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

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026
	Red Cross' A Taste on the River fundraiser canceled due to weather issues The annual event was set to take place on Wednesday, June 17.
	Greg Behning sworn in as Davenport Police Chief Behning has served as interim chief since March, when former chief Jeff Bladel retired.
	Victim identified in East Moline homicide Early Tuesday morning, officers found 27-year-old Freddie Bass with multiple gunshot wounds at an East Moline apartment complex.
	Victim identified in East Moline homicide Early Tuesday morning, officers found 27-year-old Freddie Bass with multiple gunshot wounds at an East Moline apartment complex.
	DeWitt School Board approves master-plan updates with no property-tax increase The Central DeWitt Community School District Board of Education has unanimously approved an updated $54 million facility improvement master plan, according to a news release from the school district. The proposal, which aims to modernize aging infrastructure and consolidate all PreK–12 students onto a single connected campus, will be funded with no increase to the [...]
	Ollie’s Bargain Outlet to open Davenport store Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will open its new Davenport location Thursday.
	Juneteenth events in the Quad Cities area Communities in the Quad Cities area are holding events to celebrate Juneteenth.
	Illinois establishes Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 862 into law June 17, creating the Illinois Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship (IDAG). According to a release: Through its three primary divisions, the department will continue to provide critical support to thousands of individuals with disabilities across Illinois. The Division of State Guardian will serve as guardian [...]
	Inside Iowa Politics: How Zach Lahn responds to being called ‘part-time Iowan’ by opponent Zach Lahn responds to criticism about whether he will be in Iowa enough to serve as its next governor.
	Rock Island appoints interim public works director A longtime city employee is stepping into a new leadership role. Luke VanLandegen will serve as interim public works director.
	VanLandegen named interim Rock Island public works director Rock Island City Manager Todd Thompson has named Municipal Services Superintendent Luke VanLandegen as interim public works director, a news release says. VanLandegen replaces Mike Bartels, who resigned his position this month after 13 years with the city. “Luke VanLandegen has the leadership, experience and knowledge necessary to lead the largest department in the City,” [...]
	MercyOne Clinton Medical Center unveils new surgical robot MercyOne Clinton Medical Center unveiled its new piece of cutting-edge technology on Wednesday.
	Iowa racers sweep top 3 positions at DIRTcar Summer Nationals, West Liberty Iowa racers swept the top three positions at the DIRTcar Summer Nationals event held Tuesday, at the half-mile West Liberty Raceway. All night long the Summer National Late model drivers were chasing Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa. Chris set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 18.165 seconds. He won his heat race and [...]
	MercyOne Clinton Medical Center acquires new surgery robot The DaVinci Surgical System has a lifespan of about 20 years.
	Sand: Iowa school voucher program to cost $330 million as private school enrollment surges Iowa’s school voucher program is expected to cost the state nearly $330 million this year as enrollment in private schools has surged past state expectations, according to a new report released today.
	Davenport swears in new police chief The City of Davenport has a new chief of police.
	Wednesday storm damage widespread around Our Quad Cities area Wednesday got off to a loud start in the Quad Cities ...and surrounding areas. Severe t'storms packed winds up to 80 miles per hour across parts of Iowa and Illinois. Damage was widespread from the Quad Cities to Monmouth, Illinois.
	YOUR COVERAGE: Central Illinois hit by violent storms Wednesday Severe weather rolled through the Heart of Illinois on Wednesday. Here’s a compilation of the photos we’ve received.
	Online auction company hosting charity auction for Foster’s Voice The auctions run through June 22 on the MAC-BID website.
	Iowan among 8 killed in B-52 bomber crash at California Air Force base Maj. Brad Hovey was a pilot with the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base.
	1 year in, Macomb's glass recycling program is proving wildly successful Over the last year, the community program has saved 41 tons of glass from Macomb's landfill. That's the weight equivalent of about 6 large elephants.
	Bureau County man wins 2026 Golden Tee World Championship From small-town bar to world champion, it's been a nearly 20-year journey for Ladd, IL's Jeff Lannen. But he's now the best in the world at the popular arcade game.
	Traffic Alert: Construction to begin on Gateway Bridge in Whiteside County Construction on the U.S. 30 Mississippi River Bridge, also known as the Gateway Bridge, is set to begin Thursday.
	Litter of Pallas's cat kittens born at Niabi Zoo Niabi's litter is just one of two Pallas's cat litters born through the species' survival plan this year.
	Bureau County man wins Golden Tee World Championship Jeff Lannen has been playing Golden Tee for 25 years. What started as an after-hours hobby at work has now taken him to the world stage.
	Henry County Health Dept. finds first West Nile Virus of 2026 in specimen bath The Henry and Stark County Health Department reports that its first mosquito pool of the year to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) was a specimen batch collected and tested on June 5, according to a report from the Henry and Stark County Health Department. “The news of the first batch of mosquitos carrying [...]
	License renewal processes to change for senior drivers in Illinois July 1 Drivers license renewal processes will change for seniors in Illinois. Under the Illinois Road Safety and Fairness Act, drivers 79 through 86 will no longer be required to take a behind-the-wheel test because of their age, but they will still have to renew the license in person and pass a vision screening test. Drivers 79 [...]
	Macomb celebrates 1 year of glass recycling program Residents have kept more than 41 tons of glass out of landfills. That's the weight of almost six large elephants!
	Severe weather update for the rest of the night After a very active morning with lots of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Quad Cities, things have began to calm down for the evening. Heavy rain dropped on the Quad Cities leading to flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorms producing 70-80 mph winds, causing damage like downed trees, and even a toppled train car [...]
	Central DeWitt school board approves updated master plan for improvements, includes no property tax increases District officials hope to put a $33.7 million bond referendum on the November ballot to help fund the plan, but it would only extend current levy payments.
	Here's how much the the Iran war cost -- and how its effects will linger More than three months after the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran, the costs and aftereffects are felt around the world.
	Here's how much the Iran war cost -- and how its effects will linger More than three months after the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran, the costs and aftereffects are felt around the world.
	Spend your Father's Day weekend at the Geneseo Music Festival Spend your Father's Day weekend enjoying live music, parades, food trucks, tractor displays and so much more! Lindsie Akers joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Geneseo Music Festival. For more information, click here.
	Longtime Freight House vendor publishes ‘City Farmers’ Market’ for young readers Scott Smith — known to families as “Mr. Homegrown” — has released a new children’s book, City Farmers’ Market, inspired by his decades at the Freight House Farmers Market and aimed at teaching kids about fresh produce, farming and local food.
	Iowa native, U.S. Air Force Maj. Brad Hovey, killed in B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base One of the eight B-52 bomber crash victims at Edwards Airforce Base in California this week was an Iowa native.
	Calming down Wednesday evening with quiet weather into Father’s Day weekend First Alert Day issued as a strong weather system brings damaging hail, gusty winds and isolated tornado potential through Wednesday evening
	A Taste on the River in East Moline cancelled While we are disappointed to cancel this beloved event, the safety of our guests, volunteers, chefs, sponsors, vendors, and community partners remains our highest priority, a media release said.
	J.T. Poston, Ben Griffin commit to 2026 John Deere Classic field The two players are currently in the top 40 of the World Golf Rankings.
	New local history mural completed at Davenport’s MLK Park A new colorful mural by nationally recognized artist and muralist Cbabi Bayoc is done, next to the Martin Luther King Jr. Interpretive Center, 501 N. Brady St., Davenport.
	Victim in East Moline homicide identified as Moline 27-year-old Officials have released the identity of the man killed in Tuesday morning’s shooting in East Moline. Another man has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
	Auditor examines Iowa’s Education Savings Account program State Auditor Rob Sand says the state’s Education Savings Account program cost taxpayers nearly $330 million dollars this school year.
	Multiple train cars on ground after derailment near Ormonde KWQC is working to learn more about a train derailment near Ormonde Wednesday morning.
	Victim in East Moline shooting identified A 21-year-old Rock Island man was arrested on a murder charge after a shooting in East Moline Tuesday.
	Lawmakers, stakeholders are ready for summer of data center negotiations Data centers, labor and environmental stakeholders say they’re ready to meet at the negotiating table as soon as possible because uncertainty is holding communities and projects in limbo.
	Rare Pallas’s cat kittens born at Niabi Zoo mark conservation milestone Three rare Pallas’s cat kittens born at Niabi Zoo boost North American conservation efforts after storm recovery and habitat rebuild.
	Red Cross' A Taste on the River fundraiser canceled due to weather The annual event was set to take place on Wednesday, June 17.
	Tips to keep your brain healthy, Coal Valley daycare investigation: News 8 This Week - June 14, 2026 June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. We speak with Dr. Michael Stockman on how to take care of your brain. Plus, more on a News 8 investigation.
	Friends of Muscatine Art Center host Ice Cream Social The Friends of the Muscatine Art Center is hosting its annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 28 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Art Center, 1314 Mulberry Avenue. The free, family friendly event encourages residents to an afternoon of art, music, history and fun. The Friends organization will have slices of pie, brownies, [...]
	Scott County Recorder Rita Vargas to retire after all, withdraws name from ballot Rita Vargas will have served 24 years as Scott County recorder, elected first in 2002. Democrats will nominate a new candidate at a special convention this week.
	Severe weather across the QCA causes power outages Severe weather conditions across the QCA has caused power outages in our region. To keep track of coverage, use the following links: MidAmerican Energy Ameren Alliant Energy For more weather information, click here.
	Here’s where Davenport’s mobile speed cabinets will be through late June Heads up, Quad Cities drivers! Here’s where Davenport’s mobile speed cabinets are located June 15 - 21 and June 22 - 29.
	'Pride at Wake' returns with 2 drag shows supporting LGBTQ+ organizations You can enjoy a full day of food, auctions, vendors and performances on Saturday, June 20 at Wake Brewing in Rock Island.
	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: MARK ALZAMORA, 36, 5’10”, 150 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes. Wanted by Scott County Sheriff’s Office for probation violations on convictions for harassment 1st [...]
	Upcoming showcase will feature and honor Monmouth-area entrepreneurs An entrepreneurial recognition ceremony will take place on June 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Legion on North 11th Street in Monmouth.
	'Stuff the Bus' school supply drive in Monmouth on Friday You can drop off items in front of the Recharge Teen Center at 213 S. Main St. in Monmouth from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Friday.
	Downed power lines, train derailment reported in Monmouth as severe storms hit Wednesday morning Thousands of power outages are being reported in western Illinois, with Ameren Illinois saying strong winds knocked down several lines.
	Niabi Zoo welcomes rare Pallas’s cat kittens Niabi Zoo is marking a significant conservation milestone with the birth of three new Pallas’s cat kittens. The kittens were born to Eevi and Haruto, the zoo’s Pallas’s cats, as part of the Pallas’s Cat Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative breeding program designed to help maintain a healthy, genetically diverse population of the species [...]
	'One of the biggest wins' MercyOne Clinton Medical Center celebrates new surgical robot "This is one of the biggest wins we've had in a long time, so it's something that our community really should celebrate."
	Man charged with several counts of child sexual abuse A LeClaire man has been charged with several counts of sexual abuse to a child.
	Inflation drives Davenport Mexican restaurant to raise Taco Tuesday prices Azteca Bar and Grill near 53rd and Brady has been serving 99 cent tacos for over a dozen years.
	Junior Achievement of the Heartland names new CFO/COO Junior Achievement of the Heartland has named Amy Barth as Chief Financial & Operating Officer (CFO/COO). She will join the organization on June 22 and has extensive experience in financial leadership, operations and strategic planning. Barth will oversee financial management, operational effectiveness, human resources and long-term sustainability initiatives. This leadership will help strengthen the organization's [...]
	Tropical Storm Arthur is the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season Forecasters say Arthur could generate life-threatening flash floods along the northern Gulf Coast. But it is not expected to strengthen further.
	Greetings from Maputo, Mozambique's capital, shaped by a modernist architecture An impromptu tour of Mozambique's capital city reveals a unique imprint left by architect Amâncio "Pancho" Guedes.
	Morning storms cause damage, power outages across region Severe morning storms cause widespread damage, thousands of power outages, and a train derailment across parts of Iowa and Illinois.
	Spanberger joins governors in Reproductive Freedom Alliance, signs related Va. bills into law Gov. Abigail Spanberger, seen here in Richmond on April 22, has joined a national coalition of governors committed to preserving access to reproductive health medications. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)From support for legislation and ballot referendums to helping states stockpile abortion and miscarriage management drug mifepristone, a growing cohort of governors are banding together as the Reproductive Freedom Alliance. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Wednesday that she has joined the coalition. Members include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Gov. Wes Moore from Maryland and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill — who was elected the same night as Spanberger last fall — among 23 others so far. As part of the alliance, Spanberger said she will “continue doing everything in my power to preserve the rights of Virginians seeking reproductive care and making sure families across our Commonwealth can continue making their own personal healthcare decisions.” Mifepristone has been subject to legal challenges, with opponents pushing for a national ban on mailing the medication. Several of the states are working to preserve access to the medication and have also enacted shield laws to protect patients’ privacy and expand coverage for over-the-counter contraception. On the heels of announcing she’d joined the governors’ group, Spanberger signed two new reproductive health bills into law in Lorton Wednesday. Years-long efforts dubbed the Right-To-Contraception Act and Contraception Equity Act will fortify people’s ability to access family planning measures. Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, who carried the legislation, has emphasized that contraception is also used to treat conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis. Price uses contraception to treat her own PCOS symptoms, she said. After signing the law Wednesday, Spanberger called contraception “vital for being able to contend with an ongoing health issue.” The coalition announcement and new laws preempt the fourth anniversary of the overturn of federal abortion protections by the U.S. Supreme Court and a ballot referendum in Virginia later this year to enshrine reproductive rights into the state’s constitution. How a 19th century law, central to a national telehealth abortion case, could impact Virginia With abortion drawing the most scrutiny, several states have enacted deep restrictions or bans on the procedure. Virginia, where abortion is legal to varying degrees in all three trimesters of pregnancy, is the least restrictive Southern state. As such, clinics and abortion funds have noted upticks in out-of-state patients in recent years. Blue Ridge Abortion Fund director April Greene said that 26% of people seeking assistance from her organization live outside Virginia, a 13% uptick since 2023. More people are relying on abortion funds for financial assistance, as rising fuel prices affect travel. “What this tells us is that abortion bans, anywhere, impact access everywhere,” Greene said. Spanberger, reproductive rights advocates, state lawmakers and congressional candidates will continue advocating for the constitutional amendment leading up to this fall’s election. Rising costs of fuel, other goods squeeze already strained abortion funds Despite some Republican-leaning states having already pursued similar measures, the amendment has fallen along partisan lines in Virginia. Every elected Republican in the state legislature has voted against the amendment, which had to clear the legislature two years in a row before it could appear on statewide ballots. “Once it becomes enshrined in our constitution it becomes harder to fight,” said Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb at the Virginia March For Life this past spring. Her organization, which staunchly opposes the amendment, has filed one of two lawsuits challenging the pending amendment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Virginia Mercury
	Oregon medical advocates push for 2027 legislation to cover biomarker testing There are 24 states that mandate insurance companies to cover the cost of a biomarker test, according to the American Cancer Society. Medical advocates push for Oregon to join that list. (Photo by Laura Tesler/Oregon Capital Chronicle)In 2022, Christy Scattarella felt like her brain was unraveling. The Portlander, then 63, kept misplacing items such as her purse or wallet, and she’d notice herself wearing her clothing the wrong way. She also kept getting into minor car accidents. She got an MRI, but doctors told her there was nothing physically wrong and prescribed anxiety medication. Unconvinced, Scattarella saw a neurologist 18 months later who ordered another MRI and a blood biomarker test, which measures molecules in the body to detect disease. Within five days, she had an answer. It was Alzheimer’s disease. Christy Scattarella, 67, told Oregon lawmakers on the interim Senate healthcare committee about how biomarker testing helped diagnose the disease she had previous tests weren’t showing. (Courtesy of Christy Scattarella) Doctors quickly prescribed her a drug that helped her regain her footing. Scattarella, now 67, found a purpose in advocating for people with the disease to live their best lives, and pushing Oregon to require that insurance companies cover the biomarker test that gave her her answer, she told state lawmakers on the interim Senate healthcare committee Tuesday. “It’s the first step toward making them standard medical practice, just like a mammogram screening, and just as accurate,” she said. “It’s too late for me. It is not too late for all of you. You have the power to change the course of Alzheimer’s for Oregonians. Please use it.” Oregon should follow other states’ footsteps, advocates say Nearly half of U.S. states mandate insurance companies to cover the cost of a biomarker test, according to the American Cancer Society. Scattarella and medical advocates from the American Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Association are pushing Oregon lawmakers in 2027 to join that list. The federal Food and Drug Administration approved many biomarker tests, which work by sampling tissue, blood or other body fluids to check for certain genes, proteins or other molecules that may be a sign of a disease or condition. Biomarkers can help diagnose a disease, show how likely a cancer is to progress or come back, and predict whether a certain type of treatment will work, according to Dr. Flavio Rocha, a professor and division head of surgical oncology at Oregon Health and Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute. Biomarker tests are the future of personalized cancer therapy, Rocha told lawmakers. Rocha, a liver and pancreatic surgeon, pointed to a study showing that pancreatic cancer patients treated with personalized therapies selected through biomarker testing can live longer. And in his personal life, biomarker tests helped Rocha’s mother diagnose a lung cancer that doctors previously thought was a benign tumor. The tests found that she has a rare mutation, and drugs exist to treat it. “She started that therapy,” Rocha told lawmakers. “We’re going on for about almost two years now, and it’s a combination of pills, so it’s not chemotherapy. It’s targeted. She feels great.” Rep. Hai Pham, D-Hillsboro, spoke in support of legislation in 2027 requiring that insurance companies cover biomarker testing. Pham is a cancer survivor himself, still living with leukemia but managing it with targeted treatment. Ren. Hai Pham, D-Hillsboro, at the Oregon Legislature on Feb. 12, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle) “I think it’s time for Oregon to follow those states’ footsteps,” he said. “We’re pioneers of leading by example, and it’s time that we do this for our state.” For Scattarella, the diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise. Her father and sister had dementia, and her mother had cancer. But she didn’t have an answer until she took the biomarker test. Along with access to biomarker testing, Scattarella said she wants people with Alzheimer’s disease to enjoy life. “You can have Alzheimer’s, and you can still have a great life,” she told the Capital Chronicle. “I’m not saying how long it’ll last, but I make a point of just really treasuring it every day, every moment, and living life to the fullest. All these things we said we were going to do someday, we are now doing them all.” She and her husband recently fulfilled their lifelong dream of visiting Egypt. They finally renovated their basement. And they’re treating their 22nd marriage anniversary as their golden anniversary. “As horrific as this disease is, and trust me, I’ve seen it about as bad as it can be, we can still find some good, not in the disease itself, but things that come from it,” Scattarella said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle
	Severe weather update After seeing heavy rain and strong storms throughout the morning we are still watching for a few severe thunderstorm warnings with 60-70mph winds. The worst of the storms has passed our area, but we are still tracking the chance of more severe thunderstorms late into the morning and lingering into the afternoon. Flash Flood warnings [...]
	Don’t Turn Your Back On Dog Bite Prevention (NAPSI)— If any of the nearly 90 million pet dogs in the U.S. is part of your household, here’s news you may care to consider: Last year, U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees suffered more than 5,200 dog attacks. What Can Be DoneTo combat this, USPS is sharing vital safety guidance to help pet owners protect mail carriers and ensure uninterrupted mail delivery: a month-long Dog Bite Awareness campaign through June with the theme of “Don’t turn your back on dog bite prevention.” “Every single day, our postal employees serve their communities across dynamic, fast-changing environments,” said Leeann Theriault, employee safety and health awareness manager. “Preventing dog-related incidents requires constant, shared vigilance. This campaign reinforces a vital truth: Animal behaviors can change in an instant, but proactive awareness from both our carriers and the customers we serve can stop painful injuries before they ever happen.” Keep Mail Delivery Safe: Tips for Dog OwnersEven the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled. Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents. Keep your dog in a separate closed room before opening the front door. If you step outside, ensure the door is firmly latched. Always use a leash if your dog is outdoors during mail delivery. Finally, never accept mail directly from a carrier in the presence of your dog, and teach children to avoid doing so, as dogs can misinterpret the interaction as a threat.Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and See the Mail on Your Electronic Device Before It ArrivesBy using the free Informed Delivery feature, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Over 70 million customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier might arrive.About The Post OfficeThe USPS is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.The Financial and Emotional Damage of a Dog AttackProtecting your carrier protects your wallet. If your dog attacks a postal worker, you could owe thousands of dollars out of pocket to cover their medical care, lost shifts, replacement clothing and emotional distress.“I was walking my route when a dog jumped the fence and lunged at me,” said San Antonio Letter Carrier Fiona Hudson. “I used my dog repellent and mail bag to defend myself, but it was too late. I was rushed to the hospital bleeding, with a broken bone, a severe arm sprain and was barely able to move. While my physical wounds have healed, the trauma of that vicious attack stays with me. Customers must take responsibility and secure their dogs during delivery hours.” Take Action: Unsecured Dogs Stop Mail DeliveryWhen a carrier feels unsafe because of a roaming dog, mail service can be temporarily suspended.Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner’s Post Office.If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver to and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents will have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery.If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office Box to receive mail.Armed with Awareness: How Carriers Prevent Dog BitesPostal carriers undergo extensive safety training to spot potential canine hazards. Carriers are instructed to remain vigilant and exercise these precautions:Announce entry. Rattle a fence gate or make a non-threatening sound before walking into a yard.Maintain visual contact. Never startle an animal and always keep eyes locked on the dog.Assume dog poses risk. Avoid petting or feeding any animal on the assumption that any dog has the potential to bite.Block exits. Secure outward-swinging doors with a foot to prevent a pet from escaping.If a dog attacks, carriers are trained to stand their ground, use their mail satchel as a protective shield and deploy dog repellent if necessary. To stay ahead of these risks, USPS also provides carriers with awareness tools, including handheld scanners that feature built-in dog warning alerts and physical warning cards that are placed into mail sorting cases to alert a carrier of a dog at a certain address.Learn MoreDog bite awareness events will be held across the country throughout June, and USPS will share information on social media using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.Word Count: 813
	Moline City Council discusses River Station building purchase and winter shelter report he Moline City Council is reviewing a $1.65 million downtown building purchase and evaluating a report on its winter emergency shelter operations.
	Top cities for first-time buyers in 2026: Owning vs. renting Top cities for first-time buyers in 2026: Owning vs. rentingFor first-time buyers, the rent-or-own question has become harder to answer in recent years.Home prices have stayed high in many markets, and mortgage rates remain well above their early-2020s lows.But the rent-versus-buy math usually leaves something out. Rent buys flexibility and shields renters from many repair costs, but it doesn’t build home equity.A mortgage payment works differently: Interest, taxes, and insurance are costs, just like rent, while the principal portion chips away at the loan balance. Add any gain in the home’s value, and ownership can build equity through appreciation too.Once you factor equity in, the rent versus buy comparison changes. To find out where that equity-building gives buyers the greatest financial advantage compared to renting, Lower analyzed for-sale and city-level appreciation data from its real estate search platform, Movoto.Key FindingsBuying beats renting in 56 of 136 cities (41%) when comparing three-bedroom ZIP code-level HUD rents against the net cost of owning, which factors in principal paydown and each city’s actual recent appreciation. The other 59% of cities still favor renting, and the median city still tilts that way, pulled down by markets where appreciation was flat or negative.Hartford, Connecticut, leads nationally, with buyers saving +$2,968 per month compared to renters. That was because Hartford had the highest annualized appreciation rate in the study at an 11.1%. This result rests almost entirely on recent home price growth and stands apart from the rest of the dataset. The next-highest advantage is Worcester, Massachusetts, at +$1,640 per month.Midwest and Northeast cities dominate the top of the rankings. Of the 10 cities where buying’s edge is largest, five are Midwestern, including Cleveland (+8.6% appreciation), Dayton (+7%) and Milwaukee (+6.8%). Three are in the Northeast, led by Hartford and Worcester.The study focused on housing markets where home prices fall within Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limits, which are designed to make homeownership more accessible to first-time buyers with lower down payments and flexible credit requirements.The final analysis includes 136 markets where home prices, rents, and appreciation data could be reliably compared.Lower compared rents against the estimated monthly cost of owning with an FHA loan. That cost included principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and the FHA mortgage insurance premium (MIP), which is a standard fee for FHA borrowers.The rent figures used throughout this study are based on Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Small Area Fair Market Rents data for three-bedroom units, measured at the ZIP code level. These annually published rent figures represent the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard-quality units, which are modest, non-luxury rentals. The study used ZIP code-level data to give each city its own rent benchmark rather than a broad metro-wide average.Why City-Specific Appreciation MattersThis analysis uses annualized listing-price changes from Movoto market data for 2023 to 2026 to reflect recent market performance. The tables break out equity from home price growth separately from equity built through monthly payments, making it easier to see what’s guaranteed versus what depends on the market. Lower National RankingsTop 25 Cities: Owning vs. Renting (3-Bedroom)Lower identified the 25 cities across the United States where buying shows the largest monthly edge over renting once equity is counted, focusing on places where homeownership is within reach for first-time buyers.The monthly difference was determined by subtracting the estimated equity-adjusted monthly cost of owning, after crediting any monthly equity built (principal paydown plus recent city-specific listing-price appreciation), from the median rent (3BR). Cities are ranked in descending order by the monthly difference.Buyers still pay the full mortgage amount each month. The net cost figure is an equity-adjusted estimate, not a cash-flow payment. Lower How the Math Works: Hartford, CTHartford leads with 11.1% annualized appreciation. Strong price growth in a market with tight housing supply, which intensified competition among buyers pushed appreciation higher over the period studied, but that trend may not reflect long-term or typical market conditions.Just because Hartford took the top spot doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best market for first-time homebuyers. Other markets where homeownership pays off, like Dayton or Cleveland, might have more opportunity for first-time homebuyers since they don’t depend on such rapid appreciation. Lower Top 5 Cities by RegionWest: Top 5The West has the lowest share of markets where buying has the advantage over renting of any region at just 26%.In most Western markets, appreciation from 2023 to 2026 was modest. The study’s average across cities in the Western United States was well below the national study average, which limits how much the appreciation component offsets mortgage costs.The West region's top two cities, Menifee, California (+$705 per month) and Lancaster, California (+$515 per month), succeed largely because their median rents are relatively high against more affordable home prices.The regional advantage narrows quickly after the top five. Only one additional Western city remained above break-even. Lower South: Top 5The South is the most represented region in the study with 74 cities, 22 of which (30%) favor buying after factoring in equity.Newport News, Virginia, leads the South at +$1,107 per month, powered by a 3.8% appreciation rate and a median rent that runs close to the gross mortgage.Maryland’s Baltimore ranks second in the South at +$990per month. Alabama’s Montgomery also reaches the top five at +$877 per month, helped by a 6.7% appreciation rate against relatively affordable home prices.The top five Southern markets are led by Newport News; Baltimore; Montgomery; Columbus, Georgia; and Jackson, Mississippi, where appreciation and principal paydown offset enough of the monthly mortgage cost to keep buying ahead of renting. Lower Northeast: Top 5Despite having the fewest cities of any region (just 11), the Northeast has the highest rate of markets favoring buyers, at 82%.Hartford, Connecticut, leads the region, and the entire study nationally, at +$2,968 per month. That result is driven by an 11.1% annualized appreciation rate from 2023 to 2026, the highest of any city in this analysis.Hartford is a genuine outlier. The next-highest advantage in the region is Worcester, Massachusetts, at +$1,640 per month, with a more moderate 5.8% appreciation rate. Lower Midwest: Top 5Buying comes out ahead in 19 of 28 cities (68%) in the Midwest, largely due to a combination of low home prices and solid recent appreciation.Cleveland, Ohio, leads at +$1,298 per month. With a gross mortgage of $1,625 per month and an 8.6% appreciation rate generating $1,314 per month in monthly appreciation equity, the net cost of owning is $152 per month against a $1,450 median rent.Dayton and Akron in Ohio, along with Milwaukee, all show the same trend of affordable entry prices and appreciation rates between 6% and 8% that drive meaningful equity accumulation each month. Noblesville, Indiana, is the exception: Higher home prices produce a $3,815 monthly mortgage, but strong 5.8% appreciation compensates for those higher prices, putting it at +$1,115 per month.For buyers focused on the most affordable markets in the study, the Midwest offers the widest selection of options. Lower What This Means For First-Time HomebuyersBuying comes out ahead in 41% of the cities studied once equity building is factored in. But whether buying pays off changes depending on both prices and appreciation.National averages tell you almost nothing about your own city. Appreciation varied widely from city to city between 2023 and 2026, and in some markets it was negative. In those cities, falling home values reduced the equity homeowners built each month, making the net cost of owning higher than the mortgage payment alone suggests. The opposite was true for markets where appreciation was high, as showcased by outliers like Hartford.Past appreciation isn't guaranteed to continue, but in every market, the principal paydown portion of equity is guaranteed by the loan’s amortization schedule, regardless of what home prices do.Keep in mind that rates can change. Rates have risen markedly so far in 2026 following a gradual decline from post-pandemic highs. A lower future rate could improve the math for buyers who refinance, while a higher rate would weaken affordability for new buyers.There are also costs beyond a mortgage when it comes to owning a home. Closing costs, maintenance, and HOA fees can all drive up the total cost of homeownership.Data and MethodologyLower analyzed homeownership costs and rents across U.S. cities with populations of 75,000 or more, focusing on markets where homes are priced within reach of FHA borrowers. Cities were included where the median listing price exceeded $100,000, median gross rent exceeded $900 per month, and the median listing price fell at or below the 2026 FHA national floor of $541,287 (per HUD and Lower.com, effective Jan. 1, 2026). Cities with fewer than 10 active MLS for-sale listings on Movoto were excluded to ensure listing price data reflected a meaningful sample. These filters produced 169 qualifying cities, of which 136 were successfully matched to both ZIP code-level HUD rent data and city-specific appreciation data.Median listing prices and city-level appreciation data come from Movoto, a real estate search platform and Lower company. Homeowners insurance estimates are from The Zebra, with state averages used where city-level data is unavailable. Population and state-level property tax rates are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 ACS 1-Year Estimates.Monthly mortgage cost uses a 5% down payment and a 6.52% 30-year fixed rate (Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, June 11, 2026) applied to Movoto’s median listing price, and includes principal and interest, property taxes (listing price multiplied by state effective tax rate, divided by 12), homeowners insurance, and FHA MIP at 0.55% annually. The upfront FHA MIP of 1.75% is rolled into the loan balance.Monthly equity built has two components. Principal paydown is the Month-1 principal portion of the mortgage payment, which is the amount that reduces the loan balance rather than paying interest, as determined by the amortization schedule. Monthly appreciation is calculated as the listing price multiplied by the city-specific annualized appreciation rate divided by 12, where the rate for each city is the annualized listing price change from 2023 to 2026, sourced from Movoto market data. Across the 136 cities in this analysis, the mean appreciation rate is 1.6%, and the median is 1.4%. Thirty-four cities have negative appreciation rates; in those cities the monthly appreciation figure is negative and increases the net cost of owning rather than reducing it. Total monthly equity equals principal paydown plus monthly appreciation. Net cost of owning equals gross monthly mortgage minus total monthly equity. Monthly difference equals median rent (3BR) minus net cost of owning. Cities are ranked in descending order by monthly difference.The rental benchmark is the HUD FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) for three-bedroom units at the ZIP code level, representing the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard-quality units. For each city, the median SAFMR across the city’s primary ZIP codes was used. Cities were matched to HUD FMR areas using county FIPS codes and to SAFMRs using primary ZIP codes, a deterministic method that prevents errors from cities sharing names across different states or metro areas.This study is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, mortgage, or investment advice. City-specific appreciation rates reflect what happened from 2023 to 2026, not what will happen going forward. The ownership cost does not include maintenance, closing costs, potential HOA fees, or the opportunity cost of the down payment. Individual results will vary.This story was produced by Lower and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The marketing job AI can't touch, and why the pay is up The marketing job AI can't touch, and why the pay is up Marketing jobs may be some of the earliest and clearest signals of how AI is reshaping work. For some roles, AI is outright replacing them, and for others, it is accelerating change in what marketing work is conducted and how. Most importantly, it is redefining how and where companies are willing to hire marketing professionals.Marketing was at the top of the list of job functions most exposed to automation and AI disruption. The key skills and roles that build the modern marketing function are also time-consuming and routine. As generative AI tools take off, companies are finding they can deploy them to work faster and more cheaply.However, this isn't the full picture. As generative AI takes flight, the roles most disrupted are those that manage the digital side: content marketing, digital marketing, and marketing technology. On the other hand, those that require a human touch, such as field or event marketing, are in some cases actually seeing employment growth, and paying 6.2% more than they did six months ago. As AI usage grows, authentic human presence, relationship-building, and boots-on-the-ground execution are becoming even more important.Analysis of hiring momentum and role prevalence across 9,000-plus companies shows how organizations are redesigning their workforces to meet the AI moment. Pave’s Hot Job Index scores and ranks jobs from −100 (cooling fast) to +100 (heating fast), providing insight into where organizations are investing at this moment. In short, the higher the score, the more companies value this skill set at this moment.The Marketing Jobs AI Is DisruptingMarketing Technology ManagementComing in at No. 5 on the Cold Jobs list is marketing technology management (martech), with an index score of -66. This job has seen a steady decline since 2023, with Pave data showing a drop in the prevalence of new hires from 0.08% to 0.05%. The dual forces of marketing technology consolidation and AI are amplifying this trend by enabling non-technical people to take on more technical tasks. Pave This job family often rolls up into other functions, with the senior leader wearing multiple hats. This may be another way AI is playing a role, as senior-level leaders are seeing their remits expand; companies may likely be consolidating martech ownership under a hybrid umbrella. Pave Digital MarketingDigital marketing sits at No. 3 on the Cold Jobs list, with a score of -77. These marketers are responsible for planning and executing online campaigns to build brand awareness or convert leads across various channels, such as social media, websites, and search engines. Since Q4 of 2023, hiring for this role has more than halved, from 0.40% of new hires down to 0.19%. Pave While you are seeing fewer of these jobs, that doesn’t mean you will see any fewer online ads anytime soon. In fact, AI tools are making it so quick and easy for non-marketers to build content, design, run, and optimize marketing campaigns that you are likely seeing a flood of new digital advertising.This is another role experiencing upward consolidation, as reflected in the premium companies are paying to new hires at the senior-most levels of this job family. Companies are increasingly hiring career/senior marketers to leverage their expertise and AI tooling to generate digital marketing tasks at scale—and they are willing to pay a premium for it. Pave Content MarketingThe fastest-cooling marketing job on the Cold Jobs list is content marketing, coming in at No. 2 with a score of -80. Hiring for this job has rapidly declined from 0.77% to 0.36% since 2023. As anyone who has used GenAI for their own use cases can attest, it is now easier than ever to generate assets, whether articles, whitepapers, or videos. As quickly as these tools became mainstream, leadership teams around the world began asking to what extent they still need to hire full-time copywriters and content marketers. Pave More interesting is the pay premium for this role. Unlike digital marketing, where only more senior hires are seeing a new-hire premium, content marketing is showing a premium across all three levels. As AI content proliferates and more AI slop is generated, organizations are investing in top talent to orchestrate high-quality content. The job has shifted from creation to strategic content development and curation. Pave The Marketing Job AI Can’t ReplaceAs AI takes over our digital lives, in-person engagement and connection with customers are becoming increasingly more important. Perhaps surprisingly to some, field marketing ranks No. 5 on the Hot Jobs list, with a score of +65—the only traditional marketing role currently experiencing growth.Overall, the share of field marketers being hired has risen from 0.17% to 0.25% over the last few years. The trendline shows continued growth into the latter part of this year. Also of note, Pave’s data found that the overall number of companies with a recent field marketer hire has also increased, from 4.83% to 8.35%. This shows that it is not just existing teams expanding this role; companies are building out brand-new functions. Pave The pay premium data is even more compelling. Entry-level employees are commanding new-hire premiums of 106.2%, showing that companies are competing even at the most junior level of this role. Pave Field marketing's rise isn't despite the AI moment—it's because of it. The more automated and impersonal digital marketing becomes, the higher the value of a human who shows up. In-person touchpoints are now scarcer and more valuable, and companies are hiring.Zooming OutThe ripple effects of AI tools and the transformation of work will be felt for years to come. As AI drives role consolidation, it also opens the door for new roles and expanded opportunities in ways yet to be defined. Marketing jobs may very well be the canary in the coal mine, as AI finds ways to automate time-consuming tasks, other job functions will feel the pressure.This story was produced by Pave and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How can accurate financial reporting help secure grants for nonprofits? How can accurate financial reporting help secure grants for nonprofits?Grants are often governed by strict regulatory frameworks, especially those that come from government agencies. State and private grantors also have their own compliance standards and agreement terms. These requirements ensure that nonprofits use grant funds appropriately and effectively. Some grantors offer grants in the form of reimbursements to prevent fund misuse.Regardless of the grant terms, keeping accurate financial reports improves your relationship with the grantor. Your transparency and accountability improve trust and impact your nonprofit’s reputation. Different grant types come with different reporting expectations. Marshall Jones explains how accurate financial reporting increases the chances of grant approval for nonprofits.Key TakeawaysAccurate financial reporting increases your chances of securing grants because it helps you:Comply with relevant regulations.Manage expenses according to grant terms.Present past achievements through tangible and measurable results.Showcase your trustworthiness and avoid penalties or accusations of fraud.Why Is Accurate Financial Reporting Crucial for Nonprofits Seeking Grants? Marshall Jones Accurate financial reporting strengthens your relationships with grantors, auditors and other stakeholders. Here’s how it can help you secure future grants:1. Meets Regulations and Reporting Obligations Set by GrantorsGrants must follow relevant federal and state regulations, especially if they’re provided by government institutions. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act established the government-wide reporting procedure that requires organizations receiving federal funds to publicly disclose their information. Among other requirements, you need to provide your organization’s name, grant amount, funding agency and location. You also need to report the following:Financial data: The expenses you paid for using federal fundsCompliance information: Information that showcases your compliance with federal regulationsProject data: Your progress report or community impactRelevant agencies may collect this information through regular progress reports, site visits and audits.Specific grant requirements will be found in the Notice of Award. With government grants, you’re required to submit a Federal Financial Report annually, unless you’re receiving domestic awards under the Streamlined Noncompeting Award Process or otherwise stated. When required annually, you may need to submit the report for each budget period up to 90 days after the end of the calendar quarter.Grants can come with other requirements, and their stringency depends on the grant type. Restricted grants can only be used for specific purposes as determined by the grantor, while unrestricted grants can often be used at a nonprofit’s discretion. Whichever grant you have, accurate financial reporting maintains transparency and demonstrates compliance with terms and regulations.2. Assigns Costs to the Appropriate Grants, Programs and Operational CategoriesProperly allocating expenses avoids overspending and fund misuse. Having a paper trail with clear, traceable financial records also makes reporting less stressful when deadlines approach. Maintaining thorough documentation involves keeping receipts, invoices, time sheets and other records that support audits. This data proves your reliability in complying with grant terms.Additionally, grant funds often need to be separated from other funds when tracking spending. You can use unique fund codes when monitoring spending to understand which expenses tie to which grant. This level of granularity improves the accuracy of your statements. It also reflects your nonprofit’s financial position, supporting board decisions and public disclosures.3. Presents How Funding Contributed to the Organization’s AchievementsAlongside financial statements, grants may require performance reports, which involve a combination of quantitative and qualitative data. This performance report demonstrates how the funds have contributed to your projects and whether your activities have benefited the community or the environment. It helps create a well-articulated mission statement that captures your nonprofit’s purpose and strategic direction. You should also define specific project outcomes you wish to achieve and their respective indicators.For instance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires grant recipients to submit a research performance progress report annually as part of the noncompeting continuation award process. Among other requirements, the reports should incorporate:The organization’s accomplishments.Plans for the next year.Produced manuscripts and publications.Involved project personnel.Project challenges, delays and plans to resolve them.Accurate financial and progress reports highlight past achievements and build credibility and stakeholder trust. They tell potential grantors that a nonprofit has made a tangible difference. For instance, you can highlight the number of beneficiaries you’ve served or the number of graduates in your program. Combining qualitative stories with quantitative data enables you to create a strong case for your nonprofit’s mission.4. Avoids Penalties and Funding LossGrant funding is susceptible to fraud, waste and abuse. Inaccurate financial reports raise suspicion about whether you’re using the funds based on the agreement. Using grant funds for personal gain, unjust enrichment or other purposes than their intended use is a form of theft. People involved could be subject to criminal and civil prosecution, where violations can include:False claimsFalse statementsTheft or briberyEmbezzlementMail fraud and wire fraudAccurate financial reports protect your nonprofit and enable you to spot fraud immediately. Regularly reviewing spending, timelines and compliance with grant terms can help you avoid clawbacks, where grantors take back the funds they’ve provided due to noncompliance. These clawbacks are possible for grants with clauses that explain repercussions for unmet conditions and are often nonnegotiable.Additionally, poor financial reporting leads to penalties and failed audits. For instance, the IRS penalizes charities and nonprofits that fail to file their tax return by the due date, costing $20 per day. The same penalty applies for incomplete and incorrect tax returns, with the maximum penalty being the lesser of $10,500 or 5% of the nonprofit’s gross receipts for the year.The Single Audit Act states that grant recipients can be subject to an audit annually to ensure compliance with government regulations. Conducting routine internal reviews, whether monthly, quarterly or during key project milestones, can ensure your spending aligns with grant conditions. Comparing actual expenditures to your budget enables proactive adjustments and prevents overspending or underutilization. Underutilizing funds can also lead to clawbacks.Grant Types and Their Accounting Implications Marshall Jones Some grants come with stricter requirements than others. Payment methods also vary, where some grants pay through reimbursements instead of paying up front. Check the grant terms so you can plan and allocate funds effectively. Grants generally fall under one of the following categories:Government GrantsGovernment grants fund an organization’s ideas or projects that benefit the economy or provide public services. They often support innovative research, critical recovery initiatives and other programs listed in the annual publication of assistance listings. They’re one of the many forms of federal financial assistance. However, they also have the strictest reporting requirements.Government grants come with three award phases:Pre-award phase: This phase includes the grant announcement and the application submissions and review.Award phase: Final award decisions come from the federal agency staff with fiduciary responsibility and legal authority to enter into agreements. They often make award recommendations based on the financial and programmatic reviews of the applications.Post-award phase: Once you receive an award, the federal agency assists and ensures you comply with the grant terms and conditions.Corporate GrantsCorporate grants are provided by companies to nonprofits to support specific missions, initiatives or projects. These grants are often part of the corporate social responsibility initiatives, which also means agreements can include branding or publicity obligations. Companies often award grants based on a nonprofit’s alignment with company goals and community impact objectives.Corporate grants can be part of an ongoing partnership or a one-time donation. They also take different forms:Direct grants: These grants are cash or funding that supports a specific project or program.Matching grants: These grants involve companies matching employee donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis.Challenge grants: These grants involve a company pledging to contribute funds if a nonprofit can raise a specific amount from other sources.In-kind grants: These noncash grants often involve product donations and services that can assist in projects or operations.Getting a corporate grant can increase your nonprofit’s visibility and credibility, especially if the company is well-known and reputable. You can easily build trust with volunteers, donors and other stakeholders, as the award signals that you’re capable of managing significant funding.To increase your chances of approval, you need to demonstrate how you’ve provided tangible results and how you plan to measure success. You also need a detailed budget showcasing how the funds can support your project’s goals. You may have to highlight how your nonprofit can sustain the project after you’ve exhausted the corporate grant.Private GrantsA private grant is funded by foundations or individual donors. It may come with reporting requirements, but tends to be more flexible compared to other grants. Grantors are often willing to provide seed money or general operating support, so you can experiment with new ideas or invest in infrastructure.While private grants have simpler technical requirements, they often have higher relationship gates, where grantors favor nonprofits or organizations with which they have an existing relationship. Networking is often part of an organization’s strategy to secure private grants.Project GrantsProject grants limit funding to specific initiatives or programs. You must often track spending for these grants separately from other sources. Your spending must also align with the approved project scope and timeline. Each grant comes with its own requirements.For instance, a project grant may require projects to be related to a specific field of study. You may also need to demonstrate that your nonprofit has the qualities to complete the project.Operating GrantsAn operating grant is also known as an unrestricted grant, as nonprofits can use this funding to pay for their overhead expenses or general mission. For instance, you can use it for rent, salaries and daily operational expenses. It may have broader conditions than other grants, but still requires careful financial reporting. Because these grants often come from individual donors, there’s typically no standard application process.Operating grants are popular, making the application process competitive and rigorous. Presenting an impeccable track record and demonstrating your trustworthiness through accurate financial reports can increase your chances of approval.How to Ensure Accurate Financial ReportingAccurate financial reporting is feasible by adopting certain strategies:Maintain a centralized documentation system: Having a dedicated location for your financial documents makes it easier to access the right information quickly. This centralization mitigates the risk for human error and helps you avoid missing reporting and filing deadlines.Review and reconcile accounts regularly: Many accounting teams reconcile accounts with long gaps in between sessions or too closely to relevant deadlines. Creating a consistent workflow for account reconciliations improves accuracy and expedites account reviews.Use effective accounting and management tools: Many resources are available to help nonprofits improve financial reporting practices. For instance, a spreadsheet can help you maintain accurate financial records, while budget trackers can help you generate relevant reports. Automation provided by these tools can help you meet grantor deadlines.Leverage accounting services: You don’t always need in-house expertise, which adds to your overhead expenses. Working with professional accounting services can be more cost-effective given their experience, saving you time and resources. These services also help you stay on top of relevant regulations, increasing your chances of securing future grants.Frequently Asked QuestionsNonprofits commonly ask the following questions to further understand grant fund management:What Is Grant Accounting?Grant accounting, also known as grant management accounting, involves tracking how your organization uses the grant funds to make sure you comply with the agreement. Accurate grant accounting enables you to use funds wisely and sustainably, so you can avoid negative repercussions while ensuring that every dollar makes a difference.What Is the Difference Between Fund and Grant Accounting?Fund accounting is the overhead framework, where grant accounting is its subset. Similarly, fund accounting tracks a nonprofit’s financial activities, but instead of focusing on grants, it includes tracking activity across funding sources. For instance, these sources may include individual donations, membership fees and charity crowdfunding. Grant accounting helps ensure you’re spending grant funds according to the terms.What Do Grant Accountants Do?Grant accountants manage your grant funds. Their duties often involve:Tracking grant expenses.Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and grant terms.Preparing financial reports.Supporting audits and grantor reviews.Accurate Financial Reporting Strengthens Trust With GrantorsAccurate financial reporting helps you secure grants, as it demonstrates your nonprofit’s reliability and trustworthiness. It’s often a requirement of grantors, especially for government grants with strict regulations. Without accurate reporting, you risk fund misuse, overspending, clawbacks and even fraud charges.To increase your chances of securing grants, review the grantor’s requirements thoroughly. Financial reporting requirements may also come with performance requirements that showcase the fund’s tangible impact. Having a centralized system and leveraging accounting tools can help with accurate documentation. You can also work with professional accounting services to make the process easier.This story was produced by Marshall Jones and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The benefits of using an ERP system in manufacturing The benefits of using an ERP system in manufacturingManufacturing businesses are becoming increasingly complex as they fight to stay competitive. Managing diverse product lines and expanding business functions to support growth often leads to fragmented tools and outdated data, creating significant operational challenges.To overcome these hurdles, many manufacturers are adopting enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. An ERP centralizes core business operations by integrating key functions onto a single platform, streamlining processes, and providing real-time insights. Comprehensive integration empowers businesses to enhance communication and foster data-driven decision-making across the organization.Use this ArcherPoint by Cherry Bekaert guide to better understand the benefits an ERP can deliver to manufacturing companies.ERP systems for manufacturing businesses at a glanceAn ERP centralizes a manufacturing company’s core business functions.The ERP can either replace or integrate tools used by manufacturing companies.Finding the right solution and provider is key to getting the best results from your ERP.The right partner can make implementing the ERP solution faster and smoother.What is an ERP system, and how does it work in manufacturing?An ERP system serves as a centralized platform that consolidates a business’s critical functions. It achieves this by either integrating existing tools, replacing them, or combining both approaches. The result is a unified operational environment that eliminates the need to toggle between disparate applications and platforms.Besides centralizing many of your business’s functions, such as supply chain management, accounting, and customer relationship management, an ERP can also:Automate manual processes: An ERP system can automate many tasks, such as production tracking, reporting, and customer updates.Create business-wide standards: Rather than having each person set their own standards, an ERP can provide consistent, high-quality output across the entire business.Improve inventory management: Your ERP can provide up-to-date stock levels, ensuring you always have sufficient inventory to fulfill orders.Provide a consistent infrastructure: Since your team will use the same system regardless of their position or responsibilities, an ERP creates cohesion at every level of your business.Connect business data: Your ERP can collate information from various datasets and departments within your business, improving data accessibility and validity.What are the benefits of using an ERP system in manufacturing?While ERP systems offer substantial advantages to businesses across all sizes and industries, they prove particularly transformative for manufacturing operations, leveraging capabilities specifically suited to their complex needs. ArcherPoint Increased transparencyEven a business that promotes a collaborative culture within its team will experience data-sharing and communication issues when each department uses separate platforms for its needs. Data can lose its formatting and become inaccurate, which takes time to fix.Similarly, if a team member needs information from a platform they don’t have access to or familiarity with, they have to wait for a different team member to assist. This wastes time and decreases efficiency. An ERP system eliminates these problems. By integrating everything into a single platform, you can provide everyone with access to the information they need to make informed decisions.Decreased costsFor manufacturing businesses, boosting profitability hinges on both increasing revenue and effectively decreasing costs. An ERP system facilitates significant cost reductions through several key avenues, including:Fewer software subscriptions: Since an ERP solution provides so many functions, it will likely mean you can cancel subscriptions for software that provides the same functions as your ERP.Faster, informed decision-making: When information is time-sensitive, being able to act quickly with the most current information can make all the difference in how much revenue you generate or costs you cut.Simpler IT maintenance: Rather than managing perhaps dozens of applications and platforms, your information technology team can focus on your ERP system.Accurate job pricing: By providing up-to-date cost information, your ERP enables you to confidently set job prices at your desired margins. It also helps to minimize waste by optimizing resource allocation and production processes.Collectively, these factors contribute to a leaner, more efficient operation, directly impacting your bottom line.Increased efficiencyA leading benefit of leveraging an ERP is that it speeds up many manual tasks by eliminating data barriers and providing a user-friendly interface. This makes it easier to access and share information.The ERP can also automate many tasks that may otherwise have to be completed manually, such as pulling reports, managing production schedules, and streamlining quality checks. By relieving your team from repetitive tasks that require minimal decision-making, you give them the freedom to focus on tasks that require more strategy and consideration.Your ERP can also provide accurate estimates of how long tasks will take, helping you better plan your team’s time. This applies to your machines, too, allowing you to minimize idle time and ensure maximum output. Plus, it can optimize your labor and material utilization, further improving your business’s efficiency.Real-time operational visibilityIt’s often said that information is everything, and this is especially true for a manufacturing company. ERPs can provide live data reports on demand, rather than waiting days or weeks for someone to manually pull a report from historical data. With this real-time visibility over your entire business, you can make timely decisions based on the best data possible.Beyond making decisions for the present, fast access to current data also makes looking to the future easier. User-friendly dashboards and customizable reports based on live data make it easier to forecast your finances for upcoming months and years. This foresight allows you to better plan for the future and meet your long-term business goals.Increased scalabilityThanks to automation, an ERP can help you quickly scale your processes up or down as needed without major changes to your operations. For a manufacturing company, this could mean pulling reports on larger inventory quantities or calculating the most efficient way to buy materials as production levels increase. Whichever way your business is scaling up, there’s a reduced need to hire additional personnel, increase costs, or decrease efficiency as you grow.Since you can easily add new functions and modules to your ERP, you can easily diversify your business functions and products, too.Robust compliance managementWhile an ERP system cannot guarantee compliance or identify specific regulatory requirements, it provides the tools and framework to significantly streamline your operations toward meeting the standards your business targets.When you implement an ERP, you can create workflows and add checks that help your team to comply with various aspects of any relevant standards as they carry out their duties. An ERP can also provide audit trails to serve as proof of compliance with standards or as an internal check to ensure your company is operating in accordance with them. These capabilities can be crucial aspects of certain standards, such as ISO certification and environmental guidelines.An ERP can also offer security features that help you meet data protection standards. It can protect your customer and business data from both internal and external threats while helping your business comply with data protection laws.Enhanced customer satisfactionSince an ERP can help your business operate more efficiently, you’re ultimately better able to meet your customers’ needs. Customers can benefit from your ERP through:Competitive pricingAccurate time estimatesTimely order updatesSince your customer support team will have access to all your business information, they’ll also be able to answer any customer query without having to ask another department for the relevant information.Plus, an ERP can enhance your data protection measures, so your customers can rest easy knowing their information is well-protected.How to choose the right ERP system for your manufacturing businessGiven the unique operational demands of each manufacturing business and the diverse capabilities of ERP solutions, selecting the system that aligns with your specific needs is crucial. ArcherPoint 1. Determine your functional requirementsWhether you’re implementing an ERP for the first time or switching from an existing ERP that doesn’t meet your needs as well as you’d hoped, you need to review which functions you’d like your system to provide.While core accounting and finance capabilities are standard for most manufacturing businesses, it’s crucial to actively determine how your ERP will support and enhance other vital areas, such as supply chain and customer relationship management.2. Ensure your ERP can integrate with your existing systemsIf your goal is to integrate your ERP with existing software rather than replacing it, prioritize solutions with robust integration capabilities. While many ERPs connect with popular business applications, this isn’t universally true for all programs. It is crucial to thoroughly verify compatibility with all your current systems before committing to implementation.Failure to integrate effectively can lead to significant compromises. You might be forced to acquire alternative software, rely on the ERP’s native modules, or undertake time-consuming manual data transfers to successfully maintain centralized data.3. Decide between a cloud or on-premise ERPYour ERP can be deployed on-site or in the cloud, with remote hosting by your provider. You can also choose a hybrid option.Each has its own benefits, so it’s essential to evaluate which one best meets your needs. While on-site ERP solutions can provide better data and system control, cloud-based ERP solutions can typically be:Deployed faster.Updated more frequently and with less disruption to the business.Accessed more easily on a mobile device.With cloud-based ERPs, your manufacturing business will also have the freedom to choose the solution that works best for them, regardless of your location. However, when you choose an on-site solution, you may be limited to an ERP provider that operates in your area.4. Find a partner to help with your ERPBeyond selecting your ideal ERP solution, securing the right implementation partner is crucial for success. An experienced and knowledgeable partner enhances the entire ERP journey, transforming a complex undertaking into a streamlined, efficient process.They offer invaluable strategic guidance and technical expertise, ensuring your investment yields maximum returns. A dedicated ERP partner delivers several distinct advantages:Optimal solution alignment: They leverage their deep industry and product knowledge to help you not just choose, but also configure, the ERP solution that aligns with your unique operational workflows and strategic business objectives.Proactive risk mitigation: ERP implementations can be complex and may introduce challenges, from unforeseen technical issues to user adoption challenges. An expert partner anticipates these common obstacles, guiding you away from costly mistakes and ensuring a smoother transition.Accelerated deployment and go-live: With their specialized methodologies and experienced teams, partners can shorten the deployment timeline, getting your new system operational faster and enabling your business to realize its benefits sooner.Comprehensive user empowerment: Beyond technical setup, a partner’s key role is to empower your team. They provide tailored training and support, ensuring your employees are proficient and confident in utilizing the new ERP program effectively from day one.Understanding these benefits underscores the value of an ERP partner. For detailed guidance on selecting the best partner for your manufacturing business, refer to the following section.How to find the right ERP partnerFinding the right partner for your ERP implementation can be the difference between a fast and successful deployment and an imperfect alignment with your business. To judge whether an ERP partner is right for you, consider their:Experience: An ERP partner who has successfully helped other businesses implement their ERP is likely to deliver the same for your business.Reviews: The opinions and experiences of an ERP partner’s past clients will shed light on what you could expect from them.Industry expertise: Many ERP partners specialize in particular industries. A partner with strong knowledge of the manufacturing sector will be better placed to help your company implement its ERP. Embrace the advantages of an ERP in your manufacturing businessTo address manufacturing complexity, ERP systems centralize operations, driving efficiency and enabling informed decisions. Achieving these benefits requires strategic planning — defining needs, ensuring integration, selecting a deployment approach, and partnering with specialists.With informed choices and expert guidance, your business can streamline operations, optimize resources, and secure a lasting competitive edge.This story was produced by ArcherPoint and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Moles vs. birthmarks: What's normal and what warrants a check Moles vs. birthmarks: What's normal and what warrants a checkMost people have spots on their skin they've never thought much about. A cluster of brown dots on the shoulder, a faint blue-gray patch on the lower back, and a bright red bump that appeared in infancy. These marks are common, and the vast majority are completely harmless. But knowing what each one is, and when its appearance should prompt a conversation with a doctor, is genuinely useful information.Below, Doctronic explains what’s normal and what needs attention when it comes to moles and birthmarks.Key TakeawaysMost adults have 10 to 40 moles, most of which are benign and stable throughout life.Birthmarks fall into two categories: pigmented (café-au-lait spots, Mongolian spots) and vascular (hemangiomas, port-wine stains).The ABCDE checklist (asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolving) is the standard tool for self-evaluating a mole.Additional warning signs include bleeding without injury, persistent itching, crusting, the "ugly duckling" sign, and any new mole appearing after age 40.Sun protection, monthly self-exams, and annual dermatology screenings (for high-risk individuals) are the core of prevention and early detection.What Are Moles?Moles are skin growths that form when melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in your skin, cluster together rather than spread out evenly. They appear after birth, usually beginning to show up in childhood and continuing to develop through about age 35. Most adults have somewhere between 10 and 40 moles, the majority of which appear on skin that gets regular sun exposure: the face, neck, arms, and upper back.In their typical form, moles are round or oval, evenly colored (tan, brown, or nearly black), and no larger than a pencil eraser. They can be flat or slightly raised. Most stay the same throughout a person's life, though they may gradually lighten or become less prominent with age.A small percentage of the population, roughly 2% to 8% of Americans, has what are called atypical or dysplastic moles. These are larger than average, have irregular borders, and may display more than one color within the same spot. Having atypical moles doesn't mean cancer is present, but it does mean those moles warrant ongoing monitoring.What Are Birthmarks?Birthmarks are marks present on the skin at birth or appearing within the first few weeks of life. They fall into two main categories based on their cause.Pigmented BirthmarksPigmented birthmarks result from an overgrowth of pigment cells in a localized area.Café-au-lait spots are flat, light brown patches that can appear anywhere on the body. The name comes from French and roughly translates to "coffee with milk," which describes their color accurately. They're common and usually harmless on their own, though a large number of them (typically more than six) can sometimes be associated with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis.Mongolian spots, now more often called congenital dermal melanocytosis in clinical settings, appear as blue-gray patches, most commonly on the lower back or buttocks. They're more prevalent in people with darker skin tones, are present from birth, and in most cases fade entirely by adolescence.Vascular BirthmarksVascular birthmarks are caused by abnormal blood vessels near the skin's surface.Hemangiomas are raised, bright red marks sometimes called "strawberry hemangiomas" because of their appearance. They're not typically present at birth but usually appear within the first few weeks of life and grow rapidly before slowing down. Most hemangiomas shrink on their own and are gone by ages 7 to 10 without any treatment.Port-wine stains are flat birthmarks that range in color from pale pink to deep red or even purple. Unlike hemangiomas, they are permanent and tend to darken and thicken over time. They appear most often on the face and neck, and some individuals choose to treat them with laser therapy for cosmetic reasons or because of associated health concerns.ABCDE: The Mole Evaluation ChecklistDermatologists use the ABCDE checklist as a practical framework for evaluating whether a mole shows signs that should be looked at more closely.Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other.Border: The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred rather than smooth and defined.Color: There are multiple shades within the mole (brown, black, red, white, or blue).Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters, roughly the size of a pencil eraser.Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, color, or texture, or a new symptom like bleeding or itching has appeared.No single criterion is a definitive alarm, but any one of them is reason to book a dermatology appointment rather than wait.Warning Signs That Go Beyond the ChecklistThe ABCDE framework focuses on visual characteristics, but there are other warning signs worth knowing.A mole that bleeds without any injury, itches persistently, crusts over, or develops a scab should be evaluated. These are signs that something may be happening beneath the surface.The "ugly duckling" sign is a useful self-examination concept: Most moles on a person tend to look similar to each other. A mole that looks noticeably different from all your others, the "ugly duckling" in the group, stands out for a reason and deserves attention even if it doesn't meet the classic ABCDE criteria.Any new mole appearing after age 40 is worth showing to a dermatologist. While new moles can form throughout life, they become less common as people age, and a spot that appears later in life should be examined.Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. The American Cancer Society projects approximately 112,000 new melanoma cases in 2026, around 65,000 of which are expected to be invasive. Early detection remains one of the most important factors in treatment outcomes.What to Do About BirthmarksMost birthmarks require no treatment at all. They're benign, and for the majority of people, the only decision is whether to leave them alone or pursue cosmetic treatment if they're in a visible location or affect confidence.Port-wine stains and large congenital melanocytic nevi, a type of pigmented birthmark, may be monitored over time because of a slightly increased risk of changes. A pediatrician or dermatologist can advise on whether any follow-up is appropriate.If a birthmark changes in color, texture, or size, or if it develops raised areas, irregular edges, or new symptoms, those changes should be brought to a doctor's attention.Prevention and Monitoring RoutinesSun protection reduces the risk of mole development and lowers the overall risk of skin cancer. Daily use of SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, protective clothing such as wide-brim hats and long sleeves during peak hours, and avoiding tanning beds all reduce cumulative UV exposure.Monthly self-exams using a full-length mirror and a hand mirror to check hard-to-see areas help build familiarity with what your skin normally looks like. That baseline is what makes it easier to notice something new or changing.Annual skin screenings with a dermatologist are recommended for people at higher risk: those with a family history of melanoma, a personal history of atypical moles, fair skin that burns easily, or significant past sun exposure. For lower-risk individuals, speaking with a primary care provider about the right screening interval is a reasonable starting point.Frequently Asked QuestionsAre moles and birthmarks the same thing?No. Moles form after birth when melanocytes cluster together, while birthmarks are present at or shortly after birth and result from either an overgrowth of pigment cells or abnormal blood vessels. They have different causes and different patterns of development.Can a mole turn into melanoma?Most moles never become cancerous. However, melanoma can arise within an existing mole or as a new spot on normal-appearing skin. Atypical moles carry a slightly higher risk, which is why they're monitored. Using the ABCDE checklist and reporting changes to a dermatologist is the most reliable way to catch problems early.When do hemangiomas go away?Most hemangiomas begin to shrink by around age 1 and continue fading through childhood. The majority are fully gone or significantly reduced by ages 7 to 10. Some may leave behind minor changes in skin texture or color, and in some cases, a doctor may recommend earlier treatment if the hemangioma is near the eye, mouth, or airways.Does SPF 30 sunscreen really prevent new moles?Sunscreen reduces the cumulative UV exposure that contributes to new mole formation and to melanoma risk. It doesn't guarantee that no new moles will ever appear, but consistent use from childhood onward meaningfully lowers the overall burden of UV damage to the skin.What does the "ugly duckling" sign mean?The term refers to a mole that looks distinctly different from the other moles on your body. Most moles on any one person share a similar general appearance. One that stands out from the rest, in size, color, shape, or feel, is worth having examined even if it doesn't fit the classic ABCDE warning criteria.Is it normal to get new moles as an adult?New moles can appear through about age 35 and occasionally beyond, but the rate slows with age. A new mole appearing after age 40 should be checked by a dermatologist, since new spots later in life are less common and warrant evaluation to rule out a concerning change.The Bottom LineMoles and birthmarks are a normal part of human skin, and the vast majority will never cause any health problems. The difference between something harmless and something that needs attention usually comes down to change: A spot that looks different from how it looked before, or a new mark that doesn't look like anything else on your body, is the one worth bringing to a doctor.This story was produced by Doctronic and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The rise of jojoba oil: Why it's becoming more popular in skincare formulas The rise of jojoba oil: Why it’s becoming more popular in skincare formulasAs consumers pay closer attention to what goes on their skin, jojoba oil has become one of the most trusted ingredients in modern skincare, valued for its versatility, compatibility with the skin, and ability to support hydration without heaviness.Most shoppers today already carry a mental list of what they want on their skin and what they'd rather avoid. They're checking labels with the same attention they give to food packaging, scanning for ingredients they recognize and skipping past anything they can't pronounce.Research shows interest in skincare topics has doubled over the past five years, and a growing part of that is people trimming their routines down to fewer products built around ingredients they understand and benefits they can see.Dermatologist Dr. Emma Craythorne told Vogue that today's shopper has gotten a lot more specific about what they expect. "Consumers are no longer satisfied with vague promises of glow and hydration," she said. "They want to understand mechanisms, data and longevity."Jojoba oil has become one of the ingredients consumers keep coming back to, and as Ogee, a Vermont-based certified organic beauty brand, explores below, the reasons behind it go deeper than good marketing.What Makes Jojoba Oil UniqueDespite being called an oil, jojoba is technically a liquid wax, and that puts it in a class of its own among plant-based ingredients. Most plant-based oils are made up of fats, but jojoba's makeup closely mirrors the natural oils your skin already produces on its own.Dermatologist Alok Vij of the Cleveland Clinic describes it as "very close in composition to your skin's normal sebum, or the normal oil secreted by your skin." Because of that natural compatibility, jojoba absorbs readily without leaving a heavy or greasy film behind, and that is what separates it from most other plant-based oils people are used to reaching for.Why It Works Across Skin TypesPart of what makes jojoba oil so relevant to today's skincare conversation is how consistently it holds up across different skin types. Part of what makes jojoba oil so relevant to today's skincare conversation is how consistently it performs across different skin types. For people with dry skin, jojoba oil is valued for its ability to help reduce moisture loss and support the skin's natural barrier without the heavy or greasy feel associated with some other oils.Oily skin tends to respond well for a different reason entirely. Dr. Vij has noted that jojoba won't overhydrate the skin or make it feel oilier, and because it doesn't clog pores, it holds up well even for those who are acne-prone.Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian also points to how well it tends to be tolerated by people with more sensitive or reactive skin, which is part of why it continues to get recommended across so many different skin profiles.A Multi-Functional Skincare StapleSkincare enthusiasts and experts tend to agree that jojoba oil rarely gets put to just one use. It shows up in moisturizers and facial oils, where its ability to attract and hold moisture makes it a reliable base. It also works well in cleansing oils and makeup removers, where its mix of fatty acids helps lift away oil-based buildup without leaving the skin feeling stripped.Beyond the face, it finds its way into lip treatments, body oils, and hair care, which is part of why consumers cutting down their routines keep returning to it.Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, describes it as "an emollient oil commonly used in moisturizers and cleansing oils" with hydrating and skin-soothing benefits that hold up across a wide range of uses.The Role of Jojoba in Modern FormulationsBeyond what consumers see on the shelf, jojoba oil has become a go-to foundation for formulators building clean, plant-based products.Its natural stability and long shelf life make it a reliable base, which is part of why brands working within certified organic standards tend to look to it first. It also pairs naturally with other botanical ingredients, helping carry their benefits into the skin rather than leaving them on the surface.Dermatologist Dr. Tiffany Libby of Brown Dermatology notes that oils like jojoba, because of how closely they mirror the skin's own natural oils, can help support the skin's lipid balance, making it a strong fit for formulas built around how skin actually behaves.Clean Beauty and the Appeal of SimplicityKeeping a clean, simple skincare routine has become less of a lifestyle choice and more of a standard expectation.Consumers are pushing back on long, unrecognizable ingredient lists and gravitating toward products built around things they can actually understand. Nearly half of consumers now say they prioritize 100% pure and natural ingredients, and 45% specifically seek out non-toxic or clean formulations when shopping.Jojoba oil checks both of those boxes in a pretty direct way. It's a single, plant-based ingredient with a name people recognize, and it does enough on its own that consumers don't feel the need to stack it with a dozen other products to see results.Given that the FDA still does not regulate terms like "clean" or "natural" in beauty, a verifiable, recognizable ingredient carries more weight than any marketing label.What This Means for the Future of SkincareNobody reaches for a skincare product thinking about its chemistry, but more people than ever are thinking carefully about what's actually in it. Beauty has moved closer to wellness, and with that comes a level of personal investment that goes well beyond the bathroom shelf.The global jojoba oil market is projected to reach $255.5 million by 2033, and the demand powering that growth is coming from people who are paying closer attention to their skin health than any generation before them.Jojoba oil has earned that place because it delivers on what it promises, and for a consumer who now treats their skincare with the same care they give to everything else that touches their body, that kind of reliability is hard to walk away from.This story was produced by Ogee and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	Make the money moves that actually hold up when markets don’t Make the money moves that actually hold up when markets don’tWhen the market gets shaky, the instinct is to do something. Check your portfolio, read the news, move things around. Mostly, that just wastes your time and sometimes costs you money.What actually helps is having a setup that doesn’t require you to react, Intuit TurboTax reports.Look at your debt without judgmentSit down one evening and write down every debt: the balance owed, interest rate, and minimum payment. That’s the whole exercise.The actual numbers are usually more actionable than a rough mental estimate. Plus, guessing just causes anxiety you don’t need.Focus on making extra payments on the highest interest rate items first, usually credit cards at 20–25% APR. A card at 22% is costing you more than almost any investment that is creating income for you. Paying the credit card balance down is a guaranteed return.Think about setting up an automatic payment once a week, say Fridays, that’s more than the interest. It doesn’t have to be a dramatic amount, just something you can afford that drives down the balance (and doesn’t just pay the interest).Pause and review big purchasesBefore making any major purchase, check to see if the pricing and financing terms still make sense given current market conditions.What felt like a reasonable car payment or appliance financing plan six months ago may look different today if interest rates have shifted or your income has become less predictable. A brief pause to compare options and confirm the terms still work in your favor is one of the simplest ways to protect your financial foundation during uncertain times.Automate one thing and stop decidingThe goal isn’t to make better money decisions every week. It’s to make fewer decisions in total.Set up a small automatic transfer to savings or investments — even $50 or $75 — on a set schedule. When it runs on its own, you stop debating whether you can afford it. It just happens automatically.And if your income isn’t steady, use percentages instead: 50% to bills, 20% to spending, 20% to debt, 10% to investing. Everything works together automatically.Keep your investments simpleVolatile markets generate a lot of opinions. Most aren’t worth acting on.Broad diversified funds are low-cost, require no stock-picking, and don’t need your attention every week. These include stock market indexes that are used by many firms to diversify investments for individuals, but they provide a safe balance without being too aggressive or conservative. Unflashy, but genuinely solid investments.What’s the money for? Long-term money can ride out a downturn in the economy. But short-term money used to cover anything you might need in the next year or two, shouldn’t be in the market at all. Keep those buckets separate, and a bad month won’t force your hand.If you’re wondering whether now is a bad time to start, the market will always give you a reason to wait. There’s just no perfect timing. Think of it this way: Time in the market matters more than timing the market.Retirement planningIf you qualify, Roth IRA and Roth 403(b) plans can be two of your smartest retirement moves. Many Roth IRA accounts give you the option of selecting diversified investment options from aggressive to conservative investments that grow over time. They’re tax-advantaged accounts that provide you the opportunity to grow your savings tax-free.And, if you are also considering a 401(k), check out this article, which compares Roth IRAs to 401(k) accounts.Know what triggers a tax billUnderstanding capital gains rates and resisting the urge to react to market swings can save you significantly come tax time.When you sell an investment at a gain, that’s taxable income. Hold it under a year and it’s taxed at your ordinary tax rate. Over a year and it’s taxed at capital gains rates, which are lower than your ordinary income tax rate.This is worth knowing before a rough market month tempts you to move everything around. Reacting fast can cost you twice: once on the sale and once on the taxes.Also, keep in mind that dividends and reinvested interest also count as taxable income in the year you receive them, even if you never touch the money.You’re closer than you thinkList your debts.Automate one transfer.Put long-term money somewhere diversified and leave it alone.Know the tax consequences before you sell.Those are the most important things to think about. No perfect timing required, just a few quiet habits doing their thing, regardless of an uncertain market.This story was produced by Intuit TurboTax and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to travel this summer on a budget How to travel this summer on a budgetWhen school’s out and the sun is shining, many of us get excited for summer travel. But nowadays, the cost of a trip can seem prohibitive.According to a new survey of 5,000 Americans commissioned by Current, a consumer fintech banking platform, and conducted by Talker Research, four in 10 respondents are skipping summer travel due to budget constraints.. For those who aren’t planning to travel, most (52%) said they’re not able to afford a trip, and 21% highlighted concerns around the rising costs of travel.But there are ways to explore new places while on a budget. Here’s how you can travel this summer without breaking the bank.1. Be flexibleIf you’re heading to a wedding or friend’s birthday, you may not be able to choose when or where you’re traveling. But if you can be flexible, it often pays off. Shifting your dates to August can help you save upward of 23% this year, says Katy Nastro, a travel expert at Going.“August is typically when summer travel starts to fade,” Nastro says. “This year, we are seeing savings of $175 per ticket traveling the last two full weeks of August versus any time in June. This can really add up for families who are looking to still take advantage of a summer vacation but can be slightly strategic when they travel.”Where you look can matter this year more than ever.“We all have bucket list destinations on our ever-growing wish lists, but sometimes, the strategy to savings is letting the deal decide,” Nastro says. “Try focusing on destinations in the southern Caribbean, coastal Mexico or even the southeast, as we are still seeing savings to destinations like Orlando for just $144 roundtrip this June from New York.”As of mid-May, she says some deals are still available across summer dates, including Washington D.C. to Cabo San Lucas for $350 (50% off) and Indianapolis to Grand Cayman Island for $301 (55% off).You could also opt for a shorter “microbreak” that’s just a few days or a staycation to see your own home in a way. The survey found that 22% of travelers are planning to explore their own city or state, and another 22% will be traveling for a shorter amount of time.2. Consider main economyMany of us look for the cheapest airfare when booking a flight. But opting for main economy instead of basic economy may pay off for two reasons: price drops and better boarding with a bag.Nastro says to take advantage of any savings this year that may happen, even if that means your flight price drops by $25. If you book a basic economy ticket, you won’t be able to take advantage of getting that $25 back in the form of a flight credit to use in the future. But book with the main economy, and you can take advantage of a price drop. (With a basic economy ticket, you typically can’t make changes. You’re locked into the initial price you paid.)Another reason to consider the main economy ticket this year is to get a better boarding position so your bag doesn't get gate-checked, Nastro adds.“With higher bag fees across most U.S. airlines, people will be looking for ways to cut down on checked bags, which means more carry-ons, yet only so much carry-on space,” she says.3. Consider driving instead of flyingFlying is more expensive this year than last, due in part to soaring costs for jet fuel. The average price for domestic airfare as of May 4, 2026, was $380, according to data from Kayak. That’s significantly more than the $290 it was during the same time last year.But that doesn't mean you can't plan a fun memorable vacation. You can drive instead.“Look up places to visit within a day's driving distance to ensure you don't have to travel too far,” consumer finance expert Andrea Woroch recommends, adding that you can use the RoadTripper's app to find sights to visit along the way.Of course gas isn’t cheap right now either: The average driver in the U.S. was paying $4.53 per gallon as of May 14, with drivers in states such as California and Nevada paying more than $5 per gallon, according to AAA. Woroch says to use the Gas Buddy app for help tracking down cheaper gas along your route.4. Strategically use discount gift cardsYou can buy discount gift cards for up to 30% off to restaurants, spas, theme parks like Disney and more to use on your trip to cut costs, Woroch says. You can find gift cards for everything from Southwest Airlines to Panera Bread at warehouse retailers such as Costco and Sam’s Club and on online marketplaces (just make sure they’re reputable). You can also earn free gift cards to use on your trip to cut travel costs toward restaurants, hotels, transportation and activities like TopGolf by using the Fetch app, Woroch adds. It requires uploading photos of your receipts to earn points toward gift cards for a variety of companies, including Uber and Airbnb.5. Consider a new credit cardTravel can often equate to spending more than you typically would — even if you budget. Because of that, you may want to consider opening a new credit card (or secured charge card) to earn rewards on your spending that will help you save in other ways.“Ahead of your summer trip, opening a new credit card is a great way to earn rewards toward your trip,” Woroch says. “Whether that's free cash, points or miles that you can redeem for flights, car rentals, hotels or toward savings.”6. Save elsewhereFigure out where in your budget you can cut back or which daily or weekly splurges you can live without temporarily and put the money you save toward your summer vacation savings.“I say temporarily because it's easier to make a cut when you think about it as a temporary move that you can add back in,” Woroch says. “This could look like cancelling some subscription services or cutting back on take out and cooking at home more or forgoing coffee runs and brewing it at home. Every little bit adds up.”Where you save matters too. If you funnel the extra cash into a traditional savings account, you’ll only earn miniscule interest on your earnings. But if you open a high-yield savings account, your money will work for you even while it’s sitting idly.This story was produced by Current and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Pakistan ends 'luxury tax' on menstrual products, contraceptives. Will prices drop? In Pakistan, taxes on menstrual products can add up. Activists have long worked to change this. Now a new budget wipes out the 18% sales tax. But questions remain about the impact on prices.
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	Tree blocks 12th Avenue, Moline A post on the Moline Police Department's Facebook page says high winds have caused a tree to fall into the roadway on 12th Avenue, east of 19th Street. 12th Avenue will be closed between 19th and 25th Streets while Moline Public Works clears the area. Drivers are asked to use alternate routes around the area.
	Many homeowners feel traditional lenders don't have their best interests at heart. New data explains why. Many homeowners feel traditional lenders don't have their best interests at heart. New data explains why.A new survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners reveals a striking disconnect between how the financial industry designs home equity products — and how homeowners actually experience them. The gap has real consequences for both sides.The findings, from an October 2025 survey conducted by Hometap, show that the majority of homeowners approach equity financing through a lens of emotional stress, income uncertainty, and a desire for flexibility. While most lenders lead with rate comparisons and amortization tables, homeowners are actually looking for an empathetic financial partner.Homeowners Tap Into Equity Because Life Happens — Not Because the Timing Is RightHomeowners rarely access equity as part of a pre-planned financial strategy. Instead, they’re usually responding to unexpected life events: a job loss, a parent needing care, an upcoming college tuition bill, a failing HVAC system, or a growing family.According to the survey, 65% of homeowners said their primary concern when financing home expenses is covering unexpected costs. The implication is significant: The majority of people reaching for home equity products need tools that can adapt to unpredictable circumstances, not ones with rigid structures built for stable, predictable financial situations. Hometap Generational differences are pronounced. Millennials and Gen X reported notably lower confidence in traditional products than baby boomers and expressed stronger demand for flexible alternatives. Among millennials specifically, 71% said that a lack of financing flexibility adds to their financial stress, compared to 52% of baby boomers. That gap is consistent with broader research: The NAR's 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report found that younger millennials carry the highest rates of student debt among all homebuying generations, shaping a distinct set of financial priorities centered on cost management and versatility.8 in 10 Homeowners Don't Trust Traditional LendersThe survey's most striking finding: 81% of homeowners agreed that traditional lenders don't have their best interests at heart. Hometap That distrust has direct market consequences. According to the survey data, 20% of homeowners have avoided traditional home equity products entirely due to rising rates and costs, while another 11% have delayed using them. When faced with a major funding need, only 8% said they would choose a home equity line of credit (HELOC) first, and just 5% said they would turn first to a traditional home equity loan.Financial decisions often coincide with vulnerable moments — a job transition, a family crisis, a home emergency. When homeowners believe the lender across the table is optimizing for its own returns rather than theirs, avoidance becomes a rational response.What Homeowners Are Actually Asking ForThe survey found that 39% of homeowners said lower fees and closing costs were their top priority when choosing a financing product. The majority, 78%, said they wished there were more flexible options for accessing home equity without monthly payments. Among millennials, that figure rose to nearly 4 in 5."Flexible" in this context means a range of things: adjustable terms, the ability to pause payments when circumstances change, or alternative structures without a fixed monthly commitment. The survey found that 64% say the lack of flexibility adds to their financial stress.Meanwhile, 72% of respondents described the traditional home equity application process as outdated and difficult. More than a quarter said that if traditional options don't meet their needs, they would seek alternative or innovative financing solutions. Hometap Hometap The Trade-offs of Alternative ProductsOne category drawing growing interest is home equity investments (HEIs), which allow homeowners to receive a lump sum in exchange for a share of the property's future value — with no monthly payments required during the investment term.The trade-off is real and worth understanding clearly. If home prices appreciate significantly, the homeowner may give up more long-term value than a traditional loan would have cost, so HEIs are not the right fit for every situation.For homeowners with stable income who can comfortably carry a monthly payment and want to retain full upside on their home's appreciation, traditional products often make sound financial sense. But for homeowners managing income volatility, navigating a job transition, or prioritizing near-term cash flow, trading some future appreciation for financial breathing room can be a rational choice.The data suggests the industry has too often treated traditional products as a one-size-fits-all solution — a posture that may be accelerating the trust deficit. Hometap A Market Signal Lenders Can't IgnoreThe survey data reflects a market in transition. Three-quarters of homeowners said the industry needs new types of financing beyond traditional mortgages, HELOCs, and home equity loans. The generation most critical of current products — millennials — will shape the housing market for the next several decades.Lenders that design products around how people actually live, rather than how financial models assume they live, may find themselves better positioned to capture a share of a market that is actively looking for alternatives.Methodology: Hometap surveyed 1,000 homeowners in the U.S. ages 18 and older through AYTM (Ask Your Target Market) in October 2025.This story was produced by Hometap and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	US Supreme Court’s uneven rulings in election lead-up causing chaos, experts say US Supreme Court’s uneven rulings in election lead-up causing chaos, experts sayWhen the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Texas’ gerrymandered congressional map to take effect in December, its conservative majority wrote that a lower court had “improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign” when it blocked the map more than three months before the election.Now, as News From the States examines here, the Supreme Court is the one upending elections.For the past two decades, the Supreme Court has advanced the idea that federal courts should not order major changes close to an election to limit voter confusion. Over time the doctrine, first articulated in the 2006 case Purcell vs. Gonzalez, became known as the Purcell principle.But election law experts and one of the court’s liberal justices say the Supreme Court is wielding — or disregarding — the principle unevenly in ways that aid Republicans.In recent weeks, the Supreme Court has effectively allowed last-minute election changes in Southern states that hold major consequences for what districts voters are assigned to and the future of Black political representation across the region.These Republican-controlled states are racing to redraw congressional maps to eliminate majority-Black districts, many of which have elected Black Democrats to Congress. The gerrymandering rush has come even with early voting underway in some states.Wilfred Codrington III, a professor of law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, who has studied the Purcell principle, said limiting voter confusion is common sense. But after that general idea, the principle “just falls apart” because the Supreme Court has never answered questions raised by the doctrine — like how close to an election is too close.“The court has not thought through them and it seems like when the court applies them, they’re being applied in partisan ways,” Codrington said, about questions the doctrine raises.April ruling OK’d redistrictingAfter the high court gutted the federal Voting Rights Act in Callais, a landmark decision on April 29 that found Louisiana’s map unconstitutional, it fast-tracked paperwork so the state could quickly redraw district lines.Voting had begun in the state’s congressional primary election, which Republican Gov. Jeff Landry suspended, discarding 42,000 votes already cast.A majority of the court voted to immediately certify its decision instead of observing its typical 32-day waiting period. In a blistering dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that the justices were disregarding their previous insistence that courts shouldn’t risk assuming political responsibility for a redistricting process that often produces hard feelings.“There is also the so-called Purcell principle, which we invoked only five months ago to chide a federal district court for ‘improperly insert[ing] itself into an active primary campaign,’” Jackson wrote. “The Court unshackles itself from both constraints today and dives into the fray. And just like that, those principles give way to power.”The conservative justices on May 11 then cleared a path for Alabama to move toward implementing a Republican gerrymander that state lawmakers approved in 2023 but was blocked by a lower court. Their decision came a little more than a week before the state’s primary election.Republican Gov. Kay Ivey has called an August special primary election for some of the state’s congressional districts.“The United States Supreme Court’s decision is plain common sense and enables our values to be best represented in Congress,” Ivey said in a statement.‘Like it doesn’t exist’The Supreme Court’s actions this spring stand in stark contrast to its December decision to allow Texas’ gerrymander to take effect. After President Donald Trump urged GOP states to redraw their maps for partisan advantage, Texas was the first state to respond, enacting new lines that could help Republicans pick up five seats.A three-judge district court panel ruled against the map, finding that it was racially gerrymandered. The Supreme Court paused the panel’s decision, finding that the panel likely made serious errors and that the district court was “causing much confusion and upsetting the delicate federal-state balance in elections” amid the campaign season.That language echoed the Purcell decision, which found that an appeals court had erred in blocking an Arizona law requiring a photo ID to register to vote. The Supreme Court’s unsigned opinion cautioned that court orders affecting elections can cause voter confusion.“As an election draws closer, that risk will increase,” the 2006 opinion said.Nearly 20 years later, the Supreme Court made no mention of Purcell in its Callais opinion, which dropped like a political bomb across the South. Since the decision, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina and Tennessee have either enacted new maps or are seeking to do so ahead of the November midterm elections.Mark Johnson, a Kansas City-based lawyer with a long history of working on election litigation, noted that Callais was argued at the Supreme Court twice, first in March 2025 and again in October. The justices then waited a long time before releasing their decision, he said, adding that if they didn’t realize the implications of their ruling they were “asleep at the wheel.”“That’s why the Callais case is so disturbing, because a Supreme Court that has by and large followed Purcell just acted like it doesn’t exist,” Johnson said. Ashley Murray // States Newsroom Court legitimacy at stakeSeveral high-profile observers of the Supreme Court have been unsparing in their criticism of the justices’ approach.Steve Vladeck, a professor of law at the Georgetown University Law Center and a foremost expert on the court, wrote in an online post that the court’s recent decisions “fatally undermine” the animating purpose of the Purcell principle.“The Court’s own interventions are now wreaking havoc—and a majority of the justices either don’t think it’s their fault, or don’t care that it is. Either way, they don’t seem to mind the inconsistency—in a context in which it’s having the remarkably coincidental effect of benefiting Republicans,” Vladeck wrote.Rick Hasen, a professor at UCLA School of Law and director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project, wrote on social media that the Supreme Court in Chief Justice John Roberts’ hands “has become a chaos agent in elections.”Public support for the Supreme Court was dropping prior to Callais. An August 2025 Pew Research Center survey found 48% of Americans hold a favorable view of the court, a 22-percentage point drop from August 2020.In the wake of the decision, Democrats have renewed their calls for court reform. Some have proposed term limits for the justices or expanding the size of the court to dilute its conservative majority. However, major changes are unlikely to become law while the U.S. Senate retains the filibuster and Trump remains in office.For his part, Roberts has taken pains to paint the court as outside of politics. But at a judicial conference in Pennsylvania in early May, Roberts acknowledged the public thinks the justices are expressing policy preferences rather than interpreting the law.“I think they view us as purely political actors, which I don’t think is an accurate understanding of what we do,” Roberts said, according to The Associated Press.Justice Brett Kavanaugh, another of the court’s conservatives, has drawn a distinction between federal courts ordering last-minute changes to elections and states making changes themselves — suggesting that courts shouldn’t necessarily thwart state legislatures that alter rules and procedures in the run-up to elections.In a 2020 concurring opinion about a federal judge who had altered Wisconsin’s absentee ballot deadline amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Kavanaugh wrote that it was one thing for state legislatures to change their own election rules “in the late innings” and bear responsibility for unintended consequences.“It is quite another thing for a federal district court to swoop in and alter carefully considered and democratically enacted state election rules when an election is imminent,” Kavanaugh wrote.Chaotic campaign seasonBut voting rights advocates say Callais is unleashing a wave of voter confusion as Southern legislatures rush to gerrymander.Tennessee’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a map on May 7 that divides the Memphis area among three congressional districts. The move splits a majority-Black district in Memphis represented by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a white Democrat. Cohen announced on May 12 he wouldn’t seek reelection.The state’s primary election is scheduled for Aug. 6. John Partipilo // Tennessee Lookout “This is a year where we’re already in the cycle and they’re going to have to redo everything they’ve already worked on because these districts are completely different,” Matia Powell, executive director of the voting rights group Civic TN, told reporters.The Tennessee Democratic Party and several Democratic candidates, including state Rep. Justin Pearson, who is running for Cohen’s current seat, have filed a federal lawsuit against the map. They argue the new map will cause “significant voter confusion” and severely burden the right to vote.Tennessee Republican Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti argues the Democrats have a solution in search of a problem. Tennessee lawmakers have provided more than $3.1 million to implement the new map and that state officials are already working to meet election deadlines, Skrmetti’s office wrote in a May 10 court filing.“At bottom, this suit is an invitation to play politics, not law,” Tennessee Senior Assistant Attorney General Zachary Barker wrote in the filing.U.S. District Court Judge William Campbell, a Trump appointee, on May 11 declined to immediately halt the map.The Supreme Court has sent states the message that “there are no rules” and that state legislatures are welcome to gerrymander Black representation at any point, said Anna Baldwin, voting rights litigation director at Campaign Legal Center, which has sued over Florida’s recent gerrymander.And the way the court applies the Purcell principle encourages states to make changes close to elections — because courts are more reluctant to block them.“The court is creating a perverse incentive structure that ultimately does make it harder for people who are trying to protect voting rights to prevail,” Baldwin said.This story was produced by News From the States and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Taiwan says Chinese pressure over the island is the "new normal" Taiwan's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the scholars' passports and mobile phones were confiscated, and they were detained in Mombasa for more than 20 hours before being allowed to leave the country.
	One veteran's contribution to 250 years of freedom (BPT) - Key TakeawaysAs America celebrates 250 years of freedom, it's time to honor the veterans, service members, and their loved ones who have made it possible.Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has helped veterans like Mark Lalli (pictured above) find healing and camaraderie after leaving service with mental and physical wounds.Supporting warriors is a shared responsibility. Find out how you can do your part to honor and help them and their families now and forever.For 250 years, the courage, resilience, and strength of service members and their families have shaped the country and secured the promise of freedom — past, present, and future. Whether they're Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force, they share the same commitment and contribution to American strength.For many veterans and service members, joining the military is more than a calling — it's a legacy."From the Revolution through now, I had somebody in my family serving," said Army veteran Mark Lalli. "I have my great-grandfather's dog tags from World War I. My maternal grandfather did seven invasions in the Pacific, and my paternal grandfather served in Europe."This is just one story of millions that underscores how service members and their loved ones have made America's 250th anniversary of independence possible. However, these contributions often come at a personal cost that many warriors contend with in and out of uniform."From one generation to the next, warriors have answered the call to defend our freedoms," said WWP® CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walt Piatt. "It's our duty to ensure they're never left to carry the cost of that service alone."Visible and invisible woundsThirteen months after the 9/11 attacks, Lalli joined the U.S. Army to honor his family's military heritage and desire to protect his country. He eventually became a Black Hawk crew chief, serving as a mechanic and combat gunner.During a training exercise in Italy, Lalli's military service was cut short when his helicopter crashed, killing six of the soldiers on board and leaving Lalli with severe injuries. Returning to civilian life, he faced uncertainty, physical challenges, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a loss of the close bonds he had relied on.Supporting and empowering service members, their families, and caregivers is a shared responsibility that reflects the values that define America.Lalli's challenges aren't uncommon. According to the WWP Warrior Survey:76% of warriors report that pain interferes moderately or severely with their enjoyment of life.63% of warriors reported symptoms of one or more mental health conditions, including PTSD.79% of warriors report that they sometimes or often feel isolated, and 72% feel they lack companionship.These seen and unseen wounds create barriers for service members to thrive. However, organizations and individuals have stepped up to support the ongoing and evolving care needs of veterans, service members, and their loved ones.Supporting a brighter future for service membersLalli's path to healing and support started when he got connected with WWP."I first met Wounded Warrior Project when an outreach coordinator came to visit me in the hospital," Lalli said. "He showed me that it's not the end and inspired me to believe that anything is still possible."By participating in WWP programs and events, like Soldier Ride® — a multiday adaptive cycling event — Lalli recovered a sense of community, confidence, and hope. "Being on Soldier Ride brings back the camaraderie and tribe mentality that we had in the military," Lalli recalled. "It's how the environment and being together help each of us bring out the best in one another. It has helped me reignite my drive and has helped me work harder at being the best father, husband, and friend I can be to those around me."This is just one example of how WWP supports veterans, service members, and their families across every stage of life and service. The nonprofit strives to help warriors rebuild connections, regain confidence, and move forward after their military service. To that end, WWP programs are designed to meet warriors where they are.For some, like Lalli, that means connecting veterans with community after isolation. For others, it can mean help navigating mental health challenges, support for improving physical well-being, or resources to strengthen family support. This important work ensures that warriors past and present have what they need — not just to get by, but to truly thrive. WWP remains committed to that mission for years to come.How you can help warriors thrive for a lifetimeAs the U.S. celebrates 250 years of freedom, it's time to give back to those who have served, are serving, and will continue to serve to protect that freedom. Supporting and empowering service members, their families, and caregivers is a shared responsibility that reflects the values that define America."Wounded Warrior Project stands by our nation's heroes no matter what — keeping the promise to bring every warrior home, mind, body, and soul," Piatt said. "Caring for those who sacrificed to protect us is a privilege and responsibility we all share." To learn more about how you can be part of the next 250 years of strength, resilience, and service and support the nation's warriors today and always, visit WoundedWarriorProject.org/250Anniversary and WoundedWarriorProject.org/Donate.
	After fighting clean water rules, Kansas attorney general argues abortion pill is a contaminate Attorney General Kris Kobach speaks at an Oct. 1, 2025, news conference. On June 5, he urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to classify an abortion pill as a contaminant. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach called for the classification of mifepristone, an abortion medication, as a water contaminant in a June 5 letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency despite his past efforts to decrease water contaminant regulation. Mifepristone is a part of a two-drug prescription regimen to terminate a pregnancy through 10 weeks. It is safe, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The letter, signed by 14 Republican state attorneys general, including Kobach, said after mifepristone is ingested and processed through women’s bodies, the drug’s chemical compounds contaminate the water supply. Kansas Reflector talked to Kobach’s spokeswoman by phone and followed up by text but did not receive a comment. Zack Pistora, the director of environmental organization Kansas Sierra Club, said Kobach’s interest in water safety is unusual. “It’s curious to see this concern pop up,” Pistora said, “as we have felt and seen that our attorney general and the EPA have largely been ignoring the more pressing concerns in water and protecting public health, and been calling for reducing regulations and safeguards.” In February 2024, Kobach led a coalition joined by 14 Republican state attorneys general to oppose an EPA regulation to replace lead pipes to reduce lead contamination in drinking water. The coalition was unsuccessful. The EPA under the Biden administration required replacement of lead pipes within 10 years and announced $27.7 million in funding for Kansas to do so in October 2024. The EPA made another announcement for $53 million in May. Pistora said the Kansas Sierra Club has not heard of mifepristone as a water safety issue from the scientific or public health communities. He is mainly concerned with nitrates from agricultural pollution and depleting water in western Kansas. Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said the letter is not about water safety but restricting abortion. “Kansans deserve better than politicians manufacturing new excuses to interfere in private medical decisions just because they oppose access to abortion and refuse to respect people’s ability to make their own healthcare decisions,” she said in an email. Mackenzie Ayers, a spokeswoman for anti-abortion organization Kansans for Life, agreed with Kobach’s concerns. “Everyone who drinks water should expect and demand full governmental review and transparency about potential dangers abortion chemicals pose to the environment and all of us,” she said in an email. Experts have said there is no evidence that mifepristone harms water or the environment. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Survey finds 78% of dads are parenting more openly than their own fathers did Survey finds 78% of dads are parenting more openly than their own fathers didFathers pass down so much more than just genes or last names. How a man's father handled stress and vulnerability often became the default behavior his children absorbed. For a lot of men, that meant learning to keep their feelings to themselves.Men have historically been less likely than women to seek mental health support. Grow Therapy's Caregivers Report confirms that women caregivers are consistently more likely than men to seek out mental health support.Grow Therapy surveyed over 1,500 fathers of children under 18 to understand how today's dads are approaching emotional openness and mental health at home. Seventy-eight percent say they approach those conversations more openly than the household they grew up in.A separate Grow Therapy survey of 752 parents and children under 18 conducted from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, 2025 focused on parents’ understanding of their children’s mental health. That survey also found that fathers were nearly identical to mothers in their confidence in recognizing signs of mental health struggles in their children. 41% of fathers said they feel very prepared and know what signs to look for, compared to 40% of mothers.What this new survey of fathers shows is that wanting to parent differently and knowing how to do it in the moment aren't always the same thing, and there are specific places where old habits still hold.Key takeaways78% of fathers say they approach emotional and mental health conversations with their children more openly than in the household they grew up in.70% actively encourage their children to come to them with emotional or mental health problems, but only 52% say they proactively start those conversations and feel prepared to lead them.Only 35% of fathers selected “express vulnerability openly” as an approach they use or plan to use in parenting, suggesting that many fathers may still be navigating what emotional openness looks like in practice.Only 20% would tell their children if they’ve attended therapy, even though 38% want professional support for their child and 35% want it for themselves.Today's fathers are having the mental health conversations their own dads largely didn'tNearly 4 in 5 fathers describe their approach to emotional and mental health conversations with their children as more expressive than what they experienced growing up. That comparison is often shaped by early models of masculinity, caregiving and emotional expression: 82% said a father or stepfather was their primary male adult figure in childhood.Most fathers in this survey weren't raised in emotionally closed homes. Three-quarters of those who had a primary male adult in childhood felt at least somewhat comfortable bringing emotional or mental health problems to that person. And 70% of all fathers actively encourage their own children to come to them with those same conversations.The 23% who felt uncomfortable opening up to their own father figure are showing up differently for their households. Of those, 51% said their approach is much more expressive and emotionally open than the way they grew up. Fathers who felt less comfortable opening up to their own male figures and fathers who felt comfortable are both choosing to go further, just from different starting points. The data doesn't rank those motivations, but both count.The fathers who had the toughest time opening up to their own dads are actually the most likely to parent differently. Eighty-eight percent of those who felt very uncomfortable opening up to their own primary male adult figure growing up now describe themselves as more emotionally expressive with their own children, compared to 77% of fathers who had a very comfortable relationship with their own dad.Avoiding these conversations is now a fringe position, with fewer than 2% saying they prefer to. Grow Therapy Most dads are starting the conversation, but modeling is the harder stepStarting a conversation about emotions and actually showing emotional vulnerability aren’t the same skill. Showing vulnerability takes practice most adults never got. Few grew up with adults around who modeled it. Data suggests fathers are further along on one than the other.More than half (52%) of fathers say they actively start mental health and emotional conversations with their children and feel prepared to lead them. Many others are engaged but still building confidence: 26% say they try to start these conversations but sometimes feel like they are winging it or unsure of the right words, while 15% say they do not proactively start conversations but make themselves available to listen when their child comes to them.Only 35% of fathers selected “express vulnerability openly” as an approach they use or plan to use in parenting. Showing vulnerability with children can feel like walking a tightrope. Too little, and your child may not see emotional openness modeled. Too much, and your child may take on your stress as their own. Many fathers are still finding that balance. Grow Therapy Dads are warming up to therapy, but talking about it at home is the next frontierMost fathers have made real progress with emotional openness. But therapy is the part of that conversation that still feels personal in a different way.Only 31% of fathers talk to their children about therapy as a normal part of life, and only 20% say they would tell their children if they've attended therapy. Those numbers are low, but they're not surprising. For fathers who didn't grow up seeing it modeled, knowing how to introduce it naturally at home is its own learning curve.But that doesn’t reflect a lack of interest: 38% said professional support for their child would be most helpful to them right now, and 35% said the same for themselves. The willingness to seek help and talk about it is just arriving on different timelines.Fathers also have a desire for more support, with 37% having said books, podcasts or content made specifically for fathers would be helpful. Thirty-one percent wanted a community of other fathers navigating similar situations, and 28% wanted specific language or scripts for starting conversations.Only 20% feel adequately equipped already. Research consistently shows that therapy stigma remains a barrier for men. And this data suggests it hasn’t fully lifted even among fathers who already value mental health care. Grow Therapy What this means for the next generationA 2024 report from the U.S. Surgeon General on the mental health of parents confirms that a parent's own emotional well-being directly shapes the environment children grow up in. Fathers in this survey seem to understand that connection and are working toward it.Many are further along than their own fathers were, and some are still figuring out what emotional openness actually looks like in their day-to-day lives.MethodologyThe survey was conducted by Centiment for Grow Therapy, and fielded from May 11–15, 2026. Results are based on 1,534 completed surveys. The framing of these findings was informed by insights from a father on the Grow Therapy research team. Respondents were screened to be U.S. residents, over 18 years of age, and a father of at least one child aged 18 or younger. Data is unweighted, and the margin of error is approximately +/-3 % for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.This story was produced by Grow Therapy and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How deep-red Utah helped launch a portable plug-in solar movement How deep-red Utah helped launch a portable plug-in solar movementUtah state Rep. Raymond Ward was reading a story in The New York Times about a growing trend in Europe, and it sparked an idea to make energy more affordable and portable at home.Plug-in solar panels — sometimes called “balcony solar” — allow people to generate electricity by plugging panels directly into a standard outlet and help cut down on utility bills, without the need for expensive rooftop installations. The relatively cheap technology has taken off in parts of Europe, and a recent Utah law sponsored by Ward has spurred interest across the U.S.Utah lawmakers passed HB 340 last year with bipartisan and unanimous support, becoming the first state to allow residents to plug solar systems directly into residential outlets.“It’s great for anyone who wants a little solar power but does not want to pay $30,000 for a roof install,” Ward, a Republican, told Grist.Ward learned about plug-in solar panels after reading about their popularity in Germany. Balcony panels there added 10% more solar capacity to the grid in just a few months, The New York Times reported, just as Russia’s war with Ukraine was draining energy supplies. Alexandra Schuler // picture alliance via Getty Images Since Ward’s bill passed last year, 30 more states plus the District of Columbia have drafted similar bills, according to information tracked by the plug-in solar lobbying group Bright Saver.“Thank you, Utah,” said Cora Stryker, a cofounder of the California-based nonprofit. “It’s a common-sense, no-brainer thing that should keep sweeping the country.”Maine’s governor signed a similar bill earlier this month. Virginia’s plug-in solar bill currently sits on the governor’s desk awaiting a signature. Colorado and Maryland have legislation approved by both chambers of their statehouses. Bills in Hawai‘i, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Vermont have passed in one chamber so far.Despite that momentum, U.S. residents still can’t buy plug-in panels from the same big-box stores that sell other consumer electronic appliances, like hair dryers, washing machines, or toasters. That’s because Utah and other states also need rules and regulations for the panels, because while they sound simple, they flip the way the electrical utility system works on its head.Residential households are only designed to pull power off the grid, through wires to outlets, and into plugged-in devices. Balcony solar does the opposite by creating power and pushing it backward into the outlet and “upstream” through a home’s wires, Ward explained. “Utilities tend, in general, not to want anybody else to make power,” he said.Power providers also have concerns about safety, the lawmaker said. If line workers are trying to repair an electrical line they think is switched off, for example, but a condo’s solar panels are still pushing electricity through that line, it could put those employees in danger of getting electrocuted.To Ward, those problems were solvable. “The electricity is the same over [in Europe] as it is over here,” he said. “All the same rules of physics work and have proved to be safe.”But U.S. residents can’t smuggle balcony solar systems over in a suitcase from Europe, because North America uses different plugs and voltages.Ward collaborated with Utah’s largest electricity provider, Rocky Mountain Power, to craft language for his bill so that the plug-in movement in Utah can be homegrown.A spokesperson for Rocky Mountain Power noted the utility took no position on Ward’s bill. “We remain concerned that some products entering the market may not meet the requirements of the bill,” the spokesperson wrote in an email, “potentially creating electrical hazards for utility workers.”The legislation removes liability for utilities, and owners of plug-in panels can’t ask for payments for the electricity they send back to the grid. It also requires a company called Underwriters Laboratories, often shortened to UL Systems, to develop safety certification for plug-in panels.UL develops all kinds of safety standards for consumer products, building materials, and other goods. But Utah’s legislation marked the first time they were asked to test plug-in panels, and the company got to work over the summer. Kenneth Boyce, vice president of engineering for UL, said he was surprised to see his company named in Utah’s legislation.“But we take it very seriously,” Boyce said.The company issued a white paper in November outlining potential hazards with the panel systems themselves as well as how they might interact with a typical home’s wiring. From there, it developed product-level requirements that will allow the UL mark to appear on certified products.“We’re … making sure we keep [consumers] safe while they get the benefits of participating in the energy transition,” Boyce said. “We can do both.”UL’s researchers tested ways to ensure that plug-in panels don’t make circuit breakers explode, or that GFCI plugs that are supposed to trip and switch off — commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoors — don’t fry and malfunction without the residents’ knowledge.No plug-in systems have been certified by UL to date, Boyce said. “We expect that will change soon,” he said, noting he’s heard from multiple manufacturers. He expects the UL stamp to appear on U.S. panels in “months, maybe even weeks.”Some inventive individuals, including the popular Utah YouTuber JerryRigEverything, have cobbled together their own plug-in systems. They use components that are individually UL certified, like panels, cords, and inverters. But all the components combined into a balcony system haven’t been tested and green-lit for safety, Boyce cautioned. Courtesy of EcoFlow For those willing to take the risk, a global company called EcoFlow, whose product is shown above, is one of the most popular online retailers for plug-in panels in the U.S. They’re currently in conversations with UL about how to certify their product, according to Ryan Oliver, a spokesperson for EcoFlow.They’ve sold portable solar systems for about four years in Europe, “where they’re very popular,” he said.An inverter, which brings electricity from the solar panels into the home and shuts down generation to ensure safety, currently costs about $300 on EcoFlow’s website. A system that includes a battery to store solar energy costs $1,200. And compatible solar panels run between $250 to $1,000, depending on the size of the array.“It’s consistent with Utah’s values of wanting to supply your own energy, and letting people make their own decisions around meeting their needs,” said Josh Craft, director of government relations and public affairs for Utah Clean Energy.Craft, pictured below, said he’s experimenting with his own plug-in system at home, donated by EcoFlow. “It works. It’s fun,” he said. “I have foldable panels set up on my patio roof.” Bethany Baker // The Salt Lake Tribune The panels could also amp up an entirely new market for clean energy. Their surge in popularity comes at a time when the Trump administration is slashing subsidies for wind and solar projects, even as energy bills are expected to spike due to demands from data centers and artificial intelligence, Craft noted.Utah code resulting from Ward’s bill caps power output from plug-in systems at 1,200 watts, which means they won’t offset all the electrical use from a typical household.On his YouTube channel, JerryRigEverything reported that his array saves about a dollar a day on his electricity bill. Craft figures his system, which is combined with a battery, cuts down his power bill by about 10%, but he hasn’t tested it while running an air conditioner.In just the last few weeks, Ward said he’s had conversations with lawmakers in Hawai‘i, Washington, Minnesota, and Colorado about how to facilitate plug-in solar in their states. With Maine adopting a similar policy and several other states close behind, Utah’s experiment is already spreading.“Heck yeah,” Ward said.This coverage is made possible through a partnership between Grist and The Salt Lake Tribune, a nonprofit newsroom in Utah.This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Severe Thunderstorm Warning from WED 7:35 AM CDT until WED 8:30 AM CDT Severe Thunderstorms with Damaging Winds Impacting Northwestern Illinois and East Central Iowa Until 8:30 AM CDT
	Marine Highway 35 Workshop to spotlight freight, jobs and investment Marine Highway 35 Workshop to spotlight freight, jobs and investment to unite river community and municipality leaders.
	Orion trustees delay band shell repairs until after Fall Fest Orion trustees discussed the odds of being able to repair and repaint the band shell before the Aug. 1 celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary.
	Senate to proceed with intel chief confirmation hearing despite Trump's call to delay The Senate Intelligence Committee said it will move ahead with the confirmation process for Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence Today. But President Trump is calling for a delay.
	Fresh, Simple Ideas for Summer Entertaining (BPT) - As backyard barbecues, holiday cookouts and summer gatherings fill the calendar, fresh ingredients and seasonal flavors can help make every meal feel special. With produce at its peak and grilling season in full swing, summer offers plenty of opportunities to create colorful, delicious dishes that are simple to prepare and easy to share.Whether hosting a holiday celebration, neighborhood cookout or casual family dinner, these easy entertaining tips can help make the most of summer's freshest flavors.1. Build a Colorful PlateOne of the easiest ways to create visually appealing meals is to incorporate a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Vibrant orange, red, yellow, green and purple produce contain different vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which is why registered dietitians often encourage consumers to "eat the rainbow."Colorful dishes not only provide a wider variety of nutrients, but also create an inviting presentation that guests naturally gravitate toward. Seasonal favorites such as berries, tomatoes, watermelon, peaches, peppers and leafy greens can help add flavor and visual appeal to summer meals.2. Pair Grilled Proteins with Fresh ProduceWhile burgers and steaks are summer classics, chicken, pork, salmon and shrimp can also create satisfying meals when paired with fresh vegetables and salads.Take advantage of the grill by cooking vegetables alongside proteins. Fresh corn, zucchini, asparagus, peppers, eggplant and portobello mushrooms develop rich flavor when lightly brushed with olive oil and grilled. Protein and vegetable kebabs are another easy entertaining option that guests can enjoy right off the grill.3. Choose Versatile IngredientsSummer entertaining becomes easier when ingredients can be used across multiple dishes. Tomatoes can top burgers, brighten salads and add flavor to side dishes. Zucchini, peppers and mushrooms work equally well raw or cooked, while citrus fruits and pineapple add freshness to savory recipes and desserts.Selecting versatile ingredients helps simplify shopping, reduce food waste and create a cohesive menu for gatherings of any size.4. Simplify Prep with Smart ShortcutsHaving a few time-saving ingredients on hand can help make entertaining easier without sacrificing freshness or flavor. Pre-washed greens, prepared vegetables and other ready-to-use ingredients can reduce prep time and give hosts more opportunities outside of the kitchen to enjoy the gathering.5. Add a Festive TouchSeasonal celebrations are the perfect opportunity to incorporate fun and festive recipes into the menu. Red, white and blue ingredients can create colorful dishes that are ideal for Independence Day, Labor Day and other summer gatherings.For an easy crowd-pleasing option, try this Red, White & Blue Gorgonzola Salad featuring strawberries, blueberries, creamy Gorgonzola cheese and Fresh Express® Sweet Butter™ lettuce. Finished with raspberry vinaigrette and festive star-shaped mozzarella, it's a colorful addition to any summer celebration.Red, White & Blue Gorgonzola SaladFresh strawberries, blueberries, sliced pear and creamy Gorgonzola are tossed with Fresh Express® Sweet Butter™ lettuce and finished with a raspberry vinaigrette for a sweet and savory summer salad. Star-shaped mozzarella cutouts provide a star-spangled finishing touch.Serves: 4Ingredients1 (6-ounce) package Fresh Express® Sweet Butter™2 cups strawberries hulled and sliced1 cup blueberries1 fresh pear peeled, cored and sliced into thin wedges (or substitute pears canned in juice)1 lemon zested4 ounces gorgonzolaFresh cracked black pepper to tasteFresh Mozzarella CheeseDressing Ingredients1 cup of your favorite low fat raspberry vinaigretteUtensilsStar shaped cookie cutterDirectionsIn a large salad bowl, add lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, pear, lemon zest and gorgonzola.Drizzle with dressing, then toss well.Use a small metal star cookie cutter to gently cut out Mozzarella cheese.Portion salads and top each with Mozzarella cut outs for a star-spangled finish.Season to taste with fresh cracked black pepper.Whether planning a holiday cookout, weekend barbecue or casual summer gathering, fresh produce can help create colorful meals that are simple and memorable. For more recipes, entertaining inspiration and product information, visit FreshExpress.com.
	Tennessee soybean farmers get morale boost from better prices, but future remains ‘daunting’ Exports of soybeans, Tennessee's top crop, have improved from the last year but still lag prior years. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)Crops are in the ground, the weather is cooperating, soybean prices are up slightly from 2025, and China — the biggest buyer of U.S. soybean exports — is once again placing orders after a trade agreement ended the country’s purchasing freeze last fall. But while morale is higher among Tennessee soybean farmers as the 2026 growing season gets under way, the cost to plant crops remains high, and U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows there is still a long way to go before China’s purchases reach pre-trade war levels. “There have been some positive movements in trade relations with China, specifically with soybeans, that have caused markets to improve over last year,” Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council Executive Director Stefan Maupin said Monday. “However, we are definitely not where we were in years past. For most farmers out there, the big question in front of them is, will it get back?” Soybeans are Tennessee’s top crop, and a major agricultural product nationwide, covering about 10% of all U.S. farmland. More than 40% of U.S. soybeans are exported, and in recent years, roughly 60% of exported beans went to China. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. China stopped purchasing U.S. soybeans in 2025 during tariff negotiations with the Trump administration, leaning instead on soybeans from South American trade partners. China ultimately agreed to purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans in 2025 and at least 25 million metric tons each year through 2028. USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Baden said earlier this month that he is confident that China will meet those numbers. “They have the entire marketing period to meet the 25 million metric ton commitment for this year,” Baden told Brownfield, an agriculture-focused news outlet. The current marketing period runs from September 2025 to September 2026. Export sales to China from January through March are up 49% compared to last year, University of Tennessee Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics Andrew Muhammad said. Tennessee soybean farmers face tough decisions ahead of 2026 growing season That’s explained by an increase in sales to China during the off-season in response to the trade agreement, Muhammad said. In other words, China is now buying the excess soybeans that U.S. producers stored in fall 2025, when China halted its usual buys. Typically, China purchases most of their American soybeans in the fall, turning instead to Brazil and Argentina for soybeans during the South American harvest season in the spring. “But if we look at the accumulated total for the actual marketing year, going back to September, exports to China are still lagging what we did in years past,” he said. From Sept. 1, 2025 through March, China accounted for less than 30% of U.S. soybean exports — about half of their volume in previous years. “We won’t really know until the end of this year whether or not China is able to keep up with these commitments,” Muhammad said. Asked about China’s total soybean purchases lagging behind previous years, a USDA spokesperson stated that President Donald Trump “has made clear he will hold China to its commitments.” “President Trump executed another historic deal with China after the previous administration refused to hold them accountable to its future purchase of American soybeans, sorghum, beef, and other commodities,” the spokesperson stated. Long-term outlook for Tennessee soybean farmers still ‘daunting’ “The farmers and everybody with whom they do business feel better about that positive movement in the negotiations, but they’re not naive,” Maupin said of Tennessee soybean farmers. “They know … there is that potential that (China) will not fully buy what they have committed to buying.” What really matters is whether commodity traders believe that China will fulfill those commitments, Maupin said. Market prices are currently stronger this year, but “the jury is still out on that.” And despite improved prices compared to 2025, University of Tennessee data predicts that the price of soybeans at average yieldsQA still won’t be high enough for farmers to break even. “(Farmers) are now in their third year of the question, how much money will they lose on this crop?” Maupin said. The University of Tennessee estimated total losses of nearly $110 million for soybean farmers last year, on top of multimillion-dollar losses in 2024. Those who are still farming this year likely made “major adjustments” to try to lower their expenses and input costs as much as possible to weather the financial hardships of the last two years, Maupin said, but trying to just break even is not sustainable, particularly when many farmers depend on financing tied to their property and equipment. “2025 was an extremely rough year for a Tennessee farmer, between the weather, the input cost, the prices — it was a very, very complicated and frustrating situation for them. So far this year is much better than the previous year, and so with that, the morale is a little better,” Maupin said. “The long-term outlook, it’s daunting.” Government stockpiling and growing global markets Muhammad said this type of trade deal also means governments are involved in agricultural markets. “When you say to China, ‘we need you to buy so many soybeans,’ the only reason they could pull that off is because we’re not talking about capitalistic market purchases, we’re just talking about government stockpiling,” Muhammad said. While the trade deal may appeal to U.S. producers, “once tensions die down, they’ll just start using what they’ve stockpiled. It almost comes across as a bandaid for a much more serious problem … the trade tensions between the U.S. and China,” he said. Baden said Trump sets targets in his trade deals, making outcomes measurable. The USDA did not respond to questions about the long-term effectiveness of trade targets. Maupin said China has been known to stockpile goods and then cease purchasing or put excess goods back out on the world market. It’s this market instability that encourages farmers to develop relationships with other countries and find domestic uses for soybeans, Maupin said. Commodity farmers pay a percentage of the sale price of their products — called “checkoff dollars” — toward research and new market development. Baden said that while China is an “important market” for the U.S., Canada and Mexico buy more U.S. agricultural products overall. “We’re not just focused on China,” he said. “We’re focused on our larger trading partners here in North America, as well as the many other markets that we need to open, because ultimately this is a game of addition. If we focus too much on any one country, we’re not keeping our eye on the overall ball, which is increasing sales worldwide.” Maupin said representatives from the European Union visited Tennessee last growing season to see if the state’s soybean production meets their sustainability goals. Their feedback was positive, Maupin said. The U.S. is also looking to develop relationships with nations that could use soybean meal to feed livestock, or as a protein source for human consumption. The country has exported more soybeans to Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Japan since September, partially offsetting the decrease in sales to China, Muhammad said. “At the end of the day, worldwide, the demand for soybeans as an ingredient, mostly in animal feed, remains high, whether it’s in China or Mexico, the EU, or Egypt,” Maupin said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Tennessee Lookout
	Tennessee pharmacies sell potent Ivermectin, led by anti-vaccine doctor who’s taken ‘bucketloads’ Compound Rx, in Cookeville, Tennessee, is one of dozens of pharmacies in the Volunteer State that offer ivermectin without patient-specific prescriptions. Some pharmacies advertise the drug as available over the counter, even though customers technically have to request it from a pharmacist. (Brett Kelman/KFF Health News) Four years after the Volunteer State enacted the nation’s first law allowing drugstores to sell ivermectin without patient-specific prescriptions, dozens of pharmacies dispense the drug in highly concentrated pills — many with the help of one anti-vaccine physician. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Four years ago, Tennessee became the first state to allow adults to buy the antiparasitic drug ivermectin from a pharmacy without first seeing a doctor. Pharmacies can use a pre-written, blanket prescription to sell to just about anyone who walks through their doors. The drug is now marketed and sold across the state in roadside shops and small-town strip malls with little oversight from health authorities. Highway billboards advertise ivermectin as “Available Without a Prescription in Tennessee!” while dozens of pharmacies offer highly concentrated pills, sometimes at 10 or 20 times the potency of a standard tablet. Ivermectin is a Nobel Prize-winning, generally safe drug approved by the FDA for treating parasitic diseases in humans, which can generally be done with a single dose of three or four prescription-strength tablets. It is also used as a dewormer for horses and other livestock. Its popularity surged during the pandemic as fringe doctors and anti-vaccine activists promoted it as a treatment for covid. Clinical trials have shown that ivermectin is not effective against covid. Nonetheless, it has since become a symbol of resistance against the medical establishment among conservatives and followers of the Make America Healthy Again movement, championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Timothy Caulfield, a professor at the University of Alberta who studies health misinformation, said ivermectin became an “ideological flag” during the covid pandemic, opening the door for influencers to push the drug for other ailments to a “captured audience” even without proof it works. “This is really about profit. This is about political identity. This is about creating distrust in the existing biomedical community. This is about money,” Caulfield said in an interview with ABC News, which partnered with KFF Health News to report on ivermectin. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., photographed on Feb. 4, 2026 at the Tennessee State Capitol, has championed the Make American Health Again movement. Use of ivermectin has become popular with some followers of the movement. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) After a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship earlier this year, unproven claims that ivermectin is effective against the virus have been spread by some popular social media accounts and right-wing figures, including former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The World Health Organization says it has seen no research that shows ivermectin is an effective hantavirus treatment. Tennessee’s ivermectin bill was shepherded by a Republican supermajority in 2022. Its passage blindsided state medical officials and handed a victory to medical groups that spread covid misinformation. Some pharmacy websites now offer the drug as a treatment for covid, “long haul vax symptoms,” diabetes, or cancer — despite no evidence of its effectiveness for those purposes — while the new law largely gives pharmacists immunity from lawsuits or professional sanctions related to ivermectin. The law was also a harbinger of legislation to come: More than two dozen states have since considered look-alike bills that would make the politicized medication available without requiring a doctor visit. John Mafi, a UCLA internal medicine physician who has studied the rise of ivermectin among cancer patients, worries it will lure people away from proven treatments. He co-authored a new study identifying a sharp increase in prescribing rates for ivermectin and another antiparasitic drug, particularly in the South. The rise followed a January 2025 episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast in which actor Mel Gibson claimed ivermectin and other drugs cured three friends with stage 4 cancer. “It’s going back to 19th-century quack science,” Mafi said about off-label use of ivermectin. “It is alarming that I’m seeing this really unproven therapy being touted to so many potentially vulnerable Americans.” The FDA says ivermectin can be dangerous in large doses. Tennessee has seen a small but concerning rise in signs of overuse. The Tennessee Poison Center, which fields calls from people exposed to drugs or toxic substances, received more than 60 calls for possible ivermectin poisoning in 2025, the most since 2021. They included reports of vomiting, blurred vision, neurological problems, and difficulty walking. “People are taking this because they just feel unwell. It’s almost like a panacea now,” said Rebecca Bruccoleri, the poison center’s medical director. “I’ve heard rumblings on the internet of using ivermectin for an alternative cancer treatment, and we’re seeing it definitely in here.” Pharmacist Paul Hughey has dispensed ivermectin under the new law at two Tennessee pharmacies: Mt. Juliet Pharmacy and Compound Rx. He estimated that “up to 20 people in a week” are buying ivermectin but that peak demand was double or triple that amount. For years, Hughey said in an interview, customers have relayed emotional “testimonies” about the drug healing the sick, “especially with the cancer patients.” “I’ll get a doctor call in and they say: ‘Guess what. So-and-so is cured.’ And it’s just amazing to hear that. So anybody who doubts that,” Hughey said, “I don’t really know that they’re practicing medicine. I think they’re just following the narrative.” ‘I’ve taken bucketloads of this stuff’ The linchpin of Tennessee’s ivermectin market is Denise Sibley, a conservative doctor who was instrumental to the creation of the 2022 ivermectin law. She has inked agreements with pharmacies across the state empowering them to sell the drug. Tennessee’s law allows pharmacies to dispense ivermectin without a specific prescription for each patient, through a “collaborative pharmacy practice agreement” with a doctor who provides what is functionally a pre-written, nonspecific prescription for all potential customers. In podcast interviews, Sibley has said she has made as many as 40 of these agreements with Tennessee pharmacies, which she said forward her the paperwork on each ivermectin customer. Before selling the drug, pharmacies are required to ask customers questions about medical conditions and medications that could cause complications if taken with ivermectin. Afterward, the collaborating physician also is expected to receive a record for each person who purchases ivermectin. Denise Sibley, a doctor and vaccine opponent, testifies before Tennessee lawmakers in favor of the state’s 2022 bill allowing ivermectin to be offered without a specific prescription for each patient. Sibley has since signed agreements that empower numerous pharmacies to dispense ivermectin this way. (Tennessee General Assembly; screenshot by KFF Health News) “We literally have folks coming from all over the world to get our ivermectin,” Sibley said on the Common Sense MD podcast in February 2025. “As the collaborator for these pharmacies, I get every person’s sheet.” “They’re from every state,” she said. “They’re from Canada. They’re from Europe.” Sibley did not respond to requests for comment. KFF Health News has independently confirmed that Sibley signed agreements with at least 10 pharmacies. The agreements say pharmacists shall dispense ivermectin only in Tennessee, where Sibley is licensed, although one of those pharmacies said friends and family in Tennessee can “facilitate sending the medication.” Hughey, the Tennessee pharmacist, said Sibley had prescribing agreements ready to go when the law was enacted. He credited her with advancing ivermectin sales throughout the state. “Had Dr. Sibley not stepped in and really pushed forward, there’s no telling how hard it would have been,” Hughey said. “It would have been a lot less widespread.” Sibley also works with Children’s Health Defense, the Kennedy-founded group that has become one of the nation’s most influential anti-vaccine organizations. In podcasts, Sibley has referred to the covid vaccine as a “bioweapon” and “the most toxic substance that’s ever been produced.” Separately, she testified before Tennessee legislators in 2024 about an alleged plot to change the weather and block sunlight. The New York Times then included her in a story about conspiracy theorists. Sibley has said in podcast interviews that she was told by God to treat covid patients. She said she has advocated for ivermectin ever since. “God agrees with what I’m doing,” Sibley said in 2023 on the podcast Tomi Lahren Is Fearless, which is recorded in Nashville. “I wake up every day and I say: ‘Yes, sir. I’m reporting to duty.’” In legislative and government hearings throughout 2022, Sibley testified that she had treated around 4,400 people with ivermectin, including some Tennessee lawmakers, all without taking payment. Sibley described ivermectin as “a wonder drug” and said making it more available “would help me to save lives.” “I’ve taken bucketloads of this stuff myself,” Sibley said in one such hearing. “I feel like I’ve been a good test subject.” Sibley has said she dispenses ivermectin using treatment guidelines developed by Paul Marik, who in 2020 co-founded the Independent Medical Alliance, a medical group that has promoted ivermectin as an effective treatment for covid, flu, RSV, and cancer. Some Tennessee pharmacies now follow those protocols, too. The protocols recommend patients take 1.5 to five times as much ivermectin as is normally prescribed to treat parasites, with the dose taken for days or weeks instead of just once. Marik and other ivermectin proponents sued the FDA in 2022 after it discouraged the use of the drug for covid by tweeting: “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.” The agency settled the lawsuit with no admission of wrongdoing and deleted the viral tweet in 2024. The American Board of Internal Medicine has revoked Sibley’s and Marik’s board certifications but declined to explain why. Sibley still holds a Tennessee medical license; Marik is based in Virginia and is not licensed. Sibley and Marik each opposed the internal medicine board’s actions. In response to questions from KFF Health News, Marik, through an Independent Medical Alliance spokesperson, said medical science benefits from “open discussion of ideas and treatments.” “Many independent doctors have reported that treatments like Ivermectin, in conjunction with traditional treatments, are showing promise. These ideas should be explored,” alliance spokesperson Lynne Kristensen said in an emailed statement. Marik testified in favor of Tennessee’s ivermectin legislation in 2022, telling lawmakers that it is necessary because people would otherwise buy animal-grade ivermectin in stronger dosages meant for livestock. “They’re buying ivermectin from farm stores. We don’t know the quality,” Marik said at a March 2022 legislative hearing on the Tennessee bill. “So this would prevent that from happening.” Tennessee does not track its Ivermectin market Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, and Texas enacted similar laws in 2025, and legislation that makes ivermectin available without the need for a doctor visit has been introduced or debated in at least 24 other states, according to a KFF Health News analysis. That means half the country could be following Tennessee down an unlit path, because no one knows the full scope of its ivermectin market. Tennessee does not effectively track which pharmacies offer ivermectin this way, and the state government has been unable to produce some foundational documents that pharmacies are legally required to file before they sell the drug, according to a KFF Health News investigation. Concentrated ivermectin pills like these are sold at compounding pharmacies across Tennessee. Under a 2022 law that made the drug available to people without requiring a doctor visit, some pharmacies offer pills that are 10 or 20 times the strength of standard ivermectin tablets. (Brett Kelman/KFF Health News) Doctors and pharmacies are required by law to notify the Tennessee Department of Health when they sign agreements that allow ivermectin to be dispensed without patient-specific prescriptions, although it is not clear whether this consistently occurs. In response to a KFF Health News public records request for those ivermectin notifications filed by pharmacies, the agency over three months produced records from only 12 pharmacies, half of which have agreements with Sibley. The agency said it did not locate records related to at least 13 others that KFF Health News has identified as selling ivermectin without requiring individual prescriptions. Department of Health spokesperson Dean Flener said the agency would not answer questions about whether or how it regulates ivermectin or the pharmacies that distribute it. Tennessee has said it does not track how much of the drug is sold in the state, and the amount is not well captured by federal or insurance data sources. That’s because the drug is often sold at compounding pharmacies, which make customized medications that are not FDA-approved and rarely covered by insurance. Drugmakers and wholesalers did not respond to questions about how much ivermectin they supply to pharmacies in the state. Even the Independent Medical Alliance, one of ivermectin’s biggest cheerleaders, says it doesn’t know how much is flowing through Tennessee. States are getting pressure from clinicians ”who have had success with the use of ivermectin,” said IMA President Joseph Varon, a physician based in Houston. “That’s what happened in Texas, and that’s what happened in Tennessee.” ‘An unproven, potentially unsafe drug’ Once signed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, the state’s ivermectin law took effect immediately — even before the state’s physician and pharmacy licensing boards created rules to guide the process, which Tennessee law also requires. Some board members were shocked. “We’re talking about an unproven, potentially unsafe drug,” Shant Garabedian, a doctor on the state’s Board of Osteopathic Examination, said of off-label ivermectin use during a 2022 meeting. “It’s already law. Somehow it passes without our sort of input.” In meetings that followed, at least five members of Tennessee’s medical boards voiced concerns about the law beyond safety and efficacy. Some said pharmacists could overcharge for a drug that normally costs pennies per pill. Some worried that a loosely regulated, cash-based ivermectin market might attract shady characters, especially because the law also shields prescribers from ivermectin-related civil lawsuits. “This involves no clinical engagement,” Melanie Blake, then-president of the Board of Medical Examiners, said during a 2022 meeting. “If they’re exempt from liability as well, I hate to think of things that individuals could do just to make money, but this would be one.” The boards eventually enacted regulations affirming that ivermectin could be dispensed without any diagnosis. Board members said the law left them no choice. “This is more of a situation where, legally, the legislature has decided for us,” John McGraw, another board member, said in a 2023 meeting. “This has sort of tied our hands in a lot of ways.” The first known sale under the new law occurred in May 2022 in Sibley’s home of Johnson City, a city of about 74,000 people in northeastern Tennessee. According to a news release, Sibley entered into a collaborative agreement with pharmacist Josh Harrison at The Compounding Lab, which dispenses drugs for people and animals. The first customer was Bernadette Pajer, an anti-vaccine activist who has worked with Children’s Health Defense. In a 2024 episode of the Nashville podcast Rebunked With Scott Armstrong, Pajer said Sibley was a medical adviser for the group and described the first ivermectin sale. “On that day, she was the doctor, he was the pharmacist making the sale, and I was the first customer,” Pajer said. “So that was pretty cool.” Roman Pharmacy, one of the many compounding pharmacies in Tennessee that offer concentrated ivermectin pills, advertises the drug on at least four billboards along Interstate 65 near Nashville. (Brett Kelman/KFF Health News) Ivermectin pharmacies have spread across the state. In the suburbs of Nashville, Roman Pharmacy advertises ivermectin on at least four billboards along Interstate 65, and its website is mostly focused on the drug. Outside Knoxville, Fresh Pharmacy allows customers to order ivermectin for multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, or “to use it to detoxify.” Roman Pharmacy did not respond to interview requests. Fresh Pharmacy declined an interview. In Chattanooga, the Medicine Counter pharmacy says on its website that ivermectin should be taken “only as prescribed by your healthcare provider.” And yet the pharmacy sells some of Tennessee’s most potent ivermectin available without a prescription from a doctor — up to 21 times as strong as a standard tablet, for nearly $19 per pill — according to the KFF Health News analysis. Himanshu Patel, Medicine Counter’s head pharmacist, declined to be interviewed. He said in an email that the pharmacy operates in a “very competitive market” and that its strongest pills were below the maximum dose for humans evaluated by the FDA for safety purposes. And then there is Compound Rx, which, in addition to selling ivermectin in its store, has built a website in preparation to ship buy-one-get-one-free pills nationwide. The site, which is in “test mode,” cannot currently make any sales. It also asks customers how they heard about the pharmacy, with a dropdown menu of answers that features right-wing figures such as Donald Trump Jr., Steve Bannon, Laura Ingraham, and Kevin Sorbo. Who is not listed as an option? Your doctor. Hughey, the Compound Rx pharmacist, said he wasn’t involved with the website, which he said may never launch. Sen. Richard Briggs, a Knoxville Republican and surgeon, was the only Republican to vote against a bill legalizing the sale of ivermectin to adults without them having seen a doctor first. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) The highly concentrated pills are a concern for Tennessee state Sen. Richard Briggs, who worries lawmakers have created a “dangerous” ivermectin market rife with “misleading advertising” about what the drug can actually do. Briggs, who is a surgeon and the only Republican who voted against the ivermectin bill in 2022, said he planned to introduce legislation to rein in the sale of ivermectin when lawmakers reconvene in 2027. “But it may be a hard sell, because with the anti-vaxxers and some of these other folks,” Briggs said. “We don’t base a lot of things that we do on science, data, or facts. To a lot of folks in the legislature, the facts are just an inconvenience.” ‘Enough trouble with Ivermectin’ Lawmakers in at least seven states have considered ivermectin legislation this year, including Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. If enacted, these bills would allow people to obtain ivermectin without an individual prescription, like in Tennessee, or make it available over the counter. Kennedy praised such legislation at an event in Texas last August. “I think it’s a really good bill,” he said of Texas’ ivermectin legislation, according to The Texas Tribune. “I think Americans should have the choice.” But proponents have hit roadblocks. A Utah bill failed to advance out of the state House this year. In Oklahoma, some lawmakers have put up a fight. “I’m a scientific person. I need to see some research and some data that shows what we’re treating,” Oklahoma state Rep. Cynthia Roe, a Republican and nurse practitioner who opposes the state’s ivermectin bill, said in an interview. “And God forbid somebody start giving it to their kid.” Back in Tennessee, one of the medical boards that was alarmed when the law was enacted in 2022 started to distance itself from ivermectin altogether. In January, the Board of Medical Examiners grappled with how to punish Ricky Lee Jackson, a doctor who was licensed in Tennessee and had been sanctioned and fined by Washington state’s medical commission. The Tennessee board normally mirrors punishments from other states without hesitation. But the Washington case centered on Jackson prescribing ivermectin for covid, which in Tennessee no longer required a patient to see a doctor. After a debate, the board voted to reprimand Jackson — but told its staff to ensure the public record made no mention of ivermectin. “This board has been in enough trouble with ivermectin,” member Keith Anderson said, according to a meeting recording. “Maybe we ought to just leave that out.” Nashville Public Radio journalist Blake Farmer and Tennessee Lookout reporter Adam Friedman contributed to this report. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. Courtesy of Tennessee Lookout
	Concrete This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.It's there, everywhere. Our skyscrapers rest on it, it lies under the wheels of our cars from New York to San…
	'Rejected': How federal prisons stonewall grievances and deny care for years People who go to prison keep one important right — to file a grievance over their treatment: from abuse to denied medical care. But in the vast majority of cases, those efforts go nowhere, according to an analysis of federal data by The Marshall Project and NPR.

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026