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

Monday, May 4th, 2026
	Iowa Legislature wraps up 2026 session: Property tax reform, abortion drug restrictions, vape tax The Iowa Legislature worked past its April 21 deadline as Republican leaders tried to nail down a property tax plan. We recap the latest big topics from Des Moines.
	What’s in the House farm bill—and what didn’t make the cut The U.S. is one step closer to a farm bill after several years of extensions and no new legislation.
	See the looks from the 2026 Met Gala red carpet Extravagantly dressed celebrities and designers made their way up the famous Met staircase Monday evening. The fundraiser is one of the fashion industry's biggest nights.
	Bettendorf asking for input on Kiwanis Park A community input event will be held on Thursday, May 14 for residents to share their thoughts on the type of playground they'd like to see.
	Vape vending machines set to be prohibited in East Moline East Moline is updating its tobacco ordinance, a move that could affect the sale of vapes and other nicotine products in the city. T The City of East Moline is set to update current language in its city code as it pertains to tobacco sales in vending machines in public places. Previously, it was only [...]
	New affordable concrete homes under construction in Muscatine Six energy-efficient, concrete homes are being built in Muscatine. Learn about the pricing and how to apply for this unique affordable housing program.
	Why Iowa lawmakers worked nearly 34 hours straight Iowa Republican legislative leaders made the decision to keep lawmakers working all weekend to get final compromises on major decisions.
	Rock Island Arsenal to conduct full-scale emergency exercise The Rock Island Arsenal will conduct a full-scale emergency exercise on Wednesday, May 6, simulating a tornado strike on the island.
	16 Quad Cities seniors awarded $3k scholarship Graduating seniors at Davenport Central were awarded the inaugural John Parker Whitaker Arts Scholarship.
	Illinois politics latest: SAFE-T Act reform push, proposed redistricting rules, session ends soon Lawmakers still have a few more weeks before the legislative session ends. We recap the biggest topics from Springfield.
	The Waiting Child: Music lover Mason waits for a Big Brothers Big Sisters ‘Big’ More than 200 kids in the area are on the waiting list for a ‘Big.’ Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley needs volunteers to spend time with them. In this week’s The Waiting Child, Our Quad Cities News' Eric Olsen introduces us to Mason, who loves music and museums. Mason shares what he's [...]
	Severe Thunderstorm Warning from MON 5:08 PM CDT until MON 5:45 PM CDT Severe Thunderstorms with Damaging Winds Expected Until 5:45 PM CDT
	Negotiations resume on new Arconic contract impacting 1,800 employees at Davenport Works The contract covers approximately 3,400 workers across four cities. The current four-year contract expires on Saturday, May 16.
	Arconic Eagle Cam eaglets have been named Officials said they received more than 175 name submissions. Find out which won!
	Special Weather Statement until MON 5:30 PM CDT Strong Thunderstorms Bringing Gusty Winds This Afternoon
	Negotiations resume on new Arconic contract impacting 1,800 employees at Davenport Works The contract covers approximately 3,400 workers across four cities. The current four-year contract expires on Saturday, May 16.
	Vice President JD Vance to visit Iowa manufacturing facility Tuesday The vice president will visit Ex-Guard Industries with Republican Rep. Zach Nunn and deliver remarks.
	Don't Let the Dior Hit You on the Way Out: “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “Hokum,” “Deep Water,” and “Animal Farm” Meryl Streep as imperious fashion editor Miranda Priestly, Anne Hathaway as plucky journalist-turned-personal-assistant Andy Sachs, Stanley Tucci as acerbic Runway mainstay Nigel Kipling, Emily Blunt as snippy ladder-climber Emily Charlton … . Who wouldn't want to watch these people, as these people, one more time?
	Why U.S. troops are stationed in Germany, and what happens if some leave NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Jeff Rathke, president of the American-German Institute, about U.S. troops stationed in Germany, and what happens if President Trump moves some of them elsewhere.
	Rising fuel prices impact River Bend Food Bank As fuel prices continue to skyrocket, the impact is felt in unexpected places. Area food banks are among those feeling the effects of higher prices. Chris Ford, president and CEO of River Bend Food Bank, spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to share how the food bank is impacted. “River Bend Food Bank [...]
	Severe Thunderstorm Warning from MON 3:33 PM CDT until MON 4:00 PM CDT Severe Thunderstorms with Strong Winds Impacting East Central Iowa This Afternoon
	Muscatine group hosting several events for Mental Health Awareness Month "Make It Ok; Muscatine" has rolled out a series of community events to highlight the month's significance.
	Modi's party takes control of India's West Bengal in key state election The outcome is expected to strengthen Modi's political position midway through his third term.
	Augustana hires students to help students overcome mental health struggles Augustana College has launched Peer Recovery Support, a new student-led mental health program that expands access to care while preparing students for careers in the growing mental health workforce.
	Time is running out as the Bills home since 1973 gets closer to a methodical demolition Power was officially turned off to the current Highmark Stadium on Friday. It is considered the start of the stadium’s mass demolition and is a significant milestone for the project as the new stadium nears completion.
	Ben Uker named new Bettendorf wrestling coach Bettendorf Community School District has a new head coach for its wrestling program. Ben Uker has been hired as the new head coach of the Bettendorf wrestling program, pending school board approval. Coach Uker brings an extensive background of competitive success, high-level coaching experience and a commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the mat. Uker was [...]
	REVIEW: Fiddler on the Roof at Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse Oy, “miracle of miracles” the QCA has another chance, in less than 2 years, to take in one of theatre’s most beloved musicals: Fiddler on the Roof which is now playing at Circa 21 Dinner Theatre in Rock Island and directed by Georgette Kleier, who is making her debut at Circa. I certainly hope it won’t be her last visit.
	Did you hear it? Huge boom in Moline a mystery Quad-Citians reported hearing a loud boom and seeing a flash of light over Moline early Sunday morning.
	Animal Rescue League of Iowa prepares to take in beagles saved from Ridglan Farms Ridglan Farms gave up its license to avoid potential felony animal mistreatment charges.
	Wanted: Man didn’t return from Davenport work release Law enforcement is looking for Alex Ethan Wright after they say he failed to return to the Davenport Work Release/OWI Center Saturday.
	Davenport West High School on lockdown for about 20 minutes on Monday Davenport West High School went on a 20-minute lockdown after calls about potential violence toward the school.
	Burlington's Jefferson Street Farmers Market returns May 7 The Jefferson Street Farmers Market returns to downtown Burlington for the 2026 season, beginning Thursday, May 7. The market will be held weekly on Thursdays during the summer from 4:30- 7 p.m. along Jefferson Street. The market is hosted by Downtown Partners, Inc. and draws an average of 2,000 visitors each week . The market [...]
	A United jet struck a light pole and a truck near Newark airport, police say New Jersey State Police say a United Airlines passenger jet struck a light pole and damaged a truck as it was coming in for a landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday.
	Burlington's Crapo Park vandalized; crews work to repair damage Crews are repairing damage at Crapo Park after vandalism. Officials say a vehicle was involved and are asking for information.
	Americans’ views on crime often diverge from actual crime trends, report says Portland police officers stand behind police tape outside an apartment building in eastern Portland, Ore. Americans’ perceptions of crime often diverge from actual crime trends and are influenced by factors, such as personal experiences and economic conditions, according to a new report from the Council on Criminal Justice. (Photo by Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Americans’ views on crime often don’t match reality — and a new report suggests those perceptions are shaped as much by personal experiences and economic conditions as by crime itself. The analysis, released by the nonprofit think tank Council on Criminal Justice, draws on decades of Gallup survey data to examine how people perceive crime and what drives those beliefs. The report’s authors found that, since the 1960s, public perceptions of crime have frequently diverged from actual crime trends. Even during periods when crime declined, most Americans continued to believe it was rising. From 2005 to 2024, about 69% of survey respondents on average said crime was higher than the year before, despite overall crime rates falling in most of those years, according to the report. New federal data reinforces nationwide drop in crime since pandemic peak Fear of crime has remained relatively stable over time. In 2024, 35% of Americans said they were afraid to walk alone at night — the same share as in 1968. The researchers found that public concern tends to track major shifts in homicide rates more closely than broader crime trends. But overall, people’s views about crime and their fear of it have not matched shifts in crime rates for most years, according to the report. Instead, the analysis points to other factors that shape how Americans think about public safety. Household victimization — whether someone in the home has been a victim of a crime — was one of the strongest predictors of both fear and the belief that crime is increasing. Property crimes, such as theft, and people’s own experiences with crime were more closely tied to concerns about the issue than actual violent crime rates. Economic sentiment also played a role. People who said it was a good time to find a job or expected to spend the same or more on holiday shopping were less likely to say crime was rising and less likely to report fear of walking alone at night, according to the report. Political views showed a more limited effect. While people with more conservative ideologies were somewhat more likely to perceive crime as increasing, political party affiliation itself was not a significant factor after accounting for economic conditions and other variables. Higher presidential and congressional approval ratings were associated with a greater likelihood that respondents said crime was staying the same or declining, according to the report. Local conditions, meanwhile, were more closely linked to personal fears than to perceptions of crime overall. The researchers found that neighborhood factors, such as poverty and youth population, were associated with whether people said they were afraid, but did not generally influence whether they believed crime was rising locally or nationally. Stateline reporter Amanda Watford can be reached at awatford@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Stateline
	John Deere Classic adds trio of American players to 2026 lineup Three American golfers have joined the John Deere Classic lineup.
	Colona man accused of punching, seriously injuring person A Colona man is charged after police said he punched someone and knocked them out, causing serious injuries.
	US Supreme Court issues temporary stay preserving nationwide abortion drug access Mifepristone is one of two drugs that can be used before 10 weeks to terminate a pregnancy and to treat miscarriages.(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)The U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary stay on an appeals court ruling from Friday that was blocking remote access to an abortion drug, restoring access until at least May 11. The administrative stay, issued by Justice Samuel Alito, pauses Friday’s decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. That ruling blocked a 2023 rule adopted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowing mifepristone, one of two drugs used to terminate a pregnancy before 10 weeks and to treat miscarriages, to be prescribed without an in-person visit with a health care provider and also allowed it to be mailed to recipients in states with abortion bans. “The administrative stay is temporary, and I am confident life and law will win in the end,” said Louisiana Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill in a statement. Thirteen states have near-total abortion bans, including Louisiana. Murrill sued the FDA in October, saying the rule undermines the state’s laws and causes financial harm because the state paid $92,000 in Medicaid bills for two women who needed emergency care in 2025 from complications related to mifepristone. In the years since the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing states to regulate abortion access, telehealth prescriptions of abortion medication have become increasingly popular, with more than 27% of all abortions provided that way in 2025, according to data from the Society of Family Planning. “While this is a positive short-term development, no one can rest easy when our ability to get this safe, effective medication for abortion and miscarriage care still hangs in the balance,” said Julia Kaye, senior staff attorney for the Reproductive Freedom Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, in a statement. “The Supreme Court needs to put an end to this baseless attack on our reproductive freedom, once and for all.” The case could follow a similar pattern to one that played out in 2023, after U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of Texas issued a ruling that would have revoked access to the abortion drug mifepristone altogether. The U.S. Supreme Court intervened shortly after that ruling and kept mifepristone available while the case proceeded in the 5th Circuit appeals court, which eventually decided that more restrictions were warranted, but not pulling the drug’s approval. The Supreme Court officially took the case several months later, and unanimously ruled in June 2024 that the plaintiffs suing the FDA did not have standing, keeping access to mifepristone intact. Responses from the attorneys in the latest case are expected to be filed with the Supreme Court by Thursday, according to Alito’s order. Stateline reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris can be reached at kmoseley@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Stateline
	1 dead after stabbing in dispute between third-party contractors at Busch Stadium, police say One man died Monday after a stabbing at Busch Stadium following what police said was a dispute between two third-party contractors.
	Davenport Mayor Jason Gordon to give his first State of the City next month Newly elected Davenport Mayor Jason Gordon will give his first State of the City speech June 11.
	Davenport hosting State of the City address June 11 Davenport Mayor Jason Gordon will deliver his first State of the City address on Thursday, June 11during a breakfast event at the Putnam Museum and Science Center, 1717 W. 12th Street. Mayor Gordon will share his vision for the city and key initiatives while highlighting the past year’s accomplishments. Doors open at 8 a.m. and [...]
	Work on rail crossing in Milan to begin Work on the rail crossing at Big Island Road will begin on May 11, the Illinois Department of Transportation said.
	Learn about history at Bishop Hill's Civil War Days The Bishop Hill Heritage Association is marking the nation’s 250th birthday by hosting activities that show aspects of early U.S. history, including the 2026 Bishop Hill Civil War Day on Saturday, May 16. There will be Union and Confederate encampments in the village park and programs taking place throughout the day. The civilian encampment and [...]
	Federal courts clash over state law displacing Orleans clerk of court Calvin Duncan is sworn in as Clerk of Criminal Court at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Christiana Botic/Verite News and Catchlight Local/Report for America)Just hours after a federal judge halted a new state law to eliminate the Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court’s office, an appellate court will allow the measure to take effect. Caught in the court chaos is Calvin Duncan, who officially began work Monday. The former “jailhouse lawyer” who was wrongfully imprisoned for 28 years, was elected court clerk in November with 68% support against incumbent Darren Lombard. Duncan showed up for work Monday morning at the Orleans Criminal District Courthouse, the Associated Press reported. But for the time being, an administrative stay from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals leaves him without a job. Duncan, a Black Democrat, sued Republican Gov. Jeff Landry after he signed a law Thursday to eliminate the clerk’s post, effective overnight Sunday. In his place, Orleans Civil Court Clerk Chelsea Napoleon Richard would take over criminal court responsibilities. Orleans is the only jurisdiction in the state with two separate courts. State lawmakers have also advanced a separate proposal to reduce the number of judges in Orleans. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles issued a temporary restraining order Sunday to stop the law from eliminating the clerk’s role. He wrote that the new state law “violated [Duncan’s] federally protected constitutional rights to due process and to vote.” In a social media post Monday morning, the governor said the order from deGravelles, a federal court appointee of former President Barack Obama, “accomplishes nothing of substance.” After the 5th Circuit’s stay was issued, Landry said in a separate post the judge only managed to “create chaos and confusion.” New Orleans officials held a swearing-in ceremony April 21 for Duncan as legislation to eliminate his job advanced at the State Capitol. May 4 marks his first official day in office. The ACLU of Louisiana is among the organizations and lawyers representing Duncan in the case. “The Louisiana Legislature attempted something this country has seen before: the targeted dismantling of Black political power through the machinery of law. The court saw it for what it was.” Alanah Odoms, ACLU of Louisiana executive director, said in a statement. Duncan’s attorneys have vowed to continue their fight. This is a developing story. Courtesy of Louisiana Illuminator
	For Black Louisiana, justice is not colorblind — just blind, period Protesters hold a coffin for "Democracy" as they march down Tulane Avenue in New Orleans on Monday, May, 4, 2026, in opposition to Gov. Jeff Landry's order to suspend U.S. House elections in Louisiana and eliminate the clerk of criminal court's position. (Photo by Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator) In 1773, a group of Boston colonists dressed as Mohawks dumped 342 chests of British tea into the harbor. They were not protesting the tax itself so much as the principle behind it: to be taxed by Parliament where they had no real representation was, in their telling, a form of political bondage they described without irony as slavery. They wrote a declaration about that principle three years later. They went to war over it. They built a republic on the proposition that a free people cannot be governed without their consent. On April 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court of that same republic ruled in Louisiana v. Callais that the congressional districts Louisiana drew to give Black voters a meaningful opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice was unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. In a 6-3 decision authored by Justice Samuel Alito, the court struck down the state’s second majority-Black congressional district and, in the process, hollowed out the core remedial promise of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act: to insist on the very principle the founders fought a war over is, when Black people insist on it, treated as a constitutional offense. Read that twice. Then read it once more. Black Louisianans are roughly one-third of this state’s population, yet the Supreme Court has made clear that even a district designed to reflect that reality is suspect if Black political representation is too visible. Black families in Louisiana have helped build the roads, levees, courthouses, ports, schools and public institutions that make this state function. They have paid the tax of citizenship in cash and in blood for generations. And now the Supreme Court tells us that the principle which built this country does not fully extend to us. The same court that has spent years insisting it is color-blind has decided that when Black voters seek representation rooted in our communities, our geography and our lived experience, the constitutional violation is ours. The remedy becomes the harm. The franchise becomes the gerrymander. The wronged party, somehow, is the structure of inequality itself. Justice Elena Kagan, dissenting, called the ruling what it is: a decision that renders Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act “all but a dead letter.” The doctrinal framework that has anchored federal vote-dilution enforcement since Thornburg v. Gingles in 1986 has not been formally overruled, but it has been weakened from the inside. The statute still sits on the page. Much of the remedy is gone. What this means in Louisiana is immediate. The 6th Congressional District that elected Cleo Fields in 2024 — a 250-mile arc from Shreveport through Alexandria and Lafayette into north Baton Rouge — is gone. Gov. Jeff Landry declared an emergency Thursday and suspended Louisiana’s May 16 congressional primary to give lawmakers time to redraw the state’s congressional districts. Mail and overseas ballots had already gone out, and early in-person voting was about to begin. Voters who had already cast ballots were told their votes in the congressional races would not count. Multiple lawsuits were filed in state and federal court within roughly 36 hours challenging the suspension. What this means regionally is even larger. NPR’s reporting identified at least 15 majority-Black or near-majority-Black congressional districts, from Louisiana through the Carolinas, that are now vulnerable under the logic of Callais. Advocacy groups have projected that as many as one in three seats in the Congressional Black Caucus could be placed in jeopardy in a single redistricting cycle if the most aggressive redraw scenarios materialize. NPR also noted that the post-Civil War record drop in Black U.S. House representation was four seats at the end of Reconstruction. Callais could approach or exceed that mark. What this means morally is what every Black Louisianan already knows. Justice in this country is not colorblind. It is blind, period. Blind to the lived weight of being Black in this state. Blind to the patterned harm its rulings keep producing. Blind to its own foundational hypocrisy. Black folk in this country have been given empty promises since slavery, through sharecropping, through tenant farming, through every century when this state’s economy ran on Black backs and this state’s law ran around Black bodies. Black Americans have shed blood on battlefields from the Revolutionary War era forward while still being forced to fight, at home, for the most basic democratic recognition. We have done the work. And the questions being asked in 2026 are the same questions colonists asked in 1773: Have we not contributed to this country enough? Have we not shed enough blood? Were our ancestors not enslaved enough? What will it take for us to be seen, to be heard, to be respected? The Supreme Court has given its answer. Not yet. Perhaps never. But the court is not the country. The country is the people, and the people of Louisiana — Black, white, Brown, Native, and newcomer alike — have a choice to make in the weeks ahead about which American era they want to live in: the 1776 of the founders, who called blind representation tyranny; 1898, when leaders of Louisiana’s constitutional convention openly sought to “perpetuate the supremacy of the Anglo-Saxon race in Louisiana”; or the 2026 of Justice Samuel Alito, who has somehow reconciled the two. The Voting Rights Act of 1965, considered the crown jewel of the Civil Rights Movement, has been pried loose. The pattern is visible. And Black Louisiana — taxed, bled and built into the foundation of this state — is not going anywhere. Courtesy of Louisiana Illuminator
	Supreme Court gives abortion pill mifepristone a 1-week reprieve from a major change The Supreme Court says rules that allow patients to get the abortion pill mifepristone through the mail can stay the same for at least a week.
	The UAE says Iran resumes attacks as the U.S. moves to reopen the Strait of Hormuz The U.S. military said it helped two merchant ships transit the Strait of Hormuz, and the United Arab Emirates said it was fending off Iranian missiles and drones.
	Davenport mayor to deliver state of the city address The event is open to the public but registration is required.
	Davenport theater disturbance ends in juvenile charges after fights break out Authorities say a group of juveniles arguing and fighting at a Davenport movie theater Saturday night led to multiple charges after deputies responded.
	Tapestry Farms has new products for Mother's Day Tapestry Farms has a collection of products that is sure to bring smiles on Mother’s Day. The new products, handmade Dubai chocolate and flower arrangements, were created by refugee neighbors who are building new lives in the Quad Cities. Tapestry Farms makes its Dubai chocolate in small batches using a traditional recipe. Each piece features [...]
	From search results to trip planning: How AI is reshaping hospitality discovery From search results to trip planning: How AI is reshaping hospitality discoveryNot long ago, planning a vacation followed a predictable sequence: Open a search engine, type in “hotels in Charleston” or “best resorts in Cabo,” and sift through dozens of results, review aggregators, and booking sites until something clicked. The research was exhausting, and according to OAG’s “Travel 2045” report, it has become staggeringly so: In 2024, travelers visited an average of 141 webpages before completing a booking, up from 38 in 2013. In the U.S., that number spiked to 277 pages per trip.That burden is now being rapidly outsourced to AI, and the numbers confirm just how fast. Traffic to U.S. travel, leisure, and hospitality websites from generative AI sources increased by 1,700% between July 2024 and February 2025. And on the consumer side, nearly one-third of U.S. travelers use AI tools to plan or experience trips.Intero Digital breaks down what this means for hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, and destination marketers.Is AI Really Changing How Travelers Search for Hotels?Traditional travel search was built on keywords. A traveler’s intent got compressed into a short phrase, and search engines returned a ranked list of links. Discovery was linear: search → click → read → compare → book. Travel brands competed for a position in that list by optimizing title tags and bidding on Google Ads.That model is starting to lose ground. Search engines, once dominant, dropped from 51% of travel research behavior in late 2024 to 36% by the second half of 2025, while generative AI platforms increased from 6% to 15% of traveler research activity in the same period.What’s replacing keyword search is conversational exploration. Travelers are increasingly turning to ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and other assistants to have a back-and-forth dialogue about where they want to go, what kind of experience they want, and what fits their budget and timeline. Instead of 10 blue links, they get a curated synthesis. Instead of scanning review snippets, they receive tailored recommendations with contextual rationale. For frequent AI users (those using generative AI tools at least weekly), generative AI has already become the top channel for travel discovery, surpassing both online travel agencies (OTAs) and social media. So if you’re lacking AI search visibility, you’re missing out.How Does AI Interpret What Travelers Actually Want?AI search tools are remarkably good at interpreting nuanced, natural-language queries. When a traveler types, “Romantic weekend getaway within three hours of Atlanta that isn’t too touristy,” an AI assistant goes beyond matching keywords to infer the full intent: proximity, atmosphere, authenticity, and occasion.This means long-tail intent is now discoverable in ways it never was through traditional SEO. A boutique inn that might never rank on Page 1 for “Georgia hotels” might be perfectly positioned to appear in an AI response for “cozy mountain cabin retreats in North Georgia under $300.”The data backs up just how richly travelers are using AI across the planning journey. Among travelers who have used AI for trip planning, the top use cases include researching specific destinations (60%), finding and booking flights (51%), booking hotels or vacation rentals (46%), getting initial destination ideas and inspiration (46%), and discovering local experiences and activities (42%). This isn’t single-task behavior; it’s end-to-end trip building conducted through conversation.Are AI-Referred Visitors More Valuable Than Traditional Search Traffic?Here’s what makes the AI shift particularly important for hospitality marketers: The travelers arriving from AI sources aren’t casual browsers. Consumers who arrive at travel sites from generative AI sources show 36% longer visits, 7% more pages per visit, and a 44% lower bounce rate compared to non-AI traffic sources.These are high-intent visitors who have already done significant research before ever clicking through to a property website. The implication is significant: When AI sends a traveler to your site, they often already have a favorable impression, and the job shifts from capturing attention to converting intent.That said, the conversion picture is still evolving. In February 2025, traffic from generative AI sources was 9% less likely to convert than non-AI sources, though that gap has narrowed considerably from 43% in July 2024, suggesting travelers are becoming more comfortable completing bookings directly after an AI-powered interaction.What Is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and Why Does It Matter for Hotels?The hospitality marketing community is grappling with a concept that is quickly moving from buzzword to strategic necessity: generative engine optimization, or GEO. Unlike traditional SEO, which emphasizes ranking in a list of links, GEO is about being included (and described favorably) in AI-generated responses.For travel brands, this is harder than it sounds. Inventory is scattered across OTAs, brand sites, and metasearch platforms. Structured product feeds for hotels, flights, and experiences are rare. And unlike retail, there’s no standard “book now” schema for travel, meaning AI can struggle to surface offers as easily as it does for categories like electronics or apparel.That challenge makes an intentional GEO strategy all the more important. For hospitality brands, this requires some specific approaches:Structured, AI-Readable ContentAI models draw heavily on well-organized, factual content. Properties need to ensure their websites, press materials, and listing descriptions use clear, precise language that communicates specific attributes. Think amenities lists with detailed descriptions, location context (distance to airport, proximity to attractions, etc.), target traveler profiles, and unique selling propositions that go beyond generic language like “luxurious accommodations.” Brands that publish content in conversational, question-driven formats, anticipating and answering the questions travelers ask AI assistants, will be the ones that connect the most meaningfully with this audience.Authority Signals Across the WebWhen AI models generate responses about a destination or property type, they rely on sources they perceive as authoritative: established travel publications, reputable review aggregators, local tourism board content, and brand-owned content with strong engagement signals. Being mentioned in authoritative travel content, such as Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, or regional travel blogs with high domain authority, increases the likelihood of appearing in AI-generated recommendations. For smaller and independent properties, this reinforces the value of a robust earned media strategy, not just paid distribution.Local SEO as a FoundationAI assistants anchor travel recommendations in local context. A traveler asking, “Where should I stay in Savannah?” receives recommendations informed by location data, proximity to landmarks, and local reviews. A well-optimized local presence, including accurate business information, a rich Google Business Profile, local citations, and geospecific content on the property website, feeds directly into how AI interprets and surfaces a property.Will AI Disrupt the Relationship Between Hotels and OTAs?For years, online travel agencies held significant leverage over hospitality brands. They owned the discovery layer, charged hefty commissions, and conditioned travelers to start their search on aggregator platforms. AI may fundamentally alter this dynamic.The debate is already live: Will autonomous AI agents favor OTAs or suppliers? On one side, OTAs have decades of distribution know-how and data pipelines that AI agents can easily tap. On the other, AI agents can crawl or call suppliers directly and bypass intermediaries entirely, particularly for simpler trips.When a traveler gets a tailored hotel recommendation from an AI assistant and clicks directly to book, the OTA layer is bypassed altogether. Properties with strong direct booking infrastructure (mobile-optimized websites, fast-loading pages, clear rate parity, easy reservation flows, and compelling direct booking incentives) are better positioned to capture this AI-referred traffic.That said, OTA presence remains important for AI discoverability in the near term because these platforms are heavily indexed and often cited by AI tools as authoritative sources. The smart strategy isn’t abandoning OTAs; it’s building a robust parallel presence that allows direct capture when AI delivers the traveler to your door.What Should Hotels Do Right Now to Stay Visible in AI Search?The shift to AI-mediated discovery is not a future state. It’s happening now. Here’s where to focus your efforts:1. Prioritize Descriptive Specificity Over Generic Language.Audit every listing description, website page, and press release for vague superlatives. For example, you could replace “stunning ocean views” with “panoramic Pacific views from all ocean-facing rooms above the fourth floor.” Specific attributes are what AI tools surface when travelers ask nuanced questions.2. Build a Proactive Reputation Management Practice.AI doesn’t just index reviews; it synthesizes them into a characterization of your property. That narrative should be actively managed: responding to reviews, generating consistent positive guest experiences, and monitoring the themes that emerge across platforms.3. Invest in Content that Answers Travelers’ Questions.Create content, such as blog posts, destination guides, FAQs, and experience-focused content, that addresses the actual questions travelers ask AI assistants, such as “Is this resort good for a honeymoon?” “What’s the best time of year to visit?” and “Is this hotel family-friendly for toddlers?” Content like this increases the surface area of your brand’s AI discoverability.4. Think Beyond Your Property Page.AI draws from news articles, travel blogs, social media sentiment, and local data sources, not just your website. A comprehensive digital PR and local SEO strategy is now inseparable from your AI discoverability strategy.Which Hospitality Brands Will Win in an AI-First Discovery Era?The hospitality industry has always rewarded differentiation. The most successful properties have always been those that could articulate, clearly and compellingly, what makes the experience they offer irreplaceable. AI doesn’t change this fundamental truth. It amplifies it.In an AI-mediated discovery environment, clarity of positioning is a competitive advantage. The boutique hotel that knows exactly who it serves and communicates that consistently across every digital touchpoint will be surfaced more reliably by AI tools than a larger property with a more generic presence. The resort that has built genuine authority in travel media, earned authentic rave reviews, and structured its digital content with precision will see its story reflected faithfully in AI-generated recommendations.Travelers are already searching differently. The question for every hospitality marketer is whether their brand is visible in the places those travelers are now looking and whether the story being told about their property, by AI or otherwise, is how they want to be seen by the world.This story was produced by Intero Digital and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How many tax refunds does it take to buy a home in 2026? How many tax refunds does it take to buy a home in 2026?So far in the 2026 filing season, the average tax refund has reached $3,275, one of the largest annual lump-sum payments many households will see this year.About 72% of filers have received a refund over the past decade, making it a common benchmark for savings and a natural point of comparison for larger financial goals like buying a home.In this study, Neighbors Bank analyzed whether the average tax refund amount can meaningfully help cover the upfront cost of buying a home, and how that number has changed over time. To do that, the study translated upfront homebuying costs into a simple metric: how many average refunds it would take to cover them. Courtesy of Neighbors Bank Key takeawaysBuying a home using tax refunds takes about twice as long as it did in 2009.A 10% down purchase required just over six refunds in 2009 versus more than 12 in 2025.Low down payment options reduce upfront costs, but cash to close is still required.Buying a Home in 2026 Takes Over 12 Years of Tax Refunds to AffordIn 2025, the national average tax refund was $3,167, and the national median home price was $356,484. Based on those figures, the upfront cost of purchasing a median-priced home with a conventional 10% down loan equated to 12.66 average tax refunds.In 2009, that same benchmark was 6.86 refunds, meaning the upfront cost has nearly doubled in refund terms over the period covered by this study.This shift is largely driven by the gap between home prices and refund growth. While refund amounts have increased over time, those gains have been relatively modest and inconsistent. In contrast, the upfront cash required to buy a home has risen much more sharply, reducing how much of that cost a single refund can cover.Tax Refunds Needed to Cover Cash to Close (10% Conventional) Courtesy of Neighbors Bank Note: Average tax refund is taken as the average of all filers who receive refunds, not all Americans.What Impacts a Tax Refund Amount?A tax refund is not extra money from the IRS. In most cases, it reflects taxes that were overpaid during the year and then returned after a return is filed. The amount can change from one year to the next for several reasons:Withholding and estimated payments: If more tax is withheld from paychecks, or if estimated payments are higher than necessary, the refund may be larger. If less is withheld, the refund may be smaller.Tax credits and deductions: Eligibility for credits and deductions can reduce tax liability and change the final refund amount.Life and income changes: Marriage, divorce, a new child, a second job, or a change in earnings can all affect how much a household receives back.Tax law and policy changes: Updates to federal tax policy, such as changes to tax brackets, standard deductions, or credit eligibility, can directly impact how much tax is owed or refunded from year to year.Because these factors vary over time, refund amounts do not move in a straight line. They rise and fall from year to year, which helps explain why the average refund was $3,003 in 2010 and only $2,546 in 2020.Low Down Payment Options Help Shrink the Hurdle, But Don’t Remove It CompletelyNot every buyer puts 10% down. Low- and zero-down-payment programs can reduce the amount of cash needed upfront, making homeownership more accessible for many households.That difference is reflected in the data. In 2025, here’s how many average tax refunds it would take to buy a home across loan types.Tax Refunds Needed to Cover Cash to Close By Loan Type Courtesy of Neighbors Bank Moving from a 10% down conventional loan to a 3% down option cuts the required number of refunds by more than half. Zero-down programs reduce that number even further.However, a lower down payment does not eliminate upfront costs. Buyers still need to cover closing costs and other loan-related expenses, which means cash is still required at closing, even for 0% down payment programs like VA and USDA loans. In refund terms, that remaining upfront cost equates to 3.83 refunds for VA loans and 2.53 refunds for USDA loans in 2025.For many households, that lower threshold may feel more achievable than saving for a 10% or 20% down payment. But it still requires planning.A Savings Account Can Help Speed Things UpFor households able to save across multiple tax seasons, interest can help balances grow over time. One common place to keep a cash-to-close fund is a high-yield savings account (HYSA).HYSAs typically offer higher annual percentage yields than traditional savings accounts, allowing savings to grow while funds remain accessible. These accounts are widely offered by banks and credit unions and are generally federally insured within standard limits, making them a common option for short- to medium-term savings goals like a home purchase.For context, as of March 2026, the FDIC national average savings rate was about 0.39%. While many high-yield savings accounts have recently advertised rates around 4% to 5% APY, these numbers can vary over time.To illustrate, let’s see how saving for cash to close with tax refunds changes when using a HYSA at 4%: Courtesy of Neighbors Bank Earning interest alone can shorten the timeline by more than two years. Adding even a modest monthly contribution can reduce it further.Even so, relying on tax refunds alone can result in a longer savings horizon. Lower down payment options can significantly shorten that timeline. Courtesy of Neighbors Bank The Path ForwardThe numbers show that buying a home today requires more upfront savings than it did in the past. But they also highlight something important: There isn’t just one way to get there.Whether it’s using tax refunds, saving month by month, or exploring lower down payment options, many buyers reach their goal by combining strategies over time. When paired with thoughtful budgeting and smart financial planning, these approaches can help shorten the path.With the right approach, the path to homeownership can be more within reach than it first appears.MethodologyNeighbors Bank compared the average annual tax refund with the estimated upfront cost of buying a median-priced home.Average tax refund: Annual national average refund amounts sourced from IRS filing season statistics. Amounts averaged for all recipients of tax refunds, not all filers.Home prices: National median existing-home prices from Zillow.Average percentage of tax refund recipients: calculated by averaging the number of refund recipients among all filers over the past 10 years.“Cash to close” includes:Down payment (varies by loan type)Loan origination fees (0.75%)Title fees (0.5%)Upfront mortgage insurance or funding fees (where applicable)Specific loan scenarios include:Conventional (10% down): Assumes no private mortgage insurance (PMI)Conventional (20% down): Assumes no private mortgage insurance (PMI)FHA (3.5% down): Includes 1.75% upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP)HomeReady/Home Possible (3% down): Assumes no private mortgage insurance (PMI)VA (0% down): Includes a 2.15% funding fee (standard first-use assumption)USDA (0% down): Includes a 1% upfront guarantee feeGeneral calculation: Total upfront dollars needed per loan product divided by average tax refund dollars per yearAll loan scenarios include estimated closing costs and standard lender fees unless otherwise noted.This story was produced by Neighbors Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The 2026 legislative session is over. Here’s what passed, failed, and what is already Iowa law The Iowa State Capitol as seen May 3, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Kim Reynolds celebrated the approval of many of their priorities for the 2026 legislative session on issues including property taxes, crime and healthcare as lawmakers wrapped up their work for the year. Over the weekend, lawmakers sent a $9.6 billion state budget to the governor’s desk, as well as legislation restricting access to abortion-inducing medication by requiring the drugs to be prescribed in person. One of the largest issues legislators found a compromise on in the final hours of the session was property taxes. Reynolds, Senate Republicans and House Republicans had all released their proposals on how to best address high property tax costs in the state early in session, but struggles to find a consensus on the issue was one of the main reasons lawmakers went into overtime after their goal end date of April 21. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Legislative leaders in both chambers said they were pleased with the property tax legislation sent to the governor’s desk Sunday. Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh said in a statement he was proud of the Senate Republicans’ months of work in crafting legislation that he says will lower property tax costs. “Senate Republicans introduced legislation on the very first day to bring overwhelming property tax relief to Iowa homeowners and modernize Iowa’s property tax system,” Klimesh said. “We made great strides in reining in local government spending, reforming the property tax system, and now Iowa homeowners will see billions in property tax relief over the next several years.” Klimesh also said he was proud of what Senate Republicans passed on a variety of other issues since convening in January. “At the beginning of the legislative session, I laid out a vision for our state,” Klimesh said. “I wanted to spend our days here focused on growth and investment and ways we can show the world that Iowa is the best place to live, the best place to grow your family, and is open for business. My goal was to have conversations about tax reform, affordable energy, infrastructure and how we can help our state thrive. I am proud we have focused on that vision throughout this legislative session. “ House Speaker Pat Grassley told reporters after ending the legislative session he also believed House Republicans accomplished many of their goals for 2026. “When we started session, we laid out a few priorities that I think that we made some tremendous strides on,” Grassley said. “Obviously, property taxes … but also looking at some of our ‘tough on crime’ packages and (making) sure Iowa is a safe place … I think there were a lot of the things that we laid out in the beginning of session that we were able to accomplish while this property tax piece kind of hung over everything else.” One issue that did not make it to the governor’s desk through any legislation was eminent domain, a yearslong priority for House Republicans and top issue for several Senate Republicans. Last year, a group of Senate Republicans had refused to pass budget bills unless an eminent domain bill was debated on the Senate floor. Eminent domain involves forcing unwilling landowners to accept easements on their property for projects deemed in the public interest for payment set by the government. The Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline across Iowa has been the catalyst for much of the debate. This standoff did not occur this year, though the group of GOP senators had continued to state their support for bringing the issue up. Grassley said he understood some Iowa landowners’ frustration with the Legislature for not being able to push forward a bill in 2026. “This is an issue that I really wish we would have been able to make more progress on, but I will only speak on behalf of House Republicans — we’ve tried, probably, I’m guessing, around a half dozen bills to try to find a level of a solution on this issue, to give some certainty to property owners in the state of Iowa. And again, we share your frustration and we’re unable to get something. But that doesn’t mean that that’s something our caucus won’t continue to fight for as we move forward.” Democrats said many of the measures passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature are proposals that will raise costs for Iowans. Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner said in a statement the “harm” caused by Iowa Republicans’ policies will not expand after lawmakers leave the Capitol for the year. She said many of the policies passed this year raised costs for Iowans. Democrats have criticized measures like raising premium taxes for Health Maintenance Organizations as well as the state’s public K-12 education funding package as measures that will lead to higher costs and reduced services across the state. ““Iowans’ healthcare access is shrinking and their premiums are soaring; their monthly budgets are tightening and too many are living paycheck to paycheck; their public schools are unsupported and their childcare costs an arm and a leg,” Weiner said in a statement. “Instead of taking action to provide real, substantial relief on any of the kitchen table issues that truly matter to Iowans, Senate Republicans only made things worse.” Democrats have also routinely criticized Republicans’ budgeting practices this year. The March Revenue Estimating Conference estimated the state expects to bring in roughly $8.5 billion, less than the $9.6 billion appropriated through budget bills this year, with plans to draw from reserves and the Taxpayer Relief Fund to account for this difference. Republicans have repeatedly stated the loss of revenue was expected as a result of income tax cuts approved in previous years. But House Minority Leader Brian Meyer said he believes the spending approved this session shows the state budget is “in serious trouble” as lawmakers appropriate more than $1 billion than the state is taking in through revenue. “That’s kind of scary, because the economy in Iowa and the farm economy especially, is not getting any better, and so we really have to do something to address this problem moving forward, because those reserves will only last two to three more years,” Meyer said. The 2026 session also marks an important milestone for Reynolds, as it is her final legislative session as governor. In a news release Sunday, she celebrated reaching a deal on property taxes, as well as the Legislature’s passage of policy proposals she laid out at the beginning of session, like her “Make America Healthy Again” proposal, legislation on charter schools and on child care assistance. She also celebrated the passage of her water quality package, unveiled Friday, that passed as part of the state’s agriculture and natural resources budget in the final days of session. “Throughout my time in office, the commonsense, conservative policies we’ve enacted will ensure our state remains strong, prosperous, and vibrant for generations to come,” Reynolds said in a statement. “That has been my commitment to Iowans since day one, and I will continue to serve with that same purpose during my final months in office.” In the coming weeks, Reynolds will be tasked with reviewing and deciding whether to approve legislation sent to her by lawmakers this year. The governor has 30 days from the end of session, June 2, to sign bills from the 2026 session into law. With the Legislature adjourned for the year, here’s a rundown of some notable bills that made it to the governor’s desk, bills that have been signed into law and some that did not cross the finish line. Signed by the governor Childcare assistance: Beginning July 1, Iowa’s Child Care Assistance (CCA) program will become permanently available to parents who are child care workers as the governor signed House File 2514 into law. The measure makes the CCA pilot program that has been in place since 2023 permanent, allowing child care workers to access this assistance program regardless of income. CDL English tests: Senate File 2426 requires applicants for Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) to pass an English proficiency test in order to receive their license. The test would be administered through a computer-based exam, which only needs to be passed once, and could be taken multiple times. Truck drivers found to not meet English proficiency standards while operating a commercial vehicle would face a serious misdemeanor charge and civil penalty of $1,000 under the bill, and commercial motor carriers found to employ drivers not proficient in English would be subject to a simple misdemeanor charge and a fine of $10,000 for each violation. The measure would also issue an “out of service” order for companies found in violation of the proposed law, preventing the company from operating within the state. DNR Department bill: House File 2215 allows the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to have offices offsite from the Capitol complex. It also lowers the age a person can hunt with a pistol or revolver without adult accompaniment from 20 to 18, and shifts powers over state preserves to the DNR. Emissions lawsuits: House File 2527 limits lawsuits against farmers for the “alleged actual or potential” impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on the climate. Proponents for the bill said the legislation would help shield farmers from “frivolous” climate lawsuits. Foreign ownership of health care facilities: Senate File 572 bans citizens, businesses and government entities from China, Russia and North Korea from being licensed to own and run health care facilities like hospitals and nursing homes in Iowa. Foster care training: Senate File 2096 makes multiple changes to foster care licensing requirements in the state, including removing current requirements for foster parents to receive 30 hours of training and six hours of additional training annually. Instead, prospective foster parents would have to receive training based on their own “relevant training and experience,” as well as the “circumstances of the child” who would be placed with the prospective parent. Foster parent training under the bill would include an overview of child welfare, biological parent contact and supporting their family of origin, as well as behavior management, the effect of trauma on child development and issues like attachment, grief and loss, and could be administered through approved programs offered by both public or private agencies. Health insurance premium tax increase for HMOs: House File 2739 raises premium taxes on health maintenance organizations, known as HMOs, from the current rate of 0.925% to 3.5% retroactively between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2026. The rate lowers again to 0.95% beginning in October. Health insurance providers offering HMO plans, a type of privately offered Medicaid Advantage plan, said the law will result in higher premiums for Iowans, but Republican lawmakers said the tax hike is needed to cover the Medicaid shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The law also includes a provision moving $89 million from the state’s general fund to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for the state’s Medicaid program to address the shortfall in FY 2026, and transfers almost $350 million from Iowa’s Taxpayer Relief Fund to make up for revenue loss from tax cuts made at the federal level in 2025. Local civil rights codes: Senate File 579, signed by Reynolds March 10, restricts local governments from implementing civil rights protections for groups not listed as protected classes under the state Civil Rights Act. Democrats called the bill an expansion of the 2025 law removing “gender identity” from the state civil rights code, saying it targets the 14 Iowa cities, as well as unincorporated areas of Johnson County, that have enacted local protections on the basis of “gender identity.” Local identification cards: Local governments are also no longer allowed to issue community ID cards under measure signed into law by Reynolds. House File 2296 would specifically impact Johnson County’s community ID program, which lawmakers said is a program that aids law enforcement officers and first responders when a person does not have a driver’s license or nonoperator ID. Counties are still allowed to issue forms of ID like driver’s licenses, nonoperator’s identification cards and identification devices for persons with disabilities under the law, and local governments can still issue employee IDs. Repealing state-mandated programs: House File 2359 would repeal state-mandated higher education programs like the College Bound program, Minority and Women Educators Enhancement Program and others. Reynolds signed the bill April 30. Shellfish: A bill would create an individual category for shellfish in Iowa’s animal feeding operation code. House File 2534 adds shellfish as a separate category to the state definition of animal feeding operations, allowing for the regulation of shellfish producers in the state. Subacute mental health care: House File 2543, passed unanimously through both chambers, aims to improve access to subacute mental health care – in-person, intensive mental health treatment for individuals who are not at high enough risk to need emergency hospitalization. The measure was brought up in response to suggestions made during a January Subacute Mental Health Care Services Interim Study Committee. House lawmakers from both parties, as well as Senate Democrats, said they preferred the version of the bill passed by the House in March, which eliminated a current 10-day limit in state code for receiving subacute mental health care unless HHS gives approval for a longer period of stay. It also would have banned preauthorization requirements for a person to be admitted and receive care for the first 15 days of treatment at subacute mental health care facilities, and restricted when Managed Care Organizations could review the “medical necessity” of this treatment. Senate Republicans significantly changed this proposal, removing the language related to insurers and MCOs, and instead setting new requirements for HHS to respond to insurance authorization requests. Though some lawmakers expressed consternation about the Senate amendment, lawmakers agreed the change would still improve Iowans’ ability to access subacute mental health care. Transmission lines in interstate right-of-ways: Senate File 2214 allows for transmission projects to be built in interstate right-of-ways, requiring the state Department of Transportation to engage in conversation with transmission line operators on potentially using highway and interstate easements. Transmission line land restoration: House File 2227 requires electric transmission line owners to repair tile drains, till impacted soil and reseed cover crops or other ground cover after the initial construction of electric transmission lines in easement areas. Transmission line safety plans: Transmission line operators will also be required to submit independent emergency response plans to the Iowa Utilities Commission under House File 2583. This requirement will ensure other entities involved in Iowa’s electric grid “abide by the same rules and laws as our electric utilities,” Rep. David Young, R-Van Meter, said. Veteran tuition waiver: House File 2491, which saw unanimous support from the House and Senate before being signed by Reynolds, establishes a tuition and fee waiver for veterans with a 100% disability rating from their service as defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. On Reynolds’ desk Agriculture Iowa Farm Act: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig introduced Senate File 2465, a comprehensive agricultural policy before the beginning of session. The proposal included multiple provisions including tax relief measures for farmers, expanding the Choose Iowa program and new support for beginning farmers and ranchers. The House amended the bill in committee to include language related to the state’s grain indemnity program, originally discussed as House File 2596. The program helps pay farmers for sold grain when buyers declare bankruptcy, that made a change to language requiring small grain dealers to undergo audits even if they did not allow for credit-sale contracts that was a part of the 2025 law revamping the program. The language advanced by the Senate and included in the final Iowa Farm Act measure, requires an option for farmers doing credit-sales to have an unqualified audit performed, or provide a financial statement accompanied by the report of a Certified Public Accountant in these circumstances. The amendment was withdrawn on the floor before lawmakers approved the Senate’s version of the bill. Rep. Derek Wulf, R-Hudson, said as the House approved the bill Saturday, that while House lawmakers “didn’t get everything that we wanted for the ag-friendly policy from the Senate negotiations in this bill, I still think it’s a strong positive step forward for Iowa agriculture, for expanding economic opportunities for farmers and also strengthening biosecurity and protections.” Commerce Innovation funds: Senate File 2453 requires the state’s public universities to invest at least 1% of their endowment fund assets in one or more innovation funds established by the state. The institutions would be allowed to decide where and when these contributions are made. The Board of Regents would be able to withhold 0.5% of funds appropriated to a university by the board if they are not compliant with the requirement, though the board would be able to receive a one-year waiver from making these investments. Nuclear energy sales tax exemption: House File 2757 exempts companies working to restart or establish nuclear energy facilities in Iowa from the state’s sales and use tax. The bill requires businesses receiving this tax exemption to contribute to a Nuclear Energy Workforce Fund established within the state Board of Regents, providing funding for nuclear energy workforce programs at the state’s public higher education institutions, in order to qualify. The contribution amount is set at $2,200 “for each megawatt of nameplace capacity the nuclear electric generation facility is approved to produce by the Iowa Utilities Commission” annually for a period of up to four years under the bill. Education Cardiac emergency response: Senate File 2474 would create a pilot competitive grant program in the Iowa Department of Education to aid school districts seeking to establish cardiac emergency response plans, primarily focused on athletic events and physical education. Charter schools and homeschooling: House File 2754 makes several changes to how the state funds charter schools and teachers working at these educational institutions. The measure would shift funding for the state’s Teacher Salary Supplement cost per pupil to go toward the charter school where a student is enrolled – funding that currently goes to the public school district where the student resides. The Legislative Services Agency estimated this would shift roughly $1.3 million to charter schools based on current enrollment figures. The bill also would require public school districts to make athletic and other extracurricular activities available to charter school students who live within their boundaries, and would add charter school teachers to the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System. The measure was amended by the House to include several provisions related to homeschooling that have been discussed in previous sessions. It would remove restrictions on how many unrelated students can be taught at the same time by an independent private instructor, and would remove a ban on charging tuition, fees or other compensation for providing homeschooling services. Democrats said these changes would potentially put students in unsafe situations, as homeschooling options do not have the same safety and accountability measures in place as typical schools. Civics education: House File 2361 and Senate File 2232, both of which would require state universities to include three-credit-hour courses in U.S. history and government designated by civics centers in general education standards, were placed under unfinished business in March and were not been brought up again by either chamber. The measure was revived on the last day of session, however, with inclusion of the measure in House File 2800, the standing appropriations bill. Classroom removal: Senate File 2428 regulates how schools handle disruptive students. School attendance centers would be required to form review committees to determine whether a student who has been removed from a classroom should be returned to it. If the student’s behavior was nonviolent, the committee would have the authority to override a teacher’s consent in returning the student, but consent would be required if the incident that led to their removal was violent. The proposal was also amended to include the creation of a pilot program based on the current Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grant program that would create a separate attendance center at one urban and one rural school district to provide educational services for eligible students with behavioral problems or certain special education needs. The LSA fiscal note estimated the new facility for the pilot would cost $165,000 for the rural district and between $1 million and $4.4 million for the urban district. Course framework: House File 2610 would require the Iowa Department of Education to work with Iowa community colleges and the Iowa Board of Regents to establish “statewide lower division general education framework and common course numbering systems” for community college coursework. Community colleges would also need to replace “traditional, prerequisite remedial coursework” in English and math with “corequisite developmental education,” the bill stated, and require regional career and technical education partnerships to demonstrate that expenses were made for high-demand jobs. The bill passed both chambers unanimously and was sent to the governor’s desk in early March. Student loan information: House File 703 is waiting for a signature from the governor after seeing House passage last year and Senate approval in March. The bill requires ISL Education Lending — Iowa’s student loan liquidity organization — to provide to Iowa College Aid the estimates of the annual percentage rate (APR) of the Federal Direct PLUS loan and the assumptions it used for the estimate. Information would also need to be posted online and in certain cases be sent to students by universities with their financial aid offers. Health care Abortion medication: House File 2563 would limit access to abortion-inducing medications like mifepristone by requiring in-person prescriptions, restricting Iowans’ ability to obtain these medications through telehealth and mail-order prescription options. The House passed the bill May 1, with an amendment clarifying the definition of “abortion” to state medical treatment related to miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies could not be construed as abortion procedures. It was one of the last bills passed by the Senate on May 3. Lawmakers passed the bill while restrictions on mifepristone took effect nationally through a U.S. appeals court decision. Foster, adoptive parents’ beliefs: Senate File 473, first discussed during the 2025 legislative session, prohibits the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services from removing prospective parents from being considered for licensing or qualification to foster or adopt a child based on their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity. The measure states a person’s intent to “guide, instruct, or raise a child in a manner consistent with the person’s sincerely held religious or moral beliefs” cannot be a reason for their preclusion from consideration as a foster or adoptive parent – nor can their decision to not affirm, accept or support policies related to gender and sexual orientation if these policies conflict with their beliefs. Democrats argued the measure will put LGBTQ+ children and those with different religious beliefs in potentially unsafe situations. But supporters of the bill said the measure still allows DHHS to consider a child and their family of origin’s beliefs when deciding where to place a child. Governor’s ‘MAHA’ bill: House File 2676 is the “Make America Healthy Again” proposal from Reynolds earlier this session. It requires the state to continuously request federal waivers to keep current restrictions on eligible food items purchased through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Summer EBT program in place. It also makes ivermectin available over the counter. The House added several provisions to the bill related to health, exercise and nutrition requirements at K-12 schools. The bill limits digital instruction time to an hour each day for K-5 students, and requires elementary school students to receive two hours of physical activity a week, alongside requiring schools to implement the Presidential Fitness Test. Another portion of the bill requires the state Department of Education to apply for a waiver seeking an exemption to certain parts of the Federal Child Nutrition Act of 1966, including an existing limit on sodium and requirements regarding whole grain as well as fruit and vegetable varieties. The DOE would work with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on new guidelines on what constitutes an “nutritionally adequate meal,” prioritizing regional food sources including corn, pork and dairy. HPV vaccine: Senate File 304 strikes a current exemption in Iowa law that allows minors to independently consent to receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the hepatitis B vaccine, without approval from a parent or guardian. While parental consent is required for almost all vaccinations for those under age 18, there’s an exception in Iowa law that allows minors to consent without parental permission to vaccines related to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases or infection. Democrats said the measure may worsen Iowa’s high cancer rates, as HPV vaccines are linked with lower instances of cervical cancer when a person is vaccinated before age 17. Medical conscience: House File 571 would allow medical practitioners and health care organizations to refuse to participate in or pay for a health care service that goes against their “ethical, moral or religious beliefs or principles.” It also requires medical practitioners to inform their employers of objections “based on conscience” when they decide not to provide a service, but opponents warned the bill would not necessarily require a medical provider to inform a patient about the situation. SNAP, WIC changes: House File 2422 implements new eligibility restrictions for public assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), medical assistance programs, the state child care assistance programs and the family investment program, as it relates to citizenship. Iowa HHS would be required to use the federal SAVE database to verify immigration and citizenship status when determining eligibility for these assistance programs. Other changes in the bill, lawmakers said, reflect new federal requirements implemented through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” There are also new requirements to qualify for these public assistance programs in Iowa, including requiring a person to have 12 months of continuous residency in the state, and requiring earned income from all household members to be considered when applying for SNAP. The Senate removed House-approved “work without worry” language that would have increased the income limit from 250% of the federal poverty limit to 300% of the federal poverty limit for Iowans to qualify for the Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities program, which had received bipartisan support. Vape, nicotine product tax: Senate File 2480 creates a new tax on vapes and other nicotine products, like nicotine pouches, with $3 million in revenue from the tax set to go toward pediatric cancer research. The proposal would tax these products at a rate of 5 cents on a per-unit basis. Vape products would be taxed at 5 cents per milliliter of nicotine or a nicotine analog in a solution, and containers of nicotine products containing up to 20 pouches would be taxed 5 cents. A proportionate tax would be added for each unit above 20 within a container. The first $3 million of the funding generated through this new tax would fund pediatric cancer research, clinical therapy trials and provide physician-scientist leadership at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Any additional revenue would go to the Iowa health care trust fund, dedicated to Medicaid funding. This proposal was approved despite some health care and anti-tobacco advocates calling for a higher tax, and other proponents stating they preferred the House proposal, House File 2310, to provide a standing appropriation of either $1 per Iowa resident or $3 million for pediatric cancer research at the UI. Justice and public safety Age verification: House File 864 requires websites and social media platforms to implement “reasonable” age verification steps if one-third or more of the content available is pornographic. The measure, first discussed in 2025, was amended to address some issues regarding privacy and collection of data by online entities in the process of verifying users’ ages. Bail restrictions: Senate File 2399 contains language from one of House Republicans’ “tough on crime” proposals, setting new limits and requirements related to pretrial bonds, while allowing for inflation adjustments for bond scheduling. A judge would need to provide written justification if they set bail lower than the uniform bail schedule, and would need to provide written justification for any pretrial release for people charged for certain crimes, like a forcible felony, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, or possessing or transporting a weapon by a felon. It also bans “promise to appear” releases for individuals facing simple or misdemeanor charges related to violence or drugs. Pretrial releases can still occur for people charged with serious and simple misdemeanors that are not violent or related to drugs or for necessary medical attention. Judicial safety: Senate File 2280, proposed by Attorney General Brenna Bird, makes state lawmakers, judicial officers, the attorney general, deputy attorneys general and assistant attorneys general eligible for a professional permit allowing them to carry firearms anywhere in the state, including on school grounds. It would also raise penalties for threatening a judicial officer or their immediate family members from a misdemeanor to a class C felony. Law student loan repayment: The Justice System appropriations bill, House File 2770, was amended with language from House File 2331 to establish a loan repayment program for certain attorneys practicing in rural areas and providing indigent defense services. ‘Three strikes’ system: House File 2542 — the central component of House Republicans’ “tough on crime” agenda — proposed creating a “three strikes” system for individuals who commit certain crimes. As first passed by the House, certain crimes, like felony charges and misdemeanors involving acts of violence, would be labeled as a full or half “point” under the system. Once a person reaches three total “points,” they would face a minimum 20-year prison sentence. The agreement reached between both chambers is significantly more restricted. In its amended form, the bill states that when a person has committed a third felony, they face a minimum seven years in prison on top of their base sentence. This additional sentence could not be deferred or suspended. Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, said the bill builds on Iowa’s existing habitual offender policy, which currently requires a three-year mandatory minimum for an individual convicted of their third felony. Warrant resolution clinics: House File 2787 moved quickly through the legislative process as lawmakers aimed to end the 2026 session. The bill bans public entities from hosting, sponsoring or providing funding for warrant resolution clinics, defined as a “prearranged, formal or informal, advertised event designed to allow individuals with outstanding arrest warrants to appear and resolve such warrants without being subject to immediate arrest and custodial processing.” It would also subject public employees and officials as well as counties to penalties for violating the proposed law. The measure was brought forward in response to the killing of Ashley Marie Hall earlier in April. Sharneeka Evans, who attended the clinic and had an unrelated, lesser warrant resolved, was charged with first-degree murder in Hall’s shooting death. Labor and the workforce Public union recertification lists: Senate File 472 would make it illegal for public employers to not submit a list of their employees to the Employment Appeal Board (EAB) before a union recertification election. The recertification process is required to take place under the state’s 2017 collective bargaining law that asks workers in a bargaining unit if they want to retain union representation before the next contract period. If an employer does not submit a list, any Iowa resident would have the ability to petition a district court for a writ of mandamus to compel the entity to submit the list, which is required to proceed with the recertification vote. Republicans and supporters of the bill said the measure was necessary because some public employers were allegedly not submitting lists intentionally in order to circumvent the recertification process and negotiate contracts with current union representation. Natural resources Animal torture: House File 2348 creates a Class D felony charge for committing animal torture. The bill states a person commits animal torture if they “intentionally, willfully, and maliciously mutilates, burns, poisons, drowns, starves or causes intensive or prolonged pain or death to a companion animal, or provides anything of value to another person to do the same.” The charge would be raised to a Class C felony if the person had been previously convicted for animal abuse, animal neglect, animal torture, injury to or interference with a police service dog, bestiality or “an act involving a prohibited animal contest.” Hydrogen guardrails: As some companies begin exploring the possibility of extracting geological hydrogen in Iowa, Senate File 2490 proposes creating new regulations, taxes, and compensation standards for natural resource extraction in the state. The measure would establish a 6% severance tax based on the “fair market value of the oil and gas extracted at a wellhead.” Portions of revenue would go to Iowa counties as well as to state funds. It also would establish “pooling” standards that would provide compensation to Iowans who do not enter agreements with drilling companies for hydrogen, oil or gas extracted from beneath their property. At least 25% of landowners on a site must consent to allow the company to drill for hydrogen in a location. The measure generated some pushback from landowners who are also involved in other eminent domain issues related to carbon sequestration pipelines, though lawmakers supporting the bill said this issue was not related to eminent domain. The House added additional landowner protections through amendments, which were approved by the Senate. State government Affirmative action: Existing requirements for Affirmative Action plans and reports in Iowa law for entities like the departments of Education and Administration, the executive branch, Board of Regents, community colleges, school districts and area education agencies would be eliminated by House File 2711. The measure also removes racial and cultural awareness training requirements at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and annual bias prevention training for law enforcement agencies that were approved with bipartisan support in 2020 through a police oversight law. The measure was amended by the House to add back a requirement to train police on deescalation techniques, as well as keeping in place certain references to citizenship in state policies. Driver’s license citizenship checks: Senate File 2187 would require the Iowa Department of Transportation to verify individuals’ citizenship status when they are applying for or renewing a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card. A person would be able to bring certain documents, like a Social Security card or passport, to verify their citizenship, but if a person does not have identification, the DOT would be required to use the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to verify people’s citizenship status. If a person’s citizenship cannot be verified, the DOT could not issue them an ID. Democrats opposing the bill said there have been multiple instances where SAVE has incorrectly listed people as noncitizens. Early Childhood Iowa: The final version of legislation making changes to the state’s Early Childhood Iowa system, Senate File 2488, is significantly scaled back from earlier proposals. In its final form, the bill creates an opt-in, voluntary system for ECI area boards to choose to move their home visiting contracts over to HHS oversight, which would allow the state to draw down funding through the federal Family First Act. It also still creates a statewide Early Childhood and Family Services (ECFS) system based of the seven “health and human services districts” established in other legislation, but does not transfer funding or authority from ECI boards to this system, though it does move some of these powers for other existing structures like Decategorization Projects, or Decat, boards to the ECFS system. This is a much more limited proposal in comparison to changes proposed earlier in the session, which included a proposal to repeal the existing ECI program and transfer funding and oversight to ECFS, as well as a later iteration that would have transferred home visitation contracts from ECI control through the “School Ready Fund” to HHS. The final bill also would create an interim legislative study committee to review the current ECI system and make recommendations ahead of the 2027 session. E-Verify, SAVE and other citizenship checks: Senate File 2218 was agreed to in both chambers following a conference committee as the Senate and House had been unable to reach an agreement. The final bill, as approved by both chambers, would enact language originally implemented through an executive order from Reynolds, requiring state government and state licensing boards to use the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database and E-Verify system to verify citizenship and legal status of people seeking state government jobs, as well as professional and occupational licenses. This executive order was implemented in the aftermath of the immigration arrest of former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts. As originally passed by the Senate, the bill directed the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to have applicants seeking new and renewing educator licenses to provide information about their legal U.S. work authorization, and to submit proof of their eligibility every five years to remain licensed. This language is still included in the final bill. There was a dispute over whether the conference committee followed the correct legislative procedures to advance a new version of the bill, but the measure was passed in both chambers with some changes to the original language, such as adding a challenge process for people who believe they have been wrongfully denied. It also includes language making it a crime to provide a false Social Security number to an employer to obtain a job, require Iowans registering to vote to swear they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury, and set new bail restrictions on undocumented immigrants. Foreign involvement in ballot measures: House File 2601 requires political committees advocating for or against a ballot measure in Iowa to confirm with donors that they are not foreign nationals, as well as that they have not “knowingly or willfully” accepted more than $100,000 from any foreign nationals within the past four years before contributing to the political committee. Individuals without U.S. citizenship or permanent residence, as well as organizations, political and government entities and businesses owned or based outside the country would be banned from “directly or indirectly” making expenditures or contributions to ballot issues. Governor’s powers: As passed by the House in March, House File 2694 limits future governor’s abilities during disasters and public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, stating a governor can make recommendations but not implement restrictions, on private businesses’ operations during public health disasters, cannot order places of worship to close, and that changes to election laws and regulations must gain legislative approval. The Senate attempted to amend the measure to add language from Senate File 2388, a bill that would create “continuing appropriations” for years when the governor and Legislature fail to reach an agreement before the beginning of the next fiscal year, July 1, but the amendment was not adopted by the House. The proposal would have still required lawmakers to pass and present a budget to the governor, but have a continuing resolution take effect only if the budget has not been enacted. Senate Republicans argued this language would prevent Iowa from experiencing government shutdowns like those happening at the federal level, Democrats called the proposal a “power grab” that would allow a Republican-led Legislature to refuse to negotiate with a potential Democratic governor. The Senate receded on this proposed amendment, sending the bill with only the provisions related to gubernatorial powers to Reynolds’ desk. Income tax constitutional amendment: Passing an increase to Iowa’s individual and corporate income tax rates would require approval from two-thirds of the state Legislature under Senate Joint Resolution 11. The bill, having received approval from both chambers in two consecutive general assemblies, will go before Iowa voters on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot. If approved by a simple majority of voters, the language will be added to the state constitution. Property taxes: In its final form, Senate File 2472 caps most local government revenue growth to 2% annually, with several exceptions. The proposal also would change the homestead tax credit to an exemption and raise the amount covered, while also raising the tax credit for elderly and disabled homeowners from $1,000 to $1,500. The measure also incorporates portions from previous proposals. It would classify multi-residential properties separately from residential properties, and increases the property tax rate for these buildings to 6% over three years — scaled back language originally included in the Senate bill. From the House bill, it takes language speeding up the transfer of revenue generated through the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) funding to go from school infrastructure toward property tax relief, in addition to lowering the state’s $5.40 uniform levy set for school foundation property taxes. The bill also includes multiple changes limiting timelines and usage rates for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. The measure does not include earlier proposals from the Senate to change the state’s “rollback” system for calculating property taxes, nor did it include language adding an inflation index to the state’s gas tax. Radon mitigation: House File 2297, amended and passed by both chambers, would require new single- and two-family residences to be constructed with passive radon mitigation systems. Lawmakers introduced the bill as an effort to help reduce the prevalence of lung cancer in the state since radon exposure is the second leading cause of the disease, and amended the legislation to ensure local governments include the rules in code. Speed limits: Senate File 378 increases the speed limit on two-lane state highways from 55 to 60 miles per hour. Other existing default speed limits in areas like residential and school zones would remain in place. What failed Agriculture American cream draft horse: Senate Joint Resolution 2010 proposed making the official state horse of Iowa the American cream draft horse. Diesel exhaust fluid repairs: House File 2529 would have required manufacturers of farm equipment with diesel engines to provide tools and parts to equipment owners to repair their equipment. Puppy mills: House File 2674 proposed updating inspection requirements for commercial animal breeders, kennels, pet shops and related businesses. The measure would have established more powers for IDALS to conduct inspections, especially in cases where there is evidence of an establishment violating standards of care. Raw milk and farm-to-table events: House File 2767 would allow raw milk to be sold at on-farm stores, in addition to creating special permits for farm-to-table events. Cottage foods could also be sold at grocery stores under the bill. The bill passed the House after the raw milk provisions were removed, but the legislation did not advance in the Senate. Right to repair: House File 2763 would require manufacturers of agricultural equipment to make materials needed to repair or maintain this equipment – like documentation, parts, software and tools – available to independent repair facilities and equipment owners at “fair and reasonable terms and costs.” The measure received bipartisan support in the House, with supporters saying it would help farmers who currently are forced to depend on licensed dealers to make repairs to equipment they have already bought. The bill did not advance in the Senate. Soybean foam: Senate File 2375 is aimed at encouraging local governments to use soybean-based firefighting foam by having the Iowa Department of Administrative Services to develop a master contract with a soybean foam producer. Commerce Community solar: House File 2672 proposed providing utility bill credits to community members who choose to invest in small, local solar fields which would be connected to the electrical grid. The credits would be based on how much the members invested in the project, and how much energy was generated. Data center regulations: House File 2690 would require data centers to submit water and energy usage reports on a regular basis. Data centers would also have been placed into a separate class of customers from other commercial or industrial retail electricity consumers, to avoid passing on the costs of powering data centers onto other customers. Grid enhancement: House File 2682 proposed having utility companies conduct periodic feasibility studies into grid enhancing technologies that would be capable of increasing power capacity in Iowa’s electricity systems. Penny phaseout: Senate File 2456 would allow cash transactions to round down to the nearest five-cent mark for amounts ending in one, two, six or seven cent, and rounding up to the nearest five-cent number for transactions ending in three, four, eight or nine cents. If the total amount of a transaction or payment is one or two cents, this cost would automatically become five cents. The measure would not make changes to transactions or payments made through other methods, like checks, credit cards, electronic fund transfers or gift cards. Prediction markets: Senate File 2470 sought to regulate and tax a growing industry of “prediction markets” – companies that conduct event-driven market trading. The bill would have required companies like Kalshi and Polymarket to obtain a state permit to operate in Iowa, with a permit costing $20 million alongside a $100,000 annual renewal fee. Additionally, the Senate proposal included a 20% tax on adjusted revenue each year from traders within Iowa, and a 20% excise tax on the purchase price of each contract on the platform. Ratemaking: House Study Bill 519 proposed expanding the definition of what projects would be eligible for certain ratemaking principles in Iowa in an effort to encourage nuclear energy and energy storage projects to come to the state. Ratepayer involvement in public utilities: House File 2668 would have recognized customer-owned energy storage, generation and virtual power plants, while setting new public transparency standards for utility resource planning. Silver and gold as tender: Gold and silver could be used as legal tender by Iowans under House File 2723. The state treasurer would have been required to establish a “bullion depository” as well as establishing electronic payment systems to utilize the stored gold and silver tender. Standard siting for renewable energy: House File 2580 proposed new standard language for counties to adopt related to renewable power generation facilities including moratoriums, setbacks, property tax and other considerations. Education Antisemitism at schools: The Iowa Board of Education would have had to publish an annual antisemitism report identifying “each complaint or incident of antisemitism” taking place at public universities, community colleges and public school districts under House File 2544. Athletic scrimmages: Senate File 2392 proposed allowing public and nonpublic schools to hold athletic scrimmages with home school sports organizations with certain limitations in place for duration and intensity. These events also could also not have official scorekeeping, play-by-play announcements or apply to a team’s regular season athletic statistics. Banned concepts: Senate File 2405 would have allowed residents of a school district, parents and school employees to bring civil suits against schools for violating Iowa Code restricting instruction on concepts like “critical race theory.” Sen. Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville, said the bill was needed because some parents alleged the Board of Educational Examiners did not properly take enforcement actions based on their reports of noncompliance with existing law. Cameras in special education classrooms: House File 2681 proposed equipping special education classrooms in public and charter schools with video recording systems, paid for using the state School Foundation Aid. Charlie Kirk: The Board of Educational Examiners would be required to disqualify applicants and revoke licenses of educators identified as “publicly celebrating any act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk” under House File 2512. The proposal would have applied retroactively to Sept. 10, 2025, the day Kirk was fatally shot. The bill was amended by the House Education Committee to add language related to student protests, such as having schools boards extend their district’s school calendar by one day for each day a student protest occurs at any attendance center within the district. Classic Learning Test: House File 2339 would require the Iowa Board of Regents to include the Classic Learning Test in its regent admission index and states universities can only factor “merit and likelihood of employment in Iowa after graduation” in their admission decision for students who don’t meet the index threshold. The bill passed out of subcommittee and the Iowa House Higher Education Committee but did not see debate from the chamber, though the board of regents has proposed changing its admission formula to include more than just the ACT and SAT. Closing U.S. Department of Education: Senate Joint Resolution 2012 includes language showing support for federal efforts to close the U.S. Department of Education and calling for cooperation from Congress. The bill passed out of the Iowa Senate Education Committee Feb. 18 but was not taken up by the chamber for debate. Community college bachelor’s degrees: House File 2649 would establish a pilot program for community colleges to offer up to three baccalaureate degree programs with guardrails as to which programs are allowed and where they can be launched. Community colleges and private universities were split on their support for the bill, and while the Iowa House passed the legislation out of debate on March 4 and through an Iowa Senate subcommittee March 18, it failed to make it through the second funnel of the session. Continuing education: House File 2246 would bar state licensing boards from requiring continuing education credits not directly related to their profession unless otherwise required by law. The amended legislation passed through House debate and was referred to the Iowa Senate State Government Committee but was not taken up. Credit transfers, performance-based funding: House File 2547 would expand credit transfers for career and technical education, change career academy rules and establish a fund for students taking summer community college credit courses in areas relating to high-demand jobs, as well as require the Iowa Board of Regents to explore implementing a performance-based funding model. The bill passed the House and was recommended for amendment and passage by the Iowa Senate Education Committee before being placed on unfinished business in late March. DEI in private universities: House File 2488, which would put the Iowa Tuition Grant on the line for private colleges and universities that open or maintain offices of diversity, equity and inclusion, saw House approval but a recommendation for indefinite postponement from a Senate subcommittee. Dress codes: House File 2486 would have set minimum dress code standards for public and charter schools, with the ability for school boards to adopt more restrictive policies, such as a school uniform requirement. The minimum requirements would have stated students must dress in clean clothes in good repair that do not expose “undergarments or midriffs.” Boards would also have to set enforcement policies for violations of the school’s dress code. Education reporting: House File 2725, which would consolidate reports on online learning, achievement gaps and other topics into an “annual condition of education report” and change other reporting requirements for Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa College Student Aid Commission, passed the House and was attached to Senate File 2407 but saw no further action. Endowment tax: House File 2240, as amended by the Iowa House Higher Education Committee, would place a tax on university endowments holding more than $500 million, at a rate equaling the highest corporate income tax rate, identified in the bill as currently 7.1%. Institutions that would be impacted by the bill if it is signed into law include Grinnell College, Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. After passage by the higher education committee, the legislation was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee where it was not discussed. Firearms in vehicles: House File 621 would have allowed parents and guardians to keep legal firearms in their vehicles while picking up and dropping off a student on school grounds. It also proposed changing language to allow weapons to be carried in passenger compartments of school vehicles to allow school trap shooting teams to transport their weapons on school buses when traveling for events. Free speech: House File 233 is a proposal to prohibit schools from penalizing or discriminating against students for expressing viewpoints through religious, political or ideological speech in situations where “similarly situated students” are not punished for expressing other beliefs on the subject at hand. Democrats called the measure duplicative, as students’ speech is already protected by the First Amendment, but said the measure would create new legal liabilities and increase costs through new training and compliance requirements. Gender and sexuality in K-12 materials: House File 2338 proposed expanding the current Iowa law banning programs, materials, instruction and “promotion” related to gender identity and sexual orientation in public and charter schools for K-6 students to apply to all K-12 students. The law restricting these materials for K-6 students is currently being challenged in court, but was allowed to be enforced as of an April 6 court decision. General education review: House File 2487 and Senate File 2303 would have required the Iowa Board of Regents to review all general education requirements and core curricula at state universities for diversity, equity and inclusion or critical race theory-related content. The board “in its discretion” would then direct institutions to eliminate courses or course requirements, the bill stated. While the legislation was placed under unfinished business, the Iowa Board of Regents have proposed adding a biannual review of this kind to its policy manual. H-1B visas: House File 2513 would prohibit public universities from entering employment contracts with federal H-1B visaholders who are citizens of China or other “federally designated foreign adversaries,” the bill stated, including Syria, Russia, Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Venezuela. The legislation was placed on unfinished business after passing the House and the Senate Workforce Committee. Immunization requirements: House File 2171 proposed removing all K-12 immunization requirements for attending school. The measure was not taken up for floor debate. Iowa Board of Regents: House Study Bill 534 would replace the Iowa Board of Regents voting student member with another governor-appointed member and add seven ex-officio, nonvoting members, as well as require biannual general education standards and low-enrollment program reviews and have the board of regents develop policies on post-tenure review, approving academic programs and barring governance authority by faculty senates or councils. An Iowa House subcommittee approved the legislation, but it was not brought up by the Iowa House Higher Education Committee and died in the first funnel. Library agreements: House File 2324 would have banned public and charter schools from entering certain commitments with public libraries, including contracts allowing “bookmobiles” or mobile libraries on school grounds. It also would have banned agreements allowing students to use school IDs as a library card to access public library materials. Education advocates told lawmakers the proposal could have an outsized impact on rural school districts that depend on public library agreements because their school buildings do not contain libraries. Loan liability: House File 2241 would have made public universities liable for 10% of the amount owed by students with defaulted educational loans. Presidential searches: House File 2245 would require the Iowa Board of Regents to use a presidential search committee when selecting a new university president, with candidates’ identities kept confidential unless a written agreement is made. Senate File 2359 was attached to it and both are on the calendar as unfinished business. Residency requirement: House File 2226 would have set a 70% residency requirement in the University of Iowa’s bachelor of science in nursing program and require the program to have priority admission for Iowa residents, but didn’t make it to the Senate Education Committee after House passage. School reorganization incentives: Senate File 2403 would have extended the currently expired reduced uniform levy incentives for school districts that reorganize from July 2024 to July 2031 and established a new incentive for whole grade sharing supplementary weighting. Social studies: House File 2244 and Senate File 2413 would require seventh- and eighth-grade students to receive instruction on U.S. government for at least one-half of a semester. Both were placed on unfinished business before the second funnel deadline and were not brought up again. Social studies standards: After some lawmakers expressed disapproval with the social studies standards set forward by a task force created through a 2024 law, House File 2510 reiterated requirements from the 2024 law for social studies courses to include instruction on “exemplary figures in western civilization, the United States and state of Iowa,” and the “cultural heritage” of western civilization and the history of the “secular and religious ideals and institutions of liberty.” Trump higher education compact: House File 2489 would have required public universities to join the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, created by President Donald Trump and his administration, but saw no support beyond House Higher Education Committee approval. Tuition freeze: House File 2242, approved in House debate but not brought up in a Senate subcommittee, would have frozen tuition for all resident undergraduate students at state universities until July 2031. Tuition guarantee: Senate File 2227 and House File 2362, both placed on unfinished business, would require universities to keep resident undergraduate tuition at the same level as the amount they paid in their first year of attendance, with certain exceptions, starting in 2027. The Iowa Board of Regents has proposed including an optional tuition guarantee pilot program in its board policy manual. Vaccinations: Senate File 2424, amended and passed by the Iowa Senate Education Committee Feb. 18 but not brought up in debate, would require private colleges and universities with clinical rotation programs to identify placements where students are exempt from any vaccination requirements put in place by the host of their rotation placement. VEISHEA: House Study Bill 545, passed out of subcommittee but with no further action, would have the Iowa Board of Regents study the possibility of reinstating VEISHEA at Iowa State University and report its findings on whether the idea is practical and beneficial to the university to the Iowa House Higher Education Committee chairperson. Veterinary medicine residency requirement: House File 2209, passed through subcommittee Feb. 17, would enact an 80% residency requirement in the Iowa State University veterinary medicine professional degree program. It was not brought up again. Health care Abortion ban: All elective abortions would be banned in Iowa under House File 2332, which failed during the first funnel deadline. Exemptions were included for cases like miscarriages, in-vitro fertilization and when an abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother. The proposal would have also added criminal punishment to the state’s homicide laws for doctors who perform abortions. Conversion therapy: House File 2557 proposed adding exemptions to the state’s definitions of “child abuse” and “child endangerment” related to a parent or guardian not affirming their child’s gender identity if it differs from their sex assigned at birth. This issue could also not be considered during foster parent licensing, adoption or custody proceedings. Actions that are exempt from these definitions are a parent’s “intent to raise, guide or instruct a child in a manner consistent with the child’s sex,” or not consenting to a child receiving gender-affirming medical care or calling them by a name or pronouns different from their legal sex. LGBTQ+ advocates and Democrats opposed the bill, especially highlighting the provision stating “seeking and consenting to a mental health service for a child for the purpose of helping the child live a life consistent with the child’s sex” could not be considered abuse or endangerment. This language would mean the discredited practice of “conversion therapy” aimed at changing a person’s gender or sexual orientation could not be considered abuse or endangerment, speakers said. ‘Granny’ cameras: Senate Study Bill 3080 would allow a nursing home resident or their representative to conduct electronic monitoring of the resident’s room through the use of video cameras — sometimes called “granny cams” — placed inside the room with the consent of any roommates. Hydroxychloroquine: Over-the-counter dispensal of ivermectin is allowed under the governor’s “MAHA” bill, which made it to her desk – but another measure, House File 2056, proposed allowing the disbursement of both ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, a prescription medication typically used in treating malaria, without a prescription. Both medications have been promoted by non-verified sources as a means to manage or treat symptoms of COVID-19. Kratom: Kratom, a substance currently legal for sale and possession in Iowa, would be designated as a Schedule I hallucinogenic substance by House File 2133. Businesses would no longer be able to sell the substance under the proposal, which was not taken up by the Senate, and those found in possession of kratom would face a serious misdemeanor charge for their first offense, an aggravated misdemeanor for their second and a Class D felony charge for subsequent offenses. Nitrous oxide: House File 2504 would have banned vape stores from selling nitrous oxide containers under the rebuttable assumption that these products are being sold as an inebriant. Psilocybin: House File 978 proposed establishing a regulatory framework for the legal, medical use of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms.” The substance would be regulated through the existing Medical Cannabidiol Advisory Board, which would be expanded to include four members with expertise on psilocybin treatment. Products with psilocybin would have to be administered in-person in clinic environments with psychiatric support, and the substance would be restricted to individuals seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The measure, passed by the House in 2025, was advanced as a treatment option for veterans and others struggling with PTSD. It was passed by the Senate Ways and Means Committee Friday before session ended, but the measure did not come up for floor debate in the Senate. Tobacco tax increase: Though the measure to create a new tax on vapes and nicotine pouches was moved forward, other efforts to implement these taxes at a higher rate – as well as to raise excise taxes on traditional tobacco products – failed this session. These provisions were removed from Reynolds’ “MAHA” bill earlier in the session, and failed to advance in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee as Senate Study Bill 3145. Rep. Brett Barker, R-Nevada, introduced House File 2406 in February, which proposed raising taxes on cigarettes by $1.50, in addition to taxing other nicotine and vape products. This proposal did not receive a subcommittee hearing. Justice and public safety Automatic license readers: Senate File 2034 states that implementing Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) would require approval from a local government through ordinance, and restrict use to state-approved entities. The bill also restricts the use of automated vehicle noise enforcement systems. The Senate amended the bill to include new restrictions on how many license readers can be operated within a locality based on its population. Boy Scouts settlement: The Senate approved Senate File 2489, a measure to extend a 2024 law lifting Iowa’s statute of limitations on child sexual abuse to allow Iowa victims to participate in a national Boy Scouts sexual abuse settlement as claims and payouts for the settlement are still being processsed. The measure was not taken up by the House, which some advocates say mean Iowans involved in the settlement may receive less compensation than victims in other states. Divorce: Senate File 2172 would have allowed couples getting married seek a waiver allowing them to opt out of no-fault divorces. Under the proposal, a person granted the waiver would have to provide proof of specified reasons to divorce their spouse, such as adultery, abuse or living apart for more than two years in order to have a divorce granted. Dog identification: House File 2190 would have updated state definitions on how to prove ownership of a dog to include things like microchips, tattoos, receipts, contracts and veterinarian bills. Judicial retention information: House File 2719, a component of House Republicans’ “tough on crime” package, would have required the Iowa Secretary of State to create a publicly accessible online dashboard with data on judicial practices, for the primary use of Iowans seeking information on judges during judicial retention votes. Data on the website would include a judge’s decisions on setting bonds and pretrial releases, sentencing outcomes, decision reversals and courtroom efficiency, and would allow judges to submit a personal statement. Katie’s Law: A proposal from AG Brenna Bird, House File 2624 would require the collection of DNA from criminal defendants charged with a felony or violent aggravated misdemeanor when they are arrested – before they are convicted of the crime. The measure is modeled after a law originating in New Mexico known as “Katie’s Law,” named in honor of Katie Sepich, a 22-year-old University of New Mexico student who was killed in 2003. Sprinklers in townhouses: Senate File 2439 proposed removing current state building code requirements for fire protection sprinkler systems to be in townhouses 18,000 square feet or less, in addition to banning similar restrictions from being put in local building codes. Sprinkler requirements for detached single-family residences of 6,500 square feet or less would also be removed from state code and banned in local regulations. Labor and Workforce Skilled workforce training: House File 2466 proposed raising funding going toward the state Registered Apprenticeship programs from $3 million to $4.5 million. It also proposed creating a “career training physical expansion program fund” to fund new facilities at community colleges and private sector programs for high demand fields, and would make changes to who can provide apprenticeship training. State government Annexing Galena, IL: House File 2141, proposed by Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, would have created a committee to study if one or more counties in Illinois that border Iowa should become a part of the state. It did not receive a subcommittee hearing. Commercial volumes: Senate File 2294 would have restricted the volume of commercials on video streaming services. The ads could not be transmitted “at an audio volume louder than the audio volume of the video programming or video content the advertisement accompanies” to Iowa consumers, similar to restrictions in place for ads on broadcast television. Driverless vehicles: Companion bills House File 2673 and Senate File 2384 would have held owners of self-driving vehicles liable in cases of a vehicle crash or traffic law violation. It would also prohibit hazardous materials from being transported in autonomous vehicles unless a human driver was present. Drug-free homeless zones: House File 2584 would have established “drug-free zones” at homeless shelters and other support facilities in Iowa, raising criminal charges for people who unlawfully sell and distribute controlled substances within a 300-foot zone of the facility. Criminal charges would also be created under the bill for facility operators convicted of “intentionally or knowingly” allowing illegal substances to be sold or possessed in the designated zone, and operators convicted would not be eligible for state homelessness assistance grants for three years. The bill was not taken up in the Senate. Iowa City Research Center: Senate File 2293 would have struck a current requirement under state code for the Iowa Department of Administrative Services to maintain a historical resource research center in Iowa City, while continuing to maintain a center in Des Moines. The proposal came after DAS had already moved to close the State Historical Society of Iowa Research Center in Iowa City – action that is currently facing litigation from two parties. Library bills: No bills aimed at restricting content available at public libraries made it to floor debate this session, but several provisions were discussed in subcommittee and committee meetings. House File 2309 proposed requiring material deemed “harmful” to minors to be housed in the adult section of a public library that could not be accessible to minors without staff assistance, requiring parental approval to access. House File 2270 would have added for public libraries to receive state funding through the Enrich Iowa program, stating libraries could not adopt or comply with standards or policies from private organizations – like the American Library Association or Iowa Library Association – without state approval. And House File 2622 would have required public libraries to enforce “age appropriate” policies that ban minors from accessing materials deemed inappropriate in order to be eligible for Enrich Iowa funding, in addition to transferring administrative, financial, oversight and policy authority of library boards to the city council or other governing body of the jurisdiction where the library is located. NFL stadiums: Incentives meant to go to projects bringing a $1 billion in capital investment to Iowa would be available for the building of a professional sports stadium by a National Football League franchise in Iowa through Senate File 2373. The bill would offer Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program incentives to build an NFL stadium in the state, brought up as the Chicago Bears consider building a new stadium potentially outside of Illinois. Obscenity law exemptions: Public libraries and schools are exempt in Iowa’s obscenity laws, which advocates and library staff was a provision built in to avoid “nuisance” lawsuits brought by individuals who want certain materials that are not obscene, but that people want removed from a library. Senate File 2119 proposed removing these exemptions. Rulemaking approval: State agencies under future administrations would have needed legislative approval of major rule changes under House File 2717, one of several bills Democrats criticized as an attempt to restrict gubernatorial power out of fear of a Democratic candidate winning in the 2026 midterm election. Shorter legislative session: Senate File 2389 proposed halving the Iowa Legislature’s annual session from 110 or 100 days to 55 or 50 days. Voter citizenship verification: Senate File 2203 would have required county auditors to use the federal SAVE database to verify U.S. citizenship and voter eligibility of individuals registering to vote. If a person’s citizenship could not be verified, a county auditor would not be able to register them as a voter. Natural resources Cloud seeding: House File 2640 proposed banning the intention emission of air contaminants for the purpose of “affecting the temperature, weather, climate or intensity of sunlight.” It was amended when House lawmakers passed the bill to clarify agriculture practices would not be banned. A similar measure was discussed by Senate lawmakers as Senate Bill 2208, which would have geoengineering activities intending to manipulate or alter the weather. Fecal bacteria identification: House File 2530 proposed banning the DNR from designating a stream or lake as being on the impaired water list unless the department identifies the percentage of fecal bacteria coming from each animal species contributing to the impairment. Flood resilience plan: House File 2511, unanimously approved by the House but not taken up in the Senate, would have had the Iowa Flood Center draft and periodically update a statewide, 30-year resilience plan aimed at the protection of state life, property and other assets in the event of a flood. Groundwater monitoring: House File 2687 proposed creating a $100,000 pilot project to retrofit up to 100 existing private wells with groundwater monitoring equipment. Hydrogen repair: House File 2702 would have added new protections under state law for landowners who experience land or crop damage as companies conduct exploration, operation and final reclamation work related to oil, gas or hydrogen extraction. Land restoration: House File 2683 proposed letting landowners renegotiate claims for damages and yield losses due to pipeline construction — including all types of pipelines. Landowners could files these complaints with the Iowa Utilities Commission, or take the issue to court. Life jackets: Senate File 548 would have allowed personal watercraft passengers age 18 and older to not wear a personal floatation device when riding in watercraft traveling at a speed of 10 miles per hour or slower.. Online hunter safety: No in-person hunter safety classes would be required for Iowans under age 17 to receive their hunter safety certification under House File 2335. Water use permits: House File 2642 proposes changing the DNR’s process for approving water use permits in the state to specify that beneficial use categories could not be used to approve a permit. The measure also adds clarifications related to wastewater disposal at distilleries. Pipelines Eminent domain for CO2 pipelines: House File 2104, as passed by the House in January, would have banned the use of eminent domain for the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines. But this measure was amended during the Senate committee process and replaced with language from Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh’s proposal, Senate File 2067. This proposal would have still allowed for pipeline companies to use eminent domain, but only after the company has made a “diligent effort” to seek easements from willing landowners through a widened corridor allowed under the proposal. Another amendment was filed by a group of Senate Republicans — largely those involved in the effort that led to the pipeline bill being voted on by the Senate in 2025 — that incorporated elements of Klimesh’s plan while keeping the ban on the use of eminent domain in these cases. Klimesh told reporters in late April neither of the proposals had gained support from a majority of the Senate Republican caucus, and that he did not plan to bring up the legislation unless it could receive a majority of support from within the majority party. Taxing CO2: Senate File 2069 proposed leveraging a severance tax on carbon dioxide transported through pipelines in Iowa, with a lower tax rate set for CO2 being transported for enhanced oil recovery versus CO2 transported for other purposes. — Cami Koons and Kathie Obradovich contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	What Sen. Ted Cruz said to Iowans about 2026 election U.S. Senator Ted Cruz urged activists in Iowa to get involved in the 2026 mid-term elections.
	Week of May 4: Where Davenport’s mobile speed cabinets are located Driving through Davenport? Here is where the mobile speed cabinets are for the week of May 4.
	Arizona’s GOP budget: Tax breaks for data centers and Roth IRAs, cuts for the people who need food (Photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus)Arizonans’ budgets are strained with sky-high gas and grocery prices, paired with cuts to safety net programs, but the legislators who created the GOP’s budget proposal for the state brushed off concerns that most working families are struggling to pay their bills. The Republicans who control both chambers of the Arizona legislature released their budget plan on April 27, and the Arizona House of Representatives voted to pass it, along party lines, on April 29. The Arizona Senate plans to vote on the package of budget bills Monday. While Republicans praised their budget legislation, saying that it gave more money back to the people via tax cuts, Democrats criticized its cuts to programs that help working-class Arizonans, while continuing tax breaks for the data centers needed to run generative artificial intelligence. The chief budget architect in the state House, Rep. David Livingston, R-Peoria, said that one of his favorite parts of the proposal was a new tax deduction of up to $6,000 for contributions to Roth Individual Retirement Accounts. “We would like to incentivize Americans to save more money so they can manage their own lives better and have a better retirement when they get there,” he said during a joint House and Senate budget hearing on April 28. Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe, retorted that the tax break wouldn’t help most working families in Arizona who don’t have disposable income to put toward retirement savings. “They’re living paycheck-to-paycheck, and may not have the money in their account to be able to open up an IRA,” she said. Livingston told Kuby that he disagreed. “You don’t have to be a millionaire to put money in a Roth IRA,” he said. “All you have to do is earn income. So, literally, if you make $5,000 a year and you want to put in $5,000 a year, you’re allowed to.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Kuby answered that she regularly gets calls from constituents who say they can’t pay their utility bills. Arizona’s two largest electricity companies have asked the Corporation Commission to raise rates even higher. Livingston told Kuby that Arizonans contribute to millions of retirement and savings accounts and that he doesn’t believe the majority of people who live in the Grand Canyon State are struggling. “All we’re doing is helping encourage people to save,” he said. “It is up to them to be responsible or not. When they have money, they can put it in. When they don’t, they don’t put it in.” Livingston did not respond to the Arizona Mirror’s questions about his comments. “He’s out of touch with what’s happening on the ground,” Kuby told the Mirror. “People who are living paycheck-to-paycheck and struggling to make ends meet don’t have the luxury to contribute to an IRA, and may not have a job that offers a pension.” Carolina Quintero, digital communications coordinator for Opportunity Arizona, told the Mirror that young Arizonans don’t have the bandwidth to even think about savings for retirement while they’re paying over $1,000 per month for rent and dealing with higher costs for groceries, utilities and healthcare. “At Opportunity Arizona, we think it’s embarrassing that Rep. Livingston is incapable of believing that Arizonans live paycheck-to-paycheck, like it’s not their everyday lived reality,” she said. In 2024, about 60% of Arizonans said they spent equal to or more than their income each month, according to a survey from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. About 64% of Arizonans said they didn’t have a “rainy day” fund to cover three months of living expenses. And just 44% of Arizonans had employer-sponsored retirement accounts, according to the same survey, and only one in five had a personal retirement account. The survey results didn’t include the percentage of Arizonans who had any type of retirement account, but nationally, just 57% of people said they did. According to the Tax Policy Center, about 30% of American taxpayers have a traditional IRA, and only 11% have a Roth IRA. Traditional IRAs are funded by pre-tax contributions, with taxes paid when the money is withdrawn. Roth IRAs use after-tax contributions, allowing for tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement. “There are stark differences by household income in preparing for retirement,” the FINRA Investor Education Foundation wrote in its report. “Only 17 percent of those with incomes under $25,000 have tried to plan for retirement, compared to 58 percent of those earning $75,000 or more. Similarly, the likelihood to have a retirement account increases dramatically with income, such that only a small minority of respondents with incomes less than $25,000 have a retirement account (16 percent).” Sen. Mark Finchem, R-Prescott, said during the April 28 hearing that he puts aside money in a Roth IRA from his modest $24,000 salary as a legislator. “I contribute to a Roth because I don’t trust Social Security,” he said. “It’s a government-funded program. Quite frankly, I would like to be in control of my own future, as opposed to somebody who’s a spendthrift.” Finchem didn’t mention that he also receives a monthly public safety pension payment of nearly $2,000 and will get a state pension for his time as an elected official. And the financial disclosure statement he must file each year doesn’t include a Roth IRA or any other retirement accounts, despite a requirement that “stocks, annuities, mutual funds, (and) retirement funds” worth more than $1,000 be disclosed. Livingston, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has worked as a financial advisor for more than 20 years. According to his financial disclosure statement, he has more than $100,000 in investments and owns three homes: One in Peoria, one in Prescott and one on Neebish Island in Michigan. Quintero said that the average voter would likely be infuriated to hear a legislator who owns three homes dismiss their financial struggles. “Average every day Arizonans can’t afford to become a homeowner one time, let alone to purchase a home more than once,” she said. While the economy is growing at a modest pace, consumer confidence is low, with worries about rising energy and food costs impacting household spending, according to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Budgets are strained for many because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, have contributed to higher prices for groceries and other goods, and his war in Iran, which has led to skyrocketing fuel costs. The average gallon of gas in Arizona is $4.74, about $1.40 more than it was before the Iran War began. And many low-income Arizonans are losing or have already lost help from government safety programs to help them make ends meet. More than 420,000 Arizonans have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, since last July, as the state works to comply with federal requirements from President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” That number includes 180,000 children. When Democratic lawmakers criticized the federal cuts to SNAP and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid program, as well as additional restrictions in the GOP budget bill, Livingston brushed their concerns aside. “This budget does ensure that people have to follow the rules of AHCCCS and SNAP to qualify,” he said “And if they are not eligible, they don’t get benefits.” ProPublica recently reported that added bureaucracy and decreased staff, both due to the Big Beautiful Bill, have resulted in people who meet requirements being kicked off of SNAP in Arizona. Legislative Republicans promised that the tax cuts in their budget proposal, to bring the state in line with changes at the federal level, would leave Arizonans with more money in their pockets. But Joseph Palomino, director of the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, told the Mirror that many of the policies in the Republican budget were unpopular. “It’s not going to meaningfully address affordability, it’s not going to grow the economy,” he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Arizona Mirror
	IRS scam? The tax debt compromise program phone call IRS scam? The tax debt compromise program phone callTax relief phone call scams are common year-round, and criminals use them to get money and commit identity theft. There is an IRS tax debt compromise option, however, that could allow you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount. It’s just important to make sure you’re working with a legitimate offer from the real IRS.There are, thankfully, some ways you can tell if you’re being contacted by the IRS or a con artist. And if you’re not sure how to pay off your tax debt, the IRS offer in compromise (OIC) may be the solution, Freedom Debt Relief reports.Key Takeaways:Tax debt relief phone calls are often scams.The real IRS offer in compromise is legitimate tax debt relief.Taxpayers request an offer in compromise directly from the IRS.Why Am I Getting Tax Relief Phone Calls?Scam calls surge during tax season, in the early months of every year. Tax debt relief phone calls are one of the more common scams. Criminals contact taxpayers and claim they can negotiate a debt settlement, or even eliminate tax debts—for an upfront fee.But how did a scammer find your phone number? Unfortunately, there are many ways that criminals can get their hands on contact information. A scammer may have obtained your number through:Public recordsA data breachTax lien noticesSocial mediaData brokers (websites that provide people’s personal information).Those are just some of the possibilities. Phone numbers are rarely private anymore, and once a scammer has a list of numbers, mass calling is cheap and easy because of robocall technology.Who do tax relief scammers target?Scammers often target seniors with tax relief phone calls, because they see older adults as more vulnerable. They also target those with actual tax debt or who have filed a tax return recently, believing that people in those situations may be less skeptical of a tax relief offer. You could be more likely to get scam calls if you fit any of these typical target demographics.Although certain demographics are at greater risk, scammers usually aren’t picky. They’ll go after anyone.What Is the IRS Offer in Compromise?An offer in compromise (OIC) is a federal program that lets you pay less than the total amount of your tax debt to the IRS. It used to be called the IRS Fresh Start. If you can’t pay your full tax bill, or paying in full would cause financial hardship, then an OIC may be an option. You apply for this program directly with the IRS—Freedom Debt Relief doesn’t handle tax debt.According to the IRS, you're eligible for an offer in compromise if you:Filed all your required tax returns and made all required estimated payments.Aren’t in an open bankruptcy proceeding.Have a valid extension on your current year tax return if you’re applying for an offer in compromise for the current year.Are an employer, and have made tax deposits for the current and past two quarters before you apply.When you apply for an OIC, the IRS looks at your ability to pay, including your income, expenses, and assets. The IRS generally approves an offer in compromise if the amount you offer is the most it could expect to collect from you within a reasonable time.For your OIC to be approved, the amount usually needs to be equal to or greater than your reasonable collection potential (RCP)—that’s the dollar amount that could be collected from your bank accounts and by selling the things you own. RCP also includes the value of your future income after basic living expenses.You must also meet IRS budget guidelines, which are called collection financial standards. In plain speak, there are guidelines that outline necessary living expenses (such as housing, utilities, transportation, and other essentials) and the maximum amount you should be spending on them. If you’re over budget, the IRS may not accept your OIC.Offers in compromise have two payment options. You choose the one that works better for your situation, and submit your initial payment with your application:Lump sum. You submit a payment of at least 20% with your application. If your offer is accepted, you must pay any remaining balance due on the offer in five or fewer installments.Periodic payment. A periodic offer lets you pay the amount you’re offering over six to 24 installment payments. In this arrangement, you submit the first payment with your application, and continue making payments while the IRS reviews your offer.Pros of the IRS Offer in CompromiseAn OIC is a great opportunity to get tax debt relief. Here are the benefits:You settle your tax debt for less than what you owe. Once you’ve fulfilled the OIC, any remaining IRS liability is wiped away.You avoid seizure of your assets or wage garnishment. The IRS can seize and sell property or go after your earnings for unpaid tax debt. If your OIC is accepted, the IRS won’t seize your assets or garnish your bank account. Cons of the IRS Offer in CompromiseWhen you’re deciding whether to apply for an OIC, it’s good to know about the drawbacks:Many applicants don’t qualify. The program is intended for people who won’t be able to pay their tax debts within 10 years from when the tax was assessed. If the IRS believes you can pay your tax debt, an OIC probably won’t be an option.The rules are strict. You must be compliant with your tax reporting over the next five years. If you miss a tax payment or don’t file a required return, the IRS can reverse your OIC and demand full payment.The application process is lengthy, and requires a $205 application fee. But if you meet low-income guidelines, you can apply without an application fee.What to Do if You Aren’t Approved for a Tax Debt CompromiseIf you don’t qualify for an OIC, you still have some options. The IRS wants to find a resolution that works for both sides, and it works with taxpayers who do their best to pay off tax debt.The IRS offers multiple payment plans. You could request a short-term payment plan for tax debt that you can pay off within 180 days. This type of plan doesn’t have an application fee.For large tax debt, you could request a long-term payment plan with monthly payments. There is an application fee, and the amount depends on the type of plan. Long-term payment plans range from three to 10 years, giving you much more time to pay what you owe. Keep in mind that interest and penalties increase the longer you stretch out your debt, so you should still try to pay off tax debt as quickly as possible to save money.Beware of Tax Debt Compromise Program Phone Call ScamsThe IRS warns taxpayers about tax debt compromise scams. In fact, OIC scam mills regularly make the Dirty Dozen list of tax scams published every year by the IRS. During and even before tax season, scammers use robocall systems to make a staggering number of calls.The Enforcement Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigated tax scam phone calls and found that there were 15.8 million calls with prerecorded messages about a “National Tax Relief Program” between Nov. 1, 2023 and Jan. 31, 2024. The Bureau didn’t find any evidence at all of a legitimate National Tax Relief Program existing.So, how do tax debt compromise scams work? Dishonest companies and scammers promise to solve tax debt for pennies on the dollar and remove penalties and interest fees. These fraudsters often advertise their supposed services on TV and the radio. Some of them also go through tax lien notices, looking for individuals in tax trouble to contact directly by phone, text message, email, or direct mail.Scammers may charge fees for information you could find yourself, mislead you into believing you qualify for an OIC when you don’t, claim their services are essential for applying correctly, or steal your sensitive financial information.Common tax relief scriptsTax relief scammers frequently use specific phrases, such as a “tax relief department,” “new federal relief program,” or “IRS forgiveness program.” Sometimes, they reference the current presidential administration—there have been reports of calls about a supposed tax forgiveness plan under the Trump administration, the Biden administration, and previous administrations.Here’s an example transcript of what a typical scam voicemail could say:“Hello, this is John at U.S. tax relief experts calling about your recent tax filings. It looks like you qualify for a federal relief program that could get rid of your tax debt with no penalties. This is a new program that was recently approved by the current administration to help people in your situation, but you need to enroll this month. So, before you make any arrangements to pay your tax debt, give me a call back at XXX-XXX-XXXX.”The exact message depends on the scammer and the type of scam. There are all kinds of tax debt relief scams, and scammers also go after people who don’t have any tax debt. Along with OIC mills that over-promise and under-deliver, there are criminals who impersonate IRS representatives. Practically anyone can be the target of a tax scam, but if you owe money to the IRS, you’re at greater risk.How Tax Relief Robocalls WorkRobocall technology enables scammers to call millions of people without ever picking up the phone themselves. By understanding how the scam works, you can be better prepared to recognize it.A robocall is a call with a pre-recorded message that’s made by an auto-dialer. Auto-dialers are computer systems that automatically make calls to a list of phone numbers. Once scammers obtain phone numbers through any of the methods mentioned above, they load them into an auto-dialer.The message in the robocall provides a callback number. If you call, you talk to a live “agent.” The agent tries to complete the scam by getting you to pay upfront fees for their supposed tax relief service. But after getting your money, the scammer may file the paperwork incorrectly, or not file anything at all.Scammers also frequently use caller ID spoofing techniques. Spoofing changes the caller ID information, so it looks like the robocall is coming from a different number. Scammers use these techniques for a few reasons:The scammer’s real number may be blocked because it’s on a robocaller list.The scammer can use a number that’s local to you, or possibly even the number of a company or government agency.Caller ID spoofing could make it more likely that the call is answered. Why do scammers prefer voicemails for tax relief phone scams?Scammers prefer voicemails and prerecorded messages over live calls because they can target more people. Robocalling allows scammers to cast a wide net. Live calling, on the other hand, would limit the number of victims a scammer could contact per day.This method also helps filter out people who are unlikely to pay for a tax relief service. Anyone who recognizes the scam or knows they don’t owe a tax debt probably isn’t going to return the call. Scammers are more likely to get calls back from people who are interested in tax relief, and are potentially more vulnerable to their pitch.Spot the Red Flags of Tax Relief FraudTax relief scammers use sophisticated methods to swindle taxpayers, but knowing how to spot a fraud could protect you. Here are the red flags to look out for.1. Unsolicited contactScammers often call, email, or text you to create a sense of urgency and try to get you to pay right away. But the IRS says it will never demand immediate payment using a specific payment method, or without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to appeal. The IRS typically mails bills to taxpayers who owe money. Scams increase during tax season, so be extra cautious if you’re contacted during that time.2. Robocall technologyTax-related robocalls are almost a sure sign of a scam. The IRS doesn’t leave prerecorded voicemails or make robocalls. You can confirm that, and learn more about recognizing legitimate contact, on the official How to Know It’s the IRS page. Businesses may use robocalls, but tax relief companies that robocall are usually trying to scam you.3. A generic greetingA message that starts with “Dear taxpayer” or any other generic variation could indicate a scam. The IRS has your name and address, and IRS communications are normally personalized with your information. Scammers may not have your name, or they could just use a generic placeholder so they can send the same form letter to all their targets.4. The callback number and the caller ID don’t matchIf the callback number is different from the caller ID, it may be due to caller ID spoofing. This isn’t always the case, but when it happens with a tax relief phone call, it’s another warning sign of a scam.5. Guaranteed resultsLegitimate tax relief programs can’t guarantee outcomes, because the result depends on the decision the IRS makes. Be wary of tax debt relief programs that promise to settle your tax debt for much less than what you owe.6. High-pressure tacticsIf someone posing as an IRS or tax relief program agent contacts you and tells you to act immediately, put up your guard. People tend to act hastily and without thinking twice when they’re scared, and scammers know this. The IRS, however, doesn’t impose such urgency.7. Hefty upfront feesBe cautious of tax professionals asking for large upfront fees for their services. Some untrustworthy tax relief companies charge a fee to apply for an OIC on behalf of a taxpayer, even when they know the IRS is likely to reject the applicant. You can use the OIC pre-qualifier tool on the IRS website to see for yourself whether you’re a likely candidate for the program.8. Requests for personal informationScammers often ask taxpayers for Social Security numbers, bank details, or other sensitive information. But the IRS doesn’t use text messages or social media to discuss personal tax issues, and does not email taxpayers asking for personal information. If you’re contacted by someone claiming to be the IRS or a tax professional, hang up or don’t answer. Contact the IRS directly.Avoid Tax Debt Relief Phone Call ScamsWhenever you receive a call from someone offering to lower or eliminate your tax debt and penalties, be wary. Here’s what the IRS says about how it may contact you:The IRS typically contacts you the first time through the U.S. Postal Service. If you want to verify that a piece of mail is from the IRS, you can search for the type of letter, the notice, or the form number on the IRS website. You could also call the IRS at 800-829-1040.The IRS only emails you with your permission, with limited exceptions such as criminal investigations.The IRS only sends you a text message with your permission.The IRS may call you to discuss your case, verify information, or set up a meeting.The IRS might send a fax to verify or request employment information.The IRS won’t contact you or take payment on social media.The most important thing to remember is that the IRS prefers to reach out by mail first. If you’ve never received any correspondence from the IRS about debt, or if you don’t think that you have a tax debt issue, then any phone call you supposedly receive from the IRS is likely a scam. In this case, just hang up without providing any information.If you receive a call about tax settlement, remember that no one can promise you’ll qualify for an OIC. Don’t engage with anyone who guarantees this or says you’ll automatically qualify, and definitely don’t pay them anything. If you want to consider an OIC, find out if you qualify and send an OIC to the IRS yourself.Technology Solutions to Stop Tax Relief CallsRobocall technology may make scam calls easier, but there’s also technology that could help you stop these unwanted calls. No solution is perfect, so you may not get rid of all scam calls, but you can at least get a lot fewer.Start by checking out what tools and services your wireless carrier offers. Many wireless carriers have services to block scam robocalls, including tax relief calls. Here are the services available from the three largest U.S. wireless companies:Verizon Call Filter alerts you if a call may be spam, a robocall, or fraud. The service also sends high-risk calls directly to your voicemail. Verizon offers a free version of Call Filter to Verizon customers with a compatible device and a paid version, Call Filter Plus, with more features.AT&T has a call and data protection app, AT&T Active Armor. The app is available for free with AT&T wireless service. A paid version is also available, and is included for free with some AT&T unlimited plans.T-Mobile has a Scam Shield app to block and report scams. The app is available for free with T-Mobile wireless service, and a paid version is also available.Most carriers give you the option to report spam and fraud calls, which improves their call blocking. Your carrier may then classify the caller’s number as a scam and block them from contacting you or others in the future.You could also download a call-blocking app that intercepts scam calls. These apps typically block calls from any numbers in their database that have been reported as scam-related. They also let you report and block numbers yourself. You don’t always need an app to block numbers, though. Many smartphones can block calls from specific numbers or from all unknown numbers.One other step you may want to take is signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry. You can register your phone number (home, mobile, or both) free of charge online. The registry is a list of phone numbers that telemarketers aren’t supposed to call. If you get an unwanted telemarketing call after your number has been on the registry for at least 31 days, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).If You’ve Been Scammed by a Tax Debt Compromise Phone CallIf you’ve paid money and/or revealed sensitive personal and financial information to someone you suspect of being a scammer, report the incident quickly. Make a record of all your communications with the tax debt company for when you file your report.You can report a tax scam to the IRS on its website. For abusive tax promotions or preparers, you’ll fill out and submit form 14242. You can submit the form online, by mail, or by fax.In addition to the IRS, you could also report the scam to any of the following:Your state attorney general’s officeThe FBIThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC)The Better Business Bureau (BBB)If you seek help in applying for an OIC with the IRS or in making other arrangements on your tax debt, make sure you enlist the right expert. A certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent, or tax attorney is the best option to help with your unpaid tax liability, and they can also represent you with the IRS if needed. You can verify a tax professional’s credentials on the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers.How to dispute tax relief fraud chargesYou may be able to get your money back if you’ve already paid a company you suspect is fraudulent. Follow these steps to dispute a fraudulent charge with your bank or credit card company:Pull up your banking or credit card account online.Find the fraudulent transaction.Choose the option to dispute the charge, if you have one.Go through the dispute process and provide information about what happened.If it’s not easily done online or if you’d rather talk to someone about your situation, you can dispute the charge by phone. Call the number on the back of the debit or credit card you used for the payment.You typically have 90 to 120 days to dispute a charge, depending on your bank or credit card issuer. The amount of time disputes take varies. Some disputes are settled within 30 days, but others take much longer. Card issuers generally have up to 90 days to settle disputes.How to protect yourself from identity theftIf the scammer obtained any of your private information, they may try to use it for identity theft. Here are a few ways to protect yourself:Set up an identity protection PIN (IP PIN) with the IRS. You need to register for an account on IRS.gov, and then you can request an IP PIN. This six-digit number prevents anyone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number.Sign up for a credit monitoring service that notifies you of changes to your credit file. There are plenty of free credit monitoring services online. You may want to check if your bank or credit card issuer offers this service free of charge (many do).Monitor your banking and credit card statements for suspicious charges. Keep an especially close eye on any accounts used to pay for tax relief scam services.Steps to Take if You Suspect a Tax ScamIf you suspect you're dealing with a tax scammer, follow these steps.1. Do not engageIf you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately, without providing any further personal information. If you receive an email, text message, or message via social media, do not reply or open any attachments.2. Verify the contactDon’t automatically trust that someone is who they say they are, or that the number, email address, or social media handle they’re contacting you from is as it appears. Scammers nowadays use spoofing, a method with which they can make it seem like they’re contacting you from a legitimate source. Don’t engage. Reach out to the IRS directly.3. Report the scamReport the incident to the IRS by following the agency’s reporting guidelines. This may involve reporting suspected tax fraud via form 14242, as well as notifying the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).Legitimate Tax Debt Relief Options vs. ScamsThe IRS does offer programs to pay off tax debt. You can apply for these programs directly with the IRS (Freedom Debt Relief doesn’t offer tax debt programs). IRS options include:Offer in compromise (OIC): If you meet eligibility requirements, you could settle your tax debt for a lower amount than what you owe. There is an application fee of $205 unless you meet the low-income certification guidelines.Short-term payment plan: You pay your tax debt within 180 days. Short-term payment plans don’t have setup fees, but you must pay accrued penalties and interest until the balance is paid in full.Long-term payment plan: You pay your tax debt in installments over more than 180 days. Long-term payment plans have setup fees that vary depending on the payment method and whether you qualify for low-income taxpayer status. You must also pay accrued penalties and interest until the balance is paid in full.Here’s a breakdown of how you can tell the difference between legitimate IRS programs vs. tax relief scams. Courtesy of Freedom Debt Relief Freedom Debt Relief can help with many types of debt, including credit card debt, medical debt, and personal loan debt, to name just a few. But you can’t settle tax debt the same way people settle credit card debt. Freedom Debt Relief doesn’t provide any services for tax debt.If you’re dealing with tax debt, you can apply for a payment program or OIC directly with the IRS. You may find that you can handle your tax situation on your own. But if you’re not sure how to pay your taxes or if you’re facing wage garnishment, it could be time to seek professional assistance from a CPA or a tax attorney.This story was produced by Freedom Debt Relief and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	In his latest book, David George Haskell shows how flowers made our world In his latest book, David George Haskell shows how flowers made our worldThe world’s environmental alarms grow louder and more insistent with each passing moment.Nearly half of the world’s flower species are in decline. Global pesticide use is up, despite the hazardous effects of these chemicals on water, biodiversity, soil, and human health. Increased heat and drought stress crops, while living systems lose their complexity, and extreme weather events strain natural and manufactured habitats. Against this backdrop, "How Flowers Made Our World" by revered biologist and bestselling author David George Haskell urges us to learn from the organisms holding our ecosystems together. Flowers, he writes, are the engineers of habitats, architects of food webs, and the biological infrastructure behind much of what humans eat, build, and call “nature.” What better place to start?In the book, Haskell—a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist—traces how flowering plants revolutionized the planet after arriving late in Earth’s history, evolving and spreading while dinosaurs still roamed. They reshaped landscapes and formed tight partnerships with insects, birds, and mammals. The result is a sweeping account of interdependence, moving between deep time, evolutionary history, and the present-day climate crisis.The argument lands with particular force now, when the systems that flowers helped create are being stressed by human activity. Below, Haskell speaks with Atmos about flowers as evolutionary agents, why it matters to understand how flowers made the world, and what it would take to keep from unmaking it.Daphne Chouliaraki MilnerWhat was the starting point for "How Flowers Made Our World"?David George HaskellMy background is in biology, but for the last 15 years, I’ve mostly been writing books and essays that integrate biological knowledge with ethics and culture, and sharing those stories with people who aren’t specialists. Again and again, I kept running up against flowers as central players in Earth’s story, both in the past, but also in the present, and most likely in the future.And yet that story was only told in fragments. There was no book I’d found that really celebrated and honored flowers—not just for their beauty or the way they lift our spirits, but for their world-changing power. Once that idea formed, the way I experienced and saw the world transformed.I really think we live on a floral planet. As I go through my day—thinking about what I’m eating, or thinking about the places I’m walking in a city or out in the countryside—I see the creative capacity of flowers everywhere. And I see how our actions sometimes help flowers, but often we’re not particularly helpful cooperators. To me, the central story is putting flowers back where they belong, which is at the center of the narrative of how the modern world came to be.DaphneI love that framing—living on a floral planet. In the book, you position flowers as revolutionary actors. For readers who haven’t read it yet, can you explain what flowers changed about life on Earth, and why they’re so instrumental in the evolution of our planet?DavidFlowers are late arrivals in the drama of life on Earth. They appeared maybe 130 million years ago, maybe a little before that, but that’s hundreds of millions of years after complex plants and animals. Despite them being latecomers, within a few million years of their appearance, almost every habitat was transformed. Flowering plants essentially took over.They built rainforests. There were no rainforests as we know them today before flowering plants. There were no prairies, no mangroves, no seagrass meadows. Name an important habitat today, and flowering plants are very likely either at its center or deeply involved. Of course, there are places like spruce forests where other plants are important, and I don’t want to dismiss that. But ecologically, flowers run the show.And for humans, they absolutely run the show because almost all of human agriculture is based on flowering plants. Two-thirds to three-quarters of the calories we eat come from grasses, like maize, wheat, rice, sugarcane, and more. We are a floral species—really, a grassland-dependent species.I mean that flowers are “revolutionary” literally. It’s not a metaphor. Once flowers arrived, there was an overthrow of the old order, and flowering plants became central to ecosystem function in ways that benefited other creatures. Rainforest animals wouldn’t exist without flowers. Butterflies and bees evolved in relation to flowers. Grazing mammals; many birds, including fruit-dispersing and pollinating birds. And the human species wouldn’t have evolved without them.There are other revolutions, too. Genetic innovations within flowering plants that helped them take over, and a revolution in human culture. Flowers were important in the foundation of modern biology, in agriculture, and in the ways we express individuality and cultural identity through perfume, decorative arts, religious rituals, burials, and weddings. Flowers sit at the center of many important cultural rituals.The book’s title might sound grandiose—"How Flowers Made Our World"—but I really mean it. Without flowers, we’d be on an entirely different planet. Wondrous in its own way, but much less productive, less diverse, and missing many of the dominant creatures we have today.DaphneCould you talk about one or two “deals” that flowers struck with insects, birds, or mammals that helped facilitate these big changes?DavidThe classic one is pollination. Before flowers, insects were basically pests; leaf eaters, sap suckers, and so on. They were a big problem for most plants. Flowering plants flipped the narrative and turned some former enemies into cooperative partners. It makes for an interesting story because anytime you turn enemies into friends, you have questions of how and why, and what the consequences were. Flowers did that.What astonishes me is that they mainly did it by speaking directly to animal senses in the language of beauty and desire and sensory connection. When a flower releases aromatic chemicals, those drift through the air and bind to nerve endings on insect antennae or in the noses of mammals or birds, stimulating the brain in a way that elicits attraction and desire. That brings the animal into alignment with the plant’s intentions.This is cooperation mediated by aesthetic experiences. And it’s not just through aroma, it’s also through colors, shapes, and even the electric field around a specific flower. Every flower has a unique electrical field we can’t see, but bees and hoverflies can detect it with small hairs on their bodies. These are ways flowers “speak” to animals—and, of course, I’m using that analogy loosely. Flower language is not exactly the same as human language. But there is a communicative element to this. From there, pollen transfer was made much more efficient, and allowed flowering plants to inhabit habitats other species could not.They also expanded cooperation into fruit dispersal. Fruit is an underappreciated aspect of floral innovation. Before flowers, seeds were largely on their own. Other plants, like conifers, make a seed, maybe enclose it in a cone, then throw it out, and the little baby is left on its own. Flowering plants wrap seeds in fruits that can be nutritious or protective, or shaped for dispersal, like the “helicopters” of maple and ash. Only flowering plants produce fruits, and many fruits also “speak” to animals, linking plants and animals into cooperative, sometimes coevolutionary relationships. Seeds are dispersed by birds, but also by ants and many other creatures.But this relationship isn’t always purely cooperative. Flowering plants can be sneaky and deceptive. Many orchids have a puff of yellow pigment that looks like pollen but offers no food. Some grow spurs that look full of nectar but contain none.And some are even more devious. An orchid flower can look and smell, and even feel in texture, like a female wasp or another kind of insect. Males emerge in spring and try to mate with the flower, wasting their time, while the orchid places pollen on their heads. The wasps are then enlisted as pollinators. Other flowers can kill their pollinators. For example, after an insect delivers pollen from a male to a female flower, the female flower offers no exit, and the pollinator dies there.So yes, there’s much to celebrate and learn from in floral cooperation, but evolution can be crafty. Flowers are part of that coevolutionary melodrama, if you like.DaphneAs you’ve already touched on, much of what you’re describing underpins human civilization and agriculture. To what extent would you describe human civilization as a by-product of botanical innovation?DavidOh, 100%. Long before humans evolved, our prehuman hominid ancestors came down from trees in the African tropics about 6 million years ago. They eventually evolved bipedalism on grasslands and savannas. Grasses are a specialized kind of flowering plant. Our ancestors evolved to live and thrive in an ecosystem built entirely by one kind of flowering plant, and those are grasses.A lot of people don’t even think of grasses as flowers. They think, “That’s just a lawn.” And lawns are strange because we mow them to remove any sign of sex or death. And it hides from us an essential truth that, like all flowers, grasses are sexual beings, and when they form seeds, those seeds are packed with food. Grass seeds are actually way more loaded with food than many other kinds of seeds and fruits out there.We, humans, evolved to take advantage of that and to eat the animals that were eating the grasses. When our ancestors hunted wildebeest-like animals, we were indirectly eating grasses, even if we were eating barbecue.Then, with the agricultural revolution, that relationship with grasses and with other flowering plants, including those relying on insects for pollination, intensified. Human agriculture is founded on the productivity and innovations of flowering plants combined with human creativity. Let’s give our ancestors some credit. Those clever people worked with teosinte to produce modern maize; with wild rice to produce domesticated rice; with wheat and barley and oats. There’s a lot of human creativity that effectively merged with botanical productivity to produce modern agriculture.It remains astonishingly productive, even as we’ve caused soil erosion and other environmental problems. Grain harvests have continued to rise overall. The war in Ukraine has affected that recently, because Ukraine is a major wheat-growing region, but by and large, wheat and grain production have increased.Malthusian predictions from the 19th century, and again in the late 20th century, that Earth would run out of food and that more and more humans would starve have utterly failed to come true, mostly because of the productivity of grasses. There will be a limit. There’s a finite amount of farmland on the planet, and climate change and emerging diseases affect yields. But so far, humans and plants have worked together in clever ways to avoid those predictions of calamity, which to me is as much a story about flowering plants as it is about humans. Grasses have been remaking the planet for tens of millions of years before humans came along.DaphneWe hear a lot about soil erosion, insect decline, and the sixth extinction. How has industrial farming disrupted the reciprocal relationship humans and floral creativity have nurtured?DavidWith industrial farming, there’s a duality in our relationship with flowers. On one hand, you could see industrial farming as the apex of human symbiosis with flowering plants. I live in the U.S., and the yields farmers get from corn now—compared with 10 or 20 years ago, and especially compared with a century ago—are staggering. People understand the needs of specific corn genotypes and can produce prodigious amounts of food. In that sense, it’s almost a marvel.The other side of this duality is that it’s also fragile and deeply damaging. It’s fragile because that productivity works only within a narrow set of conditions. A year with excess heat, a bit more drought, or a new fungal disease, and the productivity disappears. More diverse forms of agriculture, where you’re not growing one genotype of corn across huge areas, can become more productive under stress.The damaging part of industrial agriculture is well known. Massive applications of herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides contribute to the collapse of pollinating insects. Those impacts reach beyond agricultural fields into so-called “wild” areas—whatever “wild” means today.There’s a terrible cost to this extreme specialization and extreme symbiosis we have engaged in. In good conditions, we can thrive. But that era will come to an end, because climate projections suggest shrinking areas suitable for growing some crops, and disease, fertilizer runoff, and extreme heat will reduce yields. We’re already seeing that in years with extreme heat waves.DaphneAs you rightly say, monocropping simplifies landscapes and also concentrates the risk. If flowers are architects of biodiversity, what would it mean to design agriculture in ways that support their evolutionary work?DavidFlowering plants have been dealing with environmental upheaval for over 100 million years. They came through the end of the Cretaceous; they’ve dealt with continents splitting apart; they’ve been through climate change more extreme than even the most extreme projections of what we’re causing now. How have they done that? There’s no single answer, but one general principle is diversity. Genetic diversity is the foundation of innovation and resilience.This is one core problem with industrial agriculture. If you put all your investment into one genotype, when it fails, you’re in trouble. Experiments show that more species-diverse ecosystems, and populations with more genetic diversity, are able to cope better with extreme swings in temperature, disease, climate, and other challenges.Where does that diversity live? Often in unmanaged or protected areas, and in traditional forms of agriculture, like corn tended in Central and South America for thousands of years. There are literally tens of thousands of genotypes of corn or maize maintained in Indigenous cultures and traditional farming systems. Agriculture that includes a multiplicity of species and genotypes is generally more resilient.There are also people working with that idea in research and farming today, like the Breadlab at Washington State University and the Land Institute in Salina, Kansas. They are working with genetic diversity in grain plants; some of them are traditional grain plants like wheat, others are newly domesticated grain plants. They are not trying to pick a single “best” genotype, but working with the diversity of these plants to find climate-resilient ways of feeding humans without degrading the rest of life.It’s also about how we arrange agricultural landscapes. Part of the answer has to be that we need more edges, hedgerows, and spaces where other species can live away from intensively managed areas. A certain amount of messiness at field edges does an enormous amount of good for biodiversity.I remember my grandfather, who grew up in the Northwest of England near Carlisle in the 1930s, describing how many birds you would hear when walking through fields. It was mind-blowing. He told me that in the 1970s, when I was a young boy, by which point many birds had actually already disappeared. From the 1970s to the present, you go to agricultural fields, and most of those birds are gone. In the U.K., and particularly in England, the crash in biodiversity on managed farmlands has been extraordinary across just a couple of lifetimes.The good news is we know how to fix much of this. And fixing the problem actually involves reconnecting with our culture—and how people tended fields and fed themselves in the past. Not that we have to go back exactly, but can we bring some forms of modern agriculture into relationship with approaches that leave space for birds, butterflies, and other species that are part of a place’s natural heritage?And something that I find is often left out of the conversation is that this is all a source of joy. We only get a few decades each on this planet. Why wouldn’t we want a world that gives us the joy of flowering plants in hedgerows, butterflies, and birds? For me, that’s extremely motivating. The joy of connecting to life’s diversity is part of what we can do by bringing back agriculture that feeds humans and supports the wider community of life.DaphneI’d kick myself if I didn’t ask: after all your research for this book, do you have a favorite flowering plant?DavidThe flowering plant that taught me the most—the one that blew my mind—is the most boring-looking: seagrasses. These are underwater flowering plants that look like grass or seaweed. They live in mud and sand around the coasts of Western Europe, North America, Australia—anywhere with muddy, sandy coasts. Until recently, biologists knew very little about them, but they’re ancient flowering plants that flower underwater, which is insane to me. Right? There’s a flower in the sea.And even better, they are also hot spots for biodiversity. Seagrass meadows are full of spawning fish and little invertebrates. Birds and seabirds feed there. And they store carbon. In fact, they store carbon 35 times faster than the most carbon-rich forest on land.And then, magnolia flowers. They’re big and exuberant, and they descend from some of the first flowering plants on Earth. I love their aroma. If I could be resurrected as a magnolia flower, that would be wonderful.This story was produced by Atmos and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Martina McBride to play Rhythm City Casino Martina McBride is playing Rhythm City Casino September 13. According to a release: Multiple Grammy nominee Martina McBride has sold over 23 million albums to date, which includes 20 Top 10 singles and six #1 hits. Martina has earned more than 15 major music awards, including four wins for Female Vocalist of the Year from [...]
	Jim Victor Memorial Junior Achievement Golf Classic tees off for area youth On Monday, May 4, the annual Jim Victor Memorial Junior Achievement Golf Classic will be held at Crow Valley Golf Club in Davenport, serving as a key fundraiser supporting local youth, a news release says. Proceeds from the tournament will help fund Junior Achievement’s learning experiences that equip students with financial literacy, work and career [...]
	Downtown Geneseo to host first Wine Walk on May 30 Downtown Geneseo will come alive with a new event on Saturday, May 30 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the first-ever Geneseo Wine Walk.
	5 ways to sleep better when anxiety takes hold 5 ways to sleep better when anxiety takes holdFor many, the simple act of falling asleep becomes a battle when anxiety takes hold.Our minds race, our bodies tense, and the quiet peace needed for rest feels miles away. There’s a simple motto to navigate this challenge: “Mind, Body, Buffer Zone.” These are the three crucial pathways to focus on when anxiety interferes with sleep.Think of them as three distinct doorways. To fall asleep while anxious, you can choose a skill from any of these doorways or combine them as needed. Depending on your stress level, you might need one, two, or even three approaches. What works one night might not work the next, emphasizing the need for flexibility. It's through these pathways that we learn to soothe our systems, making sleep possible.Northwell Health shares five methods for easing yourself to sleep during stressful times.The Mind Pathway: Calming Your ThoughtsOur thoughts are often the primary instigators of bedtime anxiety. Taming them is a powerful first step.1. Write a Worry Log:Before bed, our minds often become a breeding ground for worries. To regulate this, externalize your concerns with a worry log. Dedicate 10 to 15 minutes, ideally at least two hours before bed, to writing down everything on your mind. This could range from existential fears like losing power in a storm to practical concerns like forgetting keys. Once written, review your list. Identify what you can solve immediately and what you cannot. Solve the solvable items. For the unsolvable, or those that require future action, mentally place them on "tomorrow's list." Then, close the log. No more worries until the next day. This simple act contains your anxieties, preventing them from interfering with sleep.2. Visualize a Calming Environment:Once your worries are contained, engage your mind in a more soothing direction through visualization. Picture yourself in a serene place — perhaps on a boat on a calm lake with birds chirping. Alternatively, imagine your anxious thoughts as clouds, gently floating away. Observe these thoughts without judgment, then allow them to drift, bringing your focus back to the present moment. This mindfulness practice helps you detach from mental clutter and cultivate a sense of inner calm.The Body Pathway: Soothing Your PhysiologyAnxiety manifests physically, leading to increased heart rate and tension. Directly addressing these bodily responses can signal safety to your brain.3. Diaphragmatic Breathing:One of the most effective ways to lower central nervous system activity is through diaphragmatic, or deep belly, breathing. This skill signals to your brain that you are safe. When you're in a "fight-or-flight" state, this deep, luxurious breathing is impossible. Practice breathing slowly and deeply, allowing your belly to expand. This calms your entire system, helping to refocus your mind away from anxious thoughts and towards the steady rhythm of your breath. Resources like online videos can guide you in mastering this technique.4. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR):PMR involves systematically tensing and relaxing different muscle groups throughout your body, starting from your toes and moving up to your head. This exercise not only provides immediate relaxation but also trains your mind and body over time to recognize the difference between tension and relaxation. Regular practice can enhance your ability to consciously release tension, making it easier to unwind before sleep.The Buffer Zone: Protecting Your Presleep TimeThe "buffer zone" is a crucial 20 to 40 minutes before bedtime, designed to wind down and prepare your system for sleep. This protected time almost "bookends" your day.5. Arrange Success Through the Buffer Zone:During this buffer zone, the goal is exclusively soothing, calming, and quieting. What makes you feel calm? For some, it's lighting a candle, snuggling with a blanket, and sipping herbal tea. For others, it might be dimming the lights, washing your face, or gentle stretching. The key is to protect this space fiercely. No stressful phone calls, no work, no activities that elevate your anxiety.Think of how you would prepare a child for bed: dim lights, quiet voices, soothing stories, comforting pajamas. We don't stimulate them; we wind them down. As adults, we need to extend this same care to ourselves. On a particularly stressful day, extend your buffer zone to 40 minutes of deliberate self-soothing. On less anxious days, a shorter routine might suffice. The buffer zone is about setting the stage for sleep, making yourself feel safe, calm, and soothed before your head even hits the pillow.By consciously engaging your mind, soothing your body, and protecting your presleep time, you create a powerful defense against bedtime anxiety. These strategies are not one-time fixes, but tools to cultivate a healthier relationship with sleep, even when anxiety looms. Start building your menu today.This story was produced by Northwell Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Do depression and anxiety treatments work? What new data shows Do depression and anxiety treatments work? What new data showsDepression and anxiety are among the most common mental health conditions, yet many people question whether treatment leads to meaningful improvement. To better understand how care impacts symptoms, LifeStance Health measures and reports treatment outcomes, offering insight into what progress may look like. This article outlines what the data shows about anxiety and depression treatment success.What the numbers show about depression and anxiety treatment successLifeStance Health measures treatment improvement using clinically validated questionnaires that are widely used in mental healthcare: the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) for depression, and the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) for anxiety.Based on reporting from patients who received treatment between 2024 and 2025:73% of patients showed clinically significant improvement in depression symptoms, among 150,000 individuals with at least moderate depression.79% of patients showed clinically significant improvement in anxiety symptoms, among 140,000 individuals with at least moderate anxiety. LifeStance Health These outcomes reflect changes in patient-reported symptoms over time. Improvement can include feeling less overwhelmed, experiencing fewer symptoms or noticing that symptoms feel more manageable in daily life.While each person’s experience with mental healthcare is different, these findings indicate that the patients in this research cohort broadly experience meaningful improvement during treatment.What PHQ-9 and GAD-7 measurePHQ-9 and GAD-7 are trusted mental health assessments used across healthcare settings. They ask about symptoms commonly associated with depression and anxiety, including mood, energy levels, sleep, concentration, worry and the ability to manage life demands over recent weeks. Their ability to estimate severity of these disorders along with their ease of use has made them a widely adopted way to track progress in mental healthcare.What progress can look like with depression and anxiety treatmentFor individuals considering mental healthcare, it can be reassuring to know whether treatment often leads to improvement.Outcomes reporting helps provide transparency and set realistic expectations. It can help answer questions such as:Do people commonly feel better with treatment?Is improvement possible for depression and anxiety?What does progress look like for people who seek care?Not sure what symptoms may mean?Many people are unsure whether what they are feeling may be depression, anxiety or something else. That uncertainty can make it difficult to know where to start.Taking a free, confidential online mental health questionnaire can help individuals better understand what they may be experiencing. Taking a questionnaire may help individuals:Put language around what they are feelingGain insight into symptom patternsDecide whether professional support may be helpfulHealing is possibleDepression and anxiety are common and treatable conditions. The outcomes shared in this article show that patients broadly experience improvement with treatment, which may offer reassurance for those considering mental healthcare.This story was published by LifeStance Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Celebrate Bike to Work Week, May 11 - 15 Quad City commuters are invited to take part in Bike to Work Week, May 11 - 15. The Quad Cities Bicycle Club, along with cities and community organizations, encourages residents to trade their cars for bicycles for the commute to promote healthier lifestyles, a greener future and more livable communities. “We’re excited to see the [...]
	Road construction continues across the Quad Cities metro Public works projects are beginning in Davenport on 4th Street and the Eastern Avenue Bridge, and Moline is working to replace existing lead pipes on 15th Street.
	Gas prices rise nearly 34 cents in the Q-C, up 56 cents from April Gas prices in the Quad-Cities jumped 33.7 cents in a week, now averaging $4.11. Here’s what’s driving the spike and what could come next.
	Becoming a single mom by choice Becoming a single mom by choiceKelly always loved kids. Growing up in a rural part of Texas in a conservative, Christian environment, she worked as the camp counselor during vacation Bible school and volunteered to teach classes at her church. She knew she’d be a mother one day, she just had no idea how she would get there — especially once she understood she was queer. When, at 28, she eventually married a trans man, they got as far as making embryos together, but those embryos are set to be destroyed once their divorce is finalized this spring. Now living in Houston and working for an education nonprofit, she pondered how she might pursue her goal on her own. Kelly doesn’t use much social media, but she does use Reddit. About a year ago, she stumbled on a subreddit dedicated to becoming a solo mother by choice and began poring over other would-be parents’ stories.One afternoon after work, feeling despondent, Kelly — who, like several of the women The Economic Hardship Reporting Project and The Cut spoke with, asked to go by a pseudonym — sat down in her car and typed out a plaintive post. She was 32, she wrote, living in a medium cost-of-living area, and making $56,000 a year. Her job was fairly stable, but she knew she didn’t earn a lot, and the cost of living keeps rising. Her friends assured her she’d be a terrific mom, but even they worried whether she was financially ready. She needed to hear that her dream was within reach. “Can someone tell me that my situation is not unique? That someone else has felt like this and is now a mother? That everything is going to work out? I’m just losing faith every day,” she wrote. “I want to know if it is possible.”Having a child in 2026 is a difficult decision for many, but single women come to this decision with unique questions. How do I choose a sperm donor? How much does one cost? What kinds of jobs pay enough and offer the flexibility a single mom needs? When is it time to give up on dating? How does anyone afford child care on a single paycheck? How do you shower when you have a newborn? Is 41 too old? Is 21 too young? How do you talk to a child about the donor? What’s the most manageable age gap between siblings? How do I accept that this was never the plan — and then start to plan for it? For thousands of women like Kelly, the answers to these questions are found on r/SingleMothersByChoice.The responses she received mixed practical advice (consider pivoting her career to nursing, finance, or accounting; get a second job to save an emergency fund; make a spreadsheet and budget out what your costs would be with a baby) with emotional support (“I don’t have any answers, just wanted to let you know you’re in good company with feeling this way”). One commenter advised her to cut back her expenses and save, but noted that she had “raised a child frugally yet without missing out on anything … we’ve had lots of packed lunches when out to save money and be able to afford to do more.” (“This felt like reading a message from a supportive and loving big sister. Thank you
	Where cyclists face the highest risks on US roads Where cyclists face the highest risks on US roadsCycling fatalities in the United States reached a record high in 2023, the most recent year with complete federal data available. According to NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 1,166 pedalcyclists were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes that year, a 4.4% increase from 2022 and the highest count in more than four decades. The same data shows that 49,989 cyclists were injured in crashes during 2023, an 8% increase from the previous year.That record occurred despite an overall decline in U.S. traffic fatalities. Total roadway deaths fell 4.3% in 2023 compared to 2022, meaning cyclist deaths increased while overall roadway fatalities declined. This analysis is based on publicly available crash data and reporting compiled by Mokaram Injury Lawyers, a Houston-based personal injury law firm founded by attorney Ali Mokaram.The States With the Most Cyclist DeathsNHTSA's 2023 data breaks down pedalcyclist fatalities by state. Three states account for a disproportionate share of the national total in 2023:Florida: 234 fatalities, the highest of any state and more than double the count of the second-highest state.California: 145 fatalities.Texas: 106 fatalities. Courtesy of Mokaram Injury Lawyers Together, those three states account for roughly 42% of all cyclist deaths recorded nationally in 2023, according to NHTSA's Bicyclists and Other Cyclists: 2023 Data report. Four states, Alaska, Maine, North Dakota, and South Dakota, recorded no pedalcyclist fatalities in the same period.The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) noted that Hawai‘i had the highest percentage of bicyclist deaths as a share of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2023, at 9%, despite lower raw totals. That figure reflects how the composition of road deaths can vary significantly by state, even when raw totals differ.Urban Areas Account for the Majority of DeathsAcross the country, cyclist fatalities are more concentrated in urban areas than in rural areas. NHTSA's 2023 data shows that 81% of all pedalcyclist fatalities occurred in urban areas. That proportion has grown over time, with urban areas accounting for approximately 69% of cyclist fatalities in 2011.Most fatal crashes did not occur at intersections. NHTSA data shows 62% of pedalcyclist fatalities in 2023 took place at nonintersection locations, with 28% occurring at intersections and the remaining 11% at other locations, including bike lanes, shoulders, driveways, and parking zones.More than half of all cyclist fatalities in 2023 (53%) occurred in the dark, compared to 42% in daylight conditions. NHTSA separately notes that cyclist deaths are highest during the months of July through October.Who Is Most at Risk?The demographic breakdown of cyclist fatalities is consistent across years of federal data. In 2023, 87% of pedalcyclists killed in traffic crashes were male, according to NHTSA. The population-based fatality rate for males was more than seven times higher than for females. The average age of a cyclist killed in a traffic crash in 2023 was 48, with the largest numbers of fatalities in the 55-to-59 and 60-to-64 age groups.Alcohol involvement, defined by NHTSA as a BAC of .01 g/dL or higher for either the motor vehicle driver, the cyclist, or both, was reported in 34% of traffic crashes that resulted in pedalcyclist fatalities in 2023. The presence of alcohol in those cases does not necessarily indicate that it was a contributing factor.Hit-and-run crashes accounted for 23% of all pedalcyclist fatalities in 2023, or 274 deaths, according to NHTSA data.Vehicle Type in Fatal CrashesWhen a cyclist is killed in a single-vehicle crash, the type of vehicle involved can affect how the impact occurs. NHTSA data shows that cyclists struck by passenger vehicles, including cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans, were more likely to be hit from the front of those vehicles. Buses had the highest percentage of rear-impact cyclist fatalities at 18%.Collisions with light trucks, which include SUVs, pickups, and vans, accounted for the highest proportion of cyclist fatalities when looking at the full vehicle mix, according to NHTSA's bicycle safety data covering recent years.The Long-Term TrendThe increase in cyclist fatalities has developed over more than a decade. Cyclist fatalities in the U.S. totaled 623 in 2010, the lowest point in the modern tracking period. The 1,166 deaths recorded in 2023 represent an 87% increase over the 2010 figure, according to NHTSA data cited by the League of American Bicyclists. Courtesy of Mokaram Injury Lawyers Early estimates from NHTSA for 2024 projected an approximately 5% decrease in pedalcyclist fatalities compared to 2023 levels. Those figures remain preliminary as full-year FARS data for 2024 is finalized.The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy, released in 2022, noted that fatalities among pedestrians and cyclists had been increasing faster than overall roadway fatalities over the prior decade.This story was produced by Mokaram Injury Lawyers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	IMEG adds national director role to strengthen infrastructure leadership A.J. Loss will join IMEG as National Director of Infrastructure, based in the firm’s Rock Island office.
	Week starts warm and turns cooler A strong cold front will bring the threat of some thunderstorms later today. These could be strong to severe. Ahead of that front, it'll be warm Monday. However, much cooler weather returns for the rest of the week. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	What to do if you miss payments, and how to help prevent them from happening What to do if you miss payments, and how to help prevent them from happeningIf you’ve made thousands of on-time payments over the course of your life, it’s reasonable to think that one missed bill wouldn’t be a big deal.But you’d be wrong.A recent Reddit thread went viral for pointing out that one missed student-loan payment sunk the poster’s credit score by more than 200 points – from a stellar 808, down to 587.To be sure, some specific circumstances led to that cratered score: 90 days late, a bank that closed down, a new baby that left him distracted and sleep-deprived, and reminders that were dumped into spam folders.But the key point is that even one missed payment can have serious ramifications for your financial life, and you essentially need to be on your guard at all times.“We see this happen more often than people think,” Joon Um, a financial planner with Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, Calif., tells Current, a consumer fintech banking platform. “One missed payment can cause a big drop, because payment history is the biggest factor in a credit score.”Indeed, payment history accounts for 35% of the widely used FICO credit score, according to the company. That’s followed by other factors like amount owed (30%), and length of credit history (15%). Payment history is even more heavily weighted in the competing VantageScore model, making up 41% of the total.But the reality is that no one is perfect, and sometimes mistakes are made not only by borrowers, but lenders, too. Perhaps a bill was misdelivered, or was stashed in a drawer and forgotten about, or e-mail alerts got overlooked.It happens. But the key is to prevent late payments from occurring in the first place, and to act quickly if something does slip through the cracks. A large credit-score drop can have rippling effects through the rest of your financial life from your ability to qualify for a car loan or mortgage, or to be approved for a rental apartment, or even to get hired for a job.Here’s what you need to do, to set up multiple lines of defense:Automate payments. Taking the responsibilities of monthly bill payments out of your own hands is really the best strategy to avoid any potential missteps. “Set up all your bills on autopay,” advises Ryan Kelly, a financial planner in Vienna, Va.Regular charges can be handled automatically either using a credit card, or drawn directly from your bank account and then you never have to worry about timeliness again. Just make sure there is enough money in your accounts to cover those regular bills, otherwise you could face overdraft fees or failed transactions.Dispute errors. Lenders are human, too, and also make mistakes. According to one study by Consumer Reports, 44% of people who checked their credit report discovered at least one error.So if a late payment was incorrectly logged on your credit record, perhaps a clerical mistake, or perhaps a debt owed by someone else with the same name, you could be paying a heavy price for something that wasn’t even your fault.But you can’t fix what you don’t know, so check out your reports at major credit agencies Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, and start fixing any errors that have popped up. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has compiled a useful rundown of how and where to do so.Even if a late payment was legitimately your fault, companies will occasionally erase that notification once the bill is paid up. Says Um: “Sometimes they’ll remove the late mark as a goodwill adjustment, especially if it’s the first time.”Rebuild. Let’s say that a late-payment report to the credit agencies was accurate, and you’ve exhausted other avenues to get it lifted from your report. At that point, all you can do is work diligently on rebuilding that credit score.That means making all payments on time, reducing your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your total credit access you are actually using), and perhaps using products like a secured credit card, which can give your credit score a boost while minimizing risks of debt. You’ll want to look for one with a low or no required minimum deposit and be sure it reports to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).“One missed payment may hurt in the short term, but you can often rebuild within months, not years,” says Kelly. “I once worked with a young couple who was struggling with some medical bills and credit card debt, and in just three months they reviewed and corrected some errors on their credit reports, negotiated down and paid off their medical bills, and improved their credit scores by over 100 points.”This story was produced by Current and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Pocket gardens: The tiny urban oases with surprisingly big benefits Pocket gardens: The tiny urban oases with surprisingly big benefitsIt’s not just easy to miss, but often downright hard to notice. A simple patch of greenery in a city may seem like a blip in the concrete jungle, but it’s an extremely powerful way to solve a bunch of problems at once: Studies have shown that green spaces improve urbanites’ mental health, make summers more bearable, and prevent flooding by soaking up stormwater.When these plots are planned — as opposed to letting vacant lots grow wild, which is valuable in its own right — they become extra powerful. You may have even enjoyed one without knowing it: the “pocket garden.” Tucked into spaces accessible to pedestrians, like sidewalks, hospital grounds, and campuses, they can be engineered to turn heat-absorbing concrete into air-cooling oases packed with vegetation and seating for people to escape the metropolitan bustle.“This increasing prioritization of creating green spaces in unexpected spots and underutilized spaces in communities is not only going to be making our communities more resilient, it’s going to be making people healthier,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, which promotes urban forestry. “A little bit of green goes a long way.”Pocket gardens aren’t gardens in the agriculturally productive sense, but ornamental grounds, Grist reports. (Though there’s nothing stopping a designer from adding a fruit tree or two.) Ideally, they’re host to native plant species, which bring several benefits. For one, they attract native pollinators like insects and birds, which get a source of food that powers them to go on and fertilize plants elsewhere, like crops in urban farms. And two, if the vegetation is adapted to a particular region or condition, it’s already used to the local climate — drought-tolerant varieties, for instance, won’t require as much water to survive. Furthermore, choosing native grasses that don’t need mowing can cut down on maintenance costs. And picking trees with big canopies will increase the amount of shade for people to use as refuge from the heat. (Sorry, palm trees, that means you’re disqualified.)Biodiversity — mixing tree species as opposed to planting 10 of the same kind — is key here. That attracts a broader range of pollinating animals, and builds resiliency into the system: If you only plant one variety of tree and a disease shows up, it can spread rapidly.And speaking of disease, trees have an additional superpower in their ability to scrub urban air of the pollutants that contribute to respiratory problems. In addition, the vegetation of a pocket park releases water vapor, bringing down air temperatures. This mitigates what’s called the urban heat island effect, in which cities absorb the sun’s energy all day and slowly release it into the night. Combined, reduced air pollution and temperatures improve public health.There’s also the harder-to-quantify bonus of people getting out of their cars and gathering in public spaces, no matter how diminutive. “It’s actually a transition toward the pedestrian — toward the person — and away from the vehicle,” said Eric Galipo, director of campus planning and urban design at the architecture firm FCA, which has integrated pocket gardens in its projects. “We may not spend as much time together as a society as we used to, and so these are great opportunities for that sort of connection to happen.”When the rains come, these verdant plots take on another role as an infrastructural asset. As the planet heats up, rainfall increases because a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture. In response, cities like Los Angeles and Pittsburgh are getting rid of concrete to open up more green spaces, which absorb rainfall, allowing it to seep underground. This reduces pressure on sewer systems that are struggling to handle increasingly heavy deluges. These systems, after all, were designed long ago for a different climate than we’re dealing with today.When a city prioritizes green spaces, you can actually hear the difference. Barcelona, for instance, has been developing superblocks, which aim to improve city life by transforming car infrastructure into walkable spaces. That includes the development of “green axes” (the plural of “axis,” not the tool for chopping), full of vegetation and paths for strolling. A recent study found that after these spaces were pedestrianized and vehicles disappeared, average noise levels fell by 3.1 decibels. (For context, hearing a car traveling at 65 mph from 25 feet away would be 77 decibels.)While 3.1 may not seem like much, each increase of 10 decibels means a tenfold rise in loudness. And we have to consider not just the decibels but how the kind of noise changed as Barcelona developed green axes: Revving engines, honking horns, and even the occasional cacophony of a car accident were replaced with voices. As the built environment dramatically changed, so too did the way that folks on foot experienced their surroundings. “If people see green in general, the noise perception tends to change,” said Samuel Nello-Deakin, a postdoctoral researcher at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and lead author of the study. “You think that things are not as noisy as they actually are. So there’s also this interesting interaction, right, between sort of what you hear and what you see.” In addition, green spaces absorb city racket, keeping it from bouncing off of and between buildings and pavement, insulating residents from the din.With less commotion comes still more gains to public health. Noise pollution is an invisible crisis worldwide, as studies link the stress it causes not just to struggles with mental health, but physical problems like hypertension and heart disease. By contrast, pocket parks and other green spaces encourage people to ditch their cars and move their bodies. “There are also physical health benefits from walking, biking, and being outside that over a lifetime tend to have a cumulative positive effect on what our society spends in health care,” Galipo said.So as cities increasingly realize and utilize the power of greenery, the environmental, auditory, and social fabric of the urban landscape transforms. “There’s a gravity to this green space that brings people out,” Lambe said. “And all of a sudden, neighbors are connecting, generations are connecting, cultures are connecting. Trees are about the one thing that everybody can agree on.”This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Studio 483 Architects names Veronica Tolander as new president This marks an important milestone in the firm’s continued evolution and growth.
	How to help employees experiencing financial stress Sorry, but your browser does not support the video tag. var bptVideoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); if (bptVideoPlayer) { var cssText = "width: 100%;"; cssText += " background: url('" + bptVideoPlayer.getAttribute("poster") + "');"; cssText += " -webkit-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -moz-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -o-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " background-size: cover;"; bptVideoPlayer.style.cssText = cssText; var bptVideoPlayerContainer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayerContainer"); if (bptVideoPlayerContainer) { setTimeout(function () { bptVideoPlayerContainer.style.cssText = "display: block; position: relative; margin-bottom: 10px;"; var isIE = navigator.userAgent.match(/ MSIE(([0 - 9] +)(\.[0 - 9] +) ?) /); var isEdge = navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Edge") > -1 \|\| navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Trident") > -1; if (isIE \|\| isEdge) { fixVideoPoster(); } }, 1000); } var bptVideoPlayButton = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayButton"); if (bptVideoPlayButton) { bptVideoPlayButton.addEventListener("click", function () { bptVideoPlayer.play(); }, false); bptVideoPlayer.addEventListener("play", function () { bptVideoPlayButton.style.cssText = "display: none;"; }, false); } var mainImage = document.getElementById("mainImageImgContainer_sm"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var mainImage = document.getElementById("photo-noresize"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("asset_gallery")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("trb_article_leadart")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.querySelectorAll("[src='https://d372qxeqh8y72i.cloudfront.net/cc237943-a692-41c3-bd34-c51e60bfef85_web.jpg']")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } } function fixVideoPoster() { var videoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); var videoPoster = document.getElementById("bptVideoPoster"); fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, true); window.onresize = function() { fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster); }; videoPoster.onclick = function() { videoPlayer.play(); videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; videoPlayer.onplay = function() { videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; } function fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, display) { setTimeout(function () { var videoPosition = videoPlayer.getBoundingClientRect(); videoPoster.style.position = "absolute"; videoPoster.style.top = "0"; videoPoster.style.left = "0"; videoPoster.style.width = videoPlayer.offsetWidth + "px"; videoPoster.style.height = (videoPlayer.offsetHeight + 20) + "px"; if (display) { videoPoster.style.display = "inline"; } }, 1010); } (BPT) - For millions of U.S. workers, financial worries are a daily stressor that leads not only to emotional and psychological distress, but also health problems from insomnia and headaches to digestive problems, cardiovascular issues and more. Because these anxieties are so pervasive, they're not just a personal problem — they're a serious productivity crisis impacting all U.S. employers.How pervasive are these issues? Up to 60% of employees are stressed about finances right now, causing nearly 40% to miss work due to money worries. The total impact is staggering: Employers lose an estimated $250 billion each year in productivity due to the financial stress of their employees."Financial anxiety is absolutely a productivity issue," said Geoff Howard, CEO of The Money Confidence Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people develop the mindset, skills and habits needed to take control of their financial futures. "More than half of U.S. employees are experiencing financial stress, and that financial stress is actually impacting their work."Positive steps employers can takeBecause many employers already are aware of this issue, companies are increasingly investing in employee financial wellness programs as part of their benefits packages. These programs typically focus on financial education materials that are passively received by employees, and may not be having the desired impact."Presenting employees with financial wellness programs of any kind is progress, but we still see those programs falling short," said Howard. "If conventional curriculum and tools were the solution, we wouldn't still have a problem. But these programs don't address the deeper issue: people's emotional relationship with money."To help employers and employees address the issue more effectively, The Money Confidence Project is shifting the approach, offering business leaders a new framework centered on financial guidance, habit-building and personalized support. The program builds on the 10-year history of the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship.The principles of the program are:1. Recognize people's relationship with money is deeply personal and emotional.2. Know that one size doesn't fit all. 3. Leverage the power of entertainment. 4. Focus on active behavior change by building healthy habits, not just passively learning.How The Money Confidence Project worksTo provide employers with valuable, effective tools for their employees, The Money Confidence Project offers a suite of programs that help employees build healthy financial habits and take the anxiety out of money."We encourage people to take the steps necessary to create healthy financial habits and build their confidence with money," Howard added. "We do that through a unique set of programs that all leverage the power of entertainment."Employers can choose one or all of these programs for the employees:Groove personal finance and habit-building app for people anxious about their finances. The app identifies a user's unique money personality and adapts to that. The Money Confidence Project worked with researchers from Duke University's Common Sense Lab to develop the app, which is based in real behavioral science. Groove supports individuals with personalized goals, guided learning and tools that make managing money feel approachable and achievable. Unlike traditional programs, Groove focuses on the emotional and behavioral side of money — so change actually sticks.Million Stories award-winning entertainment channel offers shows on getting smarter about money and helping viewers build the life they want, focusing on real stories from real individuals about their relationships with money. The channel features over 45 series, with more than 250 episodes of real stories to help break stigmas, nurture learning and inspire action.Venture Valley award-winning video game ignites business and entrepreneurial skills in a competitive, tournament-style video game where users actually learn financial skills through game play. Live tournament play turns financial learning into an exciting interactive experience where players compete and build confidence in a risk-free environment — learning the building blocks of business and entrepreneurship in a fun, engaging way."Many programs being implemented right now are one-way programs," said Howard. "And there's a lot of content about money available that isn't tailored to the individual. We focus on being able to adapt to a user's unique money personality, and offer a suite of programs that actually interacts with people, so users are responding to the apps and tools while we provide them with information."The Money Confidence Project offers license and sponsorship opportunities in a partnership model for all their programs. Employers can license one or more of their suite of programs, then offer it as an employee benefit.Learn more about how to help employees feel more confident and less stressed about their finances by visiting MoneyConfidenceProject.org.
	Nursing home resident dies after family calls 911 to get medical help Edgewater Active-Life Community, a skilled nursing facility located in West Des Moines. (Photo via Google Earth)State regulators have ordered additional training for a nursing home worker accused of failing to intervene when a resident was in respiratory distress. The resident’s family allegedly had to call 911 to obtain medical assistance, and the resident subsequently died, according to state records. The Iowa Board of Nursing alleges that in July 2024, 55-year-old licensed practical nurse Ursella Minnea Washington of Perry began working at Edgewater Active-Life Community, a skilled nursing facility located in West Des Moines. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX On March 24, 2025, a male resident was admitted to Edgewater after an extensive hospitalization related to late-stage cancer and generalized weakness. Two days after the man’s admission, according to the board, Washington was working an evening shift at Edgewater, during which she allegedly assessed the resident and documented his vital signs and respiratory status as normal. The board alleges that sometime later, a certified nurse aide noted the man’s respiratory status was declining and alerted Washington. Based on her prior assessment, Washington believed the resident was stable, board records state. According to the board, Washington attributed the CNA’s concerns to an equipment malfunction and opted not to assess the resident over the next 45 minutes. The resident’s relatives were at the facility, and were so concerned they eventually called 911 to obtain medical assistance, the board alleges. At some point, Washington went to the resident’s room, then contacted a physician to obtain orders to send the resident to the hospital by ambulance. The resident was admitted and died in the hospital four days later, on March 30, 2025, according to the board. Inspectors: Family had to call 911 State inspection records paint a slightly different picture of what transpired that evening, with inspectors alleging that Washington first learned the man was in respiratory distress when one of the man’s relatives informed her of the situation. According to inspectors, Washington responded by indicating she was passing medications and would see the resident “real soon.” The inspectors allege the resident’s relative eventually sought assistance from a CNA who found the man had a temperature of 102 degrees and an oxygen saturation level of only 75% — with anything below 88% generally considered dangerously low. According to inspectors, the CNA placed the resident on bottled oxygen, then notified Washington of the man’s vital signs. Washington arrived in the man’s room 5 or 10 minutes later, which was about 45 minutes after family members first expressed a concern, the CNA allegedly told inspectors. After being told the family had already called 911 to summon an ambulance, Washington contacted the man’s physician to obtain the order for him to be transferred to the hospital, the inspectors’ report indicates. The state inspectors did not impose any penalties on Edgewater, but in response to a complaint about the situation they did cite the home for failing to provide treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice. In September 2025, Washington was charged by the Board of Nursing with committing an act that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare, failing to assess or report the status of a patient, and failing to respond to, or comply with, a board investigation or subpoena. In order to resolve the disciplinary case, Washington and the board recently agreed to a settlement that imposes no penalties or restrictions on her license but does require her to complete 30 hours of educational training on ethics, as well as 30 hours of educational training on nursing assessments. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was not able to reach Washington for comment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	How to prep your lawn for summer in 3 steps: A guide to late spring lawn care How to prep your lawn for summer in 3 steps: A guide to late spring lawn careLate spring is a turning point for lawns across much of the United States, when grass moves beyond its early-season recovery and settles into a period of steady, vigorous growth ahead of summer. What you do now can influence how your lawn looks for months to come.TruGreen breaks down the three essential steps to help your turf thrive through the rest of spring and into the summer months.Step 1: WateringAdequate water is essential to a healthy lawn, but how do you know how often to water, how much to water and when?Water requirements vary by grass type, soil, and climate conditions. Overwatering is one of the most common lawn care mistakes and can lead to shallow root systems and fungal disease.Most lawns need about 1–2 inches of water per week. For areas of the country that see steady rainfall throughout spring, extra watering may not even be required. At the same time, underwatering stresses turf and reduces density, allowing weeds to establish.As for timing, morning watering is optimal.“The best window for watering is between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when temperatures are mild, winds are calm and the sun has not fully intensified,” said Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen.Morning watering helps grass retain moisture longer and prepares it to withstand the day's heat, according to Feldman Midday heat causes up to 40% of water to evaporate before it even reaches the root zone, wasting resources and leaving turf thirsty when it needs hydration most. A simple rain gauge or empty tuna cans placed around your yard can confirm when you have hit the target.Step 2: MowingWhen spring is in full bloom and the lawn has had a few weeks to grow, it is tempting to get outside and mow that fresh grass. However, cutting it too short in an attempt to reduce mowing frequency may cause turf damage during this fragile growth stage.Before mowing, homeowners should always:Clear the yard of debris, including piles of old leaves, sticks or branches that may block the grass from sunlight or damage the mower.Check the mower blades. Dull blades will damage turf. It is important to keep them sharp, especially at the start of a new season.Once your yard is clear and your mower is running efficiently, resist the urge to cut the grass too short. Instead, follow the one-third rule: Mow only when the grass has grown enough to trim just the top third. So if your lawn reaches three inches, take off about one inch. Cutting more than that can stress the grass, leaving it vulnerable to heat damage and invasive weeds.Step 3: Soil health and maintenanceLate spring is the time of year to pay extra attention to turf soil to ensure your lawn is strong and healthy enough to endure the summer months. However, the specific steps you should take, including fertilization and aeration, largely depend on the climate and type of grass that grows in your region of the country:States Favoring Cool-Season Grass GrowthIllinois, Indiana, Kansas, Northern California, Ohio, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, WyomingStates Supporting Both Warm- and Cool-Season GrassTennessee, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, ArkansasStates Predominantly Growing Warm-Season GrassSouth Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas Courtesy of TruGreen For warm-weather grasses, this is the ideal time to aerate your lawn, the process in which small holes are made in the lawn to reduce soil compaction, improve air and water flow and encourage new growth.“Late spring to early summer is the best time to aerate warm-season grasses, includingBermuda, Zoysia and St. Augustine grass,” Feldman said. “This is the time of year when they are actively growing and can recover quickly. For cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue and Ryegrass, wait until later in the year.”Proper fertilization of your soil is also a vital step in soil maintenance. This aids in new growth and works to keep your turf more resilient.“Late spring fertilization gives your lawn a critical nutrient boost as it comes out of dormancy,” Feldman said. For warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia, the ideal time is mid-May to early June, according to Feldman. For cool-season grasses like Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass, spring and autumn fertilization is best. Consistent fertilization promotes new blade and root growth, increases grass density to crowd out weeds naturally, and improves drought and disease resistance.Late spring lawn care doesn’t need to be complicated; it really comes down to a few smart habits working together. Water deeply but not excessively, mow with care, and give your soil a little attention. Follow these three steps and you’ll set your lawn up for stronger roots, thicker grass, and a better shot at handling whatever summer throws its way.This story was produced by TruGreen and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Job forecast: Uneven hiring ahead, with tech and experienced workers as bright spots Job forecast: Uneven hiring ahead, with tech and experienced workers as bright spotsMarch 2026 continued the recent up-and-down pattern in the U.S. economy, with the addition of 178,000 jobs after a February loss of 92,000. The numbers reinforce a broader pattern of inconsistent month-to-month performance and a lack of sustained momentum in hiring.A Q2 job forecast, published in a new report from professional services company Toptal, sheds more light on what may be coming next: declining job opportunities in the general market in Q2 2026, with technology jobs and certain white-collar roles emerging as potential bright spots. Toptal The new forecast focuses on three key sectors of the U.S. job market: all nonfarm jobs, all professional services jobs, and all technology jobs. Because Toptal’s talent network of 20,000 professionals is fully distributed and focused on experienced workers, the report also includes a more targeted forecast, focusing on remote and hybrid professional services and tech jobs that require five or more years of experience.All nonfarm jobs: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that overall job growth has been declining by about 12% annually over the past few years, according to the report. The forecasting model suggests growth will continue to decline in Q2, but at a smaller magnitude than the BLS average.All professional services jobs: Roles across functions like marketing, accounting, legal, and customer operations have been following a similar path, with comparable 12% declines according to BLS data. Toptal’s forecast suggests that trajectory will likely continue through Q2.All technology jobs: After shrinking at an annual rate of about 22% for several years per BLS data, technology job growth is projected to be effectively flat in Q2, marking an important shift after several quarters of contraction.Remote and hybrid white-collar jobs: The most specific prediction targets remote and hybrid technology and professional services roles that require five or more years of experience. That forecast projects moderate job growth for Q2, compared to declines or flat trends for the other markets. Toptal AI is a central force shaping many of the trends in the current labor market, according to the report. Widespread adoption of AI is causing organizations to reevaluate business models and product strategies, creating higher demand for experienced talent in certain specializations, while more junior or generalist roles face declines.What’s Driving the ForecastThe Toptal predictive model is based on current and historical data drawn from several sources: remote and hybrid job postings on We Work Remotely, BLS job posting data, Lightcast job posting data, and a set of key macroeconomic indicators that provide additional context on market conditions and momentum.One such indicator is the U-6 unemployment rate, which captures underemployed workers and those who have stopped searching but still want a job. Unlike the typically reported U-3 unemployment rate, which counts only people who are unemployed and actively seeking work, many economists suggest the U-6 provides a better picture of the true labor market slack.The model also factors in high-yield credit spreads, hiring rates, and inflation-adjusted GDP. Credit spreads act as a proxy for economic risk appetite, showing how much extra return investors demand to hold riskier corporate debt. Hiring rates track changes in total nonfarm hiring, with more than 20 years of historical data informing the model. And real GDP adjusts for inflation to give a clearer view of underlying economic growth.The resulting signals are then cross-referenced with Toptal’s own client demand for remote and hybrid professionals. According to the report, remote and hybrid hiring is a reliable early indicator of future U.S. job market demand. That’s because companies often use distributed talent to move quickly or test new initiatives in the face of changing market conditions. When those efforts succeed, they tend to translate into longer-term hiring strategies.The current labor market likely will remain highly dynamic, and while the model accounts for a wide range of variables, it can’t capture every factor that influences hiring outcomes. The report suggests that these findings should be viewed as directional and not definitive.This story was produced by Toptal and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Iowa Legislature wraps up 2026 session The Iowa Legislature worked past its April 21 deadline as Republican leaders tried to nail down a property tax plan.
	The many ways Trump wants to change D.C., from buildings to statues to parks Many of the changes Trump wants to make to the White House and the city are facing legal challenges. Some are reversible, while others could reshape the nation's capital for generations to come.
	Illinois Progressives Ready to Play Actual Football If State Services Get Slashed Further More than a year ago, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget was projecting a $3.2 billion deficit for what is now the current fiscal year. Part of the problem was that existing revenues were flat while spending was growing, according to the budget office.
	Not sure what to get Mom for Mother's Day? Get ideas from our listeners Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10. If you're stumped on what to get the moms in your life, get some inspiration from our audience. They share the best gifts they've ever received from their loved ones.
	Here's how medication abortion works with just one drug that's still fully available A federal appeals court ruling restricts telemedicine access to the abortion drug mifepristone for the whole country, at least temporarily. But another drug that remains available is safe and effective at ending early pregnancy.
	Two new coffee shops open, new mobile bar, concrete manufacturing facility, and more Quad-Cities business news Lifted Energy opens second location, Coffee House on the Island opens, a new mobile bar serving private and public events, among other Quad-Cities business news.
	Rock Island and Henry County real estate transactions for May 3, 2026 Here are homes sales and property sales in Rock Island County and Henry County.
	Rob Edel named Chief Operating Officer of CRC Benefits Rob Edel will help lead CRC Benefits’ operational strategy, with an emphasis on consistency, continuous improvement, and customer experience.
	Spring into conscious choices: Resetting your personal care routine (BPT) - Key TakeawaysSpring offers a natural opportunity to refresh daily routines, starting with informed choices in personal care.Simplify your routine by taking stock of your current products and prioritizing fewer, more intentional and transparent options.Understanding certifications like B Corp empowers smart shopping.Navigating "free from" claims empowers consumers to make choices aligned with their health and values.As the days grow longer and nature awakens, spring offers the perfect opportunity to refresh. We clear out closets and swap heavy layers for lighter ones, but forget that the bathroom shelf is just as worthy of a second look. Personal care is one of those categories where options can feel endless but knowing what to look for can help you feel more confident about what you're choosing.Start with what you already haveBefore diving in, it's worth doing a quick check of what you already have. Check expiration dates. Toothpaste, deodorant and other daily staples may lose effectiveness over time.And in many cases, the most intentional choice is simply using up what you already own before reaching for something new.Take stock of your routineOnce you've checked expiration dates and confirmed everything is still good to use, take a closer look at what you have. Which of them are part of your daily routine? Which ones have been sitting untouched and taking up space? What ingredients are used in them? And are they free from the ingredients that are important for you to avoid?This quick look can help you identify what's working, what's not and where it might be time to make a change, without overhauling everything at once.Check the product — and the brand behind itOnce you know what you actually need, the next step is reviewing your options. As you evaluate a new product, consider not just what's in it, but the brand behind it — whether they are transparent about how they operate and the impact they have.One of the clearest indicators of a brand's accountability is B Corp Certification, overseen by the nonprofit B Lab, which evaluates a company across governance, workers, customers, community and environment — and audits it every three years. This matters because it shows that a brand holds itself to a social and environmental standard, not just a product one.Tom's of Maine is a certified B Corp and it's a distinction the brand takes seriously."Tom's of Maine's B Corp certification is a reflection of 50 years of deliberate choices," said Michelle Waring, Steward for Sustainability and Everyday Good at Tom's of Maine. "From sourcing naturally derived ingredients to dedicating 10% of our annual profits to protecting nature, we hold ourselves to the high standards B Lab sets because we believe business should be a genuine force for good."Navigating the meaning of "free from" claims From there, labels can help you refine your decision even further. "Free from" claims communicate that a product has been intentionally formulated without specific ingredients. Think of them as cues to understand what a brand chooses to prioritize and how a product was made.Brands like Tom's of Maine take a consistent approach, putting their ingredient philosophy into practice across everything they make — every product is free from artificial flavors, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners and preservatives.Ultimately, the goal is to know your own needs and preferences and choose based on what matters to you.To learn more about Tom's of Maine's ingredient sourcing, safety standards and sustainability commitments, visit www.tomsofmaine.com and www.tomsofmaine.com/pages/our-mission.
	Iconic Precast, concrete manufacturing facility in DeWitt, grand opening in May Iconic Precast, a new state-of-the-art precast concrete manufacturing facility located in DeWitt, to begin operations in May.
	Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors ranks as Iowa's largest independent real estate company Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors ranked 125th nationally based on 4,152 transactions closed.
	In depth: A flood of rural healthcare money could reshape Idaho, and seep into higher ed Rex Force, Idaho State University’s vice president for health sciences and senior vice provost. (Photo by Kevin Richert/Idaho EdNews)This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on April 30, 2026. POCATELLO — A $930 million flood of federal grants could address Idaho’s rural healthcare needs — shortages that stretch across its landscape and reach into nearly all professions. The money could also bolster programs that serve small towns and align with Idaho State University’s historic mission in healthcare education. Idaho committee begins process of awarding $186 million in rural health funding “We feel like there’s a great opportunity for us to leverage some of the programs that we’ve already developed, and I think that we have some shovel-ready things,” said Rex Force, Idaho State’s vice president for health sciences and senior vice provost. The money is on its way from Uncle Sam. What happens in Idaho is uncertain. The 2026 Legislature asserted its control over the grants — creating a committee that will oversee the state’s spending decisions. Eight Republican lawmakers will determine what share of the money goes into education, at Idaho State or elsewhere. And this same Legislature had a mixed record on medical education. Lawmakers put money into in-state residencies for medical school graduates, a growth area in an otherwise spartan 2027 budget. But lawmakers also tried to cut other residencies. And lawmakers did nothing to send more Idaho students to medical school — reneging on their own commitment from 2025. Idaho’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act deadline The influx of money comes from the One Big Beautiful Bill. The omnibus 2025 law includes $50 billion in Rural Health Transformation Program grants. The feds approved Idaho’s grant on Dec. 30. Now, the state has six months to figure out what to do with $185,974,367.81 — the first installment of the five-year grant. Sen. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, works from the Senate floor on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) The state must obligate its first-year grant by Oct. 30. The feds are using carrots and sticks to keep states on task. States that hit their deadlines and use their money wisely could get additional grants in future years; states that struggle could be docked. “We have a lot of work to do, very quickly,” said Sen. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, when the Legislature’s rural health transformation committee held its first meeting last week. The Legislature carved out this oversight role for itself. After the state Department of Health and Welfare applied for the federal grant on Idaho’s behalf, the 2026 Legislature created a rural health transformation committee. Co-chaired by VanOrden and Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, the committee will review proposals for the federally funded contracts and grants — on a tight turnaround. The committee will have one week to review each proposal and provide feedback to Health and Welfare. What’s on the table from rural health funding (And, maybe, what isn’t) Barely two weeks after the feds approved Idaho’s grant application, one lawmaker began talking big about the potential uses for the money. In a Jan. 15 legislative hearing, Rep. Dustin Manwaring floated the idea of using some of the $930 million to buy the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine — a for-profit Meridian medical school, aligned with Idaho State, that some lawmakers are interested in acquiring. Manwaring, R-Pocatello, now sits on the Legislature’s rural health transformation committee. ICOM is not on the market, although it probably will be at some point. Meanwhile, there are mixed signals about whether states can use the federal grants to bankroll a big capital investment. On one hand, Delaware plans to spend some of its grants to build the state’s first medical school. The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine opened in Meridian in 2018. (Photo courtesy of ICOM) On the other hand, Idaho Health and Welfare Director Juliet Charron didn’t directly address ICOM, or a medical school, during last week’s legislative committee hearing. But she said states can spend no more than 20% of their money on infrastructure — to remodel a rural hospital, for example, as opposed to building a new one from scratch. One section of Health and Welfare’s rural healthcare blueprint ties closely to higher ed: worker training, recruitment and retention. Lawmakers might have their own ideas, Charron told EdNews last week, but Health and Welfare is looking at how to use some money to bolster residencies — the on-the-ground placements for medical school graduates. Residencies are seen as a linchpin for recruiting doctors into rural communities. The hope is that young doctors stay put after their residencies, launching their careers in underserved communities. Force recognizes the need for residencies, and using federal grants to build up new programs. But he says it would be “foolish” to use short-term grants to cover the state’s residency program costs. “That’s a recipe for disaster,” he said. Idaho State University poised to link students with healthcare careers, official says But Force has plenty of ideas for how Idaho State could spend a share of rural healthcare grants — in programs poised to expand. “I think there’s a lot of creative ideas within the university,” he said in a recent interview. “But we’re a mile wide and an inch deep, sometimes. With some more resources, we can make that grow.” He says Idaho State could build on its Area Health Education Center network, which is designed to help link students with healthcare careers in rural Idaho. A pharmacist by trade, Force is also excited about using federal grants to push pharmacy services into small towns, even if it’s only with a kiosk. He sees it as an extension of Idaho State’s Bengal Pharmacy network, which serves Arco, Challis and McCammon. “There are many small towns that are teetering on the edge in terms of being able to provide pharmacy services, let alone everything else,” Force said. While Force is eager to discuss opportunities, his counterparts aren’t. EdNews reached out to every public college and university in the state. Several schools had little to say about the federal grants — or deferred to the State Board of Education. Jennifer White, executive director of the Idaho State Board of Education, at the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Statehouse in Boise. (Photo by Sean Dolan/Idaho EdNews) The State Board is trying to navigate the grant program, Executive Director Jennifer White told EdNews this week. There’s a lot to work through. The interplay between Health and Welfare and the legislative committee. The tight deadlines. And grant awards that will stretch well beyond the state’s campuses. “This isn’t just a conversation for higher education,” White said. “It’s a conversation for the state of Idaho.” The Idaho Legislature’s mixed record on medical education As the federal grants roll out, the 2026 session provides a glimpse into the Legislature’s mindset on medical education — and Idaho’s physician shortage. Lawmakers did fund Gov. Brad Little’s $900,000 plan for 15 new residencies for medical school graduates. But that’s only part of the story on residencies. When legislative budget-writers were weighing deeper cuts into all state budgets, including medical education, they received a sharp warning from a State Board committee. Cutting funding for residencies would undermine existing contracts, and the state’s commitment to growing its physician workforce. Budget-writers walked back their request. Later in the session, lawmakers passed a budget bill that would have cut residencies. Little issued a line-item veto to spare these programs. Meanwhile, lawmakers left another aspect unaddressed: medical school. Following Little’s recommendation, the Legislature funded no new medical school seats for Idaho students. For decades, Idaho has subsidized medical school seats at the University of Washington and the University of Utah — to make up for Idaho’s lack of its own public medical school. A 2025 state law called for subsidizing additional medical school seats, starting this year. The 2026 Legislature never followed through. That inaction disappointed Force, who served on a state committee that spent last summer and fall studying the state’s medical school options. “Every year that we wait is, in essence, a seven-year delay before we have a practicing physician in the state, because you’ve got four years of medical school and a minimum of three years of residency,” said Force. Fast forward to this summer. Another state committee on healthcare. But one with plenty of money at its disposal. Students get in some early-morning studies in a pharmacy classroom at Idaho State University’s main campus in Pocatello. The pharmacy classes link with satellite programs in Meridian and Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Kevin Richert/Idaho EdNews) A deep-seated skepticism — and a pressure to produce Healthcare is always a tough sell in rural Idaho, even if a community offers well-staffed and well-equipped services a short drive from home. “Pushing against all of this is the independent Idaho nature,” Force said. “Rub some dirt on it and get back to work.” A similar, salty skepticism extends to a federally funded healthcare “fix.” As the 2026 Legislature discussed the rural healthcare grants — a piece of President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy — some members of his own party did nothing to hide their scorn. They saw the $930 million as part of another runaway program that will add to the national debt, not unlike the surge of federal aid that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. Some lawmakers will be preconditioned to distrust any grant-funded programs, simply because of the funding source. Other lawmakers will want results. And immediately. Force is all too aware of the pressures that come with new money. “It’s going to be really difficult, especially this first year,” he said. “Maybe it’ll be a lot of needs assessment and planning in the first year. But … spending nearly $200 million on needs assessments does not sound like a good use of funding.” Kevin Richert writes a weekly analysis on education policy and education politics. Look for his stories each Thursday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Idaho Capital Sun
	Rock Island Arsenal to hold full-scale exercise May 6 The Rock Island Arsenal will conduct a full-scale exercise Wednesday, May 6. According to a release, the exercise will test the U.S. Army Garrison staff and mission partners on procedures and actions for a simulated tornado strike to the island. Alert! notifications and Giant Voice Mass Warning Notification Systems (MWNS) will be used during this [...]
	Joy Golisch This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Any day now you may be approached and asked to sign a petition to designate the whole Rock Island area as The Joy…
	Trump administration falls behind on wildfire prevention with risky fire season ahead Many of the nation's overgrown forests are at high risk of burning. Under the Trump administration, work to reduce flammable vegetation fell by more than a million acres compared to previous years.
	After Republicans blocked Indiana redistricting, millions poured in to defeat them President Trump has thrown his support behind challengers to Republican state senators who opposed his redistricting push.
	The oldest millennials are 45! This tool helps plan for longevity The oldest millennials are turning 45 this year. The oldest Gen Xers are now 60. So how prepared will they be to thrive in the decades ahead? A new tool helps people assess beyond just savings.
	After NPR investigation, new bill aims to stop 'claim sharks' targeting disabled vets The bipartisan bill would block companies from using auto-dialers to harvest private information about disabled veterans. The firms charge vets for a service lawmakers say is supposed to be free.
	Special Weather Statement until MON 7:00 PM CDT Elevated Fire Danger Due to Strong Winds and Low Humidity Today
	2 US service members missing after military exercises in Morocco Two U.S. service members are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in annual multinational military exercises in the North African country, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said.
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
	Florida Democrats have reason for hope, but could still mess this up The Fourth Floor Rotunda in the Florida Capitol. (Photo by Michael Moline/Florida Phoenix)Florida Democrats have gotten a bit giddy lately. Optimistic, even. These are unfamiliar emotions for them. Some election year polls are perking them up something fierce. Democrats — “Dixiecrats” as many were called back in the day — owned this state for more than 150 years (with a little pause during Reconstruction), holding all state offices, controlling the Legislature, looking unbeatable. But by the 1970s, the Democrats had become the Party of Civil Rights and Republicans, who had once favored racial justice and other progressive notions, had become the Party of Scared White People. With population growth from the Midwest and the North, Republicans made slow inroads and, in 1998, Florida elected Jeb Bush. The Rs already had control of the Legislature and have run this state ever since. Twenty-eight years on, Republicans hold supermajorities in the Florida House and Senate and occupy all state-wide elected offices. State Supreme Court justices, all but one chosen by Gov. Ron DeSantis, range from the extremely conservative to the we-don’t-need-no-stinking-Constitution conservative. The one moderate, Justice Jorge Labarga, will retire in January 2027, opening a seat for another right-winger — unless, by some voodoo, divine miracle, or electoral freak, a Democrat becomes governor. That’s crazy talk, you say. And you’re probably right. Nevertheless, a Stetson University poll shows Rep. Byron Donalds, long considered a sure thing, in a competitive match-up with two Democrats, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and former U.S. Rep. David Jolly. Demings is within four points of Donalds; Jolly is within seven points. Seven percent of voters remain undecided. Pining for Jim Crow In the race for attorney general, the incumbent finds himself in a dogfight with former Democratic state Sen. José Javier Rodriguez. One poll shows Rodriguez leading DeSantis appointee James Uthmeier 42.8% to 39.6%. Former attorney general and sitting U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is barely ahead of Democratic challenger Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, within the margin of error, with a substantial 14% undecided. Important Caveat 1: This poll was conducted by two communications firms led by Democratic political consultants. Other polls are much closer, often with the Republican in the lead. Important Caveat 2: Almost all the Republicans have raised more money than the Democrats, although that may not mean as much as it used to. In March, Navy veteran and union organizer Brian Nathan flipped a state Senate seat in a Hillsborough County, beating a much better funded Republican. Over in Palm Beach County, Democrat Emily Gregory won a House seat previously considered as red as a MAGA necktie: District 87 is home to the gold-leafed festival of vulgarity we know as Mar-a-Lago. Donald Trump won it by 10 points in 2024. Republicans observe that these aren’t real elections, merely special elections. Nobody’s paying attention. Turnout is low. They don’t really count. Yet you can see why Florida Democrats allow themselves to hope. The Republican candidates for high office are, by any rational measure, terrible. Wannabe dictators. Often dumb as a bag of hair. Also, weird. Take Donalds, the Trump-endorsed U.S. representative from southwest Florida and acknowledged front-runner in the gubernatorial race. He has claimed segregation had some really good points: “During Jim Crow the Black family was together.” Moreover, Black folks were rock-ribbed conservatives, lamenting that in the Good Old Days before all that civil rights business, “more Black people voted conservatively.” Contempt I daresay you see the problem with this statement. Except for the all-too-brief experiment in democracy from 1865-1877, Black people could be as “conservative” as they liked, but it was almost impossible for them to vote, not until the 1965 Voting Rights Act, at least. You could get lynched for even trying. Donalds should read up on his American history, just not in one of those dubious texts approved by the State of Florida. There are a couple of other reasonably serious hopefuls, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former House Speaker Paul Renner. Alas for them, they aren’t making much of an impact statewide, and nobody gives them a snowball’s chance on a June afternoon in Miami. They’re tragically dull, too. However, if you’ve never heard of James Fishback, who also wants to be governor, do yourself a favor: Look him up. He’s not dull; he’s terrifying. Fishback’s a Gen Z ultra-conservative praised by white supremacist Nick Fuentes, fawned over by Tucker Carlson, and endorsed by accused rapist Andrew Tate. He’s called Byron Donalds a “slave” and suggested he’d turn Florida into a “ghetto.” His fans say he’s the future of the Republican Party. Young white men love him. Other races? There’s James Uthmeier, appointed attorney general by DeSantis after Ashley Moody went to D.C. to fill out now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s term in the U.S. Senate. Moody’s running for a full term; Uthmeier’s running for A.G., and boy, is he a piece of work. A federal judge has found him in contempt for violating a court order, and fellow Republican Sen. Alex Andrade has accused him of criminal fraud and money laundering in the Hope Florida scandal. Flouting the Constitution He proudly takes credit for naming Florida’s Everglades internment camp, “Alligator Alcatraz,” and sells t-shirts with grinning gators saying, “Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide,” on his campaign merch site. Way worse, he regards Florida law as nothing more than a suggestion: He feels free to violate it at any time when, in his superior judgment, it does not mean what you — and most legal scholars — think it means. Article 1, Section 3, of the Florida Constitution says you can’t use public money “directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution,” which seems pretty clear: The government cannot favor, support or promote religion with taxpayer dollars. Uthmeier insists that’s wrong, a violation of the First Amendment, and besides, the Founders meant the United States to be a Christian country: Church should not be separate from state. So what if the state’s governing document spells it out in black and white? He, James Uthmeier, knows better, and if you voted for that amendment, you were wrong. Mind you, flouting the Florida Constitution is pretty much de rigueur for Florida Republicans. The Legislature has now passed a congressional redistricting map doing its damnedest to eliminate Democratic representation in Florida. If past electoral patterns hold in this year’s midterms, Republicans could pick up four more House seats. They know better Again, the Florida Constitution forbids this. In 2010, Florida voters approved the Fair Districts Amendments by more than 60%. It says: “No district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party on an incumbent.” Fair Districts also forbids maps drawn with the “result or intent of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process or to diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice.” Again, Uthmeier and Ron DeSantis know better than the voters. The new map disenfranchises minorities. Now that the Trumpist U.S. Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act, Republican-run states feel empowered to gerrymander in favor of white folks. DeSantis claims that’s not his motive. Nor did he do this for political reasons, oh goodness, no. Just because Donald Trump demanded states draw a map to help Republicans keep their tenuous grip on the House of Representatives, and just because DeSantis unveiled his map on Fox “News” subtly color-coded red and blue, doesn’t imply partisan intent. If you believe that, Elvis is alive, Hillary Clinton drinks babies’ blood, and Donald Trump’s tan is real. Now: Looking at these Republican end-runs around voter-approved constitutional amendments, bending (or ignoring) statutes, prevaricating, election-rigging, and general hostility to the law, Democrats have a big basket of attractive candidates and strong issues. In 2019, Alex Vindman, a Ukrainian-born Iraq vet and former National Security Council official, blew open Donald Trump’s attempt to strong-arm President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into finding dirt on Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine. Vindman testified before Congress; Trump fired him and denied him his army promotion. The guy has a Purple Heart. Stupid lawsuits Ashley Moody, his opponent in the Senate race has, well, a J.D. and a history of stupid lawsuits such as trying to overturn the 2020 election. Back then, Moody’s own staff lawyers called her move “bats— insane.” Surely there’s an opening for candidates actually interested in addressing Florida’s out-of-control insurance costs, reining in runaway sprawl, addressing the climate crisis, and improving our education system. You’d think, right? But there’s logic and good sense, and then there’s the Florida Democratic Party. The history of the last few decades shows that, if there’s a way they can screw up, they probably will. Yet there remains that chance — that little chance — one or two will break through. Watch this space. Courtesy of Florida Phoenix
	Awareness is Key: 3 Steps to Help Recognize Stroke Signs and Risks for Better Outcomes (Feature Impact) A stroke can happen to anyone at any age. In fact, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke, with approximately 800,000 people experiencing a stroke annually, according to the American Heart Association, making it a leading cause of death and serious, long-term disability. A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted. When parts of the brain don't get the oxygen-rich blood they need, those cells die. However, many strokes may be prevented, treated and overcome by understanding the risk factors and taking steps toward managing them. "When a stroke happens, every minute matters," said Dr. Adrian Jaquin-Valdivia, a stroke neurologist at HCA Healthcare and American Stroke Association volunteer expert. "The faster someone gets treatment, the better the chance of saving brain function. On average, nearly 2 million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated. Early treatment improves survival rates and reduces disability." Take control of your brain health with this information from the American Stroke Association. Know the Warning Signs Because strokes do not discriminate, knowing the signs is key. To help you recognize common warning signs and symptoms of stroke and take action in moments that matter, remember this simple acronym: B.E. F.A.S.T. B: Balance loss - sudden difficulty with walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination. E: Eye (or vision) changes - sudden vision loss or trouble seeing in one or both eyes. F: Face drooping - one side of the face droops or feels numb; a smile may look uneven. A: Arm weakness - one arm feels weak or numb or drifts downward when raised. S: Speech difficulty - a telltale sign of a stroke is slurred speech or trouble speaking. T: Time to call 911 - If someone is having any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call emergency services immediately to jumpstart care. Be sure to check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms started. Explore the signs by playing the interactive, web-based B.E. F.A.S.T. Experience to see what stroke symptoms may look, feel and sound like. Take Steps to Protect Your Health Approximately 80% of strokes are preventable, according to the American Stroke Association. Everyday choices - such as eating well, moving more, not smoking and keeping up with routine health screenings, along with managing risk factors with the support of a health care professional - can help lower stroke risk. Manage Risk Factors High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke, according to the 2025 American Heart Association/ACC Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Controlling blood pressure through regular checkups, at-home monitoring, following your treatment plan and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of stroke and support overall brain health. Additionally, having a stroke or mini stroke, known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), increases the chances of having a second one. That's why identifying what caused your stroke and reducing your personal risk factors can help protect your health and reduce the risk of another stroke. To learn more about stroke risk factors and better understand the warning signs, visit Stroke.org/StrokeMonth, where you can also access stroke support services and subscribe to the Stroke Connection e-newsletter for the latest resources. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
	How Hiring Veterans Can Strengthen the Workforce (Feature Impact) Every year, about 200,000 service members transition from military service into civilian careers, offering employers access to a highly skilled and mission-driven talent pool. As organizations across industries seek dependable employees who can adapt and lead, veterans bring experience that translates directly to business success. Veterans enter the workforce with a wide range of technical and professional skills. Military occupations span fields such as logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, aviation and health care, many of which align closely with civilian roles. This experience allows veterans to apply their training to roles across industries, from manufacturing to information technology, using their practical knowledge developed during their service. Beyond technical expertise, veterans are widely recognized for their reliability, adaptability and strong work ethic. Military culture emphasizes responsibility, teamwork and accountability - qualities that can strengthen workplace culture and improve team performance. Additionally, employers that hire veterans with disabilities often qualify for federal tax credits, and many workplace accommodations are available to employers at no cost. Despite these advantages, veterans transitioning from military service to civilian employment still face challenges. One of the most common obstacles is translating military experience into language civilian employers understand. Although more than 80% of military roles have civilian equivalents, differences in job titles and terminology related to responsibilities and accomplishments gained during service may not align neatly with traditional job descriptions, making it difficult for veterans to clearly communicate their qualifications. To address these challenges, resources aimed at improving the understanding of military experience have grown in recent years. For example, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a nonprofit organization that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations, their families and survivors, recently released an updated edition of "The Veteran Advantage: DAV's Hiring Guide for Employers of the Military Community," a resource designed to help companies better recruit, hire and retain veteran and military spouse employees. The guide is available for free download at davhiringguide.org. The no-cost guide offers practical information for employers seeking to build veteran-friendly workplaces. It includes guidance on translating military skills into civilian job qualifications, developing hiring initiatives focused on the military community and establishing employee resource groups for veterans and military spouses. It also highlights inclusive hiring practices designed to reduce barriers and better support those who have served. "Veterans and military spouses consistently demonstrate strong work values, but many still face hurdles when transitioning into civilian careers," DAV CEO Barry Jesinoski said. "Hiring veterans doesn't just fill open roles - it strengthens organizations. But employers who don't understand how to align military experience with business needs might overlook that talent." The nonprofit organization also connects employers with veteran job seekers through employment initiatives and outreach efforts. These programs help organizations better understand the value veterans bring to the workforce while supporting successful transitions into civilian careers. These efforts are especially important as many veterans continue to face barriers to employment. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the veteran unemployment rate in March 2026 was 3.8%, with the rate climbing to 5.4% among veterans with disabilities, underscoring the persistent challenges many encounter when transitioning to the civilian workforce. For many employers, hiring veterans is not simply about filling open positions. It's an opportunity to bring experienced leaders and skilled professionals into the workforce - individuals whose service has prepared them to contribute in meaningful ways long after their military careers have ended. Photos courtesy of DVIDS. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

Monday, May 4th, 2026

Sunday, May 3rd, 2026