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

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
	Niabi Zoo leopard says 'no' to the snow If you're not a fan of the recent snowy weather around the Quad Cities, you're not alone!
	Suspect in custody after standoff near LeClaire elementary school prompts school closure A police call early Wednesday near Bridgeview Elementary led the district to cancel classes out of caution.
	Changes to degree classifications could impact student loan eligibility Graduate students in some programs would only be provided a maximum of $20,500 in federal loans per year.
	East Moline manufacturer considering Davenport expansion Electro Freeze says the expansion could create 83 news jobs with an investment of $16.3 million.
	New performing arts center on the way for Burlington students A new performing arts center will break ground in March for the Burlington Community School Dist.
	Crews respond to structure fire in Bettendorf Streets around the area of 195th Street and 251st Avenue in Bettendorf are blocked off as crews respond to the fire.
	LeClaire man charged after police presence closes elementary school Bridgeview Elementary School cancelled classes Wednesday due to a police presence in a nearby neighborhood.
	Project NOW struggling to secure emergency winter shelter The Rock Island nonprofit said a recent city ordinance regulating social service organizations is preventing it from opening a winter shelter.
	East Moline Lighted Christmas Parade cancelled due to issues related to weather, construction While East Moline's parade is cancelled, organizers said there will still be events such as a visit from Santa and sales from local businesses.
	RECORD LOW likely in Quad Cities Thursday morning The record low for Thursday is -2°...and we're likely going to break that record! Plan on the actual temp to bottom out around -4° Thursday morning. Wind chills be down to around -15°. This is highly out of the ordinary for this time of the year. The last time we had this cold of weather [...]
	Crews respond to structure fire in Bettendorf Streets around the area of 195th Street and 251st Avenue in Bettendorf are blocked off as crews respond to the fire.
	Firefighters fight barn fire Wednesday evening in rural Bettendorf A portion of 195th Street east of 251st Avenue is closed to traffic due to the fire.
	Dozens of firefighters battle QCA barn blaze Fire crews are battling a barn fire at the east intersection of 195th St. and 252nd Ave. south of Interstate 80. Our Quad Cities News had a crew on scene. The roof of the structure was gone, but the walls were still standing. Dozens of firefighters from were battling the blaze, including those from the [...]
	QC nonprofit Palomares builds community through shared meals, free produce and warm clothes For the past 7 years, Palomares Social Justice Center has served those in Rock Island and Moline. This year, they gave away more than 3,000 pounds of fresh produce.
	Special Weather Statement until THU 9:00 AM CST Arctic Cold Front Brings Record-Low Temperatures Tonight
	Crews battle fire in plunging temperatures Crews are on-scene battling a fire in brutally cold temperatures.
	Steve Cropper, guitarist and member of Stax Records' Booker T and the M.G.'s, dies Steve Cropper, who co-wrote classics including "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay" and "In the Midnight Hour" during his years playing guitar at the legendary Stax Records in Memphis, has died. He was 84.
	It's been 3 years since ChatGPT was launched. How has it affected QCA students? A heated debate surrounds the use of artificial intelligence software in the academic world.As of Nov. 30, 2025, ChatGPT has been around for three years. Within these years, college campuses have been taken by a storm. Professors in the Quad Cities remain critical of its use by students. ChatGPT is only getting 'better' with age. [...]
	Supermoon rising Dec. 4 as temperatures drop in Illinois, Iowa As temperatures dip into the single digits, the Cold Moon will be rising Thursday night.
	Iowa judge denies appeal in 1980 Muscatine murder An Iowa judge denied an appeal in a 1980 Muscatine murder on Wednesday.
	Muscatine County Habitat for Humanity hosts Christmas Tour of Churches The annual fundraiser shifts from home tours to historic church visits Sunday
	Davenport Police Association hosts toy drives The Davenport Police Association is teaming up with the community to spread Christmas cheer. The toy drive at Chuck's Tap, located at 1731 W. 6th St., Davenport, is Saturday, December 6 from 7:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. The Davenport Police Association is also hosting a toy drive collection near the Firestone entrance at NorthPark Mall on Sunday, December [...]
	How Minnesota became a hub for Somali immigrants in the U.S. Minnesota boasts the largest population of Somalis in the U.S. — a community that's recently faced attacks from President Trump. Here's a brief history of how they came to settle there.
	Current Reads: 3 books from Letts to cozy up with this winter The Letts librarians have chosen a historical fiction about resilience and witchcraft, a small town romance & a moving narrative about navigating life's tough times.
	Restored, Historic Hilltop Inn in Davenport expands its public events Sue Ramsett-Kretz and her husband, Chris, love old homes and own four of them in the Davenport Hilltop area.
	Police: Ex-brewery employee stole $21,000, spent thousands at casinos in Clinton Police arrested 44-year-old Chiquita Austin on Nov. 19 in connection with the incident.
	Honor those who've served with the Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program A program in Rock Falls has been set up to recognize current and former residents who have served in the United States military. Melinda Jones spoke with Our Quad Cities News about the Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program. For more information, click here.
	With cold weather incoming, here's what you need to know to stay safe Signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, drowsiness and more.
	Community mourns Galesburg teacher after fatal car crash on Monday “He built relationships quickly. Former students would come looking for Coach Ball. That’s just who he was,” said principal.
	Meet the Palomares Social Justice Center in Rock Island The Palomares Social Justice Center has been working in Rock Island for about seven years, offering a variety of services for the community.
	Kings Harvest Ministries loses week's worth of food after cooler malfunction Volunteers for Kings Harvest Ministries in Davenport were greeted with a disappointing scene Wednesday morning. When they arrived at the building, the team realized their cooler had malfunctioned and was over 45 degrees, much too hot for a fridge that stores dairy and meat products. Staff say over three quarters of the product in the [...]
	Davenport police holding holiday toy drive this weekend Officers will be collecting toys at Chuck's Tap on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at North Park Mall on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
	Muscatine Humane Society launching cat crisis fund The City of Muscatine says it will no longer take in any more cats, and another shelter recently closed.
	Davenport Noon Optimist Club says harsh weekend weather cut into charity tree sales The club's tree lot is at Brady Street stadium.
	Public invited to Lutheran Living Winter Wonderland, Muscatine Muscatine’s senior living community, Lutheran Living Senior Campus (Lutheran Living), 2421 Lutheran Drive, will host its Winter Wonderland event from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Over the course of the Winter Wonderland attendees will get to enjoy live reindeer, craft vendors, photography booths, photo ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus, craft workshops, a cookie and hot chocolate [...]
	Filmmaker Jafar Panahi is sentenced again in Iran as Hollywood's awards season starts Panahi's latest film, It Was Just an Accident, won three Gotham Awards on Monday. The filmmaker has been imprisoned in Iran before — but continues to make movies.
	Galesburg students and staff mourn teacher and coach killed in Monday crash Galesburg students and staff are grieving after teacher and coach Jordan Ball died in a Monday crash.
	Christmas in LeClaire brings parade, live Nativity and holiday fun this weekend The 41st Annual Christmas in LeClaire kicks off Friday with three days of parades, runs, music, shopping and family holiday activities along the Mississippi River.
	King's Harvest Ministries loses food supplies from broken cooler King's Harvest Ministries in Davenport feeds those in need for free every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, but now they're facing a major challenge in doing so. According to a post on their Facebook page, the facility's walk-in cooler broke overnight, leading to a week's worth of food for those in need having to be thrown [...]
	Davenport adds four electric buses to city fleet Four new buses were added to Davenport's city bus fleet. They are nearly identical to the older bus models in the city's fleet. But there is one major difference. These new buses don't run on diesel like the others, they are electric. The total cost of the project to add the four electric buses to [...]
	2 arrested after crash leaving Burger King in Burlington The Burlington Police Department arrested two men after a crash Tuesday.
	Trump administration rolls back fuel economy standards At a White House this afternoon, President Trump said he was terminating "ridiculously burdensome" fuel economy rules. It's part of a series of changes relaxing or eliminating rules promoting cleaner cars.
	King's Harvest Ministries suffers broken cooler and steam table on the same day After the two pieces of equipment failed, King's Harvest is asking for donations to help repair and replace them.
	Current Reads: 3 books from Letts to cozy up with this winter The Letts librarians have chosen a historical fiction about resilience and witchcraft, a small town romance & a moving narrative about navigating life's tough times.
	Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know! Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: Shane Fix, 39, 5'5", 125 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes. Wanted in Scott County for probation violation on convictions for possession controlled substance and [...]
	CDC's vaccine advisers meet to question long-used vaccines Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention will scrutinize the childhood vaccine schedule and may start to upend it.
	2 vehicle crash closes part of 11th Street, Rock Island A two-vehicle accident has closed part of 11th Street in Rock Island. Two vehicles were involved and it appears that a red pickup truck was rear-ended by a maroon sedan. At least two people were transported from the scene. The northbound lanes of 11th Street are closed for an investigation. This is a developing story. [...]
	Pentagon watchdog finds Hegseth risked the safety of U.S. forces with use of Signal A forthcoming inspector general report finds that had intel shared by Hegseth been intercepted by an adversary, it would have endangered servicemembers, according to a source who viewed the findings.
	Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on SNAP funding cuts, ICE form The Trump administration is threatening to withhold SNAP funding to Democratic-led states that withhold SNAP program data from the government. California, New York and Minnesota are among the states refusing to comply. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, (D-IL) who represents the Eighth District of Illinois, spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to explain why keeping [...]
	Muscatine County Attorney Jim Barry resigns; supervisors plan to appoint replacement He said his resignation was not because of a public reprimand by the state Attorney Disciplinary Board.
	Land of 10,000 Stories \| Teen Angels: Kids Who Care Teens have a reputation to be defiant and filled with angst. These teens are putting those stereotypes to the test and teaching us to never underestimate the youth.
	Trump uses 'Third World' in a social media post. What's up with that term? TK
	Check your cheese: Shredded and grated varieties are recalled nationwide The FDA is urging customers to toss certain brands of grated Pecorino Romano; at the same time, it escalated an existing recall of numerous shredded cheeses.
	Bridgeview Elementary closed amid ongoing police investigation According to the LeClaire Police Department, officers were responding to a mental health crisis in the neighborhood near the school.
	Salvation Army launches $100K donation match challenge The organization is asking the community to help match the donation throughout December, with the goal of doubling the impact of contributions.
	Hy-Vee stores to compete in fourth annual Red Kettle bell-ringing competition The winner will take home the Red Kettle Trophy.
	United Way of West Central Illinois donates $10,000 to River Bend Food Bank United Way of West Central Illinois recently presented a $10,000 check to River Bend Food Bank for its Core Collective program, which serves local food pantries throughout the region. The group serves residents in Warren, Knox, Henderson and Mercer counties. Local hunger relief partners are experiencing a growing demand for services, with more guests entering [...]
	Moline woman celebrates 100th birthday Community members gathered together to celebrate her major milestone.
	Chicago actress will portray Jane Austen at Rock Island Public Library Noted author Jane Austen marks her 250th birthday this December, and to celebrate, Rock Island Public Library is offering a free opportunity this Saturday to "meet" the artist herself, a news release says. "A Visit With Jane Austen," a one-woman show by Chicago actress Debra Ann Miller, takes place Saturday, December 6 at 11 a.m. at [...]
	Davenport man arrested, threatened people with shovel: police A Davenport man is in the Scott County Jail after police say he threatened to kill officers and his roommates while holding a shovel. The criminal complaint filed in the case says Davenport Police were dispatched to the 1100 block of E. 14th Street regarding a domestic disturbance on December 2 at about 10:53 p.m. [...]
	Police response near LeClaire elementary school prompts school closure A police call early Wednesday near Bridgeview Elementary led PVCSD to cancel classes out of caution. Police say the incident is contained to one home.
	Greetings from Ukraine, where churchgoers seek respite ahead of another winter at war Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
	Your glitchy video calls may make people mistrust you Brief glitches in video calls may seem like no big deal, but new research shows they can have a negative effect on how a person is perceived by the viewer.
	2025 Lucia Nights, December 12 and 13 A two-evening celebration of the Swedish tradition based on the legend of Saint Lucia, Queen of Light, the 2025 Lucia Nights Festival in Bishop Hill will, on December 12 and 13, deliver a seasonal treat featuring live music, a barn dance, a chili supper, a tree-lighting ceremony, carriage rides, and much more.
	“Season of Light,” December 6 through 12 An avidly anticipated holiday tradition returns to Augustana College from December 6 through 12 when the John Deere Planetarium hosts the week-long presentation Season of Light, a fascinating and beautiful holiday presentation hosted by the college's planetarium director and professor of physics Dr. Lee Carkner.
	Bridgeview Elementary in LeClaire cancels classes due to police activity in neighborhood Pleasant Valley School District canceled classes at Bridgeview Elementary School on Wednesday due to an ongoing police response in the 300 block of Stagecoach Trail.
	INTERVIEW: Christmas in the Village returns for 51st year The annual Christmas in the Village is back this weekend, complete with trolley rides, music and Santa! Carrie Peterman shares more about what families will enjoy about the festivities.
	Coldest night since last February and it could break a record! After highs at or above freezing Wednesday, temperatures take a tumble tonight and Thursday. Many hometowns will drop below zero for the first time in over nine months. After that record or near record cold start to the day Thursday, sunshine will do very little to warm us up in the afternoon. Here is a [...]
	IHMVCU celebrates Giving Tuesday with $10,000 donation IHMVCU (IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union) marked Giving Tuesday by donating a total of $10,000 to organizations that support the community. The public was invited to vote for nonprofits and 1,793 votes were cast. The top six organizations and their award amounts are: “Giving Tuesday is about more than donations, it’s about creating a ripple [...]
	INTERVIEW: Be Like Dasher! Rotary Reindeer Ramble set for Sunday Registration is still open for the Rotary Reindeer Ramble in Rock Island. Holly Sparkman shares more about the upcoming run/walk.
	Enjoy 'Season of Light' at Augustana's John Deere Planetarium, Rock Island Augustana College's John Deere Planetarium will present its annual holiday planetarium show, "Season of Light" from Dec. 6-12. Shows will be offered Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., and week days at 7 p.m. Doors will open 15 minutes before each show. Latecomers will not be admitted. The program is not recommended [...]
	Cambridge gears up for Village on the Square festivities Cambridge is gearing up for the annual Village on the Square Christmas festivities, taking place Saturday, Dec. 6, with some events Sunday, Dec. 7, in and around College Square Park, a news release says. This free, family-friendly celebration brings together the entire community for an evening packed with holiday spirit, small-town charm, and free activities for all ages. Saturday, Dec. 6 Parade, [...]
	Avoid health issues when shoveling with tips from MercyOne Genesis Snow may look light when it's coming down, but shoveling is hard work and hard on the body, especially if there are underlying medical conditions. Dr. Kelly Krei, DO, a family medicine and sports medicine specialist with MercyOne Genesis, says being careful is the key to successful snow removal. Watch the video above for tips [...]
	LeClaire elementary school cancels classes due to nearby police activity Bridgeview Elementary in LeClaire canceled classes Thursday due to nearby police activity. PVCSD officials say the move ensures student safety.
	School is canceled for Bridgeview Elementary School is canceled for Bridgeview Elementary students in LeClaire due to a police presence in a nearby neighborhood, the Pleasant Valley Community School District announced on social media Wednesday. "This decision is being made to ensure student safety and to avoid interfering with an active law enforcement incident. Y-Care is also closed for the day [...]
	Bridgeview Elementary cancels school due to police presence in nearby neighborhood The decision to cancel classes was made to ensure student safety and to avoid interference with an active investigation, district officials said.
	One year on from martial law crisis, South Korea celebrates its democracy's resilience One year on from failed presidential power grab, South Korea celebrates its resilient democracy, and tries to heal deep political divisions.
	Public invited to tree lighting, festivities at Rock Island Arsenal The Rock Island Arsenal 50th anniversary of its annual tree lighting ceremony will be held fro 4-7 Friday, Dec. 5, at Quarters 1 on Gillespie Street. Families can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, shop at the Holiday Vendor Bazaar, and have a chance to win prizes, including live trees. The Marine Corps Reserve's [...]
	Western Illinois University fills three admin positions after months-long search The candidates were interviewed by administrators and faculty as well as staff and community members since October.
	Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine announces Initiative Award recipients The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine has announced the 2025 recipients of the Shirley Jean Drake Great Initiative Award and the Giles Joslyn Youth Initiative Award.
	WQAD competes with iHeartMedia in annual Toys for Tots drive For the fourth year, WQAD News 8 and iHeartMedia teamed up for a friendly competition to see who can collect the most items for Toys for Tots!
	Federal funding changes threaten Quad-Cities permanent housing programs for homeless people Funding changes mean there will be fewer permanent homes available for homeless people in the Quad-Cities to move into stable housing.
	The Black Box This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.The small community of LeClaire, Iowa, at the head of the Rock Island Rapids, may well hold the record for turning out…
	Democrats seek limits on who can serve as immigration judges amid mass layoffs The legislation comes after the White House authorized up to 600 military lawyers to be temporary immigration judges and scrapped requirements for them to have immigration law experience.
	50 years after the birth of special education, some fear for its future under Trump The Trump administration has fired, or tried to fire, many of the federal staff who manage and enforce federal disability law in schools.
	The use and misuse of the word 'ideology' The word "ideology" has become a fixture in American political rhetoric, invoked by leaders to cast opponents' beliefs as dangerous, stupid or unfounded. But it wasn't always this way.
	Belarus weather balloons force repeated closures of Lithuania's main airport Lithuanian authorities accused Belarus of deliberate disruption after weather balloons directed at Vilnius Airport's runways forced an 11-hour shutdown on Saturday.
	Trump administration halts immigration applications for migrants from 19 nations The Trump administration is pausing all immigration applications such as requests for green cards for people from 19 countries banned from travel earlier this year.
	Deep-sea search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 to resume Dec. 30 The Malaysian government says it will pay the robotics firm Ocean Infinity $70 million if it can locate the wreckage from the missing flight within a 55-day period.
	San Francisco sues nation's top food manufacturers over ultraprocessed foods The city of San Francisco filed a lawsuit against some top food manufacturers on Tuesday, arguing that ultraprocessed food from the likes of Coca-Cola and Nestle are responsible for a health crisis.
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025
	27th annual Blessing Tree lights up Bettendorf park The tree’s lights, ornaments and bows are sponsored by community members in memory of, in celebration of or in gratitude for someone in their life, according to a media release.
	WATCH: Plows begin overnight cleanup in downtown Davenport Snow plows began cleanup late Tuesday to prepare the streets for Wednesday morning. Eric Olsen, OurQuadCities.com, took this video from above as plows cleared Iowa Street, Davenport. In downtown Davenport, residents who are parked downtown and the hilltop overnight risked having their vehicles towed to make way for snow removal. Visit your community's official website [...]
	Gilda's Club lights blessing tree in downtown Bettendorf Each ornament, light and bow is sponsored by community members in memory of their loved ones.
	Camanche residents come out in support of proposed Fareway A tentative agreement from last December would let Fareway keep nearly $2 million in property taxes over 20 years. It would also receive a $500,000 grant.
	Visit Quad Cities wants your thoughts on tourism in our area Residents of the Quad Cities who fill out a survey will be registered for a chance to win one of four $25 gift cards to a local coffee shop or a $150 gift card.
	Camanche residents come out in support of proposed Fareway A tentative agreement from last December would let Fareway keep nearly $2 million in property taxes over 20 years. It would also receive a $500,000 grant.
	Trump says he doesn't want Somalis in the U.S., urges them to go back to their homeland and fix it President Trump says he doesn't want Somali immigrants in the U.S., saying residents of the war-ravaged eastern African country are too reliant on U.S. social safety net and add little to the U.S.
	Moline High School kicks off annual Share Joys donut-eating contest, campaign The Moline High School Share Joys campaign will take place Dec. 11-12, a news release says. This is the 76th year of bringing joy to students in need. With the help of the community and local businesses, MHS has raised funds each holiday season to provides clothes for students in the Moline-Coal Valley District who [...]
	Community reacts to loss of Galesburg teacher killed in Route 34 crash Students and faculty in the Galesburg School District are mourning the death of a junior high school teacher killed Monday in a car crash. Jordan Ball taught seventh grade history and coached the basketball team at Galesburg Junior Senior High School the last two years. He taught at Monmouth-Roseville High School before that. Ball, who [...]
	Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine recognizes community leaders The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine recognizes the good work of fellow citizens and charitable organizations who are making a difference in Muscatine County through its annual Initiative Awards, a news release says. Shirley Jean Drake Great Initiative Award The recipient of the 2025 Shirley Jean Drake Great Initiative Award is Freda Sojka. As founder and [...]

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025