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

Wednesday, May 27th, 2026
	Pay It Forward: Muscatine professor advocates for mental health awareness amid cancer fight Muscatine Community College professor Lori Sheppard is turning a personal cancer battle into a message of hope.
	Skeletal remains found in Kewanee's Northeast Park The remains were discovered by a company working in the park Wednesday afternoon.
	Opioid settlement funds help expand women’s recovery housing at RICCA The funding comes from nationwide opioid settlements paid by major companies in the pharmaceutical supply chain for their role in the opioid crisis.
	Quad-Cities leaders discuss homelessness solutions at Moline panel Leaders from Quad City social service agencies joined with business and government leaders from across the QCA for a homeless roundtable Wednesday morning in Moline.
	River Bend Food Bank in Davenport to receive donation through America 250 initiative The donation is part of a partnership between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and america250.org.
	Skeletal remains found in Kewanee park restroom Northeast Park in Kewanee will remain closed Wednesday night after police found skeletal remains in a restroom waste-holding tank at the north end of the park. Police say an employee contacted the department Wednesday afternoon after discovering the remains, including what appeared to be a human skull, while emptying the tank. The Kewanee Police Department [...]
	DOJ charges Google staffer over Polymarket trades netting $1.2 million It's the second known case of the federal government filing criminal charges against someone who allegedly used insider information to make a large profit on a prediction market site.
	Summer festivals navigate rising costs ahead of fair season Festival leaders said inflation is creating challenges behind the scenes, from transporting carnival rides to operating generators and booking entertainment acts.
	Possible human skull found in Kewanee park, police say Kewanee police said what could be a human skull was found in a waste holding tank at Northeast Park.
	Iowa budget bill could change college graduation requirements University of Iowa students could have new requirements to graduate under a provision in the state’s budget bill. Iowa Democrats are calling for Gov. Kim Reynolds to line-item veto it.
	Iowa switches to federal SUN Bucks summer EBT program DES MOINES, Iowa -- As the school year comes to an end, many Iowa families are preparing for how they will keep children fed during the summer months when school meals are no longer available. This year, Iowa is once again participating in the federal Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks, which provides [...]
	Potential gameplan developed against QCA housing insecurity With rising prices across most facets of life, Illinois representative Eric Sorensen (D) hosted a roundtable discussion with local affordable housing leaders in the Quad Cities to figure out root problems causing housing insecurity and homelessness. Over the past few years, the housing market in the Quad Cities has become strained. Fewer people want to [...]
	Eldridge looks to pass referendum to build new city facilities Eldridge is looking at building a new city hall, police department and public works building because the current facilities are not keeping up.
	East Moline Christian's rare presidential portrait collection puts American history on display Lined along the school's hallways are portraits of the first 43 presidents and first ladies, all painted by renowned artist Lawrence Williams.
	Western Illinois farmers discuss fear, financial losses after livestock attacks Farmers near Kirkwood say livestock attacks killed multiple sheep and show cattle, leaving communities concerned as search efforts for the wild dogs continue.
	1 rescued in casino sign fire A person working on a casino sign was rescued after it caught fire Wednesday morning.
	Davenport's Levee Inn to undergo feasibility study Potential options for the site include fully restoring it as a food service building, turning it into a concession stand or making the site a landmark.
	Davenport's Levee Inn to undergo feasibility study Potential options for the site include fully restoring it as a food service building, turning it into a concession stand or making the site a landmark.
	Body of missing Burlington woman found The body of a missing Burlington woman was found Wednesday. According to a release, on May 26 at approximately 7:15 p.m., the Burlington Police Department took a report of a missing person identified as Karen Aller, 69, of Burlington. Aller was last seen around noon on May 25. On May 27 at approximately 1:02 p.m., [...]
	More people charged in Iowa City Pedestrian Mall fight, shooting on April 19 Five people were shot and hospitalized, including three University of Iowa students. Police previously said none of the victims were targets of the shooting.
	Kewanee police asking community to avoid Northeast Park Police said there is no threat to public safety. News 8 will update this story when we learn more.
	Quad City Sparks looking to expand lacrosse's presence for girls in the region There's been a club lacrosse team locally for about a decade. But new this year, parents, coaches and athletes of the female players broke off and formed the Sparks.
	1 rescued in Catfish Bend Casino sign fire A person working on a casino sign was rescued after it caught fire Wednesday morning.
	Geneseo officers find missing elderly woman with dementia thanks to tracker bracelet program The woman had just picked up the dementia bracelet on Sunday, before going missing on Wednesday. Thanks to the bracelet, officers found her within 30 minutes.
	IPR's 2026 summer book guide for kids and teens Summer's here and it’s a great time to share a book with a child or find some books that will light up the imagination of the kids in your life.
	Missing Burlington woman found dead Police said Karen Aller was found dead on Wednesday afternoon in a ravine off Cascade Terrace. She was last seen on Monday.
	Annual 'Taste on the River' fundraiser benefitting Red Cross on June 17 Folks are invited to taste and judge creations from local chefs at the annual event, happening June 17 at the Bend XPO Center. Proceeds benefit our local Red Cross.
	Juvenile injured in Moline crash Police said the crash took place after several children entered the road on 19th Avenue. A driver attempted to stop, but one child was hit, suffering minor injuries.
	OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute launches website that lists clinical trials OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute has launched a new website listing open clinical trials. The page is here, according to a news release. The site offers search capability that allows people to learn what type of cancer the clinical trial focuses on, and what phase the trial is in. With a commitment to top-tier research and cancer clinical [...]
	Juvenile hit by vehicle in Moline crash A juvenile was hit by a vehicle in Moline Wednesday afternoon.
	Candidates for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District talk affordability for Iowans Two GOP incumbents rallied the troops Tuesday ahead of the June 2 primary.
	Child injured in Moline crash A child was injured shortly before 2:15 p.m.Wednesday in the area of 11th Street and 19th Avenue, Moline, in a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, according to a news release from Moline Police. Preliminary investigation indicates a vehicle was traveling westbound on 19th Avenue when several children entered the roadway. The driver attempted [...]
	Construction at Second and Gaines, Davenport, snarls traffic Drivers taking the Centennial Bridge from Illinois to Iowa may encounter significant traffic at the end of the bridge for the forseeable future. A spokesperson for the City of Davenport said the construction taking place at Second and Gaines Streets is utility work ahead of a larger project that will raise the road, using a [...]
	Cy-Hawk football game will air on NBC in primetime NBC will broadcast the annual Iowa vs Iowa State football game at 6:30 p.m. on September 12th at Kinnick Stadium.
	Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know! Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: JAMES DENNISON, 31, 6’, 193 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes. Wanted by Iowa DOC High Risk Unit for escape on convictions for theft and [...]
	Iowa “Pie Lady” brings her tasty, feel-good film to Bettendorf Library on Saturday “PIEOWA: A Piece of America,” a 2025 feature documentary, will be shown at the Bettendorf Public Library at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 30, followed by a Q & A with Beth Howard (and free pie, of course).
	Sparks aim to expand girls lacrosse presence in Quad Cities region There's been a club lacrosse team locally for about a decade. But new this year, parents, coaches and athletes of the female players broke off and formed the Sparks.
	Dr. Oz visits Iowa to highlight state’s rural health initiative Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz is in Iowa City Wednesday to talk about his department’s federal initiative to fund rural healthcare.
	Burlington police find missing woman’s body The body of a missing woman was found in Burlington Wednesday afternoon.
	Senior serves as Page for a Day with Rep. Dan Swanson A senior at Quad Cities Christian School in Moline joined the Illinois House of Representatives in Springfield as a Page for a Day on Tuesday, May 26. Megan Hewitt was the guest of State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha). “It was very nice to have Megan at the Capitol for the beginning of what promises to [...]
	NPR's newsroom shrinks through buyouts and layoffs At least 18 NPR journalists have accepted buyouts and another 10 have been laid off as the public media network attempts to save money and reorganize the newsroom.
	A Taste on the River returns for 31st annual Red Cross fundraiser You're invited to taste and judge creations from local chefs at the annual event, happening June 17 at the Bend XPO Center. All proceeds benefit our local Red Cross.
	Davenport man arrested; charged with sexually assaulting sleeping woman A Davenport man is in the Scott County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond after Davenport Police said he sexually touched a woman while she was asleep with children next to her. The criminal complaint filed in Scott County Court said on September 23, 2024, Davenport Police received a report of videos on a cell [...]
	More people are going hungry now than at the height of the pandemic Food insecurity affects more families now than during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
	'Stand Up for Each Other' rally set for Sunday in Davenport The peaceful rally will be at 3 p.m. on May 31st at Davenport's MLK Park. It's in response to the ICE arrests of eight Davenport restaurant workers in April.
	MercyOne DeWitt Family Medicine closed due to phone issues MercyOne DeWitt Family Medicine is experiencing a phone and internet outage today, May 27, and will temporarily close for the rest of the day. An email from MercyOne says patients with scheduled appointments will be contacted after the phone/internet issue is resolved. Residents are urged to visit their nearest emergency room or call 911 in case [...]
	Burlington woman missing, last seen on Monday Police said Karen Aller was last possibly seen on camera footage in the area of Cascade Terrace on Monday, May 25, in Burlington.
	Tracking bracelet helps Geneseo officers find missing 83-year-old woman with dementia The woman had just picked up the dementia bracelet on Sunday, before going missing on Wednesday. Thanks to the bracelet, officers found her within 30 minutes.
	Affirming Congregations of the Quad Cities hosting 'Light Up Pride' event at Spotlight Theatre, Moline Affirming Congregations of the Quad Cities is hosting the second “Light Up Pride” event on May 31 at 8 p.m. at the Spotlight Theater, 1800 Seventh Avenue in Moline. The event includes leaders from local nonprofits, city governments and supportive congregations who will speak about the importance of Pride Month. Faith leaders will share words [...]
	Adler Theatre welcomes Fast & Hilarious Comedy Jam The Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third Street, welcomes Fast & Hilarious Comedy Jam Featuring Shang on Saturday, July 25th at 8 p.m. Shang Forbes is known for his quick-witted comedy and has entertained audiences nationwide with appearances on HBO, BET, Comedy Central and Def Comedy Jam. His high-energy delivery, sharp observations and crowd-engaging performances have [...]
	Watch: Crews fight Catfish Bend Casino sign fire At 8:30 a.m. the First Alert Camera Network captured the incident.
	Rock Falls celebrating America 250 with weekend events Rock Falls is among hundreds of towns and cities across the country that are hosting events to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary. Melinda Jones, director of Rock Falls Tourism and Events, spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to talk about the activities available at the Rock Falls Salute to America 250 celebration. [...]
	String of charges filed in connection to Ped Mall shooting Iowa City police have charged more than a dozen people in connection the the fight that led to a shooting at the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall last month.
	Watch: Crews fight fire near Catfish Bend Casino sign At 8:30 a.m. the First Alert Camera Network captured the incident.
	Quad City Bank & Trust helps Madison Elementary students experience the Jr. Bix The students also get to enjoy a field day on Wednesday that includes a "Virtual Bix."
	Burlington police ask for public’s help to find missing woman Anyone with information is asked to call dispatch at 319-671-7001.
	How can businesses ensure successful ERP adoption? How can businesses ensure successful ERP adoption?Enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations demand significant investments in capital, time, and human resources. Yet, despite careful planning, many projects fail.Leaders often face budget overruns, extended timelines and resistance from teams meant to benefit from the new system. ERP success hinges on people, not just technology. Many implementations fall short because organizations treat ERP as an IT project rather than a business transformation initiative.This guide from The Vested Group offers a roadmap for leaders to achieve successful ERP implementation and long-term adoption.Key TakeawaysBefore diving into the details, here are some critical insights for successful ERP adoption:Strategy precedes technology: Clear business goals and strong executive sponsorship outweigh software features in determining success.Change management drives adoption: User buy-in is more crucial than go-live dates. Without effective training and communication, even well-configured systems fail to deliver value.Partner selection is strategic: The right implementation partner offers guidance beyond technical execution, helping you navigate organizational challenges and align your system with business objectives.What Are the Common Challenges Faced During ERP Implementation?Understanding common implementation missteps helps you circumvent predictable challenges. During ERP implementation, key challenges include:Lack of executive alignment: When leadership does not articulate a unified vision, teams often receive conflicting messages regarding priorities and commitment. Competing objectives championed by different executives can sow confusion about the system's purpose.Unclear requirements: Vague objectives, such as "improve efficiency," lack the specificity required to properly configure systems or measure success. Without concrete targets, teams struggle with configuration decisions, and every choice becomes debatable when the ultimate goal remains undefined.Weak change management: Organizations often underestimate the human element of transformation, resulting in resistance and low adoption. Teams require more than technical training — they need to grasp the rationale behind changes and how new processes will enhance their work.Poor data quality: Migrating incomplete or inaccurate data creates problems that erode trust in the new system. Users encountering incorrect information rapidly lose confidence, leading them to revert to manual processes or establish shadow systems.Overcustomization: Excessive modifications increase costs and complicate upgrades. Each customization creates technical debt. Future enhancements can cost more and take longer.Most risks arise from treating ERP as just a technical project rather than an organizational transformation. Prioritizing strategic and human factors up front makes technical challenges far more manageable.The Cost of FailureFailed ERP implementations bring consequences far beyond budget overruns. Organizations face operational disruption, decreased morale and competitive disadvantage as resources are diverted to remediation instead of growth.Hidden costs prove more damaging than visible ones. Employee burnout increases as teams devise solutions to system limitations. Shadow systems emerge when users develop alternative methods, eroding trust between IT and business units.These problems compound and become increasingly difficult to reverse. The opportunity cost of failed implementation demands attention. While your team struggles with a problematic system, successful competitors gain efficiency advantages. They process orders faster, close their books more quickly and make better-informed decisions. The gap widens month by month.Early warning signs that often indicate trouble include:Low adoption rates: Users continue relying on legacy systems rather than the new platform.Proliferating workarounds: Teams develop unofficial processes to accomplish tasks the system should handle.Inconsistent data: Different departments report conflicting numbers for the same metrics.Declining user satisfaction: Frustration grows as people encounter repeated problems or limitations.Escalating support costs: Help desk volume remains high months after go-live.Organizations experiencing these symptoms can benefit from expert intervention. Understanding the effects of underperforming implementations helps leaders determine when to seek support.Adopt a Business-First ApproachSuccessful ERP projects begin with a fundamental mindset shift. Rather than viewing implementation as an IT initiative that business units accommodate, effective leaders position it as a technology-enabled business transformation.This distinction affects every aspect of your approach. IT-led projects prioritize technical specifications and system features. Business-led transformations emphasize operational improvements and measurable outcomes.A business-first approach includes these principles:Align with strategic goals: Connect every decision to measurable business objectives, such as revenue growth or cost reduction.Outcomes over features: Evaluate capabilities based on business results rather than technical specifications.Decision-making improvements: Identify how better data visibility will improve daily decisions.Prioritize process optimization: Eliminate inefficiencies rather than replicating existing workflows in new software.When you approach ERP as a business transformation, you naturally invest more in change management and training. These factors consistently prove more predictive of success than technical considerations. The Vested Group Build a Strong ERP StrategyThe foundational work you complete before implementation begins largely determines success. Organizations that rush into technical execution without establishing a clear strategy consistently face preventable problems.This preparation phase requires investment. Leaders must allocate time for process documentation, stakeholder alignment, and requirements gathering. Many organizations feel pressure to move quickly into configuration and development. Resisting this yields significant dividends.ERP readiness encompasses process maturity, data quality, and cross-functional alignment. You must honestly assess your current state before committing to aggressive timelines.Organizations with well-documented processes and clean data implement faster than those encountering midproject issues. Strong governance and strategic clarity prove far more valuable than aggressive timelines.Define Clear Business GoalsSetting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals aligns everyone toward shared outcomes. Vague objectives create confusion and make it challenging to determine the success of implementation.Strong business goals are tied directly to measurable outcomes. Consider this comparison:Weak goal: Improve inventory management.Strong goal: Reduce inventory carrying costs by 15% within 12 months by implementing real-time visibility and automated reorder points.The weak goal offers little basis for decision-making. How will you know if inventory management improved? What specific capabilities does the system need?The strong goal answers both questions. It defines success numerically and identifies the system capabilities that drive results.Your goals should guide every configuration decision throughout implementation. When faced with competing priorities, refer back to defined objectives to identify the best option for business outcomes.Secure Executive SponsorshipThe executive sponsor champions the project, removes barriers and maintains momentum during challenges. This individual must have the authority to resolve conflicts, allocate resources and ensure team accountability.Active executive sponsorship includes these responsibilities:Maintain strategic alignment: Ensure the project continues serving business objectives even as priorities shift.Resolve conflicts: Make final decisions when departments disagree on process design or resource allocation.Drive communication: Regularly reinforce the business case and address concerns across the organization.Ensure accountability: Hold functional leaders responsible for commitments and timelines.Remove obstacles: Clear organizational barriers that impede or prevent necessary changes.Weak or passive sponsorship consistently ranks among the leading causes of ERP failure. The sponsor must visibly champion the initiative, not simply approve budgets or attend meetings. They should participate in key decisions, communicate directly with stakeholders and demonstrate personal commitment to the transformation.Create a Project TeamA cross-functional team offers the expertise for sound decision-making. This group should include representatives from every system-impacted functional area. Core team roles often include:Project manager: Coordinators who manage workstreams and timelines and ensure deliverables meet quality standards.Functional leads: Subject matter experts who define requirements and validate configurations.IT specialists: Technical resources who manage integrations, infrastructure and data migration.Change champions: Influential individuals who build enthusiasm and help colleagues adapt to new processes.Team members need dedicated time to fulfill their responsibilities, as part-time participation creates problems. Juggling duties with normal workloads leads to slower progress and lower-quality decisions.Prioritize Change Management and TrainingUser adoption, not go-live, is the true success metric for ERP implementation. A technically sound system that users rarely use delivers no value. Organizations that achieve high adoption rates invest early and continuously in change management.Promote a Culture of ChangeOrganizational resistance often arises from uncertainty rather than opposition. People worry about learning new systems and whether new approaches will outperform familiar processes. These natural concerns warrant a thoughtful response.Understanding the psychology of change enables leaders to respond effectively. Resistance typically reflects fear about competence, relevance or job security. Address these concerns directly rather than dismissing them as negativity.Leaders who address concerns directly build trust and reduce resistance:Involve teams early: When employees help define requirements and participate in testing, they develop ownership and become advocates. Early involvement transforms potential resisters into implementation champions.Communicate transparently: Regular updates about what's changing and how it affects specific roles prepare people for transformation. Share both challenges and progress honestly.Acknowledge challenges: Leaders who recognize difficulties honestly while maintaining optimism about benefits create psychological safety. People need permission to struggle during transitions.Research highlights the significant role of human factors in ERP success, more than technical variables. Early involvement and transparent communication prove essential.Develop a Communication PlanA proactive communication plan informs stakeholders throughout the implementation journey. Effective communication addresses different audiences with tailored messages.Key elements include:Audience segmentation: Executives need strategic updates, while end users need practical training information. Middle managers need both to translate strategy into action.Consistent cadence: Regular updates prevent information vacuums. Weekly or biweekly communication maintains momentum without overwhelming recipients.Multichannel approach: Combine town halls, email updates, and team meetings to reach people through preferred methods.Role-specific impact: Help individuals understand how the change affects their daily work and the available support.Communication should emphasize what's changing, why it matters, and leadership's support during the transition.Implement User Training ProgramsEffective ERP training emphasizes role-based, hands-on learning delivered before and after go-live. Best practices treat training as continuous rather than a one-time event.Essential training approaches include:Role-based curriculum: People learn specific functions they'll actually use rather than system-wide overviews.Hands-on practice: Training environments that mirror real data and workflows help users develop skills they can apply immediately.Post-implementation support: Quick-reference guides and refresher sessions help people build proficiency as they encounter real-world scenarios.Manage Technical ERP RequirementsWhile people and process drive adoption, sound technical decisions enable business value. Early choices about data, customization, and integration determine whether your platform supports or constrains operations.Technical work should enable business goals rather than drive them. The best technical teams see themselves as facilitators of business transformation rather than system administrators.Organizations that prioritize data quality and plan integrations carefully achieve sustainable success. The Vested Group Plan for Data MigrationPoor data quality is a primary reason for ERP failure. The data migration process demands careful planning across several critical steps:Audit current data: Assess what data exists, where it resides and its accuracy before planning migration. Document data sources, formats and quality issues.Cleanse and standardize: Fix inconsistencies, fill gaps and remove duplicates before migration begins. Establish data governance rules for ongoing quality.Map data structures: Define how information from legacy systems translates into the new data model. Ensure no critical data is lost in translation.Test migration processes: Run test migrations with sample data to identify issues before attempting full production migration. Validate test results against source systems.Validate results: Verify that migrated data is complete and accurate by comparing against source systems. Conduct user acceptance testing with actual business scenarios.Clean, well-structured data enables accurate reporting and user confidence. Time invested in proper data migration pays dividends throughout the system's lifetime.Limit System CustomizationUnderstanding the distinction between configuration and customization aids sound decision-making. Configuration adapts the system via built-in settings without changing any code, while customization creates functionality not provided by the system through new code.Configuration should be your default approach because it:Preserves upgrade paths: Configuration enables vendor upgrades without retesting custom code.Reduces complexity: Built-in functionality typically costs less to implement and maintain than custom development.Increases flexibility: Standard features are easier to adapt as business needs evolve.Reserve customization for scenarios where standard functionality cannot support processes that offer genuine competitive differentiation. For everything else, adapt processes to work within platform capabilities.Ensure Seamless System IntegrationYour ERP platform rarely operates in isolation. Planning integrations with other business-critical applications early prevents significant problems later.Essential integration planning includes:Identify requirements early: Map what data needs to flow between systems and how frequently it needs to sync.Define data ownership: Establish which system is the source of truth for each data element to prevent conflicts.Test thoroughly: Verify that data flows correctly under various scenarios before go-live.Successful organizations invest significantly in integration planning and testing.Select the Right ERP Implementation PartnerChoosing an implementation partner is a critical strategic decision. The right partner brings more than technical expertise — they provide strategic guidance and help you avoid common pitfalls.Many organizations underestimate how significantly partner selection can affect outcomes. A skilled partner accelerates implementation, improves decision quality, and reduces risk. However, a poor partner choice creates problems that persist long after go-live.Key Partner QualificationsEvaluating potential partners requires looking beyond sales presentations to assess factors that predict successful collaboration. When you choose the right implementation partner, consider these qualifications:Industry experience: Partners who understand your industry offer valuable knowledge about requirements and best practices. They anticipate challenges specific to that sector and recommend proven solutions.Proven methodology: Look for structured approaches that include discovery, design, testing, training, and post-go-live support. Methodology consistency indicates process maturity.Change management capabilities: The best partners recognize that adoption depends on people and process, not just technology. They help you plan communication and training strategies.Strategic advisory approach: Seek partners who will challenge assumptions and recommend alternatives rather than simply executing requests. The best partners act as trusted advisors who prioritize your long-term success.The ability to advise and challenge proves particularly valuable. Partners who push back when they see potential problems help you avoid expensive mistakes.Vendor vs. Strategic PartnerLearning the difference between a software vendor and a true strategic partner helps set appropriate expectations. A vendor executes transactions with minimal involvement, while a strategic partner acts as a long-term advisor:Strategic partners bring distinguishing characteristics:Business understanding: They invest time understanding your business model and growth objectives before recommending solutions.Strategic alignment: They provide guidance on aligning capabilities to strategic priorities rather than focusing narrowly on technical specifications.Ongoing engagement: They remain engaged after implementation to help you optimize usage and ensure you achieve the expected ROI.Working with a partner who takes a strategic advisory role substantially improves your odds of successful adoption. These partnerships extend beyond initial implementation to provide ongoing optimization and support.Turn Your ERP Implementation Into a Competitive AdvantageSuccessful ERP adoption requires a strategic, holistic approach that prioritizes people and process alongside technology. Organizations achieving the greatest value from their ERP investments recognize that implementation is the beginning, not the end, of the journey.To position your organization for sustainable success, focus on building a strong strategy with clear business goals and executive sponsorship. Prioritize change management and user training, making thoughtful technical decisions regarding data and customization.Selecting an implementation partner for strategic guidance, not just technical execution, is crucial. The framework outlined here addresses the organizational, strategic and technical factors that determine an ERP project's value delivery.With the right approach and the right partner, you can confidently guide your organization through this transformation and turn your ERP implementation into a lasting competitive advantage.This story was produced by The Vested Group and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	76% of readers say books slow summer down, yet many feel they must earn time to read 76% of readers say books slow summer down, yet many feel they must earn time to readThe summer of childhood had a different quality to it. The days felt unscheduled, the weeks unhurried, and the season itself stretched on in a way the calendar did not quite explain. A new survey from ThriftBooks, the largest independent online bookseller of new and used books, found that many readers believe the endless summer feeling is gone, and that the one thing most associated with getting it back is also the thing they feel least entitled to do.It also found that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults who read say summer moves faster now than it did when they were growing up. And 76% say reading is the one thing that slows it down. ThriftBooks Summer used to feel differentPart of what shifted it was the screen. About 60% of readers say screens take away from the feeling of summer. The associations most tied to childhood summers — being outdoors, family time and reading — have quietly faded into the background. What replaced them is a season that feels more scheduled, more managed and harder to slow down. ThriftBooks Reading slows it down. Guilt gets in the way.Reading holds a complicated place in that picture. Fifty-three percent of readers fell in love with reading during childhood, and the emotional connection between books and summer runs deep. Fifty-six percent say reading makes summer feel like it lasts longer, and most agree it helps them slow down in a way other forms of downtime simply do not.But wanting to read and feeling permitted to read are different things. Seventy-four percent of readers say they sometimes or often feel that reading for pleasure is only allowed after everything else is done. That hesitation often looks familiar: a book left on the nightstand while the dishes get done, a chapter saved for when the to-do list clears. The single biggest obstacle is not a shortage of time but the sense that reading is not productive enough to justify: 27% say the main barrier is feeling like they should be doing something more useful instead. ThriftBooks A generational divideThat tension runs deepest among younger readers. Gen Z enters summer more optimistic about reading than older generations, but also more burdened by it. Seventy-seven percent of Gen Z say reading makes summer feel longer, compared with 44% of Baby Boomers. Yet it is younger readers who are most likely to feel they need to earn the time first.Why it matters nowThe findings suggest summer often feels shorter because schedules and distractions leave less room to slow down. For many readers, books may be one of the simplest ways to bring back the endless summer feeling.MethodologyThriftBooks commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,000 adults throughout the United States who read three or more books per year. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%.Fieldwork took place between April 13 and April 17, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.This story was produced by ThriftBooks and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	2026 Pulling Focus African American Film Festival, June 4 through 7 Launched in 2023 by the Azubuike African American Council for the Arts and taking place in various area locales June 4 through 7, the fourth-annual Pulling Focus African American Film Festival will again bring together filmmakers, artists, educators, and audiences for independent film screenings, filmmaker conversations, cultural dialogue, and community celebration throughout the Quad Cities region.
	Davenport schools free summer meal site locations The district said the program offers meals for children ages 1 to 18 at no cost.
	Whiteside County launches its annual summer lunch program For 25 years, volunteers in Whiteside County have worked throughout the summer to ensure kids who rely on school meals can still have food on the table.
	7 renters insurance mistakes that can cost you thousands 7 renters insurance mistakes that can cost you thousandsImagine you’ve come home to your apartment only to discover that it’s been ransacked and valuable items are missing. Calm down, you tell yourself: At least your renters insurance will cover this break-in and theft. Only you quickly realize, after combing through your policy paperwork, that you first have to pay a pricey deductible, and the chintzy coverage limits won’t reimburse you the full value of what’s been stolen.Truth is, many leasing tenants have misconceptions about what their insurance will cover and to what extent, and don’t realize the hard truth until it’s time to file a claim. TheZebra.com takes a deeper dive into common and costly insurance missteps renters make and how to avoid them.Mistake 1: Assuming your landlord’s insurance covers your belongingsMany first-time renters take for granted that their personal belongings are covered by their landlord’s insurance. But a landlord’s policy only protects the building itself, not what’s inside your unit.“A landlord’s policy is there to safeguard the landlord’s property, meaning the structure itself, and that’s where it stops,” explains Taylor Kovar, a Certified Financial Planner. “Your laptop, furniture, clothes, and other belongings are not on your landlord’s radar. “That’s why it’s smart to purchase your own renters insurance policy and ensure that the personal property limit matches what it would cost to replace your possessions.“A typical renters policy runs $12 to $20 a month for $20,000 to $30,000 of personal property coverage, plus liability. That’s less than most people spend on streaming services,” notes personal finance expert Andrew Latham with SuperMoney.Mistake 2: Not understanding what renters insurance actually coversGetting a renters policy is only the first step. You also have to dig into what is spelled out in the policy. Not knowing what’s covered and to what amount can result in major frustration when you need to file a claim, but soon learn you’re not protected like you thought you were.“Renters insurance generally covers personal property, some liability if someone gets hurt in your space, and, in many cases, additional living expenses if you are displaced,” continues Kovar. “What it often doesn’t cover, for example, is flooding or earthquakes, and many policyholders don’t find that out until they are already dealing with the aftermath of a loss. It’s worth taking a few minutes to actually read through what you have so that you’re not surprised later.”Mistake 3: Skipping a home inventoryMany renters don’t take the time to create a record of what they possess to substantiate their ownership and what they paid. That’s a big mistake, according to Beth Swanson, insurance analyst for The Zebra.“Without photos, videos or receipts, it can be difficult to prove what was lost during a claim, which could lead to reduced payouts or delays,” she says. “Conducting a simple video walk-through and taking photos of belongings can help avoid this issue.”Mistake 4: Using actual cash value instead of replacement costActual cash value (ACV) — which is the default coverage in most basic renters policies — pays what your items are worth today after factoring in depreciation. Case in point: If your three-year-old TV is stolen, a policy with ACV will compensate you only for what that used TV is worth right now. If you wanted the claim to pay you the cost to purchase a brand-new television, you would instead need replacement cost coverage. For better peace of mind, consider upgrading your policy to the latter.“The replacement cost upgrade is typically only $2 to $5 more per month, which for most renters is a no-brainer,” adds Latham.Mistake 5: Not factoring in the deductibleAnother common oversight renters make is only focusing on the monthly premium and forgetting about the deductible, which is the amount you must pay out of pocket before insurance coverage applies.“This could be a problem if your loss is smaller than the deductible and results in no payout. Choosing a deductible that is affordable in an emergency can help prevent this issue,” suggests Swanson. “You can also typically adjust your deductible for lower monthly payments, but make sure you can cover that deductible cost if you increase the amount.”Mistake 6: Overlooking coverage limits on high-value itemsStandard policies often include limits on high-value items like expensive electronics, jewelry, collectibles, and musical instruments, which can result in only partial reimbursement following a loss.“If your engagement ring is worth $7,000, your policy may only pay, for example, $1,500 if it disappears, even though your policy states that contents coverage is $30,000,” Latham cautions.Fortunately, many insurers offer what is called a rider or scheduled personal property endorsement, which allows you to add specific items with their own separate coverage amounts.“It’s usually not expensive to add a rider, but you do have to ask for it,” says Kovar.Mistake 7: Waiting too long to document or report a claimThere’s usually a limited window of time in which to take action on the loss. After all, the longer time passes, the fuzzier your recollection of the theft and loss can be, and the less legitimate your claim can appear.“Get in touch with your insurer sooner rather than later,” recommends Kovar.Action steps after a theftTo improve your odds of being properly reimbursed by your insurer, as well as finding and prosecuting the thief, be sure to:File a police report within 24 hours. “Insurance companies typically require official documentation of the incident before processing a claim,” Swanson notes.Report the loss and file a claim with your insurer within 48 to 72 hours.Gather and submit documentation to your assigned adjuster that supports your claim, including a list of stolen items, photos or videos, receipts, and a copy of the police report.Await a response from the adjuster, who will review the claim to confirm the loss is covered and calculate the payout based on your policy’s coverage type and deductible.Receive payment if the claim is approved, which could be provided in one or more installments. “Most theft claims settle within 2 to 4 weeks,” says Latham.The bottom lineTake the time to carefully review and, if necessary, upgrade your renter policy’s coverage, limits, and deductible to avoid regrets if and when it’s time to file a claim related to a theft or other loss. Remember that the homework you complete now can prevent a lot of headaches later.This story was produced by TheZebra.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Just graduated and preparing for your first paycheck? Here's how you should allocate your money Just graduated and preparing for your first paycheck? Here's how you should allocate your moneyWhen college graduates throw their caps into the air this year, many of them will be preparing to start a nine-to-five job for the first time. While that comes with the excitement of a first paycheck, it also comes with the need to learn about how to manage your money.Personal finances are, as the name implies, personal. That means that the amount of cash one recent graduate allocates to their savings will be different from the amount that another does. Some job market newbies will want to set money aside for vacation and dining out with friends, while others will prioritize saving for a down payment and retirement. Ideally, you’re doing a little bit of it all.“Your first paycheck is a milestone — both a celebration and a chance to start building smart financial habits that will set your future self up for success,” says Nathan Mirizzi, certified financial planner and associate advisor at Savvy Advisors. “The next part of adulting is putting that money to good use.”Current, a consumer fintech banking platform, shares expert tips on how to allocate your money and where to keep it.How to allocate your first paycheckA popular savings strategy is the 50/30/20 method, which entails allocating 50% of your income to your needs (think rent, utilities and groceries), 30% to wants (like movie theater tickets and gym memberships) and 20% to savings.“It can be difficult to meet this allocation framework as a recent grad, especially with the current rental market,” Mirizzi says. “So even if you can’t hit these numbers exactly, keep them in mind as you budget … The key is consistency and building the habit.”Need to start small? Save at least 10% of your take-home pay, and the other 90% can go to living expenses, says Thomas Balcom, certified financial planner and founder of 1650 Wealth Management. You can always increase your savings amount when you get a raise or your circumstances change, such as finding cheaper rent.One of your early goals should be to save up an emergency savings fund for surprises like a layoff. Financial advisors typically recommend saving at least enough cash to cover three to six months of your expenses. Then, contribute to your retirement savings account, especially if your employer offers a 401(k) or similar plan. If your company offers a company match, and many do match around 5% of your contributions, make sure to take advantage and contribute at least enough to get the full match. It is basically free money.Mirizzi recommends all new grads automate their savings to investment and bank accounts like you do with a 401(k). It lets you eliminate emotion and guesswork.“If you can automate investing 20% of your paycheck, there is no longer a need to consternate and it gives you a clear understanding of the funds you have to live off of all while meeting your savings goals,” Mirizzi adds. “Remember, managing money isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating habits and systems today that will grow your financial success in the future.”Where to keep your moneyMany people keep the cash they plan to use on everyday expenses like groceries or gas in their checking account, since it won’t be sitting around long enough to offer the potential to earn interest. But putting your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account means you’ll get significantly more interest on that money than you would if the cash was sitting in a traditional savings account.Beyond your emergency fund, you may want to keep short-term savings, such as money you’re saving for a new car or upcoming trip, in this account, since it will be easily accessible when you need it.Once you’re paying for your essentials, building up your emergency fund and contributing to employer-sponsored retirement savings accounts, Mirizzi recommends contributing to a Roth individual retirement account (IRA). Unlike with traditional 401(ks) and IRAs, you fund these accounts with after-tax money that grows tax-free until you turn 59 ½ and can withdraw it. You can only contribute up to the IRS limit: $7,500 in 2026. There are also income limits to be aware of once your paychecks start growing.If you still have more money from your paychecks to put to work, consider opening a taxable brokerage account to save for mid- and long-term goals, like those you’re planning to achieve in five years or more. After that, go back to the 401(k) and increase your contributions beyond the match to set yourself up for a comfortable retirement.Regularly check in on your planWhen it comes to budgeting, saving and investing, simply putting a plan in place and forgetting it won’t work.Check in on your strategy annually, or even quarterly, Balcom recommends. If anything changes, such as you lose your job, or get married, divorced or promoted, it is important to review your allocation to make sure it still aligns with your goals (and re-allocate if it doesn’t).The last piece of the annual review is to monitor your cash levels, Mirizzi says. “If you have an excess that will not be needed in the short term, do your future self a favor and invest it.”This story was produced by Current and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Bettendorf 'bee'-comes Bee City USA affiliate The City of Bettendorf has announced it has “bee”come a Bee City USA, joining many other cities and campuses across the country united in improving their landscapes for pollinators, a news release says. In 2025, the Bettendorf Conservation Committee, partners of the Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Department and endorsed by the City of Bettendorf, applied [...]
	Greetings from Cape Verde, where the sounds of samba, jazz and morna fill the air Music is interwoven with the sounds of daily life in this West African island nation, which hosted two international music festivals in April and has been named the African Capital of Culture for 2028.
	Palestinians use recycling as Israel's restrictions trigger a trash crisis Palestinians in the West Bank live amid garbage following Israeli restrictions. Two Palestinian entrepreneurs are trying to make a change.
	U.S. House Speaker and potential 2028 presidential candidate both heading to Iowa U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear are heading to Iowa.
	Anderson State Bank marks 150th anniversary with scholarship fund for ROWVA Public School Foundation Anderson State Bank is celebrating its 150th anniversary by establishing the Anderson State Bank 150 Fund (ASB 150 Fund). This $150,000 permanent charitable endowment at Galesburg Community Foundation will benefit the ROWVA Public School Foundation’s (RPSF) mission of strengthening ROWVA schools and supporting students and educators. The bank chose not to host a one-time event [...]
	Understanding the differences between OSHA, ASME, and ANSI Understanding the differences between OSHA, ASME, and ANSIUnderstanding the differences between OSHA, ASME, and ANSI is critical for maintaining compliance, especially in construction, where crane operation and rigging are aspects of the job. For many operators, riggers, and industry stakeholders, OSHA, ASME, and ANSI govern various industries, including rigging and crane operations.However, understanding how each body works and how it influences compliance, safety, and industry best practices is not always clear. This guide by CICB breaks down the roles of these three organizations, how they work together, and how they differ.OSHA ExplainedHere is an overview of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), how it works, and its relevance to crane operation and the lifting sector.What Is OSHA?OSHA is a federal agency that operates under the U.S. Department of Labor. Its primary mission is to set and enforce workplace safety regulations to help maintain safe, healthy working conditions. Unlike ASME and ANSI, OSHA has a legal authority to enforce regulations that employers must comply with.The OSH Act of 1970 was established to cover private employers and their workers, granting employees the right to workplaces free of safety and health hazards. Under this federal law, workers are allowed to speak up and protect these rights without fear of retaliation from their employers.What OSHA RegulatesOSHA regulates employers and workplaces, focusing on how work is performed and how workers are protected. Employers must keep up with:Employee training and qualifications: Employers must comply with OSHA-approved standards that require training on safety procedures.Workplace hazard control: Employers must examine workplace conditions for compliance with applicable standards and use practices that alert workers to potential hazards.Equipment use and maintenance: It is the employer's responsibility to provide safe tools and equipment and oversee usage and maintenance.Crane and Rigging Requirements Under OSHACrane and rigging requirements are primarily addressed in two OSHA regulations — 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC (Construction) and 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry). These regulations cover topics such as operator qualification and certification, inspection requirements, signal person, and load-handling procedures. Here is a look at some of these requirements:Equipment safety: OSHA requires that all rigging hardware — including shackles, slings, and spreader bars — have permanent and visible tags indicating load capacities. When it comes to cranes, shift-based, monthly, and annual inspection cycles are required to maintain equipment safety.Personnel requirements: At the core of these regulations is the safety of workers. For example, crane operators must be certified by an accredited organization. Keep in mind that OSHA does not provide certification or accreditation — instead, it enforces the regulation.Operational safety: OSHA dictates strict operational safety in rigging and crane operation. For example, cranes must keep a minimum of 20-foot clearance from power lines up to 350 kV unless there are other safety protocols in place. Rigging and lifting accessories must not get close to power lines beyond the minimum approach distance.ASME ExplainedHere is an overview of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the focus of its standards, and how these standards influence rigging and lifting.What Is ASME?ASME is a professional organization that develops technical standards for mechanical equipment and systems. While ASME is not a regulatory body and does not enforce requirements, many of the organization's standards are adopted and enforced by OSHA. The organization comprises a vast network of experts from diverse backgrounds, including engineering, academia, science, and law.This large network writes and sets standards, codes, and best practices across many industries. ASME establishes engineering standards in detail, elaborating on equipment design, construction, testing, inspection, and maintenance.What Do ASME Standards Cover?ASME standards focus primarily on the physical and mechanical aspects of safety. It provides the technical rules that govern how safe equipment performs under expected operating conditions. In crane operations and rigging, these standards establish the engineering framework that supports safe operations and OSHA regulatory compliance.Some of the aspects that ASME standards cover include:Equipment design and load ratings: ASME establishes design parameters for cranes, slings, hoists, and lifting devices to enable the handling of specific loads. These load ratings are based on engineering designs, calculations, and testing intended to prevent structural failure during operations.Inspections and testing methods: Another critical area the organization covers is equipment inspection and testing. It defines how often equipment must be inspected and at what intervals. It also outlines testing procedures to verify equipment performance.Structural integrity and safety: These standards address structural integrity and safety in detail, specifying minimum margins for the stresses equipment can withstand. Factors such as fatigue, wear, and longevity are considered to establish a safety baseline that reduces the risk of equipment failure.Maintenance and repair requirements: Once equipment is in service, ASME guidelines specify acceptable repair, replacement, and maintenance practices. The organization also provides clear criteria for when equipment should be removed from service to maintain workplace safety.ASME Standards for Cranes and RiggingIf your business uses rigging equipment and cranes, your operations are informed by ASME standards, particularly those found in the ASME B30 standards. The comprehensive series covers a wide range of lifting and material handling equipment, including:Cranes (tower, mobile, gantry, overhead)Below the hook lifting toolsSlings (chain, wire rope, synthetic)HoistsEach standard defines safe working loads for specific equipment, inspection intervals, operating conditions, and criteria for decommissioning. These details are key to preventing mechanical failures during operation and protecting worker safety.Why ASME Matters for ComplianceWhile ASME standards are not law and are technically voluntary, they carry significant weight. OSHA frequently adopts these standards, effectively turning them into enforceable regulations. In cases where some of these standards are not explicitly referenced, they are still recognized for establishing accepted industry practice. When an accident or a legal violation occurs, OSHA inspectors, investigators, and courts often refer to ASME standards to determine whether the equipment involved in the incident was used properly. CICB ANSI ExplainedBelow is an overview of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), its focus, and its role in crane and rigging safety.What Is ANSI?ANSI is an accreditation organization that oversees the development of voluntary standards for systems, products, and services in the U.S. The organization comprises industry experts, manufacturers, labor representatives, government agencies, and other stakeholders. ANSI strives to strengthen the United Statesâ€™ position in the global arena by overseeing standards that maintain quality and consistency across multiple industries.While ANSI itself does not write standards, it enables the development of American National Standards by accrediting various organizations that develop standards through a balanced, consensus-based process.What Do ANSI Standards Cover?ANSI standards concentrate on how work is performed in operating environments. While OSHA sets legal requirements and ASME outlines equipment engineering aspects, ANSI fills a vital gap by standardizing safe procedures and performance expectations. These standards are designed to reduce human error and improve consistency, especially in high-risk operations like rigging and lifting.The focus on performance and behavior enables ANSI standards to translate regulatory and engineering requirements into practical steps that workers can implement. Here is a breakdown of ANSI coverage:Operating procedures: These are the main focus of the ANSI standards, and as such, the organization defines standardized methods for safe performance of tasks from operation and shutdown to emergency responses. These procedures maintain consistent practices across different workplaces, reducing confusion and variability.Safety signage and labeling: ANSI standards address signage and labeling as a means of awareness, specifying safety colors, symbols, wording, and placement. Considering crane and rigging environments often face visibility, noise, and time challenges, clear and standardized signage is key to reinforcing hazard awareness.Communication methods: ANSI standards help develop a baseline for proper communication methods used by crane operators, riggers, and signal people. Consistent communication protocols, such as hand signals and visual cues, reduce misinterpretation and are reliable in settings where verbal communication is limited.Training guidelines: While ANSI does not mandate certification, it often outlines recommended training frameworks, competency benchmarks, and performance expectations that support workforce readiness. The organization's guidelines help employers develop training programs that align with industry best practices.ANSI's Role in Crane and Rigging SafetyIn crane and rigging operations, ANSI standards are more concerned about work performance. That means standardizing safety practices such as hand signals, signage, safety colors, and other elements that support clear communication and hazard awareness. These standards are critical because they are developed through industry consensus, reflecting real-world experience and updated best practices.How Does ANSI Influence Compliance?Like ASME, ANSI is not involved in regulatory compliance. Its standards are voluntary recommendations from industry experts. However, since ANSI standards outline best practices to enhance workplace safety, they are often adopted by OSHA, effectively requiring employer compliance. They are also frequently cited during litigation or accident investigations as evidence of what reasonable approaches should look like.OSHA vs. ASME vs. ANSI: Key DifferencesWhile these three organizations uphold worker safety and advance industry standards, the most important distinction between them is their authority and purpose. Here are the key differences between OSHA, ASME, and ANSI. CICB 1. OSHA: Enforcement AuthorityOSHA is the enforcer, which means it focuses more on upholding regulations and is less concerned with how standards are developed. Since this government agency enforces standards set by ASME, ANSI, and manufacturers, noncompliance by an employer could result in penalties, which range from fines to operational shutdowns.Position: Federal agency (regulatory authority).Key role: Enforces workplace safety laws.Legal authority: Requirements are mandatory. Failure to comply results in legal action.2. ASME: Technical Standard DeveloperASME develops standards for mechanical engineering, emphasizing technical specifications. It does not have the power to enforce its standards. However, local jurisdiction and insurance providers often require compliance with ASME guidelines. Remember, ASME standards are part of ANSI’s approved American National Standards.Position: Professional nonprofit society (standard developer).Key role: Writes technical codes and best practices for mechanical devices.Legal authority: Voluntary until added by reference into law.3. ANSI: Standard FacilitatorWhile you will hear references to ANSI standards, it is important to keep in mind that ANSI does not write standards. It acts as a facilitator and accredits the processes of organizations that develop standards, like ASME. It approves the guidelines developed by these organizations as part of its unified American National Standards.Position: Private nonprofit organization (accreditor).Key role: Oversees, coordinates, and approves voluntary standards.Legal authority: Voluntary. Works as an umbrella for other standards.Compliance Checklist for High-Risk OperationsOSHA, ASME, and ANSI are interconnected. To translate regulatory understanding into everyday practice, it is essential that organizations implement a structured alignment process that merges legal requirements, operational approach, and engineering codes. This checklist provides a practical compliance roadmap for crane operation and rigging.Identifying OSHA requirements: Employers should begin by identifying OSHA requirements that apply to their operations. When it comes to material handling equipment, operations may fall under general industry or construction. In addition, determine whether your operators, riggers, and signal persons meet current qualifications and training requirements.Aligning with ASME standards: Regularly verify that slings, cranes, and lifting devices comply with applicable ASME B30 standards for design, load rating, and inspection frequency. Establish maintenance programs for lifting equipment and rigging devices in line with ASME guidelines and manufacturer recommendations.Applying ANSI best practices: Reinforce ANSI best practices at the operational level. These standardized procedures, from communication methods to signage, are key to safe working conditions. Conduct training and refreshers to maintain competent, informed, and updated workers.Maintaining records: Documentation is a critical part of maintaining compliance, so you want to keep up with all operational records. These include records of training, inspections, maintenance, and incident investigation. Proper documentation is crucial for demonstrating proof of compliance in the event of a legal action.Final ThoughtsIn high-stakes sectors such as rigging and crane operations, ASME, ANSI, and OSHA work together to provide a layered approach to regulatory compliance and operational safety. While ASME develops technical specifications for the design of equipment and accessories, ANSI reviews these specs to confirm that they meet national consensus requirements. OSHA issues regulations mandating that employers operate in accordance with these recognized standards.When these frameworks are applied together, workplace safety becomes proactive. Additionally, employers are better prepared to maintain updated compliance planning.This story was produced by CICB and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Is Foundayo safe long term? What the clinical trial data actually shows Is Foundayo safe long term? What the clinical trial data actually showsFoundayo (orforglipron) represents the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes, offering patients an alternative to daily injections. However, understanding its long-term safety requires careful examination of available clinical trial data and ongoing study limitations. While initial studies show promising results, the medication's relatively recent approval means evidence is still being gathered about its safety profile over extended periods.In this article, Doctronic helps you understand whether Foundayo might be appropriate for your diabetes management strategy.What Is Foundayo and How Does Its Safety Profile Compare to Injectable GLP-1sOrforglipron is the active ingredient in Foundayo that provides oral GLP-1 receptor activation without requiring injections. This breakthrough medication works by mimicking the body's natural GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release and slowing gastric emptying. The oral formulation addresses a major barrier for patients who struggle with injectable diabetes medications due to needle phobia or injection site reactions.Clinical trials enrolled over 9,500 participants across multiple Phase 2 and 3 studies, providing substantial data on safety and effectiveness. Safety monitoring followed FDA guidelines for diabetes medications, including detailed assessment of cardiovascular outcomes, gastrointestinal effects, and potential cancer risks. This extensive clinical program represents one of the largest safety databases for any newly approved diabetes medication.Direct comparison studies with semaglutide and other zepbound long-term GLP-1 medications show similar adverse event patterns. The oral delivery method doesn't appear to create new safety concerns beyond those already known with injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists, though long-term comparative data remains limited.When Do Safety Concerns Typically Emerge During TreatmentGastrointestinal side effects peak during the first 4-8 weeks of treatment initiation, mirroring patterns seen with injectable GLP-1 medications. Patients commonly experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as their digestive system adjusts to the medication's effects on gastric emptying. These symptoms typically improve as the body adapts to treatment.Dose escalation periods show temporary increases in nausea and vomiting rates, which is why Foundayo follows a gradual titration schedule. Starting with lower doses and slowly increasing over several weeks helps minimize these gastrointestinal effects while allowing patients to build tolerance. This approach reduces treatment discontinuations related to side effects.Most treatment discontinuations due to adverse events occur within the first 12 weeks of therapy. After this initial adjustment period, patients who continue treatment generally experience stable side effect profiles. Similar to how Long Anxiety often improves with appropriate management, Foundayo's side effects become more manageable over time.How Long-Term Safety Monitoring Actually WorksThe SCORE cardiovascular outcomes trial follows 9,650 patients for a minimum of 3 years to assess long-term cardiovascular safety. This ongoing study will provide crucial data about whether Foundayo offers the same cardiovascular benefits seen with injectable GLP-1 medications. Results are expected by 2026 and will significantly impact our understanding of the medication's long-term health effects.Phase 3 trials provided safety data for a maximum of 68 weeks of continuous treatment, which represents the longest controlled safety data currently available. While this duration covers typical dose adjustments and stabilization periods, it doesn't capture potential effects that might emerge after years of use. Post-market surveillance will track real-world safety beyond these controlled trial conditions.The FDA's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy requires ongoing safety monitoring through healthcare providers and patient registries. This system helps identify rare adverse events that might not appear in clinical trials due to limited patient numbers or follow-up duration.Current Safety Data from Clinical TrialsGastrointestinal events affected 60-80% of patients but led to treatment discontinuation in only 8-12% of participants. This suggests that while digestive side effects are common, most patients can manage them successfully with proper support and dose adjustments. The majority of gastrointestinal symptoms were mild to moderate in severity.No cases of acute pancreatitis or medullary thyroid carcinoma were reported in Phase 3 trials, addressing two key safety concerns associated with GLP-1 medications. However, the relatively short follow-up period means continued monitoring remains essential. Similar to how patients monitor for Long Bloating, ongoing assessment helps identify potential complications early.Hypoglycemia rates remained low (under 5%) when Foundayo was used without insulin or sulfonylureas. This safety profile makes it an attractive option for patients at risk for dangerous blood sugar drops. The medication's mechanism of glucose-dependent insulin stimulation helps prevent hypoglycemia compared to some other diabetes treatments.Safety Comparison with Other GLP-1 Medications Doctronic Injectable semaglutide has 5+ years of post-market safety data versus Foundayo's limited real-world exposure since its recent approval. This longer experience provides more confidence about rare adverse events and long-term effects. The injectable formulations have established track records for both safety and cardiovascular benefits.Gastrointestinal side effect profiles appear similar between oral and injectable formulations, suggesting the delivery method doesn't significantly alter this aspect of safety. However, oral administration eliminates injection site reactions and may improve patient adherence. Just as allergy shots require long-term commitment for optimal results, diabetes medications work best with consistent use regardless of delivery method.Frequently Asked QuestionsHas Foundayo been proven safe for long-term use beyond 2 years?Current clinical trials followed patients for up to 68 weeks, so safety data beyond 2 years is not yet available. The ongoing SCORE cardiovascular outcomes trial will provide 3+ year safety data when completed in 2026. Post-market surveillance continues monitoring real-world safety in patients using Foundayo long-term.What are the most serious side effects reported in Foundayo clinical trials?The most serious reported side effects include severe gastrointestinal symptoms leading to dehydration, though these were uncommon. No cases of pancreatitis or thyroid tumors were observed in Phase 3 trials. Most adverse events were mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms that improved over time with continued treatment.Does insurance cover Foundayo and are there patient assistance programs available?Insurance coverage varies by plan, as Foundayo is a newer medication that may require prior authorization. The manufacturer offers patient assistance programs for eligible individuals, including copay cards and patient support services. Healthcare providers can help navigate coverage options and financial assistance programs for qualified patients.Who should avoid taking Foundayo based on current safety data?Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 should avoid Foundayo. Those with severe gastrointestinal conditions or gastroparesis may not tolerate the medication well. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use Foundayo due to insufficient safety data.How does Foundayo safety monitoring work with my existing diabetes care team?Regular monitoring includes blood glucose levels, HbA1c, kidney function, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Your healthcare provider will assess for signs of pancreatitis, thyroid problems, and other potential complications. Similar to planning for long-term care, diabetes management requires coordinated monitoring between all healthcare providers involved in your care.The Bottom LineCurrent clinical trial data supports Foundayo's safety profile for up to 68 weeks, with gastrointestinal side effects being the most common adverse events. While no cases of pancreatitis or thyroid tumors emerged in Phase 3 studies, the medication's recent approval means true long-term safety data beyond 2 years requires completion of ongoing cardiovascular outcomes studies and post-market surveillance. The oral formulation offers advantages over injectable GLP-1 medications for patients who struggle with injections, though established long-term safety profiles favor injectable options. Healthcare providers can help patients weigh these factors when choosing diabetes treatments, considering both current evidence and individual risk factors.This story was produced by Doctronic and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Scott Smith, aka 'Mr. Homegrown,' writes children's book about farmers markets Local produce grower, longtime farmers market vendor, and beloved community figure Scott Smith — known to many families as “Mr. Homegrown” — is bringing the magic of the farmers market to young readers with the release of his new children’s book. Smith, owner of Wolf Ridge Gardens and Greenhouse, has been a familiar face at [...]
	Stop reacting, start predicting: The case for intelligent shipping automation Stop reacting, start predicting: The case for intelligent shipping automationA retailer recently told Nick Ciubotariu something that stuck with him. They said they wished their team could stop fighting amongst themselves over 12 competing spreadsheets—each one claiming to be the right version of the truth.Ciubotariu, Auctane’s chief technology officer, shared the story during the Delivery Intelligence session at The Delivery Conference 2026 (TDC), an annual gathering of retail, logistics, and delivery leaders held in London. And it landed because it’s not a fringe problem. Most e-commerce businesses aren’t short on data. They’re short on ways to turn that data into decisions.“We’ve not done a good job of turning data into actionable, useful information that drives the business,” Ciubotariu said. “From a leadership perspective, that has to be a building block—you’re seeking predictive outcomes rather than waiting to see what comes next. Because by then, it may already be too late.”That tension—between having data and actually using it—ran through several sessions at TDC this year. Speakers challenged merchants at every scale to rethink the intelligence layer in their shipping operations, not as a feature to eventually switch on, but as a competitive foundation. ShipStation shares what that looks like in practice.The difference between a report and a decisionOne of the sharpest distinctions in the Delivery Intelligence session came from JJ Karambelas, channel director at OneStock. He drew a clear line between what data tells you after the fact and what intelligence enables before a problem occurs.“Using data lets you make those manual decisions on the fly when you need to,” Karambelas said. “Intelligence really lets you predict—how do we handle this exception? How do we predict what this scenario that’s happened before is? Let’s automate that, rather than reacting on the fly.”It’s a distinction worth sitting with. Reaction is about managing what’s already gone wrong. Prediction is about seeing the pattern before it becomes a problem.“Intelligence really lets you predict … rather than reacting on the fly,” Karambelas adds.The example Ciubotariu gave to illustrate this was simple but clarifying. If carrier A is late 12% of the time, that’s a report—a number you get after analyzing historical data. Intelligence is different. It says: Use carriers B, C, and D for these scenarios—perhaps because of that track record, perhaps for other reasons. It makes the decision for you, automatically, without requiring someone to weigh the options on each order.Starting before the order arrivesBoth Ciubotariu and Karambelas made the same point from different angles: If you wait until after an order is placed to start making smart decisions, you’re already behind.Karambelas framed it around intent. Delivery intelligence, in his view, starts at the pre-purchase moment—the promise you’re committing to a customer before they’ve clicked buy. That promise only holds if your upstream data is doing work before the order hits the queue.“If you start after [the order is placed], you’re already too late,” says Ciubotariu.Prediction as a product featureEmma Clarke, who heads product at Metapack, framed the underlying challenge clearly in the Unveiling Future of Intelligent Delivery session: “We now have more data than ever before, but we often have less clarity than ever.”That gap—between data volume and actual visibility—is what predictive tooling is designed to close. The shift Clarke described is from reacting to delivery issues after they’ve already affected a customer, to staying ahead of them entirely. The mechanism is pattern recognition at scale: analyzing live and historical order and operational events to identify which shipments are at risk before anything has gone wrong.When routing handles itselfIn the same session, Matthew Trattles, VP of Product at Auctane, made clear that the expectation gap isn’t just an enterprise problem anymore.“Consistency, convenience, and affordability are not nice to have,” Trattles said. “They’re indispensable. There’s no leeway, and there’s no excuses.” The same customers who expect seamless delivery from the largest retailers bring those expectations to every merchant they buy from, regardless of size.Intelligent shipping automation is what lets mid-market merchants meet those expectations without building an enterprise operations team. Auto-split and auto-routing capabilities handle multi-item orders automatically—dividing them across fulfillment locations, assigning the right carrier based on your defined logic, and processing them without requiring someone to evaluate each case by hand.Clarke put some scale to the complexity that this kind of logic can manage: Some Metapack customers are working with 30,000 allocation rules. The merchant-level version of that is different in size, but identical in kind—and intelligent shipping automation is what keeps that complexity from becoming a daily manual burden.What changes when guesswork goes awayMichael Anderson, managing consultant at Place-B Consultancy, opened the Predictive Shipping session with a line from a former managing director: “Service is our only product.” The point being, whatever you promise at checkout, the only thing that matters is whether you can actually deliver it.Luke Sneddon, head of product for supply chain and logistics at Satalia, spent much of the session unpacking what it actually takes to move from reactive to predictive. His biggest caution was about a misconception he runs into constantly: that having historical data means you can predict the future.“You can’t purely predict the future based on what happened in the past,” Sneddon said. “You have to blend the two—the order dataset and the situational context that impacts it. If you don’t have both, you’re not going to predict with any degree of certainty.”The result, when the shift happens, isn’t just better decisions. It’s a different relationship with time. Sneddon described a client whose planning team, after implementing route optimization, could monitor seven days out—knowing today about a problem likely to surface next week, with enough runway to address it before a single customer was affected. Their planners stopped living in the current day and started looking forward.That’s the real value of intelligent shipping automation: not that it eliminates judgment. It moves the moment of judgment earlier in the process, when there are still options on the table.What it unlocksAlistair McAuley, founder and CEO of TradeKart, put a fine point on the behavioral shift that predictive operations make possible in the Instant Impact session. TradeKart connects tradespeople with local merchants for on-demand delivery—often within 30 minutes—using Uber Direct’s courier network. His go-to example was a London plumber named Matt Wyatt who works eight jobs a day, arrives on the tube with tools, butno materials, and gets everything he needs delivered to the job site. The supply run is gone. The van is gone. The model only exists because the operational layer was built to support it.“The next generation of tradespeople are growing up with this on-demand expectation,” McAuley said. “And convenience is going to be key.”Not every merchant is building a 30-minute delivery network. But the dynamic is the same at any scale: when your shipping operations are genuinely intelligent—forecasting demand, routing automatically, applying consistent carrier logic—the capacity that was going to operational triage gets freed up. That capacity can go toward growth instead.Ciubotariu’s closing takeaway from the Delivery Intelligence session was unambiguous: “If you’re not investing in it, you should be today. Because if you’re not, and you continue to not be, you’re falling behind those that are.”This story was produced by ShipStation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Ocean freight rates double since March as carriers aggressively squeeze capacity Ocean freight rates double since March as carriers aggressively squeeze capacityMid-May 2026 saw a dramatic intersection of legal reprieve, aggressive threats, and targeted diplomacy defining global commerce. The U.S. executive branch successfully stabilized its immediate economic policy as an appellate court paused a ruling that had briefly neutralized the nation's 10% global surcharge. Empowered by this judicial lifeline, Washington escalated its transactional pressure on Europe by threatening to raise tariffs on European Union automobiles to 25%, citing unmet trade concessions.However, as Freight Right observed, the week’s most significant breakthrough occurred in Asia, where a high-profile summit culminated in China committing to buy $17 billion annually in U.S. agricultural goods. This massive purchase agreement offers a strategic cushion to American farmers, even as China's overall share in the U.S. import market continues to crater under the weight of a near-37% effective tariff rate.China-US Ocean Freight MarketThe ocean freight market has experienced sharp week-over-week rate increases across major lanes from China/East Asia (CEA) to North America. Spot rates to both coasts have surged, effectively doubling compared to early March baselines, where pricing sat around $1,600 to $1,700 per container.CEA to USWC: Rates increased by roughly $500 to $600, bringing the current pricing to $2,800–$3,400 per container. Freight Right CEA to USEC: Rates have climbed to $3,700–$4,500 per container. Freight Right While a few special agency rates remain scattered across the market, oceanfreight capacity is severely constrained.Freight Right’s Lowest Rate indicators are finding that importers can find spot rates as low as $2,800 from China to the U.S. West Coast and $3,787 from China to the U.S. East Coast. Talk to your freight forwarder about the options available to you.What Happened This Past WeekArtificial Capacity Cuts: The sudden spike in rates is not driven by an influx of consumer demand or improving market volumes, which remain relatively flat. Instead, carriers have intentionally pulled vessels out of rotation, creating an immediate space shortage that has forced prices upward.Extreme Space Tightness and Rolled Cargo: Vessel space is extraordinarily tight across all major shipping lanes. Carriers are heavily restricting space approvals, resulting in a massive surge of rolled shipments across the industry.Involuntary "Summer Product" Shipments: Importers of highly seasonal summer goods have reached a critical point in their product lifecycles and have no choice but to ship immediately to avoid missing their sales windows.Looking AheadThe short-term outlook indicates further friction for typical importers. Carriers have already signaled intent to push rates even higher moving into June, a sign that they anticipate capacity restrictions will successfully hold.If this upward trajectory persists through June, it could fundamentally disrupt the traditional Q3 peak season (July through September). Because shippers are scrambling to pull demand forward right now out of fear of future space shortages, the industry may see a flat or nonexistent peak season later this summer. This would mark the second or third consecutive year where traditional seasonal shipping patterns have dissolved in favor of artificial, carrier-driven market cycles.A potential demand buffer may arrive in approximately two months as government tax refunds flow back into the market, potentially stimulating consumer spending and easing liquidity constraints for smaller importers. Until then, only enterprise brands with massive negotiating leverage or seasonal shippers with zero scheduling flexibility will maintain consistent volume, leaving the rest of the market sidelined.This story was produced by Freight Right and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What causes underarm rash, and how can I care for it? What causes underarm rash, and how can I care for it?Every part of our body deserves moisture and care — especially sensitive spots like our underarms. If you’ve ever experienced bumps, itchiness, red patches, or underarm rashes, you’re not alone. This Dove article educates on what causes armpit rash and tips on how to prevent it.What is an armpit rash?An underarm rash is any change in the skin under your arms that results in redness, itchiness, bumps, flakiness, or swelling. It can look different depending on the cause of irritation, ranging from small red dots to dry or even broken skin. But don’t worry — most underarm irritation is temporary and easy to care for once you identify the cause.What causes armpit rash?From shaving to sweating, our underarms go through a lot, which can lead to irritation or changes in skin texture. Common triggers include:Shaving, which can cause skin barrier damage, razor burn, ingrown hairs, or microcuts.Tight or synthetic clothing, which can trap moisture and cause chafing.Trapped sweat in sweat glands in your skin, which can develop into heat rash.Stress or hormonal changes, which can trigger sensitivity or sweating.Skin conditions like eczema, bacterial infections, or allergic reactions.How can you help care for underarm irritation?Give your skin a break: Pause shaving and switch to loose, breathable clothing to minimize friction and chafing while your underarms heal.Keep underarms dry and clean: Gently cleanse with lukewarm water and a mild, moisturizing formula, then gently pat dry.Apply an over-the-counter treatment if needed. For inflammatory rashes, a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream can help. If you suspect it’s a yeast infection, try an antifungal cream or powder instead. If your armpit rash persists, speak with a medical professional.How can you help prevent underarm rashes?Shave carefullyMany of us love the look and feel of smooth underarms, but getting there isn’t always smooth sailing. That’s why it’s important to have a gentle routine if you do shave. Start with a shower to open your pores and soften your skin and underarm hair. This will give you a much closer shave that glides smoothly, reducing the chance of underarm rash after shaving. Another great tip for reducing underarm irritation: Replace your razor regularly.ExfoliateDry skin is one of many causes for underarm rashes, so exfoliating regularly is key. It will help prevent your pores from getting clogged, reduce the chance of ingrown hairs (which can lead to bumpy underarm skin), and help uneven skin texture and tone. To get the best results while exfoliating, you can use a washcloth, loofah, or a nourishing body scrub — whatever works best for you.Wear looser fabricsWe hate to break it to you, but your favorite black dress might also be causing underarm irritation or chafing. The fibers of tight, synthetic fabrics rub against your skin throughout the day, which can upset underarms, especially if you have sensitive skin. So embrace a loose, flowy look, and try sticking to natural fabrics to keep underarms happy and healthy.Switch to a caring antiperspirantArmpit rash from deodorant and antiperspirant is also common, so it’s important to choose a formula that cares for your skin, especially after shaving.This story was produced by Dove and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Iowa officials announce changes to security at state polling places Members of the Iowa National Guard, Homeland Security and IT workers from the Department of Management will be monitoring polling places as Iowa's primary nears.
	The 9 GEO KPIs that matter in AI search (plus how to measure performance) The 9 GEO KPIs that matter in AI search (plus how to measure performance) Generative AI accounted for only 0.18% of traffic in 2025, yet AI-referred visitors posted a 54.15% session conversion rate. So while AI sends less traffic to your site, the visitors it refers are more likely to convert.That contrast helps show why GEO KPIs matter. They give you a way to measure not just whether AI platforms surface your brand, but whether that visibility leads to real business outcomes, WebFX reports.At a glance: GEO KPIsGEO KPIs measure how often AI platforms surface your brand, cite your content, and turn that visibility into traffic and conversions.The most important GEO and AI SEO KPIs to track include AI visibility rate, AI citation rate, AI brand mention rate, query coverage, AI-driven traffic, and conversion rate from AI traffic.The best way to measure AI search performance is to use AI visibility tools and analytics platforms together so you can connect citations and mentions to business outcomes.What are GEO KPIs?Generative engine optimization (GEO) KPIs are the measurable indicators you use to track performance in AI search experiences like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.GEO or AI SEO KPIs show whether your brand or content appears in AI-generated answers and whether that visibility drives business outcomes like qualified leads, sales, and revenue. These KPIs can help you measure:Visibility in AI-generated responsesCitations in AI answersBrand mentions in AI platformsTraffic from AI platformsConversions and downstream impactTraditional SEO KPIs still matter. You still want to track rankings, organic traffic, and conversions from search.GEO KPIs build on SEO KPIs and help you evaluate how AI platforms surface and reference your brand in generated answers. That added layer matters because buyers can encounter your business before they ever click through to your site.The core AI SEO KPIs to trackThese nine KPIs show how your brand appears in AI search, how often AI platforms cite or mention your content, and whether that visibility contributes to business results. Unlike traditional SEO KPIs, which focus on rankings, clicks, and organic traffic, these GEO KPIs help you measure visibility inside AI-generated answers.9 AI SEO KPIs to track1. AI citation rateWhy this GEO KPI matters: It shows whether AI platforms treat your content as a source worth citing.AI citation rate measures how often AI answers cite or link to your content.This KPI matters because it shows whether AI systems treat your pages as a reliable and relevant source worth citing. A mention can be helpful, but a citation often carries more weight because it signals that the platform pulled supporting information directly from your content.For example, if you’re marketing SaaS for doctors, you want your content and business to get cited for queries that doctors use to look for your product. Your prospects may use AI platforms to compare SaaS solutions for healthcare or to find patient intake solutions.AI citation rate can show whether your site appears as a cited source for these topics.When tracking AI citation rate, look at these metrics:Citations by platformCitations by prompt setCitation trends over timeCompetitor citation frequency2. AI brand mention rateWhy this GEO KPI matters: It tells you how often AI platforms mention your brand, even when they don’t link to your site.AI brand mention rate measures how often AI-generated answers mention your brand, whether the mention includes a link or not.This KPI matters because AI platforms can shape your prospect’s perception even when they don’t click. If your brand appears in answers about the best providers or leading tools in your niche, you are still influencing consideration.For example, if a buyer asks an AI platform for the best ERP software for manufacturers and your brand appears in the answer, that mention can affect shortlist decisions even if it does not include a citation.When evaluating the AI brand mention rate, review these metrics:Brand mention frequencyBranded vs. non-branded promptsMention contextCompetitor mention frequency3. AI visibility rateWhy this AI SEO KPI matters: It shows how often your brand appears in AI-generated answers across your target topics.AI visibility rate measures the percentage of tracked prompts where your brand or content appears in the AI answer.This KPI gives you a high-level view of how often your business shows up in AI search. It can help you understand whether your visibility is broad and consistent or limited to a small set of topics and queries.For example, if your brand appears in 30 out of 100 tracked prompts, your AI visibility rate is 30%.When analyzing your AI visibility rate, look at these metrics:Visibility by platformVisibility by topic clusterVisibility by funnel stageVisibility vs. competitors4. Query coverageWhy query coverage matters: It shows how broad your AI visibility is across the queries that matter to your business.Query coverage measures the percentage of relevant prompts where your brand appears.This KPI helps you see whether your visibility is limited to a narrow set of prompts or spans a wider topic set. That matters because you want to know whether AI platforms surface your brand only for branded searches or for broader, non-branded discovery and comparison queries, too.To measure this KPI, consider these metrics:Total prompt coverageCoverage by topicCoverage by branded vs. non-branded intentCoverage gaps across the buyer journey5. Content inclusion rateWhy this GEO KPI matters: It shows which pages or content types AI platforms pull into their answers.Content inclusion rate measures how often your important pages appear in AI-generated answers.This KPI helps you connect AI visibility back to the content you invest in creating. It can show whether your glossaries, comparison pages, blog posts, service pages, or guides actually appear when AI platforms answer questions related to your business.For example, if you market heavy equipment, you may find that your maintenance guides and equipment comparison pages appear in AI answers more often than your product category pages. That can help you see which content types AI platforms use most often.When tracking content inclusion rate, look at:Inclusion by URLInclusion by content typeInclusion by content clusterInclusion trends over time6. AI-driven trafficWhy this AI SEO KPI matters: It shows whether your AI visibility is turning into site visits.AI-driven traffic measures sessions from AI platforms, giving you a directional view of how visibility turns into traffic. It can help you identify which pages attract AI-referred users and whether that traffic grows over time.That said, traffic should not be your only KPI. AI influence doesn’t always appear as a clean referral, since some users may first discover your brand through an AI answer and then return later via organic search or direct traffic.When evaluating AI-driven traffic, look at:SessionsLanding pagesSource or referral patternsTraffic growth over time7. Conversion rate from AI trafficWhy this GEO KPI matters: It shows whether AI-referred visitors are taking meaningful action on your site.Conversion rate from AI traffic measures the percentage of AI-referred visitors who complete a desired action, such as filling out a form, signing up for your newsletter, or booking a demo call.This KPI helps connect AI visibility to business results that matter to your leadership.When measuring conversion rate from AI traffic, track:Conversion rate found in your analytics platformTotal conversionsConversion valueHigh-intent landing pages from AI traffic8. Engagement metrics from AI usersWhy this AI SEO KPI matters: They show how AI-referred visitors behave after they land on your site.Engagement metrics from AI users measure on-site behavior from visitors who arrive through AI search experiences.These are supporting metrics rather than headline KPIs, but they can still help you judge traffic quality. They can show whether AI-referred visitors actually engage with your content after they reach your site.Did your AI-referred visitors spend time on your pricing, service, or comparison pages? Or did they just browse your blog posts? If AI-referred traffic engaged with your pricing and service pages, they have stronger purchase intent.To evaluate this KPI, look at:Time on pageEngagement ratePages per sessionScroll depthReturn visits9. Assisted conversions or pipeline influenceWhy this KPI matters: It shows whether AI visibility drives conversions that occur later through another channel.Assisted conversions or pipeline influence measure the role AI-referred visits play in later conversions. It’s a more advanced KPI, but it matters because last-click reporting can undercount AI’s contribution.A buyer may first encounter your brand through an AI platform, then return later through direct traffic or branded search before converting.You can measure this GEO KPI through:Assisted conversionsBranded search lift after visibility gainsDirect traffic trendsLead or pipeline trends that align with AI visibility growthHow to measure visibility in AI searchYou can measure AI visibility more efficiently with a combination of AI visibility tools and analytics platforms. While your team still needs to define the topics, buyer intent, and competitors, you don’t need to rely on a manual process to track citations, mentions, and visibility over time.A practical measurement approach should help you do the following:Measuring visibility in AI search1. Track the important topics and queries relevant to your businessIdentify the products, services, industries, pain points, and comparison topics your buyers care about most. This gives your reporting more direction and helps you measure visibility against the queries that actually influence consideration and conversions.For example, a manufacturer selling industrial pumps may want to monitor visibility for topics like pump maintenance, pump replacement, industrial pump suppliers, and product comparisons.2. Measure visibility across multiple AI platformsCross-platform tracking gives you a more reliable picture of how your brand appears in AI search. At a minimum, evaluate your visibility in the following:ChatGPTGoogle AI OverviewsPerplexityGemini3. Monitor citations, mentions, and answer presenceUse AI visibility tools and analytics platforms to find out whether:Your brand appears in AI search resultsYour content gets citedYour brand gets mentioned without a citationCompetitor brands appear in the same answersInstead of documenting every result manually, you can use tools that monitor answer visibility and citations more efficiently across your target topics.4. Compare your visibility against competitorsAI visibility becomes more useful when you compare it with the brands your buyers also consider.If your site has a modest AI citation rate but your top competitors appear even less often, that changes how you interpret your performance. On the other hand, if competitor brands dominate non-branded prompts while you mainly appear for branded ones, your reporting should call that out.5. Review changes over timeA single prompt audit can help you spot patterns. It can’t tell you much about momentum, though.That is why ongoing reporting matters. Review prompt-level visibility, citations, and mentions on a recurring schedule to see whether your brand’s presence expands, stalls, or declines.Which GEO KPIs matter most?Most teams don’t need to track every metric at once. If you are building an early GEO reporting framework, focus on the KPIs that best show presence, source trust, and business value, such as:AI visibility rateAI citation rateAI brand mention rateQuery coverageAI-driven trafficConversion rate from AI trafficIf you can only track three KPIs at first, start with AI visibility rate, AI citation rate, and conversion rate from AI traffic. If your conversion data is still limited, substitute AI-driven traffic until your attribution becomes stronger. Tools for tracking AI SEO KPIsThe easiest way to track AI SEO KPIs is to use a combination of AI visibility tools and analytics platforms. AI visibility tools can help you monitor citations, mentions, and answer presence, while analytics tools can help you connect that visibility to traffic and conversions\Together, these tools give you a more complete view of AI visibility performance.Common mistakes when tracking GEO KPIsSome GEO reporting mistakes can make your visibility look stronger, weaker, or simpler than it really is. Avoid them so you can build reporting that reflects both AI visibility and business impact. Here are the common mistakes to avoid:Tracking traffic alone and ignoring visibility: Your brand can appear in AI-generated answers without producing a clean referral visit, so traffic-only reporting can miss citations, mentions, and answer presence.Ignoring unlinked brand mentions: If your brand appears in AI answers about the best providers or solutions in your category, that mention can still influence buying decisions.Using only traditional SEO reports to judge AI search performance: SEO KPIs still matter, but they don’t tell you how AI platforms surface and reference your brand.Monitoring only one platform: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews don’t always produce the same answers or surface the same sources. Track these most commonly used AI platforms.Tracking a few prompts to reveal real patterns: You need enough relevant topics and queries to understand where your visibility is actually strong or weak.Mixing branded and non-branded prompts in the same readout: Branded and non-branded prompts behave differently. If you combine them, your visibility numbers can look stronger than they really are.Treating snapshots as trends: Don’t get too excited with one strong result, as that doesn’t prove steady growth. Review visibility, citations, and mentions over time before drawing conclusions.Tracking vanity metrics without context: Engagement metrics without business outcomes and mention counts without considering competitors look good on paper, but they are vanity metrics that don’t tell you much about revenue growth or how competitive your visibility is.FAQs about GEO KPIsWhat KPIs should you track for GEO?The important GEO KPIs to track are:AI visibility rateAI citation rateAI brand mention rateQuery coverageAI-driven trafficConversion rate from AI trafficIf your reporting is more advanced, you can also track content inclusion rate, engagement metrics from AI users, and assisted conversions.What vanity metrics should you avoid when tracking GEO KPIs?Avoid overvaluing the following:Raw AI trafficIsolated prompt winsBranded-only appearance gainsMention counts without competitor contextEngagement metrics that don’t connect to business outcomesThese metrics can add context, but you shouldn’t look at them in isolation.How do you measure visibility in AI search?Use AI visibility tools and analytics platforms to monitor the topics, queries, and competitors that matter to your business.A strong setup should help you track your AI visibility across platforms like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and Gemini, then connect that visibility to traffic and conversions over time.What is an AI visibility metric?An AI visibility metric measures how often your brand, content, or information appears in AI-generated answers. AI visibility rate is one example because it shows the percentage of tracked prompts in which your brand appears.Are traditional SEO KPIs still relevant?Yes. Rankings, organic traffic, and organic conversions are still relevant because they help measure search performance and business impact.GEO and AI SEO KPIs extend that reporting so you can also measure answer visibility, citations, and AI-driven influence.How do you measure AI SEO performance?Measure AI SEO performance by combining visibility metrics, citation metrics, traffic metrics, and business outcome metrics. That usually means tracking AI visibility rate, citation rate, mention rate, query coverage, AI-driven traffic, and conversions from AI traffic together.Can you measure conversions from AI traffic?Yes, to a point. You can track conversions from AI-referred sessions when analytics tools capture those visits clearly. You should also remember that some AI influence may not appear as a direct referral, which is why assisted conversions and other supporting signals can be useful.Use GEO KPI data to guide better reporting and next stepsThe AI SEO KPIs that matter tell you whether your GEO efforts are paying off and improving your bottom line.That reporting can help you spot visibility gaps, prioritize the right content updates, and explain AI search performance more clearly to management.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Timber Lake Playhouse, Mount Carroll, to present 'Godspell' Timber Lake Playhouse, Illinois’ premier professional summer theater, opens its 65th main-stage season with "Godspell" from May 29-June 7. Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, the groundbreaking musical was conceived and originally directed by John Micheal Trebleck. It features the global hit “Day by Day” among many others by Stephen Schwartz, the composer [...]
	University of Virginia students stop in Muscatine on cross-country ag trip Six college students are learning about agricultural systems from top to bottom as they bike and drive from Seattle to Washington, DC.
	Iowa Vintage Fest to return to Quad Cities The Iowa Vintage Fest will return from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday at the River Center.
	La proteína numero uno recomendada por los dietistas para tener siempre a mano en las barbacoas de verano (BPT) - Ahora que se encienden las parrillas y las reuniones veraniegas cobran protagonismo, muchos estadounidenses buscan opciones proteicas que combinen sabor y valor nutricional. La opción destacada que cumple todos los requisitos: el salmón. En particular, el salmón chileno es una opción muy recomendable para hacer a la parrilla en verano gracias a su rico perfil nutricional, su versatilidad y las prácticas de cría responsables.Por qué el salmón chileno ocupa el primer puestoEl salmón de Chile es mucho más que un sabroso ingrediente para la parrilla: es una auténtica fuente de nutrientes. Cada ración contiene proteínas completas de alta calidad que lo mantienen saciado durante los ajetreados días de verano. Además, es naturalmente rico en ácidos grasos omega-3, nutrientes esenciales que favorecen la salud del corazón, el cerebro, la piel y el sistema inmunitario."Como dietista registrada, el salmón es una de mis principales recomendaciones de proteínas durante el verano", afirma Kayla Farrell, dietista nutricionista registrada (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, RDN). "El salmón chileno ofrece una combinación única de proteínas de alta calidad y ácidos grasos omega-3 que favorecen la salud general del organismo, además de ser increíblemente versátil y fácil de preparar".El salmón chileno tiene un bajo contenido en mercurio, lo que lo convierte en una opción inteligente y apta para toda la familia, incluidos los niños y las mujeres embarazadas. De hecho, la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (Food and Drug Administration, FDA) de Estados Unidos incluye el salmón en su lista de alimentos que se ajustan a su definición actualizada de "saludable", lo que refuerza su papel como alimento básico rico en nutrientes.Una opción de productos del mar sostenible con la que se sentirá bienLa sostenibilidad es una prioridad para los consumidores de hoy en día, y el salmón de Chile cumple con estas expectativas. Se crían en granjas bajo estrictas normas medioambientales en las aguas cristalinas de la Patagonia costera chilena. Es una de las proteínas animales más eficientes, con un alto rendimiento comestible y un bajo índice de conversión alimenticia. Las prácticas responsables de acuicultura y las sólidas alianzas con terceros contribuyen a garantizar la transparencia y a proteger los ecosistemas marinos, lo que convierte al salmón chileno en una opción confiable y sostenible tanto para el presente como para el futuro.Ideal para las barbacoas de verano (y para mucho más) Cuando se trata de comidas veraniegas, el salmón de Chile destaca, como es lógico, a la parrilla. Su sabor naturalmente intenso y su textura firme resisten bien las altas temperaturas, lo que lo hace ideal para todo tipo de preparaciones, desde sencillos filetes hasta brochetas y platos a la plancha sobre tabla de cedro. Ya sea condimentado con hierbas frescas, cítricos o adobos intensos, combina a la perfección con productos de temporada y coloridas guarniciones veraniegas.Para disfrutar de una cena sin complicaciones, el salmón chileno se prepara y se cocina fácilmente en menos de 15 minutos, lo que lo hace perfecto para las cenas entre semana o para reuniones en el jardín. Además, es igual de versátil fuera de la parrilla: queda delicioso al horno, salteado en la sartén o agregado a ensaladas, cuencos de cereales y tacos.Consejos sencillos para asar salmón como un profesionalEmpiece sin quitar la piel: ayuda a que el pescado no se deshaga y evita que se pegueNo lo cocine demasiado: el salmón está en su punto justo cuando se desmenuza fácilmente pero sigue jugosoAgregue sabor en un santiamén: un adobo rápido o un aderezo seco pueden realzar el sabor en cuestión de minutosBusque " Sourced from Chile" Mientras prepara sus menús de verano, no se olvide de buscar el salmón chileno en la sección de pescadería o en el pasillo de los congelados. Busque la indicación "Sourced from Chile" (Procedente de Chile) en el envase para asegurarse de que está comprando un producto de alta calidad que destaca por su sabor, sus propiedades nutricionales y su sostenibilidad.Este verano, elija salmón chileno como su fuente de proteínas preferida para la temporada de barbacoas y disfrute de una forma sencilla y deliciosa para nutrir su cuerpo y apoyar prácticas pesqueras responsables.
	What it means to be financially liquid What it means to be financially liquidCash is often crowned king — and for good reason. It typically upholds its value and allows you to instantly make purchases. When you add cash into an account or investment, it's also important to understand how easily you can access it, which is known as liquidity, reports Ally Financial.What is financial liquidity?Financial liquidity refers to the ease with which an asset — anything ranging from a money market savings account to an ETF to real estate — can be converted into cash relatively quickly.Types of liquidityWhile several classifications exist (for example, funding liquidity), the main types are:Market liquidity: How easily an asset can be bought or sold in the market without causing substantial price changes.Accounting liquidity: A company's ability to meet short-term obligations, like bills or payroll, with its liquid assets.Why is liquidity important?Everyone's motives for having cash readily available may differ and vary over time. But you'll likely have moments in life where you need cash on hand, whether it's accessible funds for an emergency, the ability to capitalize on timely investment opportunities or even to limit your exposure to market volatility. An asset that cannot be quickly converted into cash without a significant loss of value is considered an illiquid asset. Examples include collectibles and fine art, real estate and collectible luxury items.Measuring financial liquidityYou can use several different ratios to assess liquidity:Current Ratio: Current assets divided by current liabilities.Quick Ratio (Acid-Test Ratio): (Current assets - Inventory) divided by current liabilities.Cash Ratio: Cash and cash equivalents divided by current liabilities.Factors affecting market liquidityMarket liquidity can be unpredictable and impacted by many factors, including:Economic conditions: Market stability can influence liquidity levels. For example, high volatility can decrease liquidity as investors become uncertain and move towards safer assets.Market sentiment: Investor confidence impacts asset liquidity. Positive sentiment usually increases trading activity (improving liquidity), while negative sentiment can lead to panic selling (reducing liquidity).Regulatory changes: Policies and political crises can alter liquidity dynamics in financial markets.Examples of liquid and illiquid assetsSome assets are highly liquid, while others have far less liquidity. The degree of liquidity is often determined by regulations and required processes; for example, a stock can usually be sold more quickly than a real estate transaction due to the required steps, as well as the market and demand.The liquidity of deposit accountsThe liquidity of deposit accounts varies by account type. Here’s what to know about each:Checking and Money Market accounts: Spending accounts or money market accounts typically come with checks and debit cards, so you have nearly instant access to your funds.Savings accounts: Savings accounts also provide a level of liquidity, but with a few key differences. Although you can't directly withdraw from a savings account with checks or debit cards, you can take advantage of free transfers (up to a predetermined amount per statement cycle) to either a linked checking account or money market account.Certificate of Deposit (CD): These interest-bearing bank accounts typically come with an early withdrawal penalty charge if you choose to withdraw your funds before the maturity date (aka the end of the CD's term). A good alternative solution is a no-penalty CD, which allows you to enjoy competitive interest rates and withdraw your total balance any time after the first six days of funding your CD, penalty-free. Ally Financial The liquidity of investment typesSome investment types are highly liquid, while others have far less liquidity. Keep in mind, the liquidity of stocks and ETFs depends on market activity and investor demand. Large, actively traded securities tend to be more liquid, while those with lower volume can be more illiquid.Mutual funds do not have intraday liquidity like stocks or ETFs and are only priced once per day.Other non-security investments are not traded on a public exchange and are typically the least liquid. It can include a business, real estate and even collectible items like art or rare coins. Because it can take several steps to sell these types of investments, extra time is typically needed before you receive any cash in exchange. Ally Financial Before you invest, you should carefully review and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of any mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) you are considering. ETF trading prices may not necessarily reflect the net asset value of the underlying securities.Choosing your liquidityThe good news is you have plenty of deposit account types and investment choices to choose from when factoring in liquidity. A good rule of thumb is to diversify your portfolio and always allocate your funds based on your individual preference, risk tolerance and personal goals.This story was produced by Ally Financial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to build safe and trustworthy AI agents How to build safe and trustworthy AI agentsThe idea of autonomous AI agents that research prospects, qualify leads, create content briefs, and enrich data across your business systems while you sleep sounds appealing. And with no-code agent builders, that pitch is real.But an agent is only useful if you can trust it to do the right thing. Speed without control is just chaos with better branding.This guide from Zapier covers the practical strategies that make the difference between an AI agent your team trusts and one that gets turned off after its first mistake.What makes an AI agent safe?A safe AI agent has:Defined scope. It can only access the apps, data, and actions it needs for its specific job. Nothing more.Human oversight at critical points. For high-stakes decisions, a human reviews and approves before the action is executed.Content safeguards. Inputs and outputs are screened for issues like personally identifiable information (PII), prompt injection attempts, or toxic content before they reach their destination.Observability. You can see what the agent did, when it did it, and why.Recoverability. The agent isn't given permission to do anything irreversible.The agents that earn trust in production are those designed with all these guardrails from the beginning.Start with scope, not speedThe most common mistake when building AI agents is giving them too much access too early. It's tempting to connect every app in your stack and let the agent figure out what it needs, but that's unnecessary and can be risky.Start with the minimum set of permissions your agent needs to do its job. If your agent's job is to research prospects and create draft emails, it needs access to your CRM and email (draft creation only, not sending, is recommended). It doesn't need access to your billing system, your HR tools, or your production database.Agents with narrow scope are easier to test, easier to debug, and easier to trust. If something goes wrong, the blast radius is contained. A few key principles worth following:One agent, one job. Build specialized agents with clear responsibilities, then use agent-to-agent communication to coordinate between them. In one agent's setup, you might add a "call agent" tool, point it at another agent in your stack, and describe when to use it. At runtime, Agent A can automatically delegate the subtask to Agent B when appropriate, without you in the loop.Separate read from write. Start with agents that can read and analyze data but can't modify it. Expand write access only after you've built confidence in the agent's judgment.Use draft states over direct actions. Instead of letting an agent send an email, have it create a draft. Instead of having it update a CRM record directly, have it propose the update for review.Put humans in the loop where it mattersFull automation is the goal, but full automation on day one is a mistake. Add human in the loop checkpoints where they're needed. You don't want them everywhere—that defeats the purpose—but at the points where a wrong decision would actually hurt.Good candidates for human review:Customer-facing communications. Any message that goes to a customer should be reviewed until you're confident the agent consistently meets your standards.Financial or legal actions. Creating invoices, modifying contracts, updating payment information—anything where an error has real financial or legal consequences.Data modifications that are hard to reverse. These are things like deleting records, merging duplicates, and changing access permissions. If undoing the action would be painful, add a checkpoint.Escalation decisions. When an agent decides whether to escalate a ticket or flag a lead as high-priority, a human should verify the judgment call.Where you probably don't need review:Routine data enrichmentInternal notificationsLoggingPulling reportsAny action that's easily reversible and low-stakesThink of it like onboarding a new employee. You check their work closely at first, then gradually give them more autonomy as they prove themselves.Screen what flows through your agentsAI agents process content from external sources: customer emails, form submissions, web scraped data, API responses, the list goes on. Not all of that content is safe, and not all of it should flow through your systems unchecked.The risks worth screening for:Personally identifiable information (PII). Customer messages and form submissions may contain government IDs, financial account numbers, or other sensitive data that shouldn't be stored or forwarded to certain systems.Prompt injection. An attacker embeds instructions in an email or form submission designed to manipulate your agent's behavior. If your agent processes external content, screening for prompt injection should be a baseline safeguard.Toxic or harmful content. If your agent generates customer-facing responses, screen the output for toxicity before it reaches the customer.One important caveat: no AI detection system catches everything. False positives and false negatives happen. Treat content screening as one layer in your safety strategy, not the entire strategy. Combine it with scoped permissions (so even if a prompt injection succeeds, the agent can't do much damage) and human oversight for anything high-stakes. Defense in depth is the principle that matters.Monitor and iterate over timeBuilding a safe agent isn't a one-time exercise. What to watch for:Success and failure rates. If an agent that was running smoothly starts failing more often, something has changed. Catch these trends early.Quality of decisions. Periodically review a sample of your agent's outputs. Automated checks catch obvious failures, but human review catches quality drift.Edge cases. Pay attention to the cases where your agent couldn't complete its task. These are where you'll find gaps in your instructions and opportunities to improve.Set a regular cadence for reviewing performance. Spot-check outputs, then adjust instructions or guardrails based on what you find. This is maintenance, not micromanagement.4 principles for trustworthy AI agentsDesign for the failure case, not the happy path. Build agents that fail gracefully: they route to a human, log the issue, and don't take irreversible action when uncertain.Earn trust incrementally. Start with low-stakes, easily reversible tasks. Expand scope only after the agent has proven reliable.Combine multiple layers of safety. The strongest setups layer scoped permissions, content screening, human checkpoints, and monitoring so each layer catches what the others miss.Automate the monitoring, not just the work. Set up alerts for failure rates, quality thresholds, and cost limits so you find out about problems before your customers do.This story was produced by Zapier and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Easy Summer Snacks to Fuel Kids' Big Adventures (BPT) - For families with young children, summer can feel like one nonstop adventure. From beach days and park visits to playdates, camps and road trips, the season is packed with moments that keep kids moving. Along the way, parents need snacks that are convenient, easy to pack, parent-approved and, most importantly, something kids will actually enjoy while fueling themselves for the next adventure.Coming up with good options can be a challenge, especially for parents of opinionated preschoolers. While nearly 30% of parents are searching for better-for-you snack alternatives, only 38% report high satisfaction with the current options.If that sounds familiar, a little planning can go a long way. Here are a few simple, on-the-go snacking tips from Goodies, a new snack brand for preschoolers, to help make busy summer days easier.Give kids choices, without overwhelming themPreschool-aged children like to have autonomy, but can also feel overwhelmed by too many decisions. Keep it simple by offering a few parent-approved options so whatever they choose works for you.Consider creating a special snack drawer, box or spot in the fridge that kids know they can choose from when they're at home, or when they're packing their own backpacks for camps, trips and other outings.Keep them portableStick with snack items that can be easily packed, carried and yes, eaten in the car when you're hurrying from one activity to another. Consider the mess factor also — is this something that could create too many crumbs or spills?You'll give kids more of a sense of autonomy by offering them individually portioned snacks like Goodies, small applesauce pouches, or crackers or pretzels that you can easily divide into baggies or reusable containers. It's also convenient to include snacks that come in their own natural packaging, like clementines and bananas. Look for snacks made with young kids in mindKids want snacks that feel fun, flavorful and made for "big kids," while parents want options that are convenient, mess-free and made with ingredients they can trust. Goodies brings it all together with bites, bars and crunchy snacks designed for ages 4+. Each package features playful characters inspired by real kids' drawings, while the snacks inside were taste-tested by kids and parents. Goodies snacks are non-GMO and gluten free, and contain no artificial sweeteners, food dyes or high fructose corn syrup. They're also individually portioned, making them easy to pack for camp, road trips, park days and other summer outings.Banana Bread Mini Oat Bites: Soft and chewy oat bites bursting with real banana flavor, made with dried fruit and whole grains and no added sweeteners or artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.PB&J Poppers: These come in two kid-friendly flavors — Grape and Strawberry — featuring soft-baked peanut and oat crust bars with a delicious jammy filling, plus 6 grams of whole grains, 2 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per bar.Mac & Cheese Noodles: Crunchy, savory Mac & Cheese flavored puffs are noodle-shaped, seasoned with real cheese and packed with flavor.Sea Salt Sweet Potato Sticks: Savory and crunchy Sea Salt Sweet Potato Sticks fuel snack time with just four ingredients, and are lightly seasoned with sea salt.Cinna-Toast Squares: Bite-sized cinnamon sugar squares for a craveable, better-for-you snack that's just the right combo of sweet and crunchy.Newly launched in the U.S., and already loved in nine countries, they can be found in the baby-toddler aisle at select Walmart and Kroger stores, and online via Amazon. Excite kids with varietyKeep snack time exciting by offering a mix of wholesome snacks in different flavors and textures — from sweet and salty to smooth, creamy, chewy and crunchy. Pairing options like Goodies with favorites such as fresh fruit, applesauce or yogurt helps keep things fun and encourages kids to explore what they love. By offering practical, portable snacks and giving kids a little room to choose, parents can help keep kids fueled for wherever summer takes them.
	Trump endorsements take center stage for Miller-Meeks, Hinson in Iowa Trump’s endorsements were front and center as Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson rallied Iowa Republicans in Bettendorf Tuesday night. Here’s what they told voters.
	Two Rock Island seniors selected for first Kindness Wins with Madison Keys Scholarships Averi Vroman and Matteo Gomez were awarded a scholarship of $1,500 each for their dedication to volunteering and love of tennis.
	Hottest day this year for Wednesday We've already had three days this year with highs of 86° in the Quad Cities, but we'll easily beat that today. It's been a dry May and that will not change and June looks to start out dry, too. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	How to easily get your vehicle cleaned up and ready for spring (BPT) - Key TakeawaysDirt and road salt can leave cars and trucks in rough shape.Spring is the perfect time to ensure your vehicle is in good condition.Get your vehicle ready for spring by replacing wiper blades and cleaning and protecting surfaces from the upholstery to the tires.Products from Rain-X and Black Magic help your vehicle effortlessly look great, inside and out.No matter where you live, the winter probably did a number on your car or truck. Dirt, road salt, de-icing fluid and construction gravel all leave their mark. Even running your vehicle through a car wash isn't enough to fully restore its appearance or protect it from rust and corrosion. And inside isn't much better. Months of commuting with windows closed left grime and dust accumulating throughout the interior.Regularly cleaning and maintaining your vehicle helps it work better, last longer, look great — and makes it a lot more enjoyable to drive. To help you get ready for spring and summer daily drives and road trips, the car care experts at Rain-X offer these tips.Spring maintenance checklistWhen was your last oil change and overall vehicle check? If you switched to a lighter viscosity oil for the colder months, consider a heavier motor oil as the temperatures heat up, especially if you live in a hot climate, to help maintain oil pressure. Top off all fluids, including coolant and AC refrigerant.Winter road conditions likely clogged the engine and cabin air filters with salt, moisture and dirt, so they may need to be replaced. Cold weather can also drain your battery, so check your battery's health.Late winter potholes leave tires in rough shape. Look for damage and examine everything from tire pressure and tread depth to proper alignment.High-quality wiper blades for your vehicleSpring is the perfect time to replace worn-out wiper blades to be ready for rainy weather. Rain-X is the number one wiper blade brand in America, and has the perfect blades for a variety of conditions and vehicles.One great option is the Latitude® Water Repellency 2-n-1 Wiper Blades, which use Rain-X's water repellent technology that causes water to bead up more easily, and applies that technology directly from the blade to the windshield. Visit RainX.com to find the right blade for your vehicle. All you need to do is enter your year, make and model. It's that simple.Regularly cleaning and maintaining your vehicle helps it work better, last longer, look great — and makes it a lot more enjoyable to drive.Remove winter buildup from your vehicleWash your vehicle's exterior to remove winter's grime and salt, including the undercarriage, to help prevent rust and corrosion. After hosing down your vehicle, thoroughly clean it with a Rain-X Spot-Free Car Wash designed to protect waxed surfaces as it cleans. Use a clean wash mitt, sponge or 100% cotton cloth. Then rinse with clear water and dry with a chamois or 100% cotton cloth.How to clean your vehicle's interior (and prevent future messes)You'll achieve a satisfying spring cleaning with these steps. First vacuum debris out of the interior. Next, wipe down all non-fabric surfaces, including display screens, with a multi-surface, non-greasy All-Interior Cleaner, Protectant and Repellent designed for hard interior surfaces of vehicles that prevents future messes.Remove dirt and stains from your vehicle's carpet and upholstery with a specialized Rain-X Upholstery Cleaner & Repellent that also repels liquids and spills to make it easier to clean in the future.Products that simultaneously clean and repel not only tackle today's mess but also help prevent the next one, so your interior stays cleaner longer with less effort.Effectively clean and shine tiresYour car or truck's tires bear the brunt of winter's dirt and salt, and need more TLC. To give them the best care possible, use products developed specifically to clean and protect tires from Black Magic.Here's a three-step process that offers the maximum impact for the appearance and condition of your tires:Use a Bleche-Wite Tire Cleaner on both white-wall and black-wall tires to dissolve brake dust, grease, grime and road film.Use a No Scrub, All Wheel Cleaner to dissolve brake dust, dirt and road grime quickly and easily, improving the appearance of all types of wheels without hazing or discoloration.Tire Wet Foam cleans, shines and protects: Simply spray and walk away! The specially formulated thick foam clings to tires to dissolve and release dirt, road grime and mud.Prefer a one-and-done tire foam solution? Just use new Black Magic® Pro All-In-One Tire Wet Foam, a high-foaming aerosol cleaner designed to clean, shine and protect your tires all at once. Its powerful formula lifts away road grime, grease and dirt while leaving behind a streak-free, ultra-gloss shine, no scrubbing needed. Built-in UV protection helps guard against fading and cracking, keeping your tires looking newer for longer.By doing spring maintenance, cleaning and protecting your vehicle inside and out, you'll be able to enjoy everything from the daily commute to road trips all season long, knowing your car or truck runs great and looks as good as it feels.Find everything you need to clean and protect your vehicle at RainX.com and BlackMagicShine.com.
	Everyday People: Young entrepreneur finds purpose in hard work He mowed lawns as a kid. Now the 19-year-old Sherrard graduate is building a pressure washing business while training to become a firefighter.
	Inside the effort to save one of America's most imperiled salamanders When a species is facing extinction, it takes an enormous human effort to stave it off. Case in point: the painstaking campaign to save the frosted flatwoods salamander.
	The Sauk Trail This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.In patches of virgin Illinois woods near Rock Island, one can still find remnants of the Sauk Indian Trail at least two…
	The movie 'Pressure' leans into the drama of high-stakes weather forecasts The new movie tells a story about how good meteorology can literally win wars. It also takes us back in time, to when the United States was at a disadvantage when it came to weather science.
	Movies and TV shows casting across the US Media_Photos // Shutterstock Movies and TV shows casting across the US The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey.Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a list of projects casting right now across the U.S., and which roles they're looking to fill. Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock 'Uncanny Valley High' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Sarah (lead, female, 14-25)- Roles pay up to: $3,000- Casting locations: Worldwide- Learn more about the feature film here Media_Photos // Shutterstock 'Minivan' - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- College Students (lead, 18-29)- Roles pay up to: $187- Casting locations: Brooklyn, NY; New York, NY; Purchase, NY; Rye, NY; Nyack, NY- Learn more about the scripted show here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock Buffalo, Confidential TV Series - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- Pursuers (background / extra, male, 20-60)--- Pursuers (lead, female, 20-60)--- To portray: Very tall mountain men & woman types. Must be able to work local to NYC. Thx! (lead, female, male, 30-70)- Casting locations: New York, NY- Learn more about the scripted show here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock High-Impact Vertical Drama Series - Project type: vertical series- Roles: --- Lead Female (lead, female, 18-35)--- Lead Male (lead, male, 18-40)- Roles pay up to: $6,400- Casting locations: nationwide- Learn more about the vertical series here Media_Photos // Shutterstock Netflix's 'AIG' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Political Office Aides/Staffers (background / extra, 25-55)- Roles pay up to: $176- Casting locations: New York City, NY; West Long Branch, NJ; Jersey City, NJ; Newark, NJ; Brooklyn, NY- Learn more about the feature film here Tikkyshop // Shutterstock Major Comedy Sequel - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Upscale Event Guests (background / extra, 40+)- Roles pay up to: $448- Casting locations: Los Angeles, CA- Learn more about the feature film here Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock 'Lights Out: Who's Out' Vertical Thriller Series - Project type: vertical series- Roles: --- Richard (lead, male, 40-50)--- Mia (lead, female, 25-30)--- Liam (lead, male, 25-30)- Roles pay up to: $4,800- Casting locations: Worldwide- Learn more about the vertical series here KinoMasterskaya // Shutterstock 'Take Me to Ithaca' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Ford Young (lead, male, 45-60)--- Wild Bob (supporting, male, 50-65)--- Charlie (supporting, male, 50-65)- Roles pay up to: $4,200- Casting locations: nationwide- Learn more about the feature film here Dpongvit // Shutterstock 'The Storm' Working Title - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Stephanie (lead, female, 25-45)--- Marcos (lead, male, 25-45)--- Esperanza (supporting, female, 50-70)- Roles pay up to: $2,500- Casting locations: nationwide- Learn more about the feature film here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock New Cable Dating Show - Project type: reality TV- Roles: --- Dater (lead, all genders, 25-40)- Roles pay up to: $200- Casting locations: New York City, NY; Stamford, CT; Hoboken, NJ; Queens, NY; Brooklyn, NY- Learn more about the reality TV show here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock 'Pagans,' Role of Alice, Female Lead 12-13 Years Old, Open Ethnicity - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- Alice (lead, female, 10-14)- Casting locations: Worldwide- Learn more about the scripted show here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock 'Bullies Anonymous' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Chief Ellen (lead, female, 45-60)--- Principal Moore (supporting, male, 45-60)--- Riffin (lead, male, 18-28)- Roles pay up to: $3,028- Casting locations: New Paltz, NY- Learn more about the feature film here muratart // Shutterstock 'Out The Kitchen' - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- Experienced former Military/Cops- Tent. work May 29 & June 1 (SAG-AFTRA Covered) (background / extra, 25-55)- Roles pay up to: $234- Casting locations: New York City, NY- Learn more about the scripted show here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock 'Astrological' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Priscilla - Pisces (supporting, female, 29)--- Rafael (supporting, male, 33-45)--- Sophie - Scorpio (supporting, female, 27-29)- Roles pay up to: $1,308- Casting locations: New York City, NY- Learn more about the feature film here guruXOX // Shutterstock 'The Gilded Age,' Season 4 - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- 1880s National Guardsmen (SAG-AFTRA COVERED) (background / extra, male, 18-49)--- 1880s Parade Goers (NON-SAG-AFTRA COVERED) (background / extra, male, 18-65)--- 1880s Dignitary (NON-SAG-AFTRA COVERED) (background / extra, male, 40-70)- Roles pay up to: $234- Casting locations: New York City, NY; Manhattan, NY; Queens, NY; Brooklyn, NY; Jersey City, NJ- Learn more about the scripted show here This story was produced by Backstage and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Texas general election matchups are finally set. Here's what you need to know The Texas primary runoffs are over and November election matchups are set in major contests, like one for the U.S. Senate, as the results deliver lessons for both parties.
	Clyburn's district stays intact as South Carolina Republicans scrap redistricting The majority-Black district held for 34 years by South Carolina Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn will survive intact, for now, after Republican state lawmakers rejected a plan to redraw congressional maps.
	Dana White says it's an 'honor' to build a fight arena on the White House lawn NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Dana White, president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, about his plans to build a fighting arena on the White House lawn.
	Toyota initiates recall for nearly 50K trucks Officials say the recall was launched because debris from the manufacturing process may contaminate the engine and cause a main bearing to fail.
	NASA lays out moon base plans with landers, buggies and drones at the top of the list The space agency outlined the first phase of its moon base plans on Tuesday, awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to four U.S. companies.
	8 of 10 most common jobs pay below average: Federal data The 10 largest occupations in the U.S. account for more than 30 million workers.
	Biden sues DOJ to stop release of audio and transcripts tied to special counsel probe Joe Biden sued the Justice Department to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of the former president's interview with a ghostwriter that were obtained by the special counsel.
	Trump gathers Cabinet as he looks to seal deal to end war President Trump will meet with his Cabinet on Wednesday at a precarious moment for talks aimed at ending the war with Iran. The emerging deal has already exposed the president to fierce criticism.

Wednesday, May 27th, 2026