid. They're checking labels with the same attention they give to food packaging, scanning for ingredients they recognize and skipping past anything they can't pronounce.Research shows interest in skincare topics has doubled over the past five years, and a growing part of that is people trimming their routines down to fewer products built around ingredients they understand and benefits they can see.Dermatologist Dr. Emma Craythorne told Vogue that today's shopper has gotten a lot more specific about what they expect. "Consumers are no longer satisfied with vague promises of glow and hydration," she said. "They want to understand mechanisms, data and longevity."Jojoba oil has become one of the ingredients consumers keep coming back to, and as Ogee, a Vermont-based certified organic beauty brand, explores below, the reasons behind it go deeper than good marketing.What Makes Jojoba Oil UniqueDespite being called an oil, jojoba is technically a liquid wax, and that puts it in a class of its own among plant-based ingredients. Most plant-based oils are made up of fats, but jojoba's makeup closely mirrors the natural oils your skin already produces on its own.Dermatologist Alok Vij of the Cleveland Clinic describes it as "very close in composition to your skin's normal sebum, or the normal oil secreted by your skin." Because of that natural compatibility, jojoba absorbs readily without leaving a heavy or greasy film behind, and that is what separates it from most other plant-based oils people are used to reaching for.Why It Works Across Skin TypesPart of what makes jojoba oil so relevant to today's skincare conversation is how consistently it holds up across different skin types. Part of what makes jojoba oil so relevant to today's skincare conversation is how consistently it performs across different skin types. For people with dry skin, jojoba oil is valued for its ability to help reduce moisture loss and support the skin's natural barrier without the heavy or greasy feel associated with some other oils.Oily skin tends to respond well for a different reason entirely. Dr. Vij has noted that jojoba won't overhydrate the skin or make it feel oilier, and because it doesn't clog pores, it holds up well even for those who are acne-prone.Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian also points to how well it tends to be tolerated by people with more sensitive or reactive skin, which is part of why it continues to get recommended across so many different skin profiles.A Multi-Functional Skincare StapleSkincare enthusiasts and experts tend to agree that jojoba oil rarely gets put to just one use. It shows up in moisturizers and facial oils, where its ability to attract and hold moisture makes it a reliable base. It also works well in cleansing oils and makeup removers, where its mix of fatty acids helps lift away oil-based buildup without leaving the skin feeling stripped.Beyond the face, it finds its way into lip treatments, body oils, and hair care, which is part of why consumers cutting down their routines keep returning to it.Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, describes it as "an emollient oil commonly used in moisturizers and cleansing oils" with hydrating and skin-soothing benefits that hold up across a wide range of uses.The Role of Jojoba in Modern FormulationsBeyond what consumers see on the shelf, jojoba oil has become a go-to foundation for formulators building clean, plant-based products.Its natural stability and long shelf life make it a reliable base, which is part of why brands working within certified organic standards tend to look to it first. It also pairs naturally with other botanical ingredients, helping carry their benefits into the skin rather than leaving them on the surface.Dermatologist Dr. Tiffany Libby of Brown Dermatology notes that oils like jojoba, because of how closely they mirror the skin's own natural oils, can help support the skin's lipid balance, making it a strong fit for formulas built around how skin actually behaves.Clean Beauty and the Appeal of SimplicityKeeping a clean, simple skincare routine has become less of a lifestyle choice and more of a standard expectation.Consumers are pushing back on long, unrecognizable ingredient lists and gravitating toward products built around things they can actually understand. Nearly half of consumers now say they prioritize 100% pure and natural ingredients, and 45% specifically seek out non-toxic or clean formulations when shopping.Jojoba oil checks both of those boxes in a pretty direct way. It's a single, plant-based ingredient with a name people recognize, and it does enough on its own that consumers don't feel the need to stack it with a dozen other products to see results.Given that the FDA still does not regulate terms like "clean" or "natural" in beauty, a verifiable, recognizable ingredient carries more weight than any marketing label.What This Means for the Future of SkincareNobody reaches for a skincare product thinking about its chemistry, but more people than ever are thinking carefully about what's actually in it. Beauty has moved closer to wellness, and with that comes a level of personal investment that goes well beyond the bathroom shelf.The global jojoba oil market is projected to reach $255.5 million by 2033, and the demand powering that growth is coming from people who are paying closer attention to their skin health than any generation before them.Jojoba oil has earned that place because it delivers on what it promises, and for a consumer who now treats their skincare with the same care they give to everything else that touches their body, that kind of reliability is hard to walk away from.This story was produced by Ogee and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	Make the money moves that actually hold up when markets don’t Make the money moves that actually hold up when markets don’tWhen the market gets shaky, the instinct is to do something. Check your portfolio, read the news, move things around. Mostly, that just wastes your time and sometimes costs you money.What actually helps is having a setup that doesn’t require you to react, Intuit TurboTax reports.Look at your debt without judgmentSit down one evening and write down every debt: the balance owed, interest rate, and minimum payment. That’s the whole exercise.The actual numbers are usually more actionable than a rough mental estimate. Plus, guessing just causes anxiety you don’t need.Focus on making extra payments on the highest interest rate items first, usually credit cards at 20–25% APR. A card at 22% is costing you more than almost any investment that is creating income for you. Paying the credit card balance down is a guaranteed return.Think about setting up an automatic payment once a week, say Fridays, that’s more than the interest. It doesn’t have to be a dramatic amount, just something you can afford that drives down the balance (and doesn’t just pay the interest).Pause and review big purchasesBefore making any major purchase, check to see if the pricing and financing terms still make sense given current market conditions.What felt like a reasonable car payment or appliance financing plan six months ago may look different today if interest rates have shifted or your income has become less predictable. A brief pause to compare options and confirm the terms still work in your favor is one of the simplest ways to protect your financial foundation during uncertain times.Automate one thing and stop decidingThe goal isn’t to make better money decisions every week. It’s to make fewer decisions in total.Set up a small automatic transfer to savings or investments — even $50 or $75 — on a set schedule. When it runs on its own, you stop debating whether you can afford it. It just happens automatically.And if your income isn’t steady, use percentages instead: 50% to bills, 20% to spending, 20% to debt, 10% to investing. Everything works together automatically.Keep your investments simpleVolatile markets generate a lot of opinions. Most aren’t worth acting on.Broad diversified funds are low-cost, require no stock-picking, and don’t need your attention every week. These include stock market indexes that are used by many firms to diversify investments for individuals, but they provide a safe balance without being too aggressive or conservative. Unflashy, but genuinely solid investments.What’s the money for? Long-term money can ride out a downturn in the economy. But short-term money used to cover anything you might need in the next year or two, shouldn’t be in the market at all. Keep those buckets separate, and a bad month won’t force your hand.If you’re wondering whether now is a bad time to start, the market will always give you a reason to wait. There’s just no perfect timing. Think of it this way: Time in the market matters more than timing the market.Retirement planningIf you qualify, Roth IRA and Roth 403(b) plans can be two of your smartest retirement moves. Many Roth IRA accounts give you the option of selecting diversified investment options from aggressive to conservative investments that grow over time. They’re tax-advantaged accounts that provide you the opportunity to grow your savings tax-free.And, if you are also considering a 401(k), check out this article, which compares Roth IRAs to 401(k) accounts.Know what triggers a tax billUnderstanding capital gains rates and resisting the urge to react to market swings can save you significantly come tax time.When you sell an investment at a gain, that’s taxable income. Hold it under a year and it’s taxed at your ordinary tax rate. Over a year and it’s taxed at capital gains rates, which are lower than your ordinary income tax rate.This is worth knowing before a rough market month tempts you to move everything around. Reacting fast can cost you twice: once on the sale and once on the taxes.Also, keep in mind that dividends and reinvested interest also count as taxable income in the year you receive them, even if you never touch the money.You’re closer than you thinkList your debts.Automate one transfer.Put long-term money somewhere diversified and leave it alone.Know the tax consequences before you sell.Those are the most important things to think about. No perfect timing required, just a few quiet habits doing their thing, regardless of an uncertain market.This story was produced by Intuit TurboTax and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to travel this summer on a budget How to travel this summer on a budgetWhen school’s out and the sun is shining, many of us get excited for summer travel. But nowadays, the cost of a trip can seem prohibitive.According to a new survey of 5,000 Americans commissioned by Current, a consumer fintech banking platform, and conducted by Talker Research, four in 10 respondents are skipping summer travel due to budget constraints.. For those who aren’t planning to travel, most (52%) said they’re not able to afford a trip, and 21% highlighted concerns around the rising costs of travel.But there are ways to explore new places while on a budget. Here’s how you can travel this summer without breaking the bank.1. Be flexibleIf you’re heading to a wedding or friend’s birthday, you may not be able to choose when or where you’re traveling. But if you can be flexible, it often pays off. Shifting your dates to August can help you save upward of 23% this year, says Katy Nastro, a travel expert at Going.“August is typically when summer travel starts to fade,” Nastro says. “This year, we are seeing savings of $175 per ticket traveling the last two full weeks of August versus any time in June. This can really add up for families who are looking to still take advantage of a summer vacation but can be slightly strategic when they travel.”Where you look can matter this year more than ever.“We all have bucket list destinations on our ever-growing wish lists, but sometimes, the strategy to savings is letting the deal decide,” Nastro says. “Try focusing on destinations in the southern Caribbean, coastal Mexico or even the southeast, as we are still seeing savings to destinations like Orlando for just $144 roundtrip this June from New York.”As of mid-May, she says some deals are still available across summer dates, including Washington D.C. to Cabo San Lucas for $350 (50% off) and Indianapolis to Grand Cayman Island for $301 (55% off).You could also opt for a shorter “microbreak” that’s just a few days or a staycation to see your own home in a way. The survey found that 22% of travelers are planning to explore their own city or state, and another 22% will be traveling for a shorter amount of time.2. Consider main economyMany of us look for the cheapest airfare when booking a flight. But opting for main economy instead of basic economy may pay off for two reasons: price drops and better boarding with a bag.Nastro says to take advantage of any savings this year that may happen, even if that means your flight price drops by $25. If you book a basic economy ticket, you won’t be able to take advantage of getting that $25 back in the form of a flight credit to use in the future. But book with the main economy, and you can take advantage of a price drop. (With a basic economy ticket, you typically can’t make changes. You’re locked into the initial price you paid.)Another reason to consider the main economy ticket this year is to get a better boarding position so your bag doesn't get gate-checked, Nastro adds.“With higher bag fees across most U.S. airlines, people will be looking for ways to cut down on checked bags, which means more carry-ons, yet only so much carry-on space,” she says.3. Consider driving instead of flyingFlying is more expensive this year than last, due in part to soaring costs for jet fuel. The average price for domestic airfare as of May 4, 2026, was $380, according to data from Kayak. That’s significantly more than the $290 it was during the same time last year.But that doesn't mean you can't plan a fun memorable vacation. You can drive instead.“Look up places to visit within a day's driving distance to ensure you don't have to travel too far,” consumer finance expert Andrea Woroch recommends, adding that you can use the RoadTripper's app to find sights to visit along the way.Of course gas isn’t cheap right now either: The average driver in the U.S. was paying $4.53 per gallon as of May 14, with drivers in states such as California and Nevada paying more than $5 per gallon, according to AAA. Woroch says to use the Gas Buddy app for help tracking down cheaper gas along your route.4. Strategically use discount gift cardsYou can buy discount gift cards for up to 30% off to restaurants, spas, theme parks like Disney and more to use on your trip to cut costs, Woroch says. You can find gift cards for everything from Southwest Airlines to Panera Bread at warehouse retailers such as Costco and Sam’s Club and on online marketplaces (just make sure they’re reputable). You can also earn free gift cards to use on your trip to cut travel costs toward restaurants, hotels, transportation and activities like TopGolf by using the Fetch app, Woroch adds. It requires uploading photos of your receipts to earn points toward gift cards for a variety of companies, including Uber and Airbnb.5. Consider a new credit cardTravel can often equate to spending more than you typically would — even if you budget. Because of that, you may want to consider opening a new credit card (or secured charge card) to earn rewards on your spending that will help you save in other ways.“Ahead of your summer trip, opening a new credit card is a great way to earn rewards toward your trip,” Woroch says. “Whether that's free cash, points or miles that you can redeem for flights, car rentals, hotels or toward savings.”6. Save elsewhereFigure out where in your budget you can cut back or which daily or weekly splurges you can live without temporarily and put the money you save toward your summer vacation savings.“I say temporarily because it's easier to make a cut when you think about it as a temporary move that you can add back in,” Woroch says. “This could look like cancelling some subscription services or cutting back on take out and cooking at home more or forgoing coffee runs and brewing it at home. Every little bit adds up.”Where you save matters too. If you funnel the extra cash into a traditional savings account, you’ll only earn miniscule interest on your earnings. But if you open a high-yield savings account, your money will work for you even while it’s sitting idly.This story was produced by Current and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Pakistan ends 'luxury tax' on menstrual products, contraceptives. Will prices drop? In Pakistan, taxes on menstrual products can add up. Activists have long worked to change this. Now a new budget wipes out the 18% sales tax. But questions remain about the impact on prices.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2026

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