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

Sunday, September 13th, 2026
	Indonesian passenger ship overturns, sparking search for about 130 missing Indonesian rescuers said about 130 passengers and crew are missing after a ferry carrying more than 240 people sank in bad weather in the Java Sea on Sunday.
	How a young woman became an ISIS bride — and then an informant, helping save others A young Canadian mother shares her memories of being an ISIS bride, and her harrowing escape from the extremist group.
	Our QC Crime Watch: Fraud expert tells how to keep your money safe: Episode 80 Watch crime reporter Sharon Wren talk about crime and courts in the latest episode of the Our Quad Cities Crime Watch Podcast. In this episode Sharon talks with Matt Mortvedt, who is the bureau chief of the Fraud Bureau at the Iowa Insurance Division, where he leads investigations into insurance and securities fraud, and senior [...]
	Young Cambridge museum director receives T. rex skull replica The Cambridge Natural History Museum has received a new addition to its collection: a half-scale replica of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull donated by Acme Design, Inc., according to a news release. The replica is modeled after a specimen at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Museum founder and curator Anderson Taylor first met members [...]
	Davenport Speedway races into the past Davenport Speedway raced into the past Saturday for a great night of old-time racing. The track played host to the Mississippi Valley Vintage Race Car Association’s Hawkeye Futurity. The Hawkeye Futurity featured vintage racecars, including Caged Sprints, Non-Caged Sprints, Midgets, Super Modifieds, Jalopies, and Vintage Late Models. Racers from five states took part in the [...]
Saturday, September 12th, 2026
	Playtime This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Between 1933 and 1939, the entire Upper Mississippi from St. Louis to St. Paul changed personalities, courtesy of the…
	Bettendorf native Caden Buhr lifts Iowa to win over Iowa State in Cy-Hawk game Bettendorf native Caden Buhr made the game winning field goal with 15 seconds to play giving #21 Iowa a 16-13 win over Iowa State.
	Rock Island Police Department holds career day The Rock Island Police Department held a career day, providing resources and demonstrations for people interested in law enforcement.
	Man severely injured in East Moline firework incident A 41-year-old man was severely injured when a firework exploded. According to a release from the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a home in the 16000 block of Route 84 North in East Moline September 12 at approximately 2:30 p.m. for reports of a firework incident resulting in severe injuries. The victim [...]
	Man airlifted to hospital after firework explodes A man suffered serious injuries after a firework exploded in his hand Saturday afternoon in East Moline.
	Hawkeye Marching Band member honored at Cy-Hawk game The Iowa Marching Band member who collapsed at the home-opener football game and died is being honored at the Cy-Hawk game on Saturday.
	Iowa State University Marching Band to honor Derek Phillips The Iowa State University Cyclone Marching Band is showing their support for Hawkeye Marching Band member Derek Phillips.
	Eldridge fire department holds 9/11 memorial stair climb The climbers ascend the equivalent of 110 stories, which represents the steps that first responders took at the World Trade Center on 9/11.
	Traffic at standstill after semi truck trailer fire on I-80 near Geneseo KWQC has reached out to officials for more information.
	Programming Note: News at 6 p.m. to stream on KWQC+ The news at 6 p.m. will be livestreamed on KWQC+ Wednesday evening.
	Alien Terrorist Removal Court deports legal US resident to Afghanistan in first-ever case Nazira Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident, conceded to being an "alien terrorist." It marks the first case in the Alien Terrorist Removal Court.
	Moline apartment fire remains under investigation A Friday night apartment fire in Moline remains under investigation, according to a news release from the Moline Fire Department. Shortly before 8:15 p.m., the Moline Fire Department was dispatched to a report of smoke inside an apartment complex on the 1200 block of 15th Street Place. The first arriving fire unit reached the scene [...]
	Operator of Davenport massage parlor tenders plea agreement for court's consideration The operator of one of the Asian Massage parlors that shuttered last year has tendered a plea agreement for the court to consider.
	New bill would restrict SNAP benefits in Illinois, other states A new law introduced in the House this month would add more restrictions to what types of food SNAP recipients can buy with their monthly benefits.
	YMCA Hubbell Waterman Complex boosts soccer participation in the Quad Cities The YMCA Hubbell Waterman Soccer Complex in downtown Davenport is introducing European‑style 5‑on‑5 soccer to the Quad Cities, offering league play, open sessions and rentals as interest in the sport continues to grow.
	Iowa Machine Shed to present Fall Family Festival Fall is coming to the farm at Iowa Machine Shed, and families are invited to the annual Fall Family Festival on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 26-27 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 7250 Northwest Blvd. Davenport. This free family event transforms the grounds of the Machine Shed at I-80 and Northwest Boulevard into a celebration of fall, complete [...]
	Moline Public Library seeks applicants for student trustee The Moline Public Library seeks applications for position of student trustee to serve an eight-month term on the Library Board of Trustees, a news release says. In its third year, this volunteer position provides a unique opportunity for students to participate in shaping the future of the Moline Public Library and enhancing its value to [...]
	Inside Iowa Politics: Why Sen. Grassley isn’t sure Americans would react today like they did on September 11, 2001 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said that he doesn't know that Americans would react the same way today like they did after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
	Great Oaks High School, Davenport, plans ribbon-cutting; governor will attend Great Oaks High School & Career Center will celebrate the opening of its new Davenport campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, a news release says. Gov. Kim Reynolds will be in attendance alongside students, families, school leaders, andcommunity partners. The tuition-free charter high school, at 3562 North Brady Street, serves [...]
	Bettendorf Library hosts stargazing night From 7:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, the Bettendorf Public Library will host the Popular Astronomy Club of the Quad Cities at Faye’s Field for a unique look at the night sky using telescopes and mobile observatory. The Popular Astronomy Club of the Quad Cities is an organization for the education andpromotion of the field of [...]
	'People are still afraid of those three letters': Fighting the stigma of HIV That's a quote from former rugby star Gareth Thomas, who is HIV positive. At the International AIDS Conference in Rio this year, he spoke out about the isolation and discrimination tied to the virus.
	Free origami session offered in Davenport to those affected by cancer Cancer Support Community Iowa and NW Illinois will host a free creative art session workshop on Monday, Sept. 21, from 6-8 p.m. at Gilda’s Club Davenport, 1351 West Central Park Ave, Suite 200, Davenport. Participants will learn the basics of making origami forms and create a product using multiple pieces of origami. No experience is [...]
	Hispanic Heritage Festival will bring music, food to Monmouth Illinois: United Way of West Central Illinois and Buchanan Center for the Arts will host the fifth Hispanic Heritage Festival from 4-9 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Public Square in Monmouth. Monmouth’s Hispanic Heritage Festival is the largest event of its kind in the region. Entertainment will run all night and includes Marlon Davila Cantante [...]
	UnityPoint Health names Shari King as QC market president UnityPoint Health has announced that Shari King has been named Quad Cities market president, effective Sept. 6, according to a news release. King has served in the role on an interim basis and brings strong operational experience, arelationship-oriented approach and a steady commitment to the team members, providers,patients and communities served across the Quad Cities [...]
	A cancer survivor hoped to work — then she lost her Medicaid disability coverage As state governments grapple with how to determine who's sick enough to be excused from new Medicaid work requirements, some families are already struggling with what illnesses guarantee health coverage because of a disability.
	If the Emmys were up to us ... The Pitt, Hacks, Widow's Bay and Pluribus are leading the Emmy nominations pack this year. Here's who we'll have our fingers crossed for on Monday night.
	Connor Wood: 40 things I’ll miss after 40 months living in the Quad-Cities Departing managing editor Connor Wood writes about 40 things he’ll miss after 40 months living in the Quad-Cities, starting with the newsroom.
	The secret quest to preserve Palestinian writer Raja Shehadeh's diaries Leading Palestinian writer Raja Shehadeh has documented Israel's occupation of the West Bank since day one. Fearing the occupation might consume his archive, he secretly moved it to Scotland
	Memories of Muscatine: The municipal sub-station and service building at 2nd and Pine This week for Memories of Muscatine: A Minton photo of the electric distribution center completed in 1937.
	Memories of Muscatine: Henderson Cheverlot-Oldsmobile Dealership and Garage This week for Memories of Muscatine: The showroom and repair shop at the corner of Sycamore and Mississippi Drive.
	Neighbor turned on neighbor after Charlie Kirk's killing. Is the divide here to stay? The assassination of far right activist Charlie Kirk opened the floodgates of neighbor-on-neighbor doxing. A year later, the damage to political discourse in the U.S. remains.
	Miami crash raises concerns about the jet's operator, and why it's flying for Amazon The cargo plane crash in Miami is raising concerns about the safety culture at 21 Air, one of the carriers that fly for Amazon. Former pilots were sounding alarms even before Sunday's accident.
	Why are the people building the most powerful AI so worried about what it could do? As an Anthropic resignation and OpenAI agents' hack on Hugging Face capture public attention, some researchers worry the industry is racing too fast to develop powerful AI while safety measures lag.
	Explore Muscatine's history - one step at a time The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to enjoy a family‑friendly afternoon at the annual Walk (or Ride) Through History beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at Greenwood Cemetery, 1814 Lucas St. This free event welcomes all ages and celebrates Muscatine’s rich past in an upbeat, engaging way, a news release says. [...]
	BRICS leaders meet in India as wars and US tensions test the bloc Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders of the BRICS nations for a summit on trade, investment, and global conflicts.
	Venice Film Festival ends with Golden Lion at stake after 'NAZA' draws record ovation The documentary "NAZA," in which Israeli military insiders describe what they call the systemic killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, received a 25-minute standing ovation — the longest on record.
	Yemen's Houthis capture a Red Sea island in threat to shipping Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have captured a strategic island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The move threatens Saudi oil exports through a key commercial lane. And Saudi Arabia said it shut down a major oil pipeline as a precaution after it came under attack.
Friday, September 11th, 2026
	Walcott names youth football field after longtime coach Dennis Johns The youth football field in Walcott will forever be named Dennis Johns Field to honor the late coach who spent 36 years coaching and teaching.
	The Easy Chair This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.The City of Rock Island might well have become the chair capitol of the world, had it not been for an actress named…
	Rock Island Arsenal remembers September 11 attacks 25 years later Ceremonies around the nation, including at the Rock Island Arsenal, were held to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, 25 years later. Stories recalling tails of heroes have been passed down through that time, reminding people of the thousands who lost their lives that day, including the hundreds of first responders. For many, [...]
	Community members protest dog's euthanization in Whiteside County Animal control said the dog, Starsky, bit its owner twice. Happy Tails claims this account is inaccurate and that the dog wasn't given a fair shot.
	Davenport Fire Chief reflects on 9/11’s lasting impact 25 years later 343 firefighters died on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York, and firehouses in the Quad Cities felt it too.
	Suzy Bogguss returning to Aledo for two Christmas shows at Opera House The Grand Ole Opry member has performed in Aledo before, but never at the Opera House. She will have two Christmas shows on Dec. 8 and 9.
	Jordan Catholic reflects on faith, community 25 years after 9/11 25 years later, Jordan Catholic remembers the Mass that followed 9/11. Current students learned about that day and how the nation came together.
	Highlight Zone: Week 4 Week 4 of Highlight Zone
	Quad Cities International Airport police and fire chief remembers working 9/11 Jeff Swan said that moments after seeing the second tower hit, his chief at the time came in and said they were closing the airport.
	Davenport temporarily closes River’s Edge Ice Arena after mold found Restoration started Friday and will last four to five weeks.
	A big weekend of sports coming to the Quad Cities As we get ready for the weekend, we are looking out at the weather for a big weekend of sports here in the Quad Cities. Starting it off with Saturday, the CyHawk game, Iowa State against Iowa tomorrow at 6:30pm where the weather is going to be staying clear with warm temperatures in the low [...]
	Muscatine firefighters climb stadium stairs to honor 9/11 first responders Firefighters climbed up and down 2,200 steps to symbolize the 110 floors of the World Trade Center.
	Rock Island Arsenal marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 with remembrance ceremony A ceremony was held on Arsenal Island to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
	River's Edge Ice Arena closing for 4-5 weeks due to maintenance The City of Davenport says the River's Edge Ice Arena is closing for four to five weeks for maintenance.
	Davenport man charged with leaving toddler home alone A Davenport man is facing child neglect charges after police say he left a toddler home alone while he went out drinking.
	Iowa State Patrol Trooper released from hospital following Stuart shooting An Iowa State Patrol Trooper injured in a shooting in Stuart last month has been released from the hospital.
	River's Edge Ice Arena to close for at least four weeks after mold discovery The summer's high humidity led to moisture buildup, and staff discovered mold in two locker rooms. The mold is not toxic and the rooms were closed, according to Friday's announcement.
	Arsenal ceremony honors 9/11 victims, those who served Service members, first responders, Gold Star families and community leaders gathered at the Arsenal’s 9/11 memorial to honor those killed and those who served.
	QCA senior and disability expo highlights information and services Seniors and people with disabilities got free information and services at a Quad-City expo. The Illinois Iowa Center for Independent Living hosted its 16th annual senior and disability expo at Bally's Quad Cities. More than 40 vendors shared information on health care, transportation, housing and scams targeting seniors, including AI-related scams. For more information about [...]
	Iowans march 21 miles to capitol honoring 9/11 first responders Dozens of people walked 21 miles from Waukee to the Iowa State Capitol to honor 415 first responders who died 25 years ago on September 11th, 2001.
	RAYGUN selling shirts in honor of Iowa Marching Band member Local clothing brand RAYGUN announced on Friday they are selling shirts in honor of Derek Phillips, the Iowa Marching Band member who collapsed at last week’s football game and died.
	Aledo Opera House to hold 9/11 event, movie showing Aledo Opera House staff talks about hosting a special 9/11 movie showing event and announces a visit from a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
	River's Edge Ice Arena in Davenport temporarily closing for maintenance The city said the arena will be closed for four to five weeks.
	Rock Island Arsenal honors 25th anniversary of 9/11 Staff Sgt. Nathan Cox, a native of the Quad Cities, reenlisted in the Army after 9/11. He was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008.
	Whiteside Co. Animal Control, humane society clash over decision to euthanize dog A nearly month-long outcry for a dog’s release from animal control ends with a euthanasia sentence—a decision one local animal shelter calls “absolutely unacceptable.”
	Whiteside County Animal Control to euthanize dog that bit owner; despite pleas to release to animal shelter The Whiteside County Animal Control reported they still plan to euthanize a dog following several pleas from residents to release the dog to a local animal shelter.
	Mold remediation closing The River's Edge Davenport is closing The River’s Edge Ice Arena for 4 -5 weeks for facility maintenance, effective September 11 at 4 p.m., according to a news release from the city. The closure allows the city to work with contractors to address the facility’s issues and reopen it as quickly as possible. High humidity during the summer [...]
	Muscatine Fire Department remembers 9/11 with stair climb The Muscatine Fire Department held a stair climb to remember and honor those affected by 9/11.
	Celebration of Conservation Treasures Natural & Man-Made event to close Kellogg Street, Galesburg Explore the wonders of nature and storytelling at the Celebration of Conservation Treasures Natural & Man-Made event on Sunday, September 13 at the Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg and along Kellogg Street. The free public open house brings regional environmental organizations, interactive displays and live storytelling together to celebrate local conservation efforts. Admission is free but [...]
	How shofars became the spiritual soundtrack of Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sunset Friday. For many Jews around the world, a highlight of the holiday will be hearing the shofar: an animal's horn blown like a trumpet.
	LeClaire Wine Stampede benefits Humane Society of Scott County Enjoy wine samples from some of eastern Iowa’s top wineries while raising funds for the Humane Society of Scott County. The second annual LeClaire Wine Stampede takes place on Saturday, September 26 from 2 – 5 p.m. in downtown LeClaire. Shops along Cody Road will turn into tasting stops where guests can enjoy complimentary samples [...]
	Amid war and sanctions, many Iranians are losing their jobs and struggling to get by Many Iranians lost their jobs because of the war and the U.S. blockade. Now some are even losing their backup jobs as sanctions tighten.
	In photos: Remembering the Sept. 11 attacks, 25 years later Around the U.S., ceremonies commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terror attacks in New York and at the Pentagon.
	Dedicated Walcott teacher and coach honored with naming at school field The Davenport Community School District on Thursday dedicated the Walcott K-8 School football field in honor of the late Coach Dennis Johns, recognizing his lasting impact.
	Galesburg police arrest woman after possible stabbing; victim airlifted Galesburg police were dispatched to a possible stabbing early Thursday morning, where they discovered a critically injured victim. A suspect is in custody.
	13-year-old charged with arson in June LeClaire house fire No one was injured in the fire that broke out on June 24.
	13-year-old boy arrested for alleged arson, burglary in LeClaire A 13-year-old boy was arrested in connection to a house fire in June.
	This reissued short story collection captures Iowa life 100 years ago In 1926, Ruth Suckow published Iowa Interiors, the short story collection that put her on the map. A centennial reissue aims to keep her legacy alive.
	Bettendorf announces Homecoming Parade route Road closures will be in effect next week as Bettendorf holds its Homecoming Parade on Thursday, September 4. Road closures start at 5:30 p.m., with the parade starting at 6 p.m. The parade begins at the 18th Street entrance of Bettendorf Middle School, moves on to 18th Street toward Bettendorf High School and ends in [...]
	Survey: Gen Zers see trades as faster route to financial success than college Survey: Gen Zers see trades as faster route to financial success than collegeTwo-thirds of Gen Z think becoming a trades person is a quicker way to a $100K salary than going to college.A poll of 2,000 16- to 28-year-olds in the U.S. found only 32% think opting for university instead of an apprenticeship was a good idea.Gaining hands-on experience (37%), the avoidance of student debt (36%) and being able to progress and earn money while you learn (35%) were seen as some of the main benefits of bypassing university.Twenty-three percent of respondents believe they would be able to buy a home more quickly if they become a trades person instead of going to college.The research was commissioned by Wolverine, as part of its Project Bootstrap initiative.The study also found young people are looking for well-paid jobs (29%), a work-life balance (20%) and flexibility (18%) - but haven’t considered a trade job, despite those roles meeting their criteria.Respondents also value job security (18%), hands-on work (10%) and the ability to earn good money without taking on student debt (10%).However, 31% said they had never considered a career in the skilled trades and 12% didn’t realize that benefits like flexibility, strong pay and long-term stability are a core part of trade work.Many said they associated trades with outdated stereotypes, with 28% believing trade roles were physically demanding with little room for progression, while 25% assumed trades people are always working in dirty or messy environments.Twenty-one percent of all respondents said they value personal growth and are always looking to improve their life.But for 16-year-olds, 38% are worried about earning enough money after they’ve left high school, while others worry about choosing the right career path (28%) or finding a job (26%).When all respondents were asked how much they think a skilled trades person makes in a typical year, the average came out to $57,005.11.And 58% believe these types of jobs are becoming more appealing to people their age.The survey also found that 51% of respondents have been encouraged to consider a career in skilled trades, and 61% feel well informed by their school about a career in this area.Almost 8 in 10 (76%) think the idea of earning an income while learning through an apprenticeship is very appealing. Forty-eight percent prefer to learn through a mix of both practical and classroom learning.When it comes to careers, 37% get their information from their parents or family, while 35% equally use social media or their teachers and school.And despite 73% thinking trade jobs are essential to society, 41% do believe a college degree is the only way to be successful.But of those who took part in the study by OnePoll.com and are not already in a trade role, 71% would be interested in trying it as their career.MethodologyWolverine Worldwide commissioned OnePoll.com to conduct a survey of 2,000 Americans ages 16-28. The survey was conducted June 8-17, 2026.Top 10 benefits of bypassing college and attending trade school or doing an apprenticeship instead, according to poll respondents (multiple choices were allowed):You can gain hands-on experience and sharpen your skills, 37%Earning a salary / income right away, 37%Avoiding student loan debt, 36%Being able to progress and earn money while you learn, 35%Gaining real-world industry experience, 34%Having a clearer career path from the start, 31%Avoiding the cost of living associated with college (e.g., rent, bills), 30%Entering the workforce earlier, 29%Learning in a more practical, less academic way, 27%Feeling more independent sooner, 25%This story was produced by Wolverine and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	In Scott County, Zach Lahn asks Republicans to rally around water quality as a 'pro-life issue' Zach Lahn spoke before a few hundred Scott County Republicans Thursday at the party’s annual Reagan Dinner.
	Quad City International Airport police chief recalls Sept. 11 attacks Chief Jeff Swan was a first-year officer at the time when the Twin Towers were hit, and 25 years later, Swan's experiences shape how he handles airport traffic.
	More child porn charges filed against former QC Arts leader More charged were filed against the former QC Arts leader Ben Morris on Thursday.
	Davenport teacher chosen as an Iowa regional teacher of the year A Quad-City teacher has been selected as an Iowa regional teacher of the year. According to a release from the Iowa Department of Education, Mitchel Dierickx is teacher of the year for the Mississippi Bend region. Dierickx, a first grade teacher at Davenport Community School District’s Madison Elementary School, has spent the past nine years [...]
	Rock Island Arsenal holds 9/11 memorial ceremony, marking 25 years since terrorist attacks It was standing room only at the Arenal's 9/11 memorial ceremony Friday, marking 25 years since the attacks.
	Nathan Fielder unravels the lies of Elizabeth Holmes in 'You Can See Everything' I was lucky enough to be among the few hundred Telluride Film Festival attendees to see the world premiere of You Can See Everything, Nathan Fielder’s reality-blurring, mind-bending documentary about Elizabeth Holmes. And I’m still not sure what I experienced.
	How to get the sweat smell out of your clothes How to get the sweat smell out of your clothesYou washed the shirt. It came out smelling fine. You wore it for an hour, and the odor was back. Now your gym kit has a permanent funk that no amount of detergent seems to fix.Most guides will tell you to use vinegar and leave it at that. But they miss the bigger picture. How to get the smell of BO out of clothes starts with understanding why it's there in the first place.Sweat odor sticks to clothes because bacteria from your skin build up in the fabric fibers, especially in synthetic workout gear. How to get rid of sweat odor requires breaking down this bacterial buildup. Preventing it means stopping the sweat-to-bacteria reaction at the source with the right product. This guide by Degree Deodorant covers it all.Why does sweat odor get stuck to clothes?If you've ever pulled a freshly washed shirt out of the dryer and been hit by BO, you already know that regular washing doesn't always fix the problem. Here's why.Sweat is odorless until bacteria get involvedBO doesn’t happen instantly. Unilever R&D Manager David Waters explains: "Sweat is primarily made up of water and salt, which means it doesn't really have any odor when it's first released. Body odor develops when the natural bacteria on your skin break down certain parts of sweat. This is especially true for apocrine glands, found in places like your underarms and groin, which produce a thicker sweat rich in proteins and fats. Certain skin bacteria thrive on these substances, and as they break them down, a stronger odor is created."Bacteria transfer from your skin to fabricWhen you sweat into a shirt, you transfer bacteria into the fabric fibers. Once embedded, those bacteria keep producing odor compounds long after the sweat has dried.Regular detergent often isn't enoughStandard detergent breaks down dirt and oils, not bacterial colonies inside fabric fibers. That’s why a wash cycle can leave enough bacteria to produce odor again within hours.The dryer can make it worseIf you dry clothing before the bacteria are removed, the heat locks the smell in. Air-dry first and check that the smell is gone.How to remove sweat odor from clothes step-by-stepThe trick is to tackle odor before it has a chance to set. Here’s how to get sweat smell out of clothes in seven steps:Step 1: Act fast, don't let the bacteria settleThe longer clothes sit before washing, the more time bacteria have to dig in. If you can't wash immediately, hang the item to air-dry rather than leaving it bunched up in a damp hamper.Step 2: Pre-soak in white vinegarYes, vinegar can really help with getting rid of sweat odor. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with cold water and soak for 30 minutes. The acidity breaks down bacterial cell walls and neutralizes odor compounds. And if you're worried about smelling like salad, don't be. The vinegar rinses out completely.Step 3: Apply a baking soda paste to problem areasMix baking soda with water to form a paste and apply to the underarm areas and the collar. Leave for 15 minutes before washing. Baking soda works on the root cause of odor, which makes it a useful follow-up to the vinegar soak.Step 4: Wash in cold water with an extra rinseHot water sounds more powerful, but it actually sets odor into fabric rather than removing it. Stick to cold and add an extra rinse to flush out any remaining bacteria and detergent residue.Step 5: Skip the fabric softenerFabric softener coats fibers in a way that traps bacteria and makes odor worse over time. Skip it and add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment instead. Your clothes will still come out soft.Step 6: Air-dry whenever possibleIf the smell is gone, the dryer is fine. If it's not, air-dry in the sun. Sunlight is a natural antibacterial that helps neutralize lingering odor, and machine-drying still-smelly clothes will only lock the problem in.Step 7: Repeat if neededSome built-up odors take two cycles to shift. If the smell is still hanging around, run through the vinegar soak and baking soda paste again. It's worth the extra effort.Pro tip: Dealing with sweat stains that aren’t budging? Vinegar and baking soda can help with that, too.Why do workout clothes hold onto sweat smell?If you want to know how to get sweat smell out of workout clothes, it helps to understand why synthetic gear holds onto odor differently from many other fabrics.Synthetic fabrics trap bacteriaWorkout gear is generally made of performance polyester and nylon. They wick sweat away from the body well, but are more prone to bacterial buildup than natural fibers like cotton.Sweat sits longer and the fabric resists waterWorkout clothes get sweat-soaked for an hour or more, giving bacteria more time to build up in the fibers. When you throw them in the wash, the synthetic fibers repel water, meaning detergent struggles to get to the embedded bacteria.The workout gear fixSynthetic gear needs a little more attention than your average laundry load. These hacks can help:Get workout gear into the wash within 24 hours. Never leave it sitting damp in a bag or hamper, because that's when bacteria get really comfortable.Pre-soak in vinegar before washing. The acidity gets into synthetic fibers in a way that detergent alone can't.Use a sport-specific detergent formulated for synthetic fabrics.Air-dry whenever you can. High dryer heat damages synthetic fibers over time and gives odor a chance to lock in.Replace workout gear every year or so. Even well-cared-for synthetics accumulate odor eventually.Preventing sweat odor from sticking to clothesRemoving sweat odor from clothes is the fix. Not letting it get there is the prevention. Here's how to tackle body odor at the source.Stop odor before it reaches the fabricDeodorant helps reduce odor-causing bacteria before they can transfer to fabric, while antiperspirants reduce sweat at the source. When there’s less sweat, there’s also less odor.Some products are designed to prevent the yellow stains and white marks that happen when standard antiperspirants react with sweat on clothes.Others are long-lasting to protect against wetness and odor on those heavy sweat days.Apply antiperspirant at night, not in the morningAluminum-based antiperspirants need time to get to work. “The most effective way to apply an antiperspirant is in the evening, before bed. This allows ample time for the antiperspirant gel plug to form in the sweat duct, as there is less movement and sweating during sleep,” explains Unilever R&D scientist, Matt Annecharico.Let the product dry fully before dressingGive it a minute or so after applying before getting dressed because wet antiperspirant transfers to fabric contributing to marks.Wear an undershirt on high-sweat daysA cotton undershirt absorbs sweat and bacteria before they reach your outer shirt. For heavy sweaters, a clinical-strength antiperspirant offers prescription-strength protection to keep you dry and confident.Choose breathable fabrics for daily wearCotton, linen, and merino wool let your skin breathe and moisture evaporate, which means bacteria have less to work with and odor has less chance to build up.FAQsHow do you get armpit smell out of clothes?Two pantry items are all you need. Pre-soak your clothes in one cup of white vinegar and cold water for 30 minutes, apply a baking soda paste (baking soda mixed with water) to the armpit area, then wash cold with an extra rinse. Skip fabric softener. Air-dry if any smell remains.Why do my clothes still smell of BO after being washed?Bacteria build up in fabric fibers, and standard detergent doesn't always remove them completely. So, how to get the smell of BO out of clothes? A vinegar soak or baking soda paste breaks down the bacterial colonies that regular washing can leave behind. But hot water and fabric softener make the problem worse.Can deodorant help prevent sweat smell in clothes?Deodorants help control odor by reducing odor-causing bacteria, but they won’t prevent you from sweating. That’s the job of antiperspirants.Does antiperspirant help stop underarm odor from sticking to shirts?Antiperspirant reduces the amount of sweat and the bacteria that travel with it to your shirt. Less sweat being produced and reaching the fabric means less bacterial activity and less odor buildup. Look for an anti-marks antiperspirant which is specifically designed for clothing-friendly protection.What's the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant for stains and odor?Deodorant helps reduce bacteria but doesn't stop sweat. Antiperspirant reduces sweat, and less sweat means less odor. Layer the two for added protection and look for products that include anti-stain technology.Catching a whiff of sweat smell in clothes you’ve just washed is frustrating, but this is a fixable problem. A vinegar soak, a baking soda paste, and a few smarter laundry habits go a long way to ensuring freshness.This story was produced by Degree Deodorant and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Hidden costs of commuting: The real cost of returning to the office Hidden costs of commuting: The real cost of returning to the officeRemember those days when going to work meant rolling out of your bed, grabbing a cup of coffee, checking your phone, and then ambling a few feet to your home office? Those days are fast disappearing because the commute is back. And it’s more expensive than ever.The number of workers who commute five days a week or more has risen to half (49%), according to Ipsos, while the number of people who don’t have to go to the office at all has dropped in half to13%. Bear in mind that the average American spends more than 27 minutes just getting to work. This is not including traffic snarls, time spent searching for parking, at tolls and gas stations, or the 20 minutes of your life you just lost to someone who doesn’t seem to have the faintest idea about merging. And that’s just the time lost due to your commute, not the money. When you start adding up all those expenses, from the big ones like gas to the little ones like parking, it all adds up.Way.com examined the various costs workers face when they have to commute to the office multiple times a week.Fuel & Maintenance ExpensesLet’s tackle the most obvious expense first – fuel, which is also the fastest-rising expense. The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $4.07 by the end of August 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, almost a dollar more than what it cost during the same time last year.The cost of maintaining and repairing a car grew 0.6% month-over-month and 6.6% year-over-year. Oddly enough, the only cost that did not go up is auto insurance. In fact, the motor vehicle insurance index went down by 0.3% in July after declining 2% in June. That said, the national average cost of full-coverage car insurance is $187 per month, according to Insurify.The cost of owning or leasing a carOwning or even leasing a car is another major cost that needs to be factored into commuting costs. The cost of owning a new vehicle is $11,577 (77.18 cents/mile) for people who drive approximately 15,000 miles a year. If you’re financing a new car, you can expect your monthly payment to average $777 (a new record), according to Edmunds, which also noted that 1 in 5 (20.3%) people financing a new vehicle took on monthly payments of $1,000 or more in the second quarter of 2026.Leasing might be a little bit cheaper, but average monthly costs still hover around $659, according to the most recent Experian data.More people on the roadAs mentioned earlier, in-office requirements have spiked and so have the number of commuters driving to work. More drivers means increased congestion on the road, as evidenced by INRIX’s 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard, which shows that 88% of American cities (254 out of 290) have more congestion than before, and consequently, the average driver lost 49 hours in traffic in 2025 compared to 43 hours the year before. Chicago drivers fared the worst, losing up to 112 hours, while the usual suspects, New York drivers, spent 102 hours in traffic, and Philadelphians 101.Idling in traffic not only increases your fuel bill and exasperation, but it also adds wear and tear to your vehicle, especially in stop-and-go traffic. The result? Engine damage, battery drain, and more oil changes.The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 figures show that the average time for a one-way commute was 27.2 minutes. If you calculate the total time for a two-way commute over 240 workdays, it adds up to 218 hours. Since in-office numbers have gone up since 2024, it is reasonable to assume that commuting time has gone up, too.Is public transport the answer?The obvious answer to car ownership costs, ostensibly, is public transportation. However, those costs also rose by approximately 16% year over year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) July data.Four of the six largest transit systems in the country raised their fares for 2026. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) raised its base fare from $2.90 to $3 in January. In San Francisco, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) fees went up by 6.2% to $5.18. Chicago, too, had a scare with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announcing its first rail and bus fare increase in seven years, but then state legislation provided funding to cover shortfalls.Data from INRIX shows that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and car congestion have returned to or surpassed levels seen in 2019. However, public transit ridership is about 22% lower than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in line with Census data that shows 69.2% of American workers drove to work alone in 2024 (which was the same as in 2023), while transit accounted for only 3.7%, well below the 5% seen in 2019.States with high commuting costsAs shown in the table below, states with the longest commutes aren’t always the ones with the most expensive ones. Way.com New Hampshire is an anomaly here. Its average commute is 26.7 minutes, tying with Texas for the 10th-longest in the country. It also has the cheapest full-coverage auto insurance in the country at $957/year, a third of what a Maryland driver has to pay. While on the subject of Maryland, its drivers have the worst luck with the second-longest commute, 31.1 minutes, and the highest two-way premium, $3,594. When factoring in fuel costs, California’s average was $5.55 a gallon against $3.42 on the Gulf Coast for the week ending Aug. 3, 2026. A 30-mile round trip costs much more in California, even if you don’t consider tolls, parking, and the high cost of services.The cost of parking your carParking is another high cost for the average commuter, especially if their company doesn’t provide reserved parking for them. The BLS index shows that parking fees and tolls went up by 5.17% in 2024, 3.31% in 2025, and 3.02%* through 2026 to date.As the demand for parking increases, so do the prices. Portland, Oregon, for instance, hiked up downtown parking fees by a dollar to $3.20 in 2026.Adding more parking isn’t the solution, either. Way looked at a UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies analysis that put the average cost of building underground parking at approx. $73,000 per space. The cost is slightly lower for above-ground parking but still significant at $52,000. The costs are based on 17 cities they analyzed, with costs ranging from $40,000 in Washington, D.C. to $111,000 in Portland. The study also noted that since 2012, parking construction costs have increased about 50% faster than the general rate of inflation.The trend in several cities has been to discourage building new parking lots and instead push residents toward using more public transportation. In San Francisco, several new housing developments are exempt from including parking. This adds more demand for on-street parking and local lots from residents who move in.Way’s own booking data told a tale of sharp demand spikes. Weekday parking reservations across Way’s 10 largest markets rose 41% from Jan. 1 to July 31 in 2025 and the same time period in 2026. The increase, however, was far from evenly spread. New York weekday bookings climbed 73%, Boston more than tripled, and Philadelphia more than quadrupled, while San Francisco slipped 3% and Washington fell 14%.That demand has not pushed up parking prices by a lot, though. The average daily rate for a reserved space downtown was flat across these markets, down by about 1% year over year.Again, the story was not the same across the country. Atlanta parking prices rose by 21% to $28.32 a day. Meanwhile, Los Angeles saw an increase of 11% to $24.75, while Philadelphia went the other way with prices dipping by 30% to $25.83. Prices also dropped in New Orleans ($36.20) and New York ($31.44) by more than 12%.There’s another story here: The day-of-the-week pattern is surprising, and it doesn’t have much to do with commuting. Friday is the busiest day for reservations at 16% of volume, with Saturday and Thursday close behind at just over 15% each. Monday is the quietest weekday at 13% and Sunday the quietest overall at 10.9%. Saturday and Sunday together account for more than a quarter of every reservation Way takes.Hiding in plain sightMore and more companies are asking employees to return to the office, making commuting a huge expense that most American workers can’t avoid. You might not notice these costs right away because each cost might seem small in isolation. But add it all up, and it takes a huge chunk of your monthly budget. This could very well be why your money doesn’t seem to stretch as far as it once did.This story was produced by Way.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What 3,002 renters say matters when free rent offers end What 3,002 renters say matters when free rent offers endRenters have spent the better part of two years with unusual leverage, but the data now suggests that period is coming to an end. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national rental vacancy rate was 7.3% in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 5.6% four years earlier, when competition for apartments was near its peak. The Census Bureau notes the rate is not statistically different from the 7% recorded a year ago and virtually unchanged from the first quarter. In other words, it’s elevated and holding.Operators have been competing largely on price. In June, 39.7% of rental listings on Zillow offered a concession — free rent, waived fees, free parking — up from 35.2% a year earlier. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of rental listings offering concessions was closer to 1 in 6. Zillow Senior Economist Kara Ng said during this spring, “renters don't have to settle,” with real room to negotiate on price, perks, and terms. A free month is worth roughly $1,930 to a renter.But the underlying market is turning, as asking rents rose to $1,965 in June, up 2.2% from a year earlier. Apartment List’s August index notes rents are up for the seventh consecutive month, and multifamily vacancy is at 7.1% — near its peak but declining for the first time since late 2021. Zillow expects the market to tighten gradually as construction completions slow and absorption rises, with concessions becoming less common over time.This all raises a question worth asking now rather than later: When renters stop receiving free-month offers, what keeps them signing? An April 2026 survey of 3,002 U.S. renters conducted by AppFolio suggests the answers are specific, operational, and largely within an operator’s control.Key Findings39% of renters plan to move in the next 12 months, up from 35% in 2025.Maintenance is the strongest single driver of overall renter satisfaction.79% of renters who are satisfied with maintenance said issues were resolved within a few days or less.78% of renters say a bundled package of resident services matters when evaluating a home; 33% have access to one.90% of renters say a management company's online reputation factors into where they lease.Renter Satisfaction Is the Clearest Predictor of Who RenewsNearly 2 in 5 renters plan to move within the year, up from 35% in the same survey a year earlier. Mobility has risen even as the market has begun to firm, which puts more weight on each renewal conversation.The survey found satisfaction tracks closely with those decisions. Renters who are satisfied with their management company are 72% more likely to renew and 34% less likely to plan to move. The report shows 83% of residents are satisfied overall — a solid baseline that suggests the remaining gains sit in the margin above it. AppFolio Rental Maintenance Has the Strongest Relationship to SatisfactionOf everything the survey measured, maintenance correlated most strongly with satisfaction. Renters who are satisfied with maintenance are 81% more likely to renew and 36% less likely to move.Speed appears to matter more than sophistication. Among satisfied renters, 47% said issues were resolved within days and 32% within hours. That points to something concrete: Timely resolution shapes renters’ experience of management in moments that matter.Visibility is also important, as renters with access to an online portal reported higher satisfaction with maintenance than those without — 85% compared to 78%. The difference may have as much to do with transparency as the repair itself: Being able to see where a request stands changes the waiting experience. AppFolio Renters Sort Communication by UrgencyCommunication ranked close behind maintenance, and renters drew a clear line based on urgency. Two-thirds (66%) want a phone call for an emergency. For routine matters, they prefer email (51%) or text (43%).The practical takeaway is that channel variety matters as much as responsiveness. Renters don’t have a single preference, but they have different expectations for different situations.Support tools appear to help on the routine end. Renters who interacted with an artificial intelligence assistant reported higher satisfaction with their management company’s communication than those without access — 86% compared to 77%. This finding reflects renter-reported satisfaction rather than resolution quality, and these experiences typically remain guided by staff oversight when questions move beyond the routine. AppFolio The Widest Openings Are in Services Renters Already WantSome of the survey’s most actionable findings sit in the gap between what renters value and what’s commonly offered.An online portal is the most wanted service: 84% called it important, and 59% have access to one. Digital move-in tools showed a wider spread — 64% find them important, and 31% have access to them. The largest gap is in bundled resident services, with 78% saying they matter and only 33% saying they have access.Renters also signaled a willingness to pay: 79% said they would pay their management company for services included in the lease. They attached a condition — 95% said a transparent lease-signing experience, with base rent and every added cost stated plainly, is important to them. Clarity is part of the offer, not a hurdle to it. AppFolio Resident Experience Compounds in a Way Discounts Don’tIf Zillow's outlook holds and concessions recede as the market tightens, rent discounts will no longer be a differentiator. Every operator’s window closes at roughly the same time. What remains is the part of the offer that can’t be matched with a coupon.The survey suggests why that matters. Satisfied renters are five times more likely to recommend their management company — 84% compared to 16%. When asked what rating they would leave, satisfied renters averaged 4.1 stars out of five. And 90% said online reputation factored into their leasing decision, which makes this year’s service record part of next year’s demand.A concession fills a unit for a term, but the findings suggest the renter experience carries over into the one after it.MethodologyThe AppFolio 2026 Renter Preferences Report is based on a survey of 3,002 U.S. renters conducted Jan. 26 through Feb. 4, 2026. Respondents represent a cross-section of ages and household incomes aligned with U.S. Census Bureau data. Findings reflect self-reported attitudes and experiences at the time of the survey.This story was produced by AppFolio and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Morning transportation changes coming for Rock Island High School students living in Milan Morning transportation changes are coming for Rock Island High School scholars who live in Milan. An email from the school said the changes will start on Monday, September 14 and are being made to improve transportation efficiency and on-time arrivals. According to the new schedule: Families and staff members who need help finding their scholar’s [...]
	4 smart renovations that make aging in place easier (BPT) - Aging in place isn't just about staying in a familiar building. Continuing to live in your home as you age is also about preserving a sense of self, dignity and control over daily routines.The vast majority of older American adults (ages 50 and older) would like to live in their current home and community for as long as possible, according to AARP's 2024 Home and Community Preferences national survey. However, traditional home layouts often create mobility and safety challenges over time, making aging in place more difficult and even dangerous.Luckily, a few smart renovations can make it more attainable for older adults to maintain independence, comfort and peace of mind as they approach their golden years. Whether you're thinking ahead for your own safety and comfort or preparing to take care of a relative as they age, consider the following changes that can help make aging in place easier.1. Improve a home's layout with mobility in mindThe standard home assumes homeowners can easily navigate stairs every day, multiple times a day. As you age, stairs can become painful and even dangerous to use, limiting a senior's ability to get around their own home.When updating a home, focus on creating a layout that allows you or your loved one to perform all essential daily functions entirely on the main floor. Depending on your home, that could include moving the primary bedroom, full bathroom and laundry room downstairs.Consider converting a seldom-used dining room, den or home office into a permanent main-floor primary suite. You likely won't miss the extra space, and you'll be grateful for the renovation down the line.2. Create an accessible bathroomCreating an accessible bathroom on the main floor of your home should be your top priority when renovating. The bathroom is one of the riskiest places in your home. In fact, according to UCLA Health, an estimated 80% of falls in the home occur in the bathroom.Take stock of your bathroom and note what features could improve safety and mobility. For example, getting on and off the toilet can be more difficult for older adults. Installing grab bars and comfort-height toilets can make going to the bathroom safer and more comfortable.Make sure you also have sufficient lighting. Without proper lighting, overnight trips to the bathroom can quickly turn into an emergency room visit. A simple fix like a night light or two can brighten a room, improving visibility and reducing the risk of a fall.3. Trade the tub for a showerA bathtub can add a touch of luxury and create a spa-like atmosphere homeowners can enjoy on any given day. However, they take up a lot of a bathroom's footprint and can pose a safety risk to older adults.Getting in and out of a tub safely can be challenging for anyone, especially if you're not as mobile as you used to be. Instead of risking a fall now or in the future, consider removing your bathtub and replacing it with a shower. Inside the shower, make sure to install handrails and a shower seat for added accessibility and safety.4. Build an accessory dwelling unitFor some homes, it can be impossible or at least prohibitively expensive to incorporate aging-in-place renovations. If that's the case for you, consider adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).ADUs are secondary living spaces added to a single-family home. Some are detached structures like a backyard or granny cottage, but you can also create an ADU by renovating a garage or basement into a separate living space, sometimes referred to as an in-law suite.For Tina, a new homeowner in the Connecticut area, one of the most appealing features of her home was the basement that doubled as an in-law suite. With exterior access, the residence would provide her elderly parents with their own private living space on the lower level.The problem: The basement ADU only had a half bath. Tina didn't initially see this as a problem, as both of her parents could still navigate the steps to use one of the three full bathrooms upstairs. However, soon after moving in, Tina's father suffered a heart attack that made it difficult for him to use the stairs.To add a full shower to the in-law suite as soon as possible, Tina's contractor recommended installing the Saniflo Sanishower. This above-floor plumbing system allows homeowners like Tina to add a shower to an existing room, basement, garage, guest suite or first-floor space without breaking through concrete or reworking an entire plumbing system.Using the Sanishower, Tina's contractor finished installing the pump in just four hours. This allowed Tina to complete the rest of the bathroom remodel quickly, just in time for her father to come home from the hospital.Making aging-in-place renovations more accessibleThe Sanishower isn't the only solution that makes aging-in-place renovations easier.Saniflo's Saniaccess 3 is ideal for creating an accessible full bathroom in an existing room or converting a living space on the main floor. Need to add a toilet? The Sanicompact makes it easy to add a space-saving toilet system to smaller homes, condos, guest suites or caregiver accommodations. To add a sink to an aging-in-place suite, you can use the Sanivite.These above-floor plumbing systems are ideal solutions for retrofitting older homes, first-floor living conversions and accessible bathroom installations. They can ultimately help homeowners create safer, more functional layouts without relocating.Aging in place is possibleYou don't have to move out of your home to age in place. With a few smart renovations, older adults can maintain their independence while staying safe and comfortable where they are. To learn more about how above-floor plumbing makes aging-in-place renovations simple and attainable, visit Saniflo.com/EN.
	Woman arrested after Galesburg stabbing leaves victim critically injured A woman was arrested Thursday after another woman was critically injured during a stabbing.
	Muscatine to honor fallen firefighter, killed 24 years ago in 2002 fire Muscatine Fire Department will remember 27-year-veteran firefighter Michael Kruse, who died in the line of duty in a 2002 fire.
	Woman arrested in connection with Galesburg stabbing A woman is in the Knox County Jail after police arrested her in connection with a stabbing in Galesburg, according to a news release from the Galesburg Police Department. Galesburg Police were called to the 500 block of Iowa Ct. on September 10 at about 1:20 a.m. for a report of a disturbance involving a [...]
	Learning without a brain – how bacteria store memories and remember the past like artificial neural networks Learning is often thought to require a brain. But learning is a broad concept that does not necessarily depend on neurons. If an organism uses information from past experiences to shape its future decisions, it is also learning. Research from my lab, published in the journal PRX Life, shows that even a single bacterium can learn from experience, store memories of the past and use those memories to prepare for the future. Keeping track of nutrients Bacteria live in environments that change constantly and on many different timescales. In the human gut, for example, nutrient levels go up and down, temperatures shift and antibiotic threats come and go. To survive, a bacterium has to respond quickly to what is happening right now while still preserving useful information about what it recently experienced. Adapting too quickly leaves the bacterium vulnerable to changing conditions, while forgetting too readily makes it unable to anticipate a recurring threat. How does a bacterium manage this balancing act? This question interested me as a computational biophysicist who studies how living systems process information and adapt to changing environments. To investigate whether single-celled organisms such as bacteria can learn from past experience, my colleagues and I used what’s called a microfluidic device to track the behavior of tens of thousands of individual E. coli cells as we switched their nutrient supply on and off at different rates. E. coli can grow at remarkable rates. Eric Erbe, Christopher Pooley/USDA We found that bacteria not only react to current nutrient levels in their environment, they also keep track of their nutrient history to cope with changing conditions. If the bacteria were simply reacting to their present environment, they would respond to a sudden pulse of food in exactly the same way, regardless of whether their previous environment was stable or rapidly fluctuating. Instead, when exposed to the same influx of nutrients, bacteria that had just experienced a feast-and-famine environment adapted much faster than bacteria coming from a stable environment. Because the immediate conditions were identical for both bacteria, we reasoned that the difference in their behavior must originate from a stored internal record of their past rather than a simple reaction to their present. In other words, the bacteria’s past experiences were shaping their present behavior – they were learning. Where bacteria store memory But where were these cells storing this information? To better understand how bacteria were responding to changes in their nutrient environment, my team and I constructed a mathematical model of the internal molecular network that controls bacterial growth. Our model not only reproduced how bacteria behaved under different nutrient environments, but also revealed where their memory likely resides. Our model pointed to a component of cells called ribosomes as a potential memory storage site. Ribosomes are the molecular factories of cells, building proteins and setting how fast a cell grows. Because bacterial memory revealed itself to us as changes in growth rate, our model located the source of this memory within the factories that determine growth. No other component we tested in the model reproduced this behavior. Some ribosomes responded quickly to nutrient changes, while others changed more slowly. We reasoned that the fast responders track what’s happening in the present, while the slow responders retain traces of the past. Together, they give the cell a memory that spans many timescales, from minutes to hours. Bacteria and AI systems Using our mathematical model, we found that this molecular system follows the same basic computational logic as a gated recurrent neural network: a type of artificial intelligence used to process sequences such as speech and sensor data. Key to this process is what computer scientists call a gate – that is, a molecular switch that decides how much of an existing memory to keep and how much to overwrite when new information arrives. Cells hold onto memory at a cost, because maintaining readiness to adapt comes at the expense of growth. If a bacteria is spending its energy adapting to its current environment, it has less resources to spend on growth. Bacteria use molecular gates to actively tune how much to retain and how much to discard. What is a neural network, and how does it “learn”? Modern AI systems rely on gates to remember important details while staying flexible enough to learn something new. In the bacterium, the gate is not built from software but from the chemistry within the cell. This strategy also helps solve a problem familiar to AI researchers: how to learn something new without erasing what was learned before. Bacterial cells balance memory and flexibility by storing information across many timescales. This kind of history-dependent computation does not require neurons. Instead, our study showed that a network of ribosome populations is sufficient. Long before people built artificial intelligence, bacteria had already evolved a remarkably similar strategy for using the past to prepare for the future. Using bacterial memory Using the broadest definition of learning, our findings show that memory and learning can emerge from chemical networks in a cell, with no brain or neurons of any kind. Our work also reveals an unexpected connection between biology and artificial intelligence. For biology, our mathematical model provides a precise, quantitative language for describing how cells process information and make decisions. For artificial intelligence, it offers a biological blueprint for building systems that can learn continuously under tight energy constraints. These findings could also have implications for medicine. Many pathogenic bacteria survive by adapting to changing conditions inside the body. If this adaptability depends on cellular memory, then future drugs to treat infection could disrupt the molecular components that allow cells to store and use information about their environment. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Shiladitya Banerjee, Georgia Institute of Technology Read more: Bacteria can develop resistance to drugs they haven’t encountered before − scientists figured this out decades ago in a classic experiment Viruses are both the villains and heroes of life as we know it Where are memories stored in the brain? New research suggests they may be in the connections between your brain cells Shiladitya Banerjee receives funding from the National Institutes of Health.
	Are too many Americans taking antidepressants? Drugs for treating depression are among the most prescribed category of medications in the U.S. – 1 in 6 American adults take them. Some health researchers and advocates have raised concerns that too many patients are using antidepressants and that patients who want to stop taking them struggle to do so. One of the most prominent voices on this point is Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who launched an effort in May 2026 encouraging doctors to find other ways besides antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs to treat depression when possible. As a psychiatrist for over 35 years, including a past role as the medical director of North Dakota’s Department of Human Services, I’ve seen both the benefits and the problems with antidepressants. In my view, there are grains of truth to claims that they are overused, but the full picture is much more nuanced. What are antidepressants, and who takes them? Over half of all antidepressant medications prescribed are a type of drug called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. The first SSRI – fluoxetine, better known by its brand name Prozac – was approved in 1987. A handful of other types of SSRIs, which work through different mechanisms, also exists. Antidepressants can be helpful for moderate to severe depression, but they are typically not warranted for mild depression, as the side effects might outweigh any potential benefits. For mild depression, many effective nonmedication treatments exist. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has encouraged doctors to steer patients away from antidepressants when possible. However, the distinction between mild and more severe symptoms sometimes gets lost. In everyday language, people use the term “depression” to describe everything from a minor sense of the blahs to a serious clinical condition requiring treatment. Healthcare workers in primary care clinics routinely screen patients for depression using a widely used questionnaire. This tool can be effective in flagging patients who might need further testing or treatment. But in my experience, if used on its own to diagnose, it can be easily misinterpreted. A person having a bad week or two who scores higher on a screening test might be prescribed a medication that was not necessary. But the tool can also fail to flag people who do need care. Over a third of people who die by suicide have visited a primary care provider in the month before their death. For those 55 and older, it rises to more than two-thirds. Prescribing in general practice According to a 2026 analysis, most prescriptions for antidepressants in the U.S. are not written by psychiatrists. In some cases, these medicines are prescribed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants with psychiatric qualifications, but most are written by primary care providers, who are not specialists in mental health. Clinicians who provide primary care don’t just have less time to evaluate patients’ mental health concerns. They also have less access to ways of treating depression apart from medication, such as talk therapy. Primary clinics that have behavioral health providers and consult with psychiatrists tend to help patients more effectively and provide more treatment options. These types of collaborative approaches to care are still rare but are becoming more common. I recall my father, who was a country doctor in general practice, saying that half of his patients’ problems had to do with mental health issues, and he didn’t know how best to help them. Today’s primary care providers do receive more training on mental health issues, and they are often more equipped to recommend lifestyle changes that can be especially helpful for people with less severe depression symptoms. But it’s simply human nature that when given a choice between taking a daily medication and engaging in activities that require commitment and intention, many will choose medication. The opposing forces of stigma and access Stigma has been a long-standing barrier in seeking mental healthcare. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and depression have become more prevalent. That’s particularly true among adolescents and young adults – especially young women, who tend to experience less stigma around mental health issues. New rules during the pandemic also made it significantly easier for people to access mental health treatment – both therapy and medications – remotely, via telehealth. Such access continues to grow. Before the pandemic, only 1% to 2% of antidepressant medications were prescribed via telehealth. By 2022, it was roughly one-third. Given these trends, and the fact that clinicians often turn to medication for treating depression regardless of the severity, the uptick in antidepressant prescriptions since 2020 should come as no surprise. Virtual visits allow people to navigate more easily around stigma and find increased and convenient access to care. And many people feel more comfortable getting such care in a primary care clinic rather than a mental health clinic. Systemic issues drive prescribing For all these reasons, I would say that antidepressant medications are likely overused in some cases. Undoubtedly, some people who take them either don’t benefit from them or could address their symptoms in other ways. On the other hand, expanded access to mental healthcare – including medication – has also enabled people who need treatment to receive it. Even now, many Americans with serious depression receive no or limited treatment. For people with mild depression, medication may not be the best option, but the distinction between mild and more severe symptoms sometimes gets lost. Dimensions/E+ via Getty Images via The Conversation What’s more, in my view, this imbalance reflects systemic problems in the U.S. healthcare system at least as much as physicians’ prescribing habits or patients’ requests. For example, primary care clinics are a great place to screen for mental health issues, but getting proper treatment may involve more specialized care – which many patients can’t access. And on the business side, clinicians get little support in helping patients with lifestyle changes and nonmedication treatments – rather than prescribing drugs. Difficulties in ditching antidepressants Kennedy has claimed that for some people, stopping antidepressants can be harder than quitting heroin. Research suggests such extreme effects of discontinuing medication are rare, though not unheard of. Any time a person is on a medication for a significant period of time, the brain and body adapt to establish a new balance. This happens with other substances, too – as any regular coffee drinker who has tried abruptly quitting knows. People who want to stop taking antidepressants after being on them for a long time generally do best when they gradually taper their dose over weeks to months, unless they have a specific reason for stopping more quickly. For antidepressants, clinicians watch for withdrawal symptoms including sleep problems, flu-like symptoms, headaches and an electrical buzzing sensation in the head. A 2024 review of dozens of rigorous studies that compared the experiences of people taking antidepressants with those taking a sugar pill found that roughly a quarter of people stopping antidepressants experienced some withdrawal symptoms, and for 3%, they were severe. While certain antidepressants might be more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms, it’s tough to tell who might have the most difficulty. And for some patients, depression is a chronic illness for which they must take medication indefinitely. However, most people working with an experienced clinician are able to successfully discontinue these drugs. Ultimately, what’s most important is that patients are able to consult with a knowledgeable provider in making that decision. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Andrew McLean, University of North Dakota Read more: Depression too often gets deemed ‘hard to treat’ when medication falls short Medication can help you make the most of therapy − a psychologist and neuroscientist explains how After the FDA issued warnings about antidepressants, youth suicides rose and mental health care dropped Andrew McLean has taken part in projects that have included government funded grants related to mental health and substance misuse and holds an Endowed Chair in Neuroscience funded in part by the Neuropsychiatric Research Institute through the UND Alumni Association and Foundation.
	As diseases loom, CDC's response to measles deaths stirs fears about agency's reliability The worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades is growing and flu season is imminent. Experts are fretting about federal health data reliability after the CDC questioned two Pennsylvania measles deaths.
	Ballet Quad Cities starts 30th season with “Ballet on the Lawn” Sunday Ballet Quad Cities is launching its 30th-anniversary season this Sunday with a special “Ballet on the Lawn” at the Davenport Outing Club, 2109 N. Brady St., with performances at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sept. 13.

Sunday, September 13th, 2026

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Friday, September 11th, 2026