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

Saturday, July 11th, 2026
	Byron Hills Fore Heroes outing honors veterans, first responders The seventh annual Byron Hills Fore Heroes outing brought golfers together in Port Byron to honor local veterans and first responders.
	Celtic Night Out held at Riverfront Grille The Scottish American Society of the Quad Cities hosted its annual Celtic Night Out at the Riverfront Grille.
	New YMCA location opens in Davenport The North YMCA welcomed community into its new facility on East Kimberly Road.
	3 injured, mail carrier vehicle catches fire after crash in Lee County Three people suffered non-life threatening injuries and a mail carrier vehicle caught fire after a two-vehicle crash on Nelson Road.
	US attacks Iran over ship being hit in Strait of Hormuz; Tehran lashes out again at Gulf Arab states The United States attacked Iran early Sunday morning over an Iranian attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran apparently responded with strikes targeting Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
	In a nailbiter, England moves on to the World Cup semifinals, defeating Norway 2-1 England's Jude Bellingham has done it again. Scoring both of his team's goals in a thrilling quarterfinal against Norway that needed extra time. It was the first World Cup meeting between the two.
	Annual Lemonade for a Cause event raises money for domestic violence shelter All funds raised from the Lemonade for a Cause event go directly to the MCSA domestic violence shelter.
	Muscatine lemonade stand raises more than $30,000 for domestic violence shelter The Loconsole family's lemonade stand fundraiser has evolved into a vital support effort, raising over $30,000 in five years for the MCSA domestic violence shelter.
	Hit the pools for Sunday tomorrow You can't ask for a better start to the weekend with temperatures in the mid 80s with lots of sunshine for this Saturday. Temperatures will slowly warm up for tomorrow reaching the upper 80s and potential 90s for Sunday with more clear skies and sunshine. Temperatures will continue to rise into the low to mid [...]
	Crews respond to partial collapse of brick exterior at a Moline restaurant Fire officials say the damage appears to be limited to the building's exterior, with no signs of a larger structural problem.
	3 injured, mail carrier vehicle catches fire after Lee County crash Three people are injured and a mail carrier vehicle caught fire after a two-vehicle crash on Nelson Road.
	Gov. JB Pritzker signs new Illinois energy laws Illinois' governor JB Pritzker signed two new energy laws this week. House Bill 4456 makes energy bills more affordable, expanding the discount program for low-income electricity and gas customers. Eligibility for the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has increased to 300 percent at or below the poverty level.that makes it tougher to [...]
	Crews respond to partial collapse of Moline building's exterior The Moline Fire Department responded to the 1200 block of 5th Avenue for a partial collapse of a building's brick exterior.
	Crews respond to QCA partial building exterior collapse Crews responded to a partial collapse at a Moline restaurant. According to a release from the Moline Fire Department, Cisco's Mexican Bar & Grill on 5th Ave. experienced a partial brick façade collapse. Following an assessment, the damage appears to be limited to the building's exterior brick façade, with no indication of a more significant [...]
	Silvis alderman Craig Pirrman resigns as ethics investigation continues The Silvis Ethics Commission will continue reviewing a complaint against former Alderman Craig Pirrman despite his resignation.
	Historic Hose Station 7 in Davenport reopens as event venue after six years of renovations The 121-year-old Hose Station 7 in Davenport has reopened as after six years of renovations, becoming a new event venue with concerts and community events.
	Death Notice: Roger Bousselot A Funeral Mass for Roger Fred Bousselot, 100, of Calamus, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 17, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, July 16, from 4-7 p.m. at the church. Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mr. Bousselot died Friday, July 10, 2026, at Fieldstone of DeWitt. Online condolences may be made at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com. A full obituary will appear in the July 15 edition of The NSP.
	Justice Department subpoenas New York Times reporters over Air Force One reporting The Times says federal agents turned up on the doorsteps of several of its journalists to force grand jury testimony next week over their coverage of the Air Force One plane gifted to Trump by Qatar.
	The biggest steam locomotive is whistle-stopping across the U.S. Huge crowds of train fans turn out as the 1940s era Big Boy steam locomotive is making a rare trip cross country.
	LivWell Seniors present 'Protecting Your Future' at CASI, Davenport Many people assume Medicare or health insurance will cover all their long-term care needs, but that misconception can leave families financially vulnerable when care is needed most, according to a news release from LivWell Seniors. To help seniors better understand their options, LivWell Seniors will host a free lunch & learn, “Protecting Your Future,” at [...]
	Jibaro de Puerto Rico finds a new home in Muscatine after structural issues Ramon Rentas was at a crossroads about two years ago after he decided to change careers. He could either move back to Puerto Rico or make Muscatine his permanent home and start a new business. Rentas decided to plant his roots and invest in the small community along the Mississippi River, but he still wanted [...]
	QC Latino Cinema Series will debut at Last Picture House, Davenport The Quad Cities Latino Cinema Series is set to debut July 15, bringing four unforgettable evenings that celebrate Latino stories, music, culture, and community through the magic of film, a news release says. Presented by The Last Picture House in collaboration with AJV Original, the series highlightsiconic Latino films while supporting local Hispanic nonprofit organizations. [...]
	Ticks you may find in Iowa and Illinois, and the diseases they can carry It's been a gnarly year for ticks already in the U.S., but the ticks you're seeing will vary depending on where you live.
	Cook review: 'Young Washington' is solid biopic released at perfect time Here's a biopic that's just in time for the 250th birthday of the United States. Not only is it timely, but it's also revealing and well-written. If you think "Young Washington” is a faith-based film because it's an Angel Studios movie, think again. Yes, some of the Angel studios movies are faith-based, but not all. [...]
	LifeServe Blood Center plans blood drive at UnityPoint Health - Trinity Rock Island Cancer patients, trauma victims, organ transplant recipients, and so many more Americans rely on lifesaving blood transfusions every day, a news release says. According to LifeServe Blood Center, the summer months can be an especially critical time for blood donation, as donation appointments tend to drop off due to vacations, summer activities, and the change [...]
	City of Morrison updates schedule of city hall closures for system transition, training The City of Morrison would like to inform residents, businesses and other stakeholders that Morrison City Hall will be closed to accommodate staff training and the implementation of a new computer system, a news release says. These updated closures are necessary as the city completes the system conversion that will improve efficiency, enhance service delivery, [...]
	Visit Quad Cities welcomes new board chair, board members “I am thrilled to lead this organization as it continues to make a positive impact on the Quad-Cities,” new board chair Neil Dahlstrom said.
	Most people who need glasses don't have them. Can the post office change that? In some towns in India, a visitor to the post office who's squinting at fine print might be asked: Do you want an eye test?
	Eldridge lukewarm on new facilities, Bettendorf adds futsal court and more government news Read more about what happened in local governments this week in the Quad-Cities.
	Follow the yellow brick road with "The Wizard of Oz" at Circa '21 Follow Dorothy and her iconic friends to Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse's new presentation of "The Wizard of Oz!" According to a release from Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse: This glorious adaptation of L. Frank Baum's timeless storybook tale boasts such unforgettable songs as "If I Only Had a Brain," "Ding Dong, the Witch Is Dead" and [...]
	A Professor Update No. 1 This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.A while back I told you about a local professor whose grand imagination represents the pinnacle of professor-dom. I'm…
	Minnesota is pulling troops early from D.C., as pressure grows on Michigan Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is pulling his National Guard early from Washington, D.C. as the chorus against Democratic governors sending troops to the city amid President Trump's ongoing deployment grows louder.
	Shy on the dance floor? Virtual reality 'partners' aim to help you find your groove VR dance lesson apps like Dance Guru and Trip the Light offer a judgment-free way to learn partner dancing.
	With the white nationalist group Patriot Front, what you see is not what you get Hundreds of masked white nationalists marched in the nation's capital on July Fourth. Who were they and where does their funding come from?
	Ivermectin isn’t a cancer miracle drug, but influencers claim otherwise. Good science takes time. One use of ivermectin is to prevent heartworm and treat intestinal worms in dogs. (Photo from Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)Though researchers have been studying the animal deworming drug ivermectin for decades, there is no evidence that it’s a safe or effective way to treat cancer in people. However, a June 2026 study put the topic back in the spotlight. After being downloaded more than 85,000 times before its official publication, the study gained traction on social media — particularly X — and within alternative health communities, where it was shared widely to bolster broader claims about repurposing antiparasitic drugs as cancer treatments. While traditional news outlets were covering renewed public interest in ivermectin for cancer following the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the conversation surrounding this particular new study unfolded outside of mainstream media coverage. Shortly after the study was published, scientists raised serious concerns about how the study arrived at its findings, conflicts of interest and the peer-review process. For one, the study did not have a comparison group to determine whether patients taking a combination of ivermectin and another antiparasitic truly saw improvements due to these drugs or the conventional cancer therapies they were also taking. Moreover, the study relied on patients’ own self-reports rather than medical record information. Unlike medical records, self-reports cannot be independently verified and are more susceptible to bias, making them less reliable as scientific evidence. Although the journal issued an Expression of Concern shortly after publication, the study has not yet been retracted. This case illustrates a recurring challenge in how science reaches the public. Early findings can spread quickly through news coverage, social media and online communities, while the evidence needed to fully evaluate them can take months or years to develop. By the time additional evidence emerges, many people have already shared the original report or made financial and medical decisions based on it. As a health communication researcher, I study how people interpret new cancer information, how health misinformation spreads and how communication can support good health behaviors. The renewed attention surrounding ivermectin and other antiparasitic drugs offers an opportunity to understand why some scientific findings become influential before researchers fully understand what they mean. Why ivermectin keeps returning Repurposing existing medications for new therapeutic uses, including treating cancer, has a long history. Among the drugs attracting growing attention for their repurposing potential are antiparasitic medications such as ivermectin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of these drugs for cancer. Although laboratory studies on cell cultures have shown some anticancer activity, and early clinical trials are underway, there is not enough evidence to support their use in cancer care. Despite the limited clinical evidence supporting antiparasitic drugs as cancer treatments, the science and the public conversation unfolded very differently. Popular interest in these drugs was driven less by emerging research than by the spread of compelling personal stories. Possibly none were more influential than that of Oklahoma businessman Joe Tippens. In 2018, Tippens started a blog describing his recovery from advanced lung cancer. He wrote that while receiving immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial, he had also begun taking fenbendazole, a deworming medication intended for animals. His account spread rapidly online, transforming fenbendazole from a little-known veterinary drug into one of the most-discussed examples of drug repurposing in cancer communities. By 2019, interest in fenbendazole had circulated internationally. In South Korea, singer Kim Chul-min announced that he was taking fenbendazole for lung cancer after learning about Tippens’ story. His disclosure fueled intense public interest, contributing to shortages of fenbendazole and prompting health officials to warn against its use as a cancer treatment. The pandemic dramatically expanded the conversation about repurposing antiparasitic medications. Ivermectin was widely promoted as a treatment for COVID-19, but by 2022, large, randomized clinical trials had found that the drug failed to provide meaningful benefits for patients. By then, however, it had become one of the most recognizable medications associated with the pandemic. When the paper claiming ivermectin could treat cancer was published in June 2026, the deworming medication was already a familiar drug after years of public attention during the pandemic. Interest in its potential use against cancer had also been amplified by celebrity endorsements, patient stories, podcasts and online communities. Financial incentives also reinforced continued attention. As interest in ivermectin grew, a market emerged around promoting and selling the drug for unproven uses. Physicians, pharmacies, politicians, influencers and media personalities had economic incentives — including paid partnerships or selling the drug through their own businesses — to keep the conversation around ivermectin alive even after scientific evidence remained limited. Online conversations and real-world decisions Once published, scientific papers are often viewed and shared online, where their findings become intertwined with headlines, personal stories and commentary. Those conversations don’t simply reflect public interest. They can also shape it. After Joe Rogan and Mel Gibson discussed ivermectin and fenbendazole as potential cancer treatments on Rogan’s popular podcast, oncologists reported that patient interest in these drugs spread “like wildfire,” prompting more people to ask about them during clinic visits. Researchers later documented that prescriptions combining ivermectin and drugs similar to fenbendazole among cancer patients more than doubled following these celebrity endorsements. I observed a similar pattern in my own work. I use social listening methods to monitor how cancer misinformation spreads online in real time. This involves tracking public conversations across social media platforms and identifying changes in the volume and content of posts. Within weeks of Rogan’s podcast, online conversations about ivermectin and fenbendazole had increased by 198% over the course of a month, illustrating how quickly high-profile discussions can attract public attention. Learning how research travels through those conversations may be just as important for public health as understanding the study itself. Science moves more slowly than social media The challenge of evaluating early scientific findings isn’t unique to antiparasitic drugs or one particular paper on ivermectin and cancer. Science and social media operate on very different timelines. A study can be published and shared around the world within hours. Determining how much confidence to place in its findings often takes months or years as researchers conduct additional studies, attempt to replicate the results and tie together multiple lines of evidence. Researchers have found that early information can shape what people believe even after it has been corrected or updated. Known as the continued influence effect, this phenomenon helps explain why initial reports often leave a lasting impression even as new evidence comes to light. In the case of ivermectin, early claims about its benefits may continue to influence people’s decisions even after larger, more rigorous studies fail to support initial claims. Some may continue using the drug, delay or forgo treatments proven to be effective, or remain convinced that the drug is helpful despite accumulating evidence to the contrary. The fact that scientific understanding develops over time does not mean people should ignore promising new research. Every medical advance begins with early findings that require confirmation through additional research. But a single study rarely changes clinical practice on its own. When the next study goes viral The next promising study about cancer or another disease is almost certain to appear on your social media feed before long. Whether that study involves ivermectin or something else, a few principles for interpreting new research can help you navigate scientific uncertainty. Don’t confuse publication with proof. A published study often marks the beginning of scientific discussion, not the end of it. Confidence in findings develops over time as evidence accumulates and results are weighed alongside all available research. If you see something described as a breakthrough, ask yourself whether it reflects a growing body of research or the results of a single study. Pay attention to what happens next. Scientific findings continue to evolve after publication through critiques and new studies that confirm, refine or challenge the original results. At times, a journal’s editorial board may issue corrections or retractions that also contribute to this process. This ongoing scrutiny is a strength of science, not a flaw. If you see a study that could influence your health decisions, don’t stop there. Check whether additional studies have been published or whether trusted medical organizations have updated their recommendations. Put new findings into context. Before making personal health decisions, discuss promising research with a trusted healthcare professional who is familiar with the relevant medical evidence. They can help you make sense of the study based on your own health needs. A study can go viral in a day. Good science takes time. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Dannell Boatman is a health communication researcher with the WVU Cancer Institute and an assistant professor in the WVU School of Medicine. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Spain edges Belgium and will face France in World Cup semifinal Spain and France will meet Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, in a matchup anticipated for years. Neither team has lost at this year's World Cup.
	Trump threatens Iran after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral saw calls for his killing Trump made the comments on his Truth Social after U.S. officials demanded that Iran make a public statement saying the Strait of Hormuz is open.
	Zach Lahn responds to President Trump endorsement Zach Lahn responded to the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who supported his Republican campaign for governor earlier in the day.
	Trump administration rolls back a key protection for imperiled wildlife The Trump administration finalized a rule Friday that changes how agencies enforce the Endangered Species Act. The administration narrowed the definition of "harm" under the landmark law.
	‘Best friend,’ teen describes her grandma, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Hundreds of Republicans gathered in Des Moines Friday night for an annual dinner that focused largely on Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is retiring.
Friday, July 10th, 2026
	Bettendorf, Assumption baseball advance to Substate semis Bettendorf and Assumption baseball both picked up wins to advance to the substate semifinals.
	10-year-old Long Grove girl honored at River Bandits’ Home Runs for Life For 10 years, the Quad Cities River Bandits and MercyOne Genesis have partnered to honor physical therapy and rehabilitation patients through the Home Runs for Life program. This year’s pediatric honoree was Haven Sottos, a 10-year-old from Long Grove.
	Moline's Riverside Park debuts new mini-pitch The new addition is the finale of the Riverside Legacy Project, which aims to bring more recreation opportunities to the area.
	State defends allegations against former deputy charged in Jackson Kradle's death Matthew Herpstreith is charged with reckless homicide, reckless conduct, obstruction of justice and failure to reduce speed in the 18-year-old's 2024 death.
	Historic Davenport firehouse finds new life as event center The grand opening for Host Station 7 will continue through the weekend.
	State defends allegations against former sheriff's deputy charged in Jackson Kradle's death Matthew Herpstreith is charged with reckless homicide, reckless conduct, obstruction of justice and failure to reduce speed in the 18-year-old's 2024 death.
	Our QC Crime Watch: You can meet the new Davenport police chief: Episode 72 Watch crime reporters Linda Cook and Sharon Wren talk about crime and courts in our area with the latest episode of the Our Quad Cities Crime Watch Podcast. In this episode Linda and Sharon discuss: updates on: A Davenport man has been charged with attempted murder after a July 4 shooting You can meet the [...]
	‘I would not be here’: Iowa cancer survivors urge continued federal funding for cancer research Cancer survivors and advocates met with Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, IA-3, to urge continued federal funding for cancer research and to highlight gaps in treatment coverage.
	Alaska expands eligibility for early interventions for children with developmental delays One month old twins are seen in April 2026 (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)More Alaska infants and toddlers who are experiencing developmental delays or disabilities can be eligible for early intervention services under a new law now in effect. But service providers say more funding is critical to meet the needs of Alaskan children and families. The bill expands eligibility criteria that proponents say will allow earlier, targeted interventions for children from infancy to age three who are experiencing developmental delays or disabilities. The Alaska Legislature approved the legislation with bipartisan support by a vote of 59 to 1. Gov. Mike Dunleavy allowed Senate Bill 178 to go into law without his signature last month. Previously, Alaska children had to demonstrate a 50% delay in order to be eligible for early intervention services. Under the new law, the requirement was reduced to a 25% delay, thus expanding eligibility and allowing more children to receive services and interventions. Statewide, there are 17 infant learning programs that provide early intervention services funded by the state and federal Medicaid, at no cost to families. Intervention services can include screenings and assessments; targeted speech, feeding and movement therapies; and education and counseling for families on child development. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Amy Simpson is the executive director of the Program for Infants and Children, Inc. the largest provider of infant learning program services serving the Anchorage area, as well as rural communities in the Lake and Peninsula Borough approximately 200 miles southwest across Cook Inlet. “It’s very exciting,” Simpson said of the bill’s passage in an interview Friday. “This will allow us to serve families and children sooner, so they don’t have to fall so far behind before we’re able to give them some support and help in learning, and you know catching up on their developmental milestones.” Infant learning programs serve an estimated 1,800 families in Alaska each year, and Simpson said it’s been very difficult to turn children away who did not meet eligibility requirements. “It’s a really difficult thing to sit with a parent and say, ‘Oh, you know, we’re really worried about your child’s development, and they are clearly behind their peers, but they’re not behind enough.’ And so then we give them referrals to private therapists in the community, but you know, in most communities in Alaska, there’s not a list of private therapists to help families,” she said. Laura Norton-Cruz is a social worker, filmmaker and advocate who produced a film spotlighting infant learning program successes in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough region to push for the legislation for expanding eligibility, more awareness and funding for early intervention services in Alaska. “I was elated,” she said, of the bill becoming law on Friday. “Being able to see and hear from families about what a big difference it made, both because it’s highly effective and because sometimes they’re on wait lists forever to get into other kinds of therapies,” she said. “Every day, if there’s a developmental issue or a delay, it can get worse, and so it’s very, very important to have timely support.” But now with the new expanded eligibility, Simpson with the Program for Infants and Children said they are expecting a 77% increase in children who are eligible and funding is limited to help provide those services. Dunleavy vetoed $3 million in additional state grant funding approved by the Legislature to support infant learning programs. Legislators also approved a $2.7 million funding increase intended to offset inflation which Dunleavy did not veto. State funding for the program totals $10.1 million this fiscal year. “So this might be a little bit of a hollow victory for kids and families if funding doesn’t permit us to expand eligibility, which really could make a huge difference,” Simpson said. The legislation does provide for over $450,000 for the Alaska Department of Health to implement the changes in policy, including two new full time positions to manage expanded eligibility, billing and statewide staff training. The bill also expands the services eligible for Medicaid reimbursement, which Simpson said will be helpful. In particular, she said, serving rural communities only accessible by boat or plane requires more expensive travel for specialists and therapists to visit families to provide services. “So we’ll have to kind of see how that goes… if billing for services for all early intervention services will provide enough income for us to expand our staffing,” Simpson said. “I’m hopeful that it will, but I’m not certain.” The Senate Health and Social Services committee sponsored the legislation, which was backed by the bipartisan Alaska Children’s Caucus of House and Senate legislators. Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, cited research on the Senate floor ahead of a vote on the bill in May that found nearly half of children who received early intervention services at age three did not require special education services when they reached kindergarten. “That equates to an average of $229,071 of potential savings over the course of that child’s K-12 education,” she said. She estimated state savings at $39 million per year. “But the most important piece of this is helping support children and families,” she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Alaska Beacon
	Special Weather Statement until FRI 9:00 PM CDT Funnel Clouds and Weak Tornadoes Possible Until 9 PM
	Silvis alderman resigning amid ethics probe The resignation of second ward alderman Craig Pirmann is effective immediately, according to the mayor's office.
	Rock Island affordable senior housing project secures tax credits The apartment complex, to be located at Ninth Avenue and 25th Street, received nearly $2 million in tax credits.
	West Burlington police officers escape their own office West Burlington police officers found themselves locked inside their own office but successfully escaped.
	Elected officials hail Great Falls economic progress in two events Gov. Gianforte (center left), John Janicki, president of Janicki Industries (left), Peter Janicki, CEO of Janicki Industries (center right), and Congressman Troy Downing (right), during a ceremony at Janicki Industries’ groundbreaking in Great Falls. (Photo via Governor's Office)GREAT FALLS — An economic boom is happening to Great Falls, at least according to local, state and federal officials who spent much of Friday celebrating two large businesses coming to Cascade County. Gov. Greg Gianforte, U.S. Rep. Troy Downing and Great Falls Mayor Cory Reeves visited a new Amazon delivery building and then took part i a groundbreaking event for a massive new Janicki Industries complex at AgriTech Park. The two industries represent growth, Reeves said, who was all smiles during the two events. “I’m just glad to see that we’re finally on the map,” Reeves said in an interview. “We’re being discovered.” The Amazon investment is about $7 million, company media relations staff said, with 50 full-time employees and hundreds of flex drivers — part-time jobs Amazon is actively hiring for, they said. The Great Falls Amazon facility is a 35,000 square foot “last mile” facility. Essentially, the workers there are the people the company’s customers will see on their doorstep in the town, and beyond. Amazon delivers to many of the small communities that surround the Electric City and said they’ve now invested more than $200 million in Montana operations since 2010. Amazon officials said they were committed to safety, and brought Sarah Rose, a company vice president overseeing global health and safety operations, to talk about that topic. “There is nothing more important than ensuring the safe, high-quality jobs across our network and team right here in the state of Montana,” Rose, who is from Butte, said in prepared remarks at the Amazon facility. “That’s why I believe so deeply in what we’re celebrating today. Hard-working Montanans deserve good jobs, competitive pay, and real opportunities to grow.” The economy was fully in focus throughout the event by both political and business leaders. There’s a sense that massive missile upgrades, new industry and a booming housing industry could make a huge economic difference in Great Falls. Amazon, and the investment from Janicki is another example of a widening Montana economy, Downing said. “We were just at the Amazon facility a little while ago, that’s creating jobs in one sector. This is creating another,” Downing, whose eastern district includes Great Falls, said during an interview. “Obviously, we have Malmstrom. We’ve got the military side. Having that diversification, there’s no single point of failure. If something starts to go sideways, you’ve got other things that can pick up that slack, and in terms of long-term growth opportunity and stability for this region and for the state, I think it’s incredibly important.” Janickian aerospace company, chose Great falls for an $800 million investment that could provide more than 2,000 jobs once fully realized. The 180-acre facility will include 1.6 million square feet of production space. Janicki employees, trades workers, union members and politicians gathered at the Janicki groundbreaking, with about 200 people in attendance. According to company literature, the company “designs and builds composite and metallic tooling, parts, prototypes, and assembled structures for customers across aerospace, defense, space, marine and other industries.” Peter Janicki, the founder and CEO of the company, said once fully built, the facility will make Great Falls an “epicenter” of aerospace engineering by attracting customers from a variety of high-level tech companies. Janicki Industries looked at several sites for their new facility, but ultimately decided on Great Falls, in large part due to the people. When asked what he liked about the regulatory environment in the area, Janicki quipped, “What regulatory environment?” The community already had the site zoned and ready for a business, which made the process easier, he said. “I don’t like the idea that a big company just takes over,” said John Janicki, president of the company and Peter’s brother. “We didn’t do that, and I would not be supportive of that. It’s just really easy to work with here, and we’ve met with the city, and the city says, ‘Hey, we’re ready to help.’” He added cheap utilities, no sales tax, friendly property taxes and relatively low housing costs all contributed as well. Janicki has much of their operations based in Washington and Utah. John Janicki added that with Montana’s friendly business environment, that some Washington businesses might be looking eastward as well. “I think we’re gonna attract a lot of people,” John Janicki said in an interview. Gianforte said he felt there was a “little like cleanup on Aisle Three and Four when I came into office,” and pointed to his efforts lowering taxes and removing regulations, both of which have been longtime priorities for his administration. “The biggest issue that employers run into is the workforce,” Gianforte said in an interview. “This is why we focused on career and technical education tax credits for trade education and making it easier to break down the barriers between our higher education, K through 12 education, and the marketplace, so people can have great careers in front of them.” Courtesy of Daily Montanan
	Hot weather coming next week After several days in the 80s this week, things look to heat up next week in the Quad Cities. Highs will be in the lower 90s pretty often next week. So far this year we've had 7 days with a high of at least 90°, and we'll add on about 4 or 5 more next [...]
	Rock Island mayor revokes tavern's liquor license after shooting incident After citing numerous violations, Rock Island Mayor Ashley Harris has revoked the liquor license of DeAnna's Place.
	Nursing home group asks for exemptions for Haitians working in Florida facilities The Florida Health Care Association worries that as many as 35,000 Haitian healthcare workers could be impacted by the Supreme Court decision. (Photo credit: Getty Images)The state’s largest nursing home association has asked the Department of Homeland Security to consider allowing Haitians with temporary protected status (TPS) to continue to work in long-term care and pursue “available lawful immigration pathways.” Approximately 350,000 Haitian nationals nationwide hold TPS, of whom half are estimated to live in Florida. “If roughly one in five Haitian TPS holders works in healthcare occupations, as national workforce analyses indicate, as many as 35,000 healthcare workers in Florida could be affected by recent policy changes,” a July 7 letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin from FHCA Chief Executive Officer J. Emmett Reed notes. “While a portion of those individuals work in skilled nursing centers and other long term care settings, the loss of even a small percentage of these experienced caregivers would be detrimental to residents’ continuity of care as well as providers who are already struggling to fill essential positions.” The FHCA is the state’s largest nursing home organization representing more than 650 facilities. The Florida Hospital Association has yet to intervene. Neither has Jackson Health System, which employs 50 Haitians with temporary protected status, according to a spokesperson for the Miami hospital. Congress created temporary protected status in 1990. Since then, a country receives a TPS designation after the Homeland Security secretary consults with the State Department to determine whether it meets certain qualifying conditions. A TPS designation applies if it’s too dangerous to return to the country based on violence, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. Protections can last from six to 18 months unless renewed. TPS designation for Haiti began in 2010 following an earthquake that killed more than 500,000 people. Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem determined that Haiti no longer met the conditions for its TPS designation. But a U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order staying Noem’s decision. The U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 ruling subsequently declare that Haitian and Syrian immigrants are not entitled to orders postponing an end to their TPS while litigation is pending. The ruling has the effect of stripping their deportation protections and work permits. And that could be bad news for Florida nursing home providers who, Reed said, already are struggling to maintain staff, and the residents who live in the facilities. “Our request is driven by one priority: protecting access to quality care for Florida’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. Decisions that unintentionally diminish the long-term care workforce have consequences that extend far beyond employers — they directly affect our residents who depend on skilled, compassionate caregivers every day,” Reed’s letter reads. Following the ruling, the TPS designations were set to expire July 10. But the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on its website Friday that it was extending TPS for Haitians until July 24. Meanwhile, a group of faith leaders has called on Florida residents to make TPS an issue in the coming elections. Courtesy of Florida Phoenix
	City of Monmouth, Lakeshore Recycling places dumpsters for storm damage drop offs The City of Monmouth and Lakeshore Recycling are placing three dumpsters on Third Street for storm debris drop-off.
	Maine, 14 other states sue Trump administration to block school mental health funding cuts Phone trees at Brewer High School store students phones for the duration of the school day (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/Maine Morning Star)Maine joined 15 states on Friday in suing the Trump administration to prevent millions of dollars in cuts to school-based mental health funding. The new lawsuit is part of an ongoing legal battle between Democratic-led states and the U.S. Department of Education over a mental health grant program that Congress established following the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. At stake is a $1 billion program that offers grants to school districts across the country to help them hire and train more mental health professionals to work in schools. Democratic attorneys general in 15 states say the Trump administration, in defiance of a December 2025 court order, plans to unlawfully terminate the grants at the end of this month, resulting in millions in lost funding. “Our children deal with a unique set of problems which arise from growing up in 2026 — from loneliness to substance use disorder to the ever-present fear of violence — and the programs funded through these grants are designed to help them cope and hopefully thrive,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, a Democrat, in a statement announcing the lawsuit. In 2022, after a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers, Congress allocated $1 billion to the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program to increase the number of school-based mental health professionals. That funding effort was bipartisan; at the time Republican U.S. Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina publicly supported it. And within a year, the grants had funded mental and behavioral health services to nearly 775,000 students nationwide. But in April 2025, under President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Education told grantees the funding would be halted because their programs conflicted with Trump administration priorities. At that time, the grants were supporting efforts in 49 states to prepare thousands of mental health professionals to work in K-12 schools. Trump administration officials told the media that the grants were cut over what the administration saw as connections to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. A coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general sued last July, and a court ruled in their favor, ordering the Trump administration to stop the grant discontinuation. In the months since the order, the education department has threatened to withhold funding or terminate the grants altogether. The Democratic attorneys general said they filed the new lawsuit to cover gaps in the previous court order that could allow the Trump administration to follow through on its desire to halt the funding. “The courts have repeatedly ruled that the Trump Administration does not have the power to arbitrarily revoke grant funding that provides critical mental health services to our students,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, a Democrat, in a statement about joining the lawsuit. “Still, the federal government continues its attempts to terminate funding.” Stateline reached out to the U.S. Department of Education for comment but did not receive a response before publication. Attorneys general participating in the lawsuit are from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Maine Morning Star, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Courtesy of Maine Morning Star
	High diesel prices are squeezing drivers at the Walcott Truckers Jamboree With prices ranging between $4-5 across the country, drivers are adding a fuel surcharge to their rate.
	Rock Island County dedicates pollinator garden to the late Lee Barber, the Rev. Gabriel Barber County leaders said the dedication recognized the Barbers' decades of community service.
	High diesel prices squeezing drivers at the Walcott Truckers Jamboree With prices ranging between $4-5 across the country, drivers are adding a fuel surcharge to their rate.
	Muscatine family to hold annual Lemonade for a Cause fundraiser The event has raised more than $26,000 for the MCSA Domestic Violence Shelter, and this year's fundraiser aims to push that total past $30,000.
	New Mexico health officials issue warning ahead of hot weekend National Weather Service forecasters warned that much of central New Mexico experienced "major" heat risk July 10, 2026, meaning that high temperatures posed risks to anyone without access to cooling or hydration, as well as well as to health systems and industries. (Courtesy NWS HeatRisk index)New Mexico Department of Health officials on Thursday issued a warning to residents ahead of what forecasts predict will be a hot weekend, with temperatures expected to rise above 100 degrees across much of the state.SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. According to a news release, 453 people have visited New Mexico health facilities for heat-related emergencies since April 1. Last summer included 761 heat-related emergency department visits statewide. “It’s going to be a hot summer, and certain populations — including children, adults over 65, outdoor workers and people with chronic health conditions — are among the most at-risk when temperatures climb,” NMDOH Chief of Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau Chelsea Langer said in a statement. The health department noted that heat-related illnesses include: warm, red skin that can become cold, pale and clammy; a fast and weak pulse; nausea and vomiting, along with muscle cramps; fatigue, weakness and dizziness. Residents can try to avoid heat-related illnesses by staying cool inside; remaining hydrated; wearing lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothes; and saving outdoor activities for the cooler times of day. More information on heat-related illness is available via the NM Public Health Data Portal and through the agency’s hotline: 1-833-SWNURSE. Courtesy of Source New Mexico
	Rock Island mayor revokes DeAnna's Place liquor license following 9 counts of violations Mayor Ashley Harris has revoked the liquor license for DeAnna's Place in Rock Island following nine counts of violations.
	"Next to Normal" production returns to Davenport Central High School The performances will raise money for theater improvements while also shining a light on mental health awareness.
	Rain wins again at Davenport Speedway Friday morning’s rain shower has forced SR Promotions to cancel the Friday night races at Davenport Speedway, according to a news release. Weekly points racing tops the agenda on Friday, July 17, at the Davenport Speedway. All six classes will be in action. The racing program will include the Street Stock Challenge sponsored by AVS [...]
	New mural unveiled at Rock Island EveryChild building EveryChild partnered with Quad City Arts' Metro Arts Apprenticeship Program to create the artwork.
	Silvis alderman resigning as ethics probe continues The resignation of second ward alderman Craig Pirmann is effective immediately, according to the mayor's office.
	Deanna’s Place liquor license revoked for following shootings, dozens of police calls Rock Island Mayor Ashley Harris has revoked the liquor license for Deanna's Place effective immediately after multiple shootings and police calls.
	Retired Iowa lawmaker Jean Lloyd-Jones reflects on her political life in memoir At 96, Jean Lloyd-Jones has published ‘A Woman’s Place: My Life as a Public Servant.’ The book tracks her path from the League of Women Voters to the Iowa Legislature, as well as her work founding the Iowa Institute for Peace.
	Graham Platner makes it official in Maine, submitting paperwork to leave Senate race In his withdrawal notice, Platner said "people are desperate for change" and that's why they made him the Democratic nominee. Now, Maine Democrats have to pick someone to replace him by July 27.
	Scott County Democrats nominate slate of candidates ahead of November 2026 elections Meet the newest Democratic candidates seeking Scott County offices and a state House seat this November.
	Police searching for man accused of driving into a Rock Island credit union 41-year-old Michael Lindquist allegedly fled the scene after striking the Gas and Electric Credit Union.
	15 states sue Trump administration to block school mental health funding cuts Student backpacks seen on the first day of school last year at Harborview Elementary School in Juneau, Alaska. Fifteen Democratic-led states are suing the Trump administration over cuts to a $1 billion school mental health grant program. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)Fifteen states on Friday sued the Trump administration to prevent millions of dollars in cuts to school-based mental health funding. The new lawsuit is part of an ongoing legal battle between Democratic-led states and the U.S. Department of Education over a mental health grant program that Congress established following the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. At stake is a $1 billion program that offers grants to school districts across the country to help them hire and train more mental health professionals to work in schools. Democratic attorneys general in 15 states say the Trump administration, in defiance of a December 2025 court order, plans to unlawfully terminate the grants at the end of this month, resulting in millions in lost funding. “Our children deal with a unique set of problems which arise from growing up in 2026 — from loneliness to substance use disorder to the ever-present fear of violence — and the programs funded through these grants are designed to help them cope and hopefully thrive,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, a Democrat, in a statement announcing the lawsuit. In 2022, after a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers, Congress allocated $1 billion to the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program to increase the number of school-based mental health professionals. That funding effort was bipartisan; at the time Republican U.S. senators including John Cornyn of Texas, Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina publicly supported it. And within a year, the grants had funded mental and behavioral health services to nearly 775,000 students nationwide. But in April 2025, under President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Education told grantees the funding would be halted because their programs conflicted with Trump administration priorities. At that time, the grants were supporting efforts in 49 states to prepare thousands of mental health professionals to work in K-12 schools. Trump administration officials told the media that the grants were cut over what the administration saw as connections to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Amid mental health crisis, new compact allows social workers to practice across state lines A coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general sued last July, and a court ruled in their favor, ordering the Trump administration to stop the grant discontinuation. In the months since the order, the education department has threatened to withhold funding or terminate the grants altogether. The Democratic attorneys general said they filed the new lawsuit to cover gaps in the previous court order that could allow the Trump administration to follow through on its desire to halt the funding. “The courts have repeatedly ruled that the Trump Administration does not have the power to arbitrarily revoke grant funding that provides critical mental health services to our students,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, a Democrat, in a statement about joining the lawsuit. “Still, the federal government continues its attempts to terminate funding.” Stateline reached out to the U.S. Department of Education for comment but did not receive a response before publication. Attorneys general participating in the lawsuit are from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Stateline
	Reynolds expresses hope for federal appeal of SNAP ‘unhealthy’ food restrictions Gov. Kim Reynolds supports a federal appeal of a judge's ruling blocking Iowa's SNAP food restrictions, as the state celebrates low error rates.
	Silvis alderman resigns One of Silvis’ aldermen has resigned. A news release from the City of Silvis says that Alderman Craig Pirmann has resigned, effective immediately. “The resignation does not affect the City’s Ethics Commission’s review of the complaint that was filed against Alderman Pirmann for a breach of the City’s ethics code,” the release said. “That matter [...]
	Nunn pledges to support cancer research; calls for ‘sustainable’ healthcare models U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, joined by with American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers Maria Steele and Clara Cirks, answered questions from reporters July 10, 2026 following a roundtable discussion at the Adel Public Library, hosted by ACS CAN about cancer in Iowa. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)ADEL — U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn said Friday the current Republican-led Congress has been the most effective in “generational history” to have moved forward with cancer research funding. Nunn spoke to cancer patients, survivors and advocates at a American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) event Friday at the Adel Public Library. Nunn, who represents Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District and is running for reelection in 2026, heard stories from individuals about their struggles battling cancer personally and supporting family and friends with cancer. His Democratic opponent, state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, spoke July 7 at a similar event organized by ACS CAN. Those attending the “Cancer Votes Coffee Chat,” a nonpartisan event, urged Nunn to support continued federal funding for research into cancer, saying this was one of the best ways to support Iowans in a state with the second-highest rate of new cancer incidences nationally, and one of only three states with a rising rate of new cancers. Gary Steinke of Urbandale told Nunn he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in December 2025, and doctors at the Mayo Clinic found melanoma had spread to “every major organ in my body, liver, lungs, kidneys, bladder, even my spine,” putting him at Stage Four cancer. “This is what they said to me: number one, melanoma, 15 years ago, the doctors among themselves said that melanoma gives cancer a bad name because there was no treatment, there was no cure there, and it was hard to detect,” Steinke said. “… They said to me, looking at this scan 15 years ago, we would have said six months, maybe, because it is very widespread. But now, 15 years later, and I’m telling you what they told me because I am certainly not an expert in in this funding — but what they told me was that 15 years ago, (the National Institutes of Health) doled out $56 billion dollars and made research scientists pool the money, so that they could attack this problem and at least give people some hope or remission or something.” Steinke said he started immunotherapy on Feb. 1, 2026. When they performed another scan in May following months of treatment, “every melanoma cell in my body is gone,” he said. “I mean that is what research can do, and if they can do it with melanoma, which was incurable, then they can do it for you and for you,” he said, speaking to other individuals with cancer at the event. “… It can be done, and so don’t let people say, ‘oh well, you know, cancer, that’s a tough one.’ No, it’s not. No, it’s not. It’s just going to take a lot of research, and unfortunately, that takes money.” Nunn said he agreed funding cancer research was an important goal, and noted Congress was able to get $50 billion in cancer research funding — and that he “personally fought for $128 million to be able to help afford specific targeted cancer research.” Additionally, Nunn said, he has looked at “what we can do here locally on key cancers, things like breast cancer, things like pancreatic cancer legislation, and particularly for juvenile cancers.” “This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. This is just a good for America issue, and being able to deliver on this this year has been a good first start,” Nunn said. “… I take that as a badge of honor, but I also take as a badge of only a first start. So we have made a maximum request of $51.3 billion in next year’s funding.” ACS CAN advocates and survivors also spoke about the need to increase access to healthcare — as well as healthcare coverage — in an effort to support those in the state battling cancer. Clara Cirks of Dallas Center said she was diagnosed stage four lung cancer, with metastases to her breast, liver, lymph nodes, bones, pelvis, ovaries, and brain in February 2025 when she was 30 years old. She moved from Colorado Springs back to Iowa to receive cancer care. Most of her care was covered during the first year of treatment through Iowa Medicaid. But in January 2026, Cirks said, “I was notified that I got kicked off of Iowa Medicaid because they said I made too much on disability, so I had to purchase a healthcare plan on Iowa Marketplace, that didn’t kick in until February 1.” This meant Cirks was uninsured for the month of January, a period of time where she had two trips to the emergency room, saw two specialists, her oncologist and another cancer physician. “I’ve been doing payment plans for all of those visits, which has been a very large financial burden for myself with a disability income,” Cirks said. “Thankfully, with my insurance kicking in in February, I’ve had most things covered since then, and my surgery was completely covered.” Nunn said he believes there are certain steps Congress can take to better support individuals in situations like Cirks. He said he supported ensuring there are more navigators able to help people obtain healthcare coverage, pointing to legislation passed in the U.S. House dealing with healthcare access for veterans that he said could be used as the “gold standard to now be able to move forward to help folks in Clara’s situation.” Democrats have criticized cuts to Medicaid in the 2025 “big, beautiful bill” law as preventing people from accessing coverage. Nunn, who supported the law, said it was an important step toward preserving public healthcare coverage options for people in the most need. Nunn also said he believed “targeted healthcare” needs to be a focus, which he said was “one of the reasons that I broke with Republican leadership in saying we’ve got to have a plan to go after this” when supporting extending enhanced tax credits that subsidize premiums for Marketplace providers under the Affordable Care Act in January. He also said the national $50 billion in funding through the law for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program — from which Iowa received $209 million in 2025 — will also ensure easier access to care for people in the state. “I’ve been a strong champion for making sure that we have a Medicare, a Medicaid, and a Social Security program that are able to exist well past 2030,” Nunn said. “It means that we make sure that anybody in Clara’s situation gets the coverage that they need. It also means that anyone who’s on a Medicaid program because they’re a senior or a single parent or a child continues to get that funding. It also means that we don’t just have a one-size-fits-all government solution — and what I mean by that is a government takeover of healthcare. That is not a way that would have helped Clara at the end of this when she got onto a insurance program that was able to work for her.” Democrats, including Nunn’s opponent, Trone Garriott, have said the Rural Health Transformation Program funds will not be enough to offset the funding lost through Medicaid cuts for healthcare providers. But Nunn said funding through the program has allowed communities like Ottumwa, which has seen two clinics close, set up a regional healthcare clinic with a greater ability to focus on issues like preventative care. “Beyond with the 50 billion dollars, we want to make sure this is sustainable going forward,” Nunn said. “I do think we want to see real benchmarks for success, versus just blasting money at a problem and hoping that more money is going to fix it. We’ve seen very clearly that’s not the reality. If anything, it’s nearly broken our Social Security system. It has made both Medicare and Medicaid hit new heights. And even for people on private insurance, we’ve seen now years where there are double-digit increases on what their healthcare costs are. We’ve got to get after the root causes of what’s making people sick, and we also have to get after the root causes of what’s causing healthcare to go through the roof.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Blue Cross to return as the NC State Health Plan’s third-party administrator From left to right, Blue Cross NC vice president Roy Watson, Jr., N.C. Treasurer Brad Briner, Carl S. Armato, CEO of Novant Health, and Dr. Cristy Page, CEO and Dean of UNC Health and the School of Medicine talk on July 10, 2026 about changes coming to the State Employee Health Plan. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline)What was old is new again – Blue Cross NC will return to processing State Health Plan benefit claims as its third-party administrator, replacing Aetna in 2028. Aetna has been the health plan’s third-party administrator since 2025, after health plan trustees, guided by former state Treasurer Dale Folwell, decided to stop working with Blue Cross, which had administered the health plan for decades. Folwell fought with the company over price transparency. Aetna was the other bidder for the new third-party administration contract, but this time lost to Blue Cross. After the new contract with Blue Cross NC was announced on Friday, state Treasurer Brad Briner, Folwell’s successor, said the differences in the two companies’ proposals were stark. “The decision was very, very clear, both from a cost perspective, from a member-service perspective, as well as from every other dynamic we can think of,” he said “There really wasn’t much of a contest, to be honest.” In a statement, Aetna spokesman Phil Blando said, “We continue to believe Aetna is the strongest partner for the State Health Plan. Our expertise and service have helped the State Health Plan to advance its cost containment goals, successfully implement the Plan’s complex provider tiering strategy, and provide members access to high-quality care. “Aetna has been a trusted partner in North Carolina for decades, and that commitment remains steadfast in continuing to support the Plan and its members through the end of the current contract, December 31, 2027,” Blando continued. “We will review this decision in the coming weeks and decide how best to move forward.” Tom Friedman, State Health Plan executive administrator, said there was almost a $1 billion difference in cost between the two companies’ proposals. The State Health Plan insures more than 750,000 North Carolina state employees, dependents, and retirees. About 10,000 claims are processed each day. When the State Health Plan trustees decided to drop Blue Cross in 2023, the break-up was messy. Blue Cross challenged the change, but an administrative law judge upheld the State Health Plan trustees’ decision to switch. State Health Plan trustees also voted Friday to have Blue Cross take over as pharmacy benefit manager from CVS Caremark in 2028. CVS Caremark has been the Health Plan’s pharmacy administrator since 2017. Both contract terms run from Jan. 1, 2028, through Dec. 31, 2031, with two optional one-year renewal periods. Courtesy of NC Newsline
	SC agency considers entering the carbon business to improve state forests South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources wants to get into the business of selling credits to companies that want to boast about being environmentally friendly and carbon neutral. It awarded a $110,000 contract to Milliken Advisors for a feasibility study. (Photo provided by The Conservation Fund)COLUMBIA — South Carolina could generate money to manage the state’s protected forests by selling credits to polluting companies. Exactly how that might work remains unknown. The state Department of Natural Resources is paying a consultant nearly $110,000 to report on whether it’s possible and how. The winning contract, awarded last month, went to Columbia-based Milliken Advisors. It has until Dec. 16 to create a plan to make agency land eligible for so-called carbon credits, according to the contract posted on the state’s procurement website. The agency manages 1.6 million acres total statewide, which includes state forests, wildlife preserves and historically important sites. How much land might be involved in the credit swap remains unknown. Other questions include how many credits the state might offer and what prompted the agency to get into the carbon credit business in the first place. Neither the agency nor the company responded to multiple messages sent over several weeks by the SC Daily Gazette. Carbon credits are essentially a way for companies to invest in projects that reduce greenhouse gasses. The argument is, while a company may not be able to eliminate all of the carbon dioxide and other climate change causing pollutants emitted by its operations, it can fund projects that reduce carbon globally. One carbon credit is equivalent to one metric ton of carbon dioxide, which is what one tree will absorb over a 40-year period, according to researchers at Texas A&M University. These credits are sold on carbon markets. Governments regulate credits done to comply with state or federal carbon reduction laws. Voluntary purchases by companies that want to tout themselves as green are handled on private platforms based on supply and demand. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. What a company buys with a credit might include the planting of more trees, fewer trees cut down, and/or removal of growth that can contribute to forest fires. In most cases, a carbon credit buyer does not have to purchase credits in the same state where it’s polluting. California’s program, for example, allows companies to use credits from approved projects anywhere in the United States. Some of the largest buyers of carbon credits are oil and gas companies. Airlines and automotive companies also are major purchasers. And amid the boom in artificial intelligence, tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon are turning to carbon credits with increased frequency as they seek to offset the technology’s massive energy needs. In the Department of Natural Resources’ case, the agency wants to improve forests located on the wildlife management areas, heritage preserves and conservation easements it controls, according to the agency’s request for bids, posted in April. More trees mean more vegetation to absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, releasing oxygen in its stead. That’s where Milliken Advisors comes in. The different swaths of land managed by the Department of Natural Resources come with different sets of rules about what it can and cannot do to alter its forests, depending on whether the land is geared toward wildlife or preservation. The advisory company will tell the agency what it’s legally allowed to do and whether those actions will be enough to meet internationally recognized standards for a carbon credit eligible project. Milliken and its partners have done this kind of thing before, largely on commercial and working timber property rather than public lands. Milliken consultants worked with Norfolk Southern Corporation on its 14,400-acre timber and wildlife preserve, Brosnan Forest, in the Lowcountry. Beginning in 2008, Milliken helped the railroad giant restore the coastal wetlands and forest. The project was the state’s first improved forest management carbon project, according to Milliken’s 51-page application with the Department of Natural Resources. The agency provided a copy of the application in response to a public records request by the Daily Gazette. Improved forest management refers to the process of increasing an existing forest’s ability to process carbon. This is usually done by reducing how often timberland is cut, allowing trees to grow older so they can take in more carbon, controlled burns to reduce the risk of forest fires and cutting back other vegetation that may compete with trees for nutrients. At the Brosnan Forest, the company had more than 2,000 plots that were carbon credit eligible and selling the credits those plots generated brought in more than $1 billion over a 15 year period. Milliken partner Lucas Clay, a forest ecologist at the Georgia Institute of Technology and adjunct professor at Clemson University, developed an improved forest management study for Clemson’s 19,200-acre experimental forest. Milliken called that project “a near-perfect analog” to what the Department of Natural Resources hopes to accomplish on its lands. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
	Rock Island police searching for driver accused of crashing into credit union while fleeing officers Rock Island police are hunting for 41-year-old Michael Lindquist after he crashed his truck into a local credit union while running from officers.
	City of Monmouth announces storm debris drop-off location Three roll-off dumpsters will be placed outside of the Street Department on July 17, 18 and 19 to collect storm-related debris.
	Muscatine family hopes Lemonade for a Cause tops $30,000 for domestic violence shelter The annual fundraiser benefits the MCSA Domestic Violence Shelter, with 100% of proceeds staying local to support shelter services.
	Patriotic art gets the spotlight as NEA funding shifts. Cue 'The Ronald Reagan Overture' Patriotic art and music is taking center stage this year under the Trump Administration, as funds shift away from DEI. For some orgs, like the Reagan Presidential Library, this is their wheelhouse.
	Special Weather Statement until FRI 7:00 PM CDT Funnel Clouds and Weak Tornadoes Possible Until 7 PM
	4 Your Money \| Short Leash Government debt has become a prominent topic in economic and public policy discussions. John Nelson, Financial Planner at NelsonCorp Wealth Management, is here to highlight the unusually high percentage of government debt that is being financed through short-term, adjustable-rate borrowing strategies.
	Extreme heat is coming to Utah this week. Doctors urge caution Emergency Department at Intermountain Medical Center is pictured on July 10, 2026. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)With extreme heat warnings issued for northern Utah this weekend, physicians are urging Utahns to be aware of signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Temperatures of up to 107 degrees are possible for the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley on Saturday from noon to 6 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Other areas in northern and central Utah — including the Wasatch Back, along Castle Country, the Uinta Basin and the San Rafael Swell — may experience highs of 100 degrees. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. With those conditions emergency rooms tend to see more patients with heat exhaustion and heat stroke symptoms, according to Angela Allen, an emergency medicine physician at Intermountain Medical Center. “Extreme heat can be one of the deadliest weather hazards in the United States,” Allen said in a news release. “When temperatures climb into the triple digits it’s important for everyone to take heat warnings seriously and know the signs of heat-related illness.” Angela Allen, an emergency medicine physician at Intermountain Medical Center, speaks about heat exhaustion and heat stroke danger during a Utah heat wave. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch) Prevention is paramount, she said, as sometimes when heat-related illnesses appear, “it’s a little bit too late,” she said, and it could be life threatening. “The main difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is really altered mental status or confusion. So once you’re noticing somebody with heat exhaustion that’s starting to become confused or altered, we worry about heat stroke, which is much more of a medical emergency,” Allen said in a news conference Friday. Those most susceptible to heat-related illnesses include people over 65 years old and children less than 3 years old. Also risks are higher for patients that are pregnant, have chronic medical conditions or those who take medications that predispose them to dehydration. People who need to be outside, such as construction workers, landscapers, athletes and individuals experiencing homelessness can also be especially vulnerable to the illnesses, Allen said. Patients who are already experiencing heat exhaustion with symptoms like lightheadedness, weakness, fatigue and excessive sweating should get into a cooler environment, drink water and rest to prevent progression to heat stroke, she said. Let us know what you think... Salt Lake County has a Cool Zones program that allows people to temporarily cool off in different public buildings. County senior centers are open to everyone over 60 years old and recreation centers are open for free for all county residents up to 18 years old. For anyone else needing to get out of the heat, including people experiencing homelessness, Catholic Community Service’s Weigand Center in Salt Lake City is open daily. Physicians typically see heat stroke patients with body temperatures of 104 or greater and can have severe weakness, fatigue, headaches, vomiting, and even seizures, Allen said. “If you do notice or have any concerns about heat stroke, I would immediately call 911 to get the emergency personnel on the way,” she said. “In the meantime, while waiting for emergency personnel, if you can get these patients or individuals to a cool environment and start cooling them off, it’s ideal.” To help someone who is overheating, Allen suggested removing unnecessary clothing and cooling them off with water, ice packs and fans. However, because they may be altered or confused, she recommended avoiding giving them fluids, since they can choke. To prevent getting to that point, Intermountain Health physicians recommend drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty, and to avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine since they can contribute to dehydration. They also urged Utahns to limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, which is typically between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Never leave children, older adults or pets in a shut-off vehicle, even for a short period. Temperatures inside a car can rise to dangerous levels within minutes, Intermountain Health doctors said. They also encouraged Utahns to “check on neighbors, relatives and friends, especially those who live alone or may need assistance” during the heat wave. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Utah News Dispatch
	Leveling up: The past and future of video games in the US After Sony announced it will discontinue selling physical game discs, we dug deeper into the evolution of video gaming.
	Eight school-based health clinics close in Southwest Virginia as federal funding pressures mount Exam gloves in a health clinic. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)Federally Qualified Health Centers in Southwest Virginia have shut down eight school-based health clinics, prompting the Virginia Community Healthcare Association to urge U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, to intervene. The association, which represents FQHCs across the state, sent Griffith a letter Thursday about the closures. The outreach program had served as an extension of health services into communities where access to primary care is limited. It has been funded by reinvesting savings from a federal drug pricing program back into the communities the clinics serve. The federal program, known as 340B, allows qualifying hospitals and clinics that treat underserved populations to buy prescription drugs at steep discounts while charging insurers full price and keeping the difference. The arrangement helps safety net providers that operate on tighter margins reinvest the savings back into their communities, including the school-based clinics that have since closed. VCHA CEO Tracy Douglas wrote in her letter that the Southwest Virginia coalition of clinics had realized about $2.7 million in annual 340B savings, but those savings are projected to decline by $400,000 amid rising demand for care. FQHCs are among safety net providers that also include free clinics and health-related nonprofits, all of which are facing growing demand as people lose health coverage amid various federal actions. Simply put, it’s getting harder to stretch 340B dollars at a time when clinics are stretching everything. Complicating matters are ongoing debates over the future of 340B. After some hospital systems in Virginia and elsewhere were found to have improperly used the program, state and federal lawmakers have spent years exploring reforms to strengthen accountability, restrict how 340B is used and adjust how payments are made. Reaction to the proposals has been mixed, with large pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, hospital systems and smaller clinics like FQHCs offering competing views on how the program should be changed. Outgoing U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., recently released draft legislation that FQHCs and other smaller clinics say could hurt them by changing reimbursement timelines, though broader reforms have drawn favorable responses from a variety of groups. President Donald Trump’s administration also continues to pursue regulatory changes that would scale back the program. “Because of the drama around the effectiveness of the program, we’re forced to have to make tough decisions,” Douglas said in a recent interview about the service cuts in Southwest Virginia. The affected schools are: Northwood Middle School Saltville Elementary School Chilhowie Elementary School Chilhowie Middle/High School John S. Battle High School Highpoint Elementary School Virginia Elementary School Virginia High School Calling the financial reality “stark,” Douglas said 340B savings had allowed the clinics to absorb the financial losses associated with operating the school-based health centers. Using 340B funds for that purpose, she said, is exactly what the program was designed to support. Douglas also recently participated in a roundtable discussion with Gov. Abigail Spanberger and representatives from Virginia hospitals, free clinics, state health agencies and health insurers. With expired enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies — though Virginia’s budget will help offset some of the impact for residents come November — and changes to Medicaid and hospital funding included in the federal reconciliation bill passed last summer, healthcare providers are warning lawmakers about mounting financial pressures and discussing ways to respond. As thousands of Virginians lose or risk losing health coverage, providers expect greater demand for FQHCs, free clinics and hospital emergency rooms. “What is happening in Virginia is very similar to what we know is happening in other states,” Spanberger said at the roundtable meeting earlier this week. She emphasized that her administration is listening to providers and working to “look at how we can protect our vulnerable neighbors.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Virginia Mercury
	National French Fry Day 2026: How to get free fries and other food deals We've rounded up the promo codes that unlock free fries on National French Fry Day.
	Houston neighbors started seeing more ICE agents around. Then came a fatal shooting. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was a 52-year-old Mexican national who worked in construction for more than three decades. The father of three was shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after they attempted to pull him over.
	Aproveche al máximo sus viajes por carretera este verano y prémiese durante el camino. (BPT) - Puntos clave:Los gastos de los viajes por carretera en verano pueden acumularse, pero con un poco de planificación puede conseguir recompensas por el camino.Lleve su auto al taller para una revisión antes de salir a la carretera. Así podrá optimizar el consumo de combustible y conducir con mayor confianza.Planificar las paradas a lo largo de su ruta puede ayudarle a ahorrar tiempo y dinero durante el trayecto.Cuando se detenga, asegúrese de cargar combustible en gasolineras que ofrezcan recompensas y descuentos.Busque una tarjeta de recompensas como la tarjeta bp rewards Visa®, que le permite sacar el máximo partido a sus compras diarias y le ofrece la flexibilidad de gastar sus puntos de recompensas como desee.Por Alyssa Callahan, directora de marketing del área de movilidad y conveniencia de bp Organizar los viajes de verano puede convertirse rápidamente en un trabajo a tiempo completo. Elaborar presupuestos, reservar hoteles y planificar las paradas para descansar puede resultar agotador, sobre todo cuando se busca la mejor relación calidad-precio.Aunque el combustible suele ser el gasto que primero nos viene a la mente, con frecuencia es solo una parte de todos los costos asociados con el tiempo que pasamos en la carretera. Las múltiples visitas a las tiendas de conveniencia, las comidas fuera de casa y las pequeñas compras impulsivas se acumulan rápidamente. También están las compras que hará antes del viaje para abastecerse de todo lo necesario para el trayecto, además de las compras grandes de comestibles y las cenas para llevar cuando regrese a casa.La buena noticia es que, con un poco más de planificación, puede ahorrarse cientos de dólares e incluso conseguir algunas recompensas durante el camino. Para las familias que vayan a salir de viaje este verano, aquí tiene algunos consejos sencillos que le permitirán ahorrar un poco de dinero.Planifique la ruta. El verano tiene una curiosa manera de convertir una sola parada en cuatro. Planificar las rutas con anticipación, agrupar los recados y consultar el estado del tráfico antes de salir puede ayudar a los conductores a aprovechar al máximo las millas que ya van a recorrer.Salga en busca de grandes ahorros. A veces, la mejor forma de ahorrar dinero es saber en qué gastarlo. Planifique sus paradas de descanso para detenerse siempre en gasolineras que ofrezcan descuentos y recompensas por cargar combustible y comprar refrigerios para el viaje.No escatime en las revisiones mecánicas. Mantener los neumáticos con la presión adecuada, cambiar el aceite con regularidad y realizar el mantenimiento de rutina puede mejorar la seguridad y la eficiencia de su auto. Quizás no sea lo más emocionante, pero el mantenimiento básico puede marcar una gran diferencia durante un verano con muchos viajes en auto.Saque más partido a sus gastos habituales. Más allá de los viajes por carretera, el verano puede ser una temporada costosa, con más cenas fuera de casa, compras de comestibles y gastos cotidianos que pueden afectar su presupuesto. Pero ¿y si pudiera hacer que esas compras le beneficiaran? Considere la posibilidad de solicitar una tarjeta de recompensas que le ofrezca beneficios por sus compras habituales. Las mejores suelen adaptarse a su estilo de vida actual, sin exigir cambios en su rutina.No deje pasar las recompensas. Cuando se trata de las recompensas de las tarjetas de crédito, la flexibilidad es fundamental. Opte por tarjetas como bp rewards Visa®, que ofrecen recompensas y múltiples opciones de canje, como reembolsos en efectivo, tarjetas de combustible y tarjetas de regalo de las principales cadenas comerciales, para que pueda gastar sus recompensas como más le convenga.¿Y lo mejor de todo? Los nuevos titulares de la tarjeta bp rewards Visa® ahorran 50 centavos por galón1 en combustible en las gasolineras bp y Amoco participantes durante los primeros 60 días, y a partir de entonces, un descuento de 15 centavos por galón1 para las cuentas abiertas entre el 18 de mayo de 2026 y el 30 de septiembre de 2026. La tarjeta no tiene cuota anual2 y permite acumular puntos por compras que cumplan los requisitos, incluidas las compras que no sean de combustible en establecimientos participantes de bp y Amoco, así como las compras de comestibles y las comidas en otros establecimientos.Cualquier tarjeta de recompensas solo resulta útil si se adapta a los hábitos reales de cada persona. Al igual que con cualquier producto financiero, conviene revisar detenidamente las condiciones y evaluar si la tarjeta sigue siendo conveniente una vez finalizada la oferta introductoria.Para la mayoría de los conductores, los gastos de verano no suelen deberse a un único derroche importante. Es el ritmo constante de una temporada en continuo movimiento. Y las pequeñas decisiones que se toman antes, durante y después del viaje por carretera son realmente importantes. Una ruta mejor planificada, un auto en buen estado y una herramienta de recompensas que se adapte a sus hábitos cotidianos quizá no parezcan algo extraordinario, pero, en conjunto, pueden hacer que un verano ajetreado resulte un poco más gratificante, además de divertido.__________________La oferta por tiempo limitado es válida para las nuevas cuentas abiertas entre el 18 de mayo de 2026 y el 30 de septiembre de 2026.*Las ofertas varían en función de dónde se presente la solicitud, por ejemplo, por Internet o en persona. Para aprovechar esta oferta, envíe su solicitud ahora mismo directamente a través de este anuncio. Revise los detalles de la oferta antes de hacerlo.1Consulte los Términos y condiciones del programa de recompensas para obtener más información, incluidos los detalles sobre la acumulación, el canje, el vencimiento y la pérdida de puntos (sujeto a la legislación aplicable). Válido en las gasolineras bp y Amoco participantes. Pueden aplicarse restricciones.2Para obtener más información sobre las tasas de interés anuales (Annual Percentage Rates, APR), las comisiones y otros costos, consulte el Resumen de las condiciones de crédito.Las tarjetas son emitidas por First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO®), en virtud de una licencia concedida por Visa U.S.A., Inc. Visa y Visa Signature son marcas registradas de Visa International Service Association y se utilizan bajo licencia.© 2026 BP Products North America Inc.
	Federal Trade Commission and five states file motion to accept settlement in right-to-repair lawsuit against Deere & Company A years-long lawsuit alleges that Deere & Company has been withholding vital repair and diagnostic services behind costly software subscriptions, which are sometimes only available at John Deere-certified dealers. The FTC and attorneys general of Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin filed a joint motion to resolve their lawsuit with a settlement agreement totaling nearly $100 million. WVIK spoke to a farmer and a right-to-repair advocate who caution claimants to read the fine print.
	Snapchat messages preceded deadly shooting by a former police officer: court records Caitlynn J. Girkin, a former Creve Coeur police officer, faces up to 60 years in prison for allegedly shooting her roommate Adolfo Cazares in March.
	Thousands of grills sold at Walmart and Lowe's recalled nationwide Thousands of grills sold online and at Walmart and Lowe's stores nationwide are being recalled, according to a notice posted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
	Special Weather Statement until FRI 1:45 PM CDT Slow-Moving Thunderstorm with Potential Funnel Clouds in Western Scott and Southeastern Cedar Counties
	Uncertainty creeps in for Oklahoma’s agriculture industry after trade deal misses deadline A combine harvests soybeans in northern Oklahoma. (Photo by Todd Johnson/OSU Agriculture)U.S. agricultural goods make up a piece of the trade pie among the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The U.S.’s neighboring countries are important markets for Oklahoma. Last week, the U.S. declined to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement(USMCA), which replaced the North America Free Trade Agreement in 2020. That doesn’t mean the agreement is canceled. Instead, the countries now have 10 years to hammer out details of how they trade in the future. The agreement is a big deal for Oklahoma crops, said Todd Hubbs, grain marketing specialist at the Oklahoma State University Extension. He said Mexico is the state’s largest wheat, corn, milo and oil seeds export market. “All of these things would impact Oklahoma growers if for some reason down the line USMCA got torn up,” Hubbs said. “It just goes into a yearly review unless there’s a formal withdrawal, and we haven’t heard that yet.” This comes as farmers are facing high input costs, particularly on fuel and fertilizer because of the Iran war. Crop prices are also relatively low. Hubbs said generally, there were large crops around the world last year and the industry has been working through them. Although the USMCA has its critics, farm groups pushed for renewal. Hubbs said people working in the crops sector have not been upset with the trade setup – loads of corn and wheat go to Mexico, and ethanol or corn moves to Canada. “It’s very difficult from a crop markets perspective for me to see a positive in this,” he said. “Now, if they had negotiated a whole new deal, right? That was really positive for us. But how can it get any more positive than it is now?” The countries also trade a lot of beef back and forth across their borders. While the U.S. exports cattle to Mexico and Canada, it imports even more. That’s because the U.S. is larger, said Derrell Peel, livestock marketing OSU extension specialist. He said there won’t be a major price shock immediately – but long-term uncertainty behind the scenes could impact cattle markets. “It’s probably lost opportunities is really the real impact here and that comes from the uncertainty of just not knowing,” Peel said. “Parties on both sides of the border are going to be a little more cautious and a little more conservative in their plans, relative to what they might have done if we had more certainty about the fact that we were going to continue to have this trading relationship.” The cattle industry operates on a long time frame, it’s not instantaneous. Peel said having more certainty among producers is important. The U.S.’s cattle herd remains low. Supplies just got tighter because the southern border is closed to live cattle to help prevent the spread of the New World screw worm, a parasitic pest. “It’s created some additional challenges for the beef industry in the U.S. because we’re in kind of a short volume situation right now,” Peel said. This article was originally published by KOSU. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Oklahoma Voice
	West Virginia Department of Human Services announces ‘pause’ of SNAP soda ban A sign explaining restrictions on buying soda and sweetened drinks using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits is displayed in a grocery store in Bountiful, Utah on Feb. 11, 2026. (Photo by McKenzie Romero/Utah News Dispatch)Two weeks after a federal judge ruled against a ban on West Virginia’s federal food assistance program being used to buy soda, the state Department of Human Services announced Friday a “pause” on the ban. “Retailers should update their point-of-sale systems and related processes as soon as possible to ensure SNAP recipients can purchase eligible items using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards without interruption,” the state said in a news release. Last month, U.S. United States District Judge Amy Berman Jackson struck down West Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program soda ban, along with SNAP food restrictions in four other states. The judge ruled that the section of law the United States Department of Agriculture used to authorize SNAP waivers with the restrictions doesn’t cover projects meant to improve the health of SNAP recipients, and that the agency sidestepped the section that does address the projects, which has strict requirements. The USDA also failed to meet a requirement to post notice of pilot projects likely to have significant impact on the public in the federal register 30 days prior to implementation, the judge wrote. Earlier this month, the USDA told West Virginia SNAP retailers to again allow soda purchases. In its news release Friday, the department said the soda ban is being discontinued while the state and the USDA “evaluate next steps” in response to the court ruling. “DoHS is committed to using taxpayer dollars appropriately and to encouraging West Virginians to choose healthy food options,” the statement said. “It will administer the SNAP program in accordance with federal law and USDA guidance while ensuring eligible West Virginians have access to their benefits.” The department did not immediately respond to a question from West Virginia Watch about what the “next steps” could be. A USDA spokesman told West Virginia Watch Friday, “USDA will not comment on pending litigation,” and referred a reporter to the U.S. Department of Justice, which did not immediately respond Friday. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey requested the SNAP waiver to restrict soda purchases last spring. It was part of the governor’s “Four Pillars of a Healthy West Virginia and one part of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. The USDA formally approved the SNAP waiver in August 2025, and the restrictions took effect Jan. 1. The state’s SNAP ban included regular soda, diet soda and zero-calorie soda, but did not include water, milk, juice or energy drinks. The state referred questions about the ban to the DoHS Office of Constituent Services, 1-877-716-1212 or DoHSPublicComments@wv.gov. Retailers who need technical assistance may contact bfasnapretailer@wv.gov. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of West Virginia Watch
	Iowa National Guard deploys 120 soldiers to Washington for America’s 250th anniversary A sendoff ceremony was held in Des Moines for 120 Iowa National Guard soldiers deploying to Washington, D.C., to provide anniversary security.
	Platner’s exit from Maine’s Senate race leaves Democrats in a deep financial hole Platner’s exit from Maine’s Senate race leaves Democrats in a deep financial holeMaine Democrats have plenty of questions about who will replace Senate nominee Graham Platner on the ballot. But one thing is clear — his successor will start from a severe financial disadvantage, OpenSecrets reports.Platner’s withdrawal amid a sexual assault allegation has triggered a scramble over who will replace him and exposed a deeper problem — a financial crater left behind in a pivotal race Democrats view as central to their hopes of regaining control of the chamber.Before his populist campaign unraveled, the 41-year-old combat veteran and oysterman raised $16.3 million through May 20 and held nearly $2.2 million in cash on hand, according to filings his campaign submitted to the Federal Election Commission before the June 9 primary. While that cash total falls well short of the $10 million banked by Republican incumbent Susan Collins — who in 2020 kept her seat even though Democratic challenger Sarah Gideon outraised her by more than $45 million — it nevertheless dwarfs every potential Platner successor.State party officials said they will hold a nominating convention to select a new nominee, with details on the timeline and mechanics to be announced later. Under state law, Platner faced a July 13 deadline to withdraw, and the party has until July 27 to replace him. The scramble has set off a whirlwind of political drama that University of Maine political scientist Mark Brewer says obscures a deeper issue.“Everybody’s focusing on who the replacement’s going to be, but … even beyond that, no one’s paying attention to the money yet,” Brewer told OpenSecrets.Platner, who won the primary despite a series of controversies, faced growing calls to exit the race following a July 6 Politico report that a woman he formerly dated accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021. Platner has denied the allegation, and did so again in the 11-minute video posted July 8 in which he announced the suspension of his campaign with the intention of withdrawing from the race. With the deadline looming, he said the accusation weighed on him and his campaign.From a financial standpoint, most of Platner’s potential replacements will effectively be starting from scratch.Gov. Janet Mills — whose profile as a quintessential establishment candidate sharply contrasts with the populist appeal Platner previously enjoyed — appears to be in the best financial position of all to challenge Collins, and she hasn’t raised a penny in more than two months. After receiving support from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), she suspended her campaign April 30 amid fundraising concerns — but reminded voters before the primary that she remained on the ballot as controversy around Platner grew. Her roughly $717,000 cash-on-hand total is about one-third of Platner’s — and 13 times smaller than Collins’ bankroll.Mills’ 2022 gubernatorial campaign has no cash left. That’s not the case for several other potential replacements who ran for state office earlier this year. But under state-to-federal fundraising rules, any money they raised in those races is off limits in a federal race.That means former state Senate President Troy Jackson cannot use the $140,000 in cash on hand he reported earlier this year when he unsuccessfully ran to replace Mills as governor. Jackson, a former Platner ally, filed paperwork with the FEC July 7 to launch an exploratory committee for a Senate run, then launched his campaign within minutes of Platner’s announcement.Similarly, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows may not touch the $419,000 in her gubernatorial campaign’s bank account. Bellows — the state’s Democratic nominee for Senate in 2014, when she lost to Collins — ended that campaign with just under $18,000 in cash on hand. Her Senate campaign remains active, according to the FEC, but as of July 9 she had not announced her plans.And Nirav Shah, the former director of the state’s Center for Disease Control & Prevention who finished second in the primary for governor, said anyone seeking the Senate nomination should agree to at least one televised debate and multiple town halls and committed to do precisely that “if I run.” But he can’t use the $275,000 his gubernatorial campaign banked. As of July 9, Shah had no presence on the FEC website.“Whoever it is going to be, they’re going to be significantly behind Susan Collins, and almost certainly, they’re going to be at a significant disadvantage to Collins throughout the entirety of the race,” Brewer said.There also isn’t an easy way to make up that much financial ground just three months before Election Day, Brewer said, noting that those time constraints mean any fundraising efforts will have to lean heavily on established relationships with past donors and party-aligned groups.“There’s really no game plan for this, because it’s kind of unprecedented to a certain degree,” Brewer said.One option that’s probably off the table: asking Platner to send over the cash his campaign has in the bank.His exit leaves him with several options for his war chest. OpenSecrets reached out to the campaign asking about its plans for those funds but did not immediately receive a response.Under FEC rules, candidates who accept pre-primary contributions for the general election but do not participate in it have 60 days to return or redesignate any contributions they received earmarked for the general. FEC records show that while Platner received roughly $6.4 million in itemized individual contributions, only about $587,000 of that total was designated for the general election. However, most of Platner’s fundraising came in the form of unitemized individual contributions — those small-dollar donations under $200 — and FEC records do not publicly break those down by election.He may pay the campaign’s bills, donate the remaining funds to charity, save them for a future bid for office or contribute them to a state or local candidate in accordance with state law. But he isn’t allowed to simply hand all of it over to his successor: Federal law caps candidate-to-candidate transfers at $2,000.Yet a week-old Supreme Court decision provides a road map to a possible workaround: In National Republican Senatorial Committee v. FEC, the court struck down limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates. Because the law allows candidates — even those who have withdrawn – to transfer unlimited amounts to any national, state or local party committee, it is theoretically possible that Platner could send what’s left of his cash to a Democratic Party entity, which could then coordinate a spending strategy with the chosen candidate — whoever it winds up being.Then again, with the state party accusing Platner’s team of trying to put “their thumb on the scale” in the process of picking his replacement, it is fair to wonder whether such a transfer — and any potential influence that may accompany it — would be welcomed or accepted. OpenSecrets reached out to party officials for comment but did not immediately receive a response.“If he can get the money to the DNC, then they can certainly spend it in coordination with whoever the candidate is,” Brewer said. “There’s no doubt about that, right? The Supreme Court’s made that part clear.”This story was produced by OpenSecrets and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Saturday, July 11th, 2026

Friday, July 10th, 2026