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

Thursday, May 7th, 2026
	Lee Enterprises reports sharp Q2 gains, digital revenue leads growth A strong digital business and lower borrowing costs helped Lee Enterprises post improved second-quarter results Thursday.
	Public invited to give input on Kiwanis Park, Bettendorf Bettendorf’s Parks & Recreation Department is looking for community input on a new playground scheduled for replacement at Kiwanis Park, 4233 Greenbrier Drive. The Parks & Recreation Department is holding a community input event on Thursday, May 14 from 5-7 p.m. at Kiwanis Park so residents can share their ideas on what kind of playground [...]
	Two University of Iowa alumni win 2026 Pulitzer Prizes Two University of Iowa alumni won Pulitzer Prizes this year.
	China gives suspended death sentences to 2 ex-defense ministers Both were the latest to be sentenced in President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which started more than a decade ago.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for May 7, 2026 Burlington's Jefferson Street Farmer's Market returns for the season, and Grow Clinton is inviting the public to their new tourism center.
	IMEG, Rock Island, acquires AGM Energy Services, Palmer Conservation Consulting IMEG, Rock Island, has acquired AGM Energy Services and Palmer Conservation Consulting, strengthening its performance and energy platform and advancing its ability to deliver fully integrated solutions, a news release says. By connecting energy strategy, building systems, and ongoing operations, IMEG helps clients achieve greater efficiency, resilience, and long-term performance across the built environment, a [...]
	North Scott School District resignations, hirings and other personnel news for April 27 The following personnel items are from the April 27 agenda of the North Scott School District. The school board met at Junior High.
	These families help researchers find Alzheimer's treatments. Their network is at risk Families with rare gene mutations that cause Alzheimer's in middle age are giving scientists a unique window on the disease, and a quick way to test potential treatments.
	Retirements, resignations, hirings, other Davenport School personnel news See the personnel items from the April 27 agenda of the Davenport Community School District. The board met at the Achievement Service Center, 2nd Floor, 1702 N. Main St., Davenport.
	Ballet Folklorico Del Rio Grande comes to the Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico Del Rio Grande brings traditional Mexican dance as part of the Quad City Arts' Visiting Artist series.
	Weekend Rundown with WLLR \| May 7, 2026 There are many family-friendly events going on this weekend, and we've brought in Dani Howe from WLLR to break it down.
	Republican gubernatorial candidate Brad Sherman campaigns in Scott County Brad Sherman campaigned at the Treehouse Pub and Eatery in Bettendorf Wednesday night, pitching himself to about 40 Republicans as he runs for the Republican nomination for governor.
	Rock Island 3rd grader going to national competition with her squirrel-deterring invention 9-year-old Quinn Koski invented a way to redirect squirrels from chewing on her parents' patio furniture and railings.
	Galesburg updates bus routes The City of Galesburg has announced changes to the public transportation Blue Route, effective May 11, a news release says. These updates follow recommendations from the Traffic Advisory Committee to improve safety, accessibility, and passenger convenience. As part of the revised route, the Blue Route will now include closer drop-off locations at O.N.Custer Park and [...]
	New Horizons moving to new location in Muscatine New Horizons, Muscatine’s only local provider of substance abuse treatment services, is relocating to a new home, effective Monday, May 11.
	Resignation, hirings and transfers from Bettendorf School District for April 23 The following personnel items are from the April 23 agenda of the Bettendorf Community School District. The School Board met at the Administration Center, 3311 18th St., Bettendorf.
	Scott County man enters plea deal for paying minor to send child sex abuse images A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 13.
	Another World This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Have you been on so many vacations that you've seen it all?The Venice canals? Been there. Big Ben? Been there, too. The…
	Gas prices keep rising, but do big oil companies plan to drill more? Not so far The war in Iran has pushed global oil prices higher, which boosts oil company revenues. But major U.S. oil companies aren't signaling plans to increase production to bring down prices at the pump.
	Psychiatrists say RFK Jr.'s take on SSRIs is an 'oversimplification' of the problem The American Psychiatric Association says too few patients can access comprehensive mental health care in the United States. It welcomes new investments in improving access to evidence-based care.
	As federal scientists faced turmoil, the Devils Hole pupfish reached a crisis point The Devils hole pupfish lives in just one spot in Death Valley. Wildlife officials have managed this iconic fish for decades, and last spring, just as the Trump administration was laying off all kinds of scientists, the wild population of this fish plummeted to only 20 individuals. Officials then took an irrevocable step.
	Campaign staffers tell NPR they make 'thousands' betting on their own candidates Campaign staffers are turning private polling data into personal paydays. They describe election prediction market as a "Wild West" for staffers.
	In new poll, Americans voice broad bipartisan support for age caps in Congress The vast majority of Americans — 8 in 10 — say there should be age caps for members of Congress, as well as term limits, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll.
	Border czar promises 'mass deportations are coming' to fulfill Trump's promises The remarks contrast with Border Czar Tom Homan's softer messaging earlier this year, after two U.S. citizens were killed by immigration officials in Minneapolis.
	About 40 passengers previously left ship hit by Hantavirus at island of St. Helena The dozens of passengers, including the wife of a Dutch man who died, left the cruise ship during a stop at the British territory, the Dutch foreign ministry said on Thursday.
	Paris Saint-Germain returns to Champions League final after beating Bayern Munich The French league leader will face Arsenal in the final in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30, after the Gunners defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 on Tuesday to progress 2-1 on aggregate.
	iPhone users could get up to $95 in settlement over 'misleading' Siri claims Some iPhone owners are set to get a payout in a $250 million class action lawsuit over claims Apple was falsely advertising its phones' AI capabilities.
	Federal authorities arrest 18 for alleged drug distribution around Los Angeles park The area, called MacArthur Park, is a densely populated immigrant neighborhood west of downtown LA where federal immigration authorities and the National Guard made a brief show of force last summer.
	Trump's counterterrorism strategy makes targeting drug cartels the top priority President Trump has signed off on a new U.S. counterterrorism strategy that sets eliminating drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere as the administration's highest priority.
	PlayStation users could get refunds in $7.85 million Sony settlement Sony was accused of monopolizing the market and driving up prices for specific digital games purchased through the PlayStation Store.
	Davenport North soccer set to host 7th annual “Life is bigger than sports” event Life is bigger than sports. It’s a reality Davenport North soccer coach David Gamble knows all too well.
	Cómo detener al 'asesino silencioso': Cómo detectar, prevenir y controlar la presión arterial alta (Feature Impact) La presión arterial alta representa un riesgo importante para la salud de personas de todas las edades, pero existen maneras eficaces de prevenir y controlar este “asesino silencioso” con la ayuda de un profesional de la salud para realizar cambios en el estilo de vida. La hipertensión, también conocida como presión arterial alta, se produce cuando la fuerza con la que la sangre fluye a través de los vasos sanguíneos es constantemente demasiado alta. Esta afección hace que el corazón trabaje más de lo normal y puede dañar las arterias, aumentando el riesgo de enfermedades cardíacas, ataques o derrames cerebrales y otros problemas de salud. La presión arterial alta es el principal factor de riesgo de sufrir un ataque o derrame cerebral y afecciones cardíacas como la enfermedad arterial coronaria, la insuficiencia cardíaca y la fibrilación auricular. Cada vez hay más pruebas que demuestran que la presión arterial alta está relacionada con el riesgo de deterioro cognitivo y demencia, razón por la cual la American Heart Association está trabajando para aumentar la concienciación y animar a la gente a controlar su presión arterial. Proteja su corazón y su cerebro, tanto ahora como en el futuro, con esta información y estos consejos de bienestar. ¿Quién puede tener presión arterial alta? Cualquier persona puede desarrollar hipertensión, por lo que se recomienda que todos, de todas las edades, incluidos niños y adultos jóvenes, se controlen la presión arterial en sus exámenes físicos anuales o revisiones de bienestar. Para quienes tienen antecedentes de presión arterial alta o factores de riesgo para desarrollar esta afección, se recomienda realizar mediciones con mayor frecuencia. Entre los principales factores de riesgo de la presión arterial alta se incluyen el sobrepeso, la diabetes, el colesterol alto, el tabaquismo, la falta de actividad física, el consumo de alcohol y una dieta rica en sodio y baja en potasio. Casi la mitad de los adultos en Estados Unidos tienen presión arterial alta y muchos ni siquiera lo saben. De las personas con presión arterial alta, aproximadamente el 75% no tiene la afección bajo control. Debido a que generalmente no presenta síntomas, a menudo se la denomina un “asesino silencioso”. ¿Cómo se mide la presión arterial? Para obtener la mejor lectura de la presión arterial, siéntese en una silla con respaldo y con ambos pies apoyados en el suelo. Utilice un monitor de brazo automático, validado y de tipo brazalete. Quítese la prenda que cubre el brazo que va a utilizar y descanse durante al menos 5 minutos. Extienda el brazo y sosténgalo a la altura del corazón, permaneciendo quieto y en silencio. Luego, tome varias lecturas y registre los resultados. Procure realizar las mediciones a la misma hora todos los días. Para la mayoría de los adultos, una lectura normal de la presión arterial debería ser inferior a 120/80 mm Hg. ¿Qué sucede después de un diagnóstico de presión arterial alta? Reconocer la hipertensión arterial y tomar medidas rápidas para controlarla puede reducir significativamente el riesgo de consecuencias graves para la salud, como infartos y ataques o derrames cerebrales, y mejorar la salud en general. Si le han diagnosticado hipertensión arterial, colabore con un profesional de la salud para diseñar un plan de tratamiento que se adapte a sus necesidades. Puede incluir cambios en el estilo de vida, en la dieta, en el nivel de actividad física o en la medicación. ¿Cómo se puede prevenir o controlar la hipertensión arterial? Es posible prevenir la hipertensión. Consulte con un profesional de la salud para crear un plan que se adapte a sus necesidades, el cual puede incluir pequeños pasos como seguir una dieta saludable para el corazón, mantenerse activo y mantener un peso saludable. Para quienes padecen hipertensión, es importante mantener un peso saludable mediante la actividad física (al menos 150 minutos de actividad moderada por semana) y una dieta equilibrada rica en frutas, verduras, proteínas magras y cereales integrales. Incluso perder el 5% de su peso puede ayudar a mejorar la presión arterial. También es importante reducir o evitar el consumo de alcohol y tabaco. Considere realizar actividades para reducir el estrés, como meditación, ejercicios de respiración o yoga. Para muchas personas, seguir el tratamiento farmacológico prescrito es fundamental para controlar eficazmente la presión arterial y reducir el riesgo de complicaciones graves para la salud. Para obtener más información sobre el control de la presión arterial y cómo medirla correctamente, visite heart.org/bp. Fotos cortesía de Shutterstock
	How Hiring Veterans Can Strengthen the Workforce (Feature Impact) Every year, about 200,000 service members transition from military service into civilian careers, offering employers access to a highly skilled and mission-driven talent pool. As organizations across industries seek dependable employees who can adapt and lead, veterans bring experience that translates directly to business success. Veterans enter the workforce with a wide range of technical and professional skills. Military occupations span fields such as logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, aviation and health care, many of which align closely with civilian roles. This experience allows veterans to apply their training to roles across industries, from manufacturing to information technology, using their practical knowledge developed during their service. Beyond technical expertise, veterans are widely recognized for their reliability, adaptability and strong work ethic. Military culture emphasizes responsibility, teamwork and accountability – qualities that can strengthen workplace culture and improve team performance. Additionally, employers that hire veterans with disabilities often qualify for federal tax credits, and many workplace accommodations are available to employers at no cost. Despite these advantages, veterans transitioning from military service to civilian employment still face challenges. One of the most common obstacles is translating military experience into language civilian employers understand. Although more than 80% of military roles have civilian equivalents, differences in job titles and terminology related to responsibilities and accomplishments gained during service may not align neatly with traditional job descriptions, making it difficult for veterans to clearly communicate their qualifications. To address these challenges, resources aimed at improving the understanding of military experience have grown in recent years. For example, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a nonprofit organization that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations, their families and survivors, recently released an updated edition of “The Veteran Advantage: DAV’s Hiring Guide for Employers of the Military Community,” a resource designed to help companies better recruit, hire and retain veteran and military spouse employees. The guide is available for free download at davhiringguide.org. The no-cost guide offers practical information for employers seeking to build veteran-friendly workplaces. It includes guidance on translating military skills into civilian job qualifications, developing hiring initiatives focused on the military community and establishing employee resource groups for veterans and military spouses. It also highlights inclusive hiring practices designed to reduce barriers and better support those who have served. “Veterans and military spouses consistently demonstrate strong work values, but many still face hurdles when transitioning into civilian careers,” DAV CEO Barry Jesinoski said. “Hiring veterans doesn’t just fill open roles – it strengthens organizations. But employers who don’t understand how to align military experience with business needs might overlook that talent.” The nonprofit organization also connects employers with veteran job seekers through employment initiatives and outreach efforts. These programs help organizations better understand the value veterans bring to the workforce while supporting successful transitions into civilian careers. These efforts are especially important as many veterans continue to face barriers to employment. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the veteran unemployment rate in March 2026 was 3.8%, with the rate climbing to 5.4% among veterans with disabilities, underscoring the persistent challenges many encounter when transitioning to the civilian workforce. For many employers, hiring veterans is not simply about filling open positions. It’s an opportunity to bring experienced leaders and skilled professionals into the workforce – individuals whose service has prepared them to contribute in meaningful ways long after their military careers have ended. Photos courtesy of DVIDS. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.
Wednesday, May 6th, 2026
	Amid protests, flooding and evacuations, Alabama Legislature passes special election bills Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, discusses a primary bill in the Alabama Senate on May 6, 2026 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The Senate approved the bill, which would allow the state to set new primary elections in two Montgomery-area state Senate districts if federal courts allow the state to use a legislative map previously declared unconstitutional. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)The Alabama Legislature on Wednesday passed legislation that could set new primary dates for the state amid protests within the Statehouse and flooding that led the Alabama Senate to quickly pass its bill before a mass evacuation of the building. HB 1, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, would allow for a new special election if the U.S. Supreme Court lifts an injunction preventing the state from redrawing congressional maps before 2030. SB 1, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, affects two Montgomery-area Senate districts. The legislation drew sharp criticism from Democrats, who said the bills aimed to reduce Black political representation in the Legislature. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX “This body continues to find more ways to make voting more difficult, more ways to suppress the vote and more ways to dilute the power of the Black vote,” said Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile. “Make no mistake, that’s what HB 1 would do, and it’s a tragic step backwards for Black Alabama voters. But we’ve been here before and we will not give up this fight.” The legislation will only take effect if federal courts respond favorably to a flurry of cases filed by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall seeking to reverse federal court rulings in 2023 and 2025 that found congressional and legislative maps approved by the Legislature violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and discriminated against Black voters. The rulings led to new court-ordered maps. The U.S. Supreme Court last week weakened Section 2 in a case known as Louisiana v. Callais. However, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the ruling did not apply to Allen v. Milligan, the 2023 case that led to congressional redistricting. House members debated for five hours over the measure. The Senate late Wednesday appeared to be heading for a similarly lengthy debate. But a storm that put Montgomery under an hour-long tornado watch led to flooding in the building, which prompted an abrupt end of debate and a vote on the bill. Water burst into the first floor of the building around 5 p.m. and flooded the area around the Statehouse. Staff and lawmakers’ cars swam in the lowered parking deck behind the Statehouse. There was water pouring in from the sides of glass doors into the hallway of the first floor. Wednesday was one day short of the 17th anniversary of the 2009 flood of the Statehouse that led to lawmakers’ last regular business in the Old Chambers in the Alabama State Capitol. The Senate continued debate despite the storm, but adjourned shortly after the fire alarm sounded. “I got a feeling this is to be continued. So freeze whatever the time is, this is to be continued. We’re gonna have to probably get out of here,” said Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham. ‘Bad lawyering’ Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, speaks in the Alabama House of Representatives on May 6, 2026 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The House Wednesday debated a measure that would allow the state to set new primary dates should federal courts allow the state to revert to congressional and legislative maps previously deemed discriminatory against Black voters. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) HB 1 passed on a 75-29 party-line vote. Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise and a candidate for Congress, abstained from the vote; he later told al.com that he wanted a map that created seven Republican districts. “This bill simply creates a mechanism to hold special primary elections in certain congressional districts should the federal courts relieve us of the federal injunction against us,” said Pringle before debate began. Twenty-seven of the House’s 29 Democrats spoke against the bill during the debate. No speakers apart from Pringle spoke on its behalf. However, exchanges got tense. While Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, spoke about Alabama’s history of Black voter suppression and segregation, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said she was not staying relevant to the bill.” “The Speaker gaveled me down, no differently than when he gaveled down one of my other colleagues when we began to get into race and when we began to get into history,” she told reporters on Wednesday . “We cannot stand here today without speaking about history, without talking about slavery, without talking about the assassination of (Dr. Martin Luther) King (Jr.).” Ledbetter also gaveled down Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, during debate when things got heated between her and Pringle. “It is time that we stop standing on the past and move into the future. I am tired of the doors that were closed that are just now cracking open,” she said. Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa said the state’s loss in Allen v. Milligan was “bad lawyering.” “Essentially Alabama’s on four years of probation, and instead of honoring that four years of probation, we’re in this session trying to go on a bender,” he said. “And there will be consequences to that, because to my estimation and many others, we are in contempt because we said we weren’t going to do anything like this.” Democrats also mentioned a comment made by Marshall on Tuesday where he argued that Black voters can be adequately represented by the Republican Party. “That’s the equivalent of saying that Black people should be led and governed by a master from slavery days,” Givan said. Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, used the final 10 minutes of debate to question why Republicans didn’t speak up for the bill, alluding to Rep. Kenneth Paschal, R-Pelham, the House’s single Black Republican. “This bill produces such a racial gerrymander, that not even the lone Black Republican serving in this body will hit his speaker light to come down to the well and defend it,” he said. A message seeking comment was left Wednesday with Paschal, who voted for the bill. After the House adjourned, House Democrats said they are planning to file a motion in Allen v. Milligan alleging the passing of HB 1 is a violation of the court’s ruling. Before the flood A group of people hold their fists aloft to protest SB 1, a bill that would allow new primaries for for two Montgomery-area Senate districts if a federal court allows it, in the Alabama Statehouse on May 6, 2026 in Montgomery, Alabama. The Senate passed the bill on Wednesday amid flooding in downtown Montgomery. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector) Before the Senate convened, about 30 protestors gathered in the hallway outside the chamber. Senate security attempted to contain them, and Alabama State Troopers eventually joined. No force was used. The protestors chanted that lawmakers are trying to take away Black representation, and that they would not move. “We know you want us to leave, but we shall not be moved. Just like a tree, planted by the waters, we shall not be moved,” they sang. “This is the people’s house. We built this house. This is our house.” SB 1 would affect State Senate Districts 25 and 26, which are currently represented by Sens. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, and Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, respectively. Both senators have swapped districts for the 2026 election due to a court-altered map that was put in place in November. Marshall and Secretary of State Wes Allen on Monday morning filed an emergency motion to vacate or stay district court injunctions blocking the use of state Senate maps the Legislature passed in 2021. The court has given plaintiffs until Thursday at 5 p.m. to respond to the state’s motion, with no further reply from the state allowed. “This legislation sets up a special election to be held in the effective districts, only if the courts lift the injunction on the maps, duly enacted by this Alabama Legislature, which we anticipate happening soon,” Elliott said. “Alabama deserves to vote using their own maps in our upcoming primary.” Water spills into the first floor of the Alabama Statehouse on May 6, 2026 in Montgomery, Alabama. Torrential rain in Montgomery forced the Alabama Senate to abruptly end debate on a primary election bill and evacuate the building. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Soon after debate on the Senate floor began, a tornado warning for Montgomery County blared from every phone in the chamber. The Senate continued debate. Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, said that the bill would decrease voter turnout in Black voters and referenced a 2025 study by the Brennan Center for Justice. “There are real world consequences, gentleman from Baldwin County, for changing election rules. Districts are being challenged in court. This bill could not have come at a more inopportune time. There is uncertainty around representation and compressed election timeline,” Stewart said. The study showed that the voter turnout gap between Black and white voters hit a 16-year high in 2024. It found that if eligible non-white voters had turned out to vote in 2024 at the same rate as their white counterparts, there would have been 200,000 more ballots cast. Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, offered an amendment that she first offered in committee on Tuesday, which would change a required special election to an optional special election. “The law and order party is sticking their middle finger up to the Supreme Court. ‘We don’t have to adhere to your ruling that says we won’t do another district until 2030. We’re Alabama Republicans. We can do what we want to do,’” Coleman said. The amendment failed 8-25. Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, also offered an amendment that she offered in committee, which requires the Secretary of State to publish notice of the new election dates and polling locations. “Giving voters notice of the date of an uncommon upcoming political election is essential because elections are only legitimate when citizens have a fair and meaningful opportunity to participate, adequate notice, protects constitutional rights, strengthens democracy and helps ensure public confidence in the outcome,” Figures said. “It protects the fundamental right to vote.” The amendment failed 8-26, despite Elliott saying on Tuesday that he was open to the amendment. “Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you members of the Senate for once again, showing me who you really are. God bless you, anyway,” Figures said after the vote. The bill does not allow for a runoff election, which Elliott has said there is not time for. Hatcher, who currently has two Democratic challengers, offered the same amendment he did in committee, which would allow for a primary runoff election. “Whether it’s a seat that I sit in, or anyone else in this chamber or this building, I’d like for them to be able to fairly, find some fairness in the process itself,” Hatcher said. https://alabamareflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/JPnxY-Ms.mp4 The amendment failed 8-26. As debate and rain continued, the building flooded on the first floor. Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, motioned to recess at the call of the chair, meaning the Senate could return at any time. Less than a minute later, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth called lawmakers back in. Smitherman had not left the lectern. “Can I continue or what?” Smitherman asked. “You still have the mic,” Ainsworth said. The fire alarm continued to blare as a cloture petition, which would limit debate to 20 minutes, was delivered to the clerk. Smitherman yielded to Elliott, who motioned for a final vote. Lawmakers voted as they were evacuating the chamber. Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, stood at the doors of the chamber, making sure members voted before they left. The bill passed 26-7. The House Ways and Means General Fund Committee will hold a public hearing on the bill at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. Lawmakers, staff and the public filed down the only staircase on the west side of the building. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, previously called the building a “fire trap” because of the lack of accessible staircases. Outside, there was no apparent fire, but a smell of gas. The Alabama Statehouse, shortly after being evacuated on May 6, 2026. Flooding on the first floor of the building threatened electrical systems, leading to an evacuation Wednesday evening. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) Courtesy of Alabama Reflector
	Muscatine warns of scam targeting special event applications Scammers are allegedly posing as City employees and asking victims to pay large event fees after submitting a special event permit request.
	102-year-old WWII veteran honored at 65th Honor Flight of the Quad Cities 80 veterans were on board the flight, including a 102-year-old World War II veteran named Ted Albert.
	Rock Island 3rd grader going to national competition with her squirrel-deterring invention 9-year-old Quinn Koski invented a way to redirect squirrels from chewing on her parents' patio furniture and railings.
	Bettendorf Parks and Recreation asks for community input on Forest Grove Park Bettendorf Parks and Recreation is asking for community input on developing Forest Grove Park.
	Grammy-nominated Ingrid Andress to perform in Bishop Hill Crossroads Cultural Connections will present an evening of live music with multi-Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress on Monday, May 11, at Bishop Hill Creative Commons, 309 N. Bishop Hill St., with opening support from Angela Meyer, a news release says. The evening will begin at 6: p.m. with an optional potluck dinner, offering guests a chance to gather and connect before the [...]
	Augustana’s Kinesiology Department celebrates learning with fitness clinic Augustana held it’s annual Celebration of Learning day, which showcases student, staff and faculty work.
	Davenport Speedway prepares for Open Wheel Madness Sprint car racing is back at Davenport Speedway in 2026. Three sprint car events have been scheduled for this season. The first is Open Wheel Madness on Friday, May 8, with winged sprint cars and midget racers. The sprint cars feature the Interstate Racing Association and will mark the first time 410 sprint cars have [...]
	Secretary Howard Lutnick is questioned by House lawmakers over his Epstein ties Lutnick said last year that he cut ties with Epstein, his former neighbor, in 2005. But the Epstein files indicate that the two kept in contact, including for a 2012 lunch on Epstein's private island.
	New Bettendorf bus cams lead to tickets within 24 hours for dangerous offense New cameras on Bettendorf busses look to catch people who drive around parked busses with their lights on and stop arm out
	Scott County Animal Protection Services team saves ducklings that fell through grate When a family of ducklings fell through a sewer grate and mom flew the coop, a response team of Officer Keltz and Officer McGlynn from Scott County Animal Protection Services climbed down into the sewers and brought them to safety, according to a Facebook post. "We're incredibly happy to share that all ducklings are safe [...]
	More than $36,000 from sales of Big Grove's Neighborhood Beer awarded to community members The funding was awarded to 68 individuals and organizations for projects across Iowa and Nebraska.
	Arc of the Quad Cities hosts MLK Food Drive The Arc of the Quad Cities is hosting a 2-week long food drive in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of service to others.
	Morrison is now a designated Tree City USA town through the passion of volunteers Tom Nedbal has spent a lot of his life around trees. After retiring from his day job, he and his wife Genevieve started an apple orchard. Eighteen years after that, they weren't able to keep up with the daily chores. Soon after, Nedbal's wife passed away, but Nedbal's passion for tree persists. He's not only [...]
	Burlington recycling facility fire ruled accidental A fire at a metal recycling facility in Burlington Wednesday was found to be accidental.
	No one injured after fire engulfs Burlington warehouse Shortly before noon Wednesday, the Burlington Fire Department was dispatched for a warehouse engulfed in fire in the 2100 block of West Burlington Avenue, according to a news release from the Burlington Fire Department. Burlington. Fire crews arrived on scene within seven minutes at the warehouse - commonly known as Alter Metal Recycling - to [...]
	Over $850,000 in scholarships awarded to Quad Cities students 76 scholarships were awarded to students of all ages and educational paths from community colleges and four year universities to trade and technical schools.
	Childhood home of jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke is for sale in Davenport The historic house is listed at $220,000. It will need a new roof and lots of updates, but preservationists say it's just waiting for the right person to come along.
	City of Moline to host 2nd annual Bike to Work Day The celebration is in partnership with the Quad Cities Bicycle club and will be from 6 to 9 a.m. on May 11 at Bass Street Landing.
	Illinois lawmakers question progress under Evidence-Based Funding for public education As budget negotiations kicked into high gear at the Illinois Statehouse this week, lawmakers from both chambers have begun to assess how much progress has been made under the Evidence-Based Funding formula for public schools.
	Davenport man accused of sexually abusing 11-year-old girl He is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of second-degree sexual abuse.
	State charges Milwaukee provider with Medicaid fraud exceeding $2 million A courtroom and a judge's gavel. (Getty Images creative)A Milwaukee provider of personal care services has been charged with bilking Wisconsin’s Medicaid program of almost $2.2 million, the state Department of Justice announced Wednesday. Debbie Long, 44, was charged with billing Medicaid for services that didn’t take place, according to the criminal complaint filed Tuesday. The complaint also charges Long inflated the size of the payroll and workforce at her home health business to obtain a $219,072 loan under the Paycheck Protection Program enacted to help businesses that had to temporarily shut down early in the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the complaint alleges she purchased businesses and a luxury car with proceeds, using a series of shell companies to conceal where some of the funds came from. Long’s business, Pinnacle Home Health Care LLC, submitted reimbursement claims for services purportedly provided to Medicaid members between March 2017 and August 2022, according to the complaint. DOJ investigators reviewing those submissions found at least $2.1 million in Medicaid reimbursements to Pinnacle for services that weren’t performed, the complaint charges. The complaint says the allegedly fraudulent billings included “impossible or improbable hours of service,” such as a personal care worker who reportedly worked more than 12 hours on a single day for one Medicaid member. There were also reimbursements for services that were never provided, according to the complaint, for services that were more than workers provided, for services in which the Medicaid member’s need was “misrepresented,” and for services when the Medicaid member was in the hospital or incarcerated — situations in which members weren’t eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. The investigation included interviews with Medicaid recipients as well as personal care workers employed by the business who helped investigators uncover some of the allegedly false information provided, according to the complaint. Long is charged with five felony counts: theft by false representation greater than $10,000, fraud against a financial institution greater than $100,000, wire fraud against a financial institution, and two counts of money laundering greater than $100,000. Court records reviewed Wednesday did not list an attorney for Long. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Wisconsin Examiner
	9th annual Shops with Hops to benefit Getting Heroes Home nonprofit On Saturday May 16, you can shop and sip your way through downtown LeClaire. The proceeds will help bring local military members home.
	Citing ‘unsustainable stress’ from price volatility, grid operator PJM lays out reform options Constellation Energy's Eddystone Generating Station in Delaware County is one of two fossil fuel fired power plants ordered by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to remain ready to produce electricity beyond their retirement dates. (Photo by Peter Hall/Capital-Star)The nation’s largest electricity grid operator has called on power plant operators, investors, utilities and consumers to consider reforms to ensure the region’s wholesale electricity market can supply enough power as it faces unprecedented demand from data centers. PJM Interconnection, based in the Philadelphia suburbs near Valley Forge, has been under scrutiny as record electricity prices in its auctions contributed to skyrocketing bills for consumers and businesses in the last year. In a report issued Wednesday, PJM said the growing demand from data centers and broader electrification of the economy is exacerbated by tightening supply as older, dirtier power plants retire and supply chain and permitting issues make new plants harder to build fast enough. “The PJM region is now navigating a convergence of three structural forces that have pushed the system into disequilibrium,” the report says. “The result is a transition from an era of managing surplus to an era of managing scarcity — one that is anticipated to persist for some time based on current projections.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PJM’s electricity pricing model depends on a concept it calls the “shared reliability compact” in which all customers, large and small, share the same standard of reliability and agree to pay to ensure it. The organization’s board recognized price volatility — while economically rational — is creating unsustainable stress on the compact and called on PJM’s staff to reexamine its foundational assumptions in a resource-constrained world. It also suggested that government intervention in the market has kept investors on the sidelines by undermining the credibility of economic signals that would normally spur the construction of new generation plants. In 2024, Gov. Josh Shapiro sued PJM demanding a limit on prices after an auction in July of that year resulted in a record price. Federal regulators agreed last week to extend the price control for a second time through 2030. Shapiro pushed back on the notion that his administration’s intervention has dissuaded new investment. “A core reason why the reforms described in this report are needed is that PJM hasn’t been moving fast enough to connect new resources for many years and continues to deny states a full seat at the table,” spokeswoman Rosie Lapowsky said in a statement. Transmission lines along a highway in Lancaster County on October 14, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star) “The Shapiro administration looks forward to working constructively with fellow states and with PJM on next steps, but Gov. Shapiro is never going to let Pennsylvanians get stuck with a bill they don’t deserve,” the statement said. “That’s why any changes must prioritize reliability, protect consumers and increase transparency.” Jon Gordon, director of the renewable energy industry group Advanced Energy United, said PJM finds itself in a tough spot and is taking fire from many elected leaders. He said the report is a self-reflective document. “They’re trying to lay out the facts of the world. They want everyone involved in the solution. These are really big, profound decisions,” Gordon said. “Time is short and we need to solve these problems yesterday, and that’s where the challenge will be.” PJM, which manages the grid for 13 states, including Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., stopped short of offering a solution, but invited stakeholders to join in discussion to restore confidence in the system. “Wholesale electricity markets are extraordinary institutions, and their most essential infrastructure is not a price curve or a performance obligation — it is legitimacy,” PJM President and CEO David Mills said in a letter accompanying the report. “Generators, utilities, investors and consumers must all believe, at a basic level, that the rules are fair, stable and the product of a process they recognize as credible.” Mills continued. “It is built through the kind of deliberation this paper is intended to initiate — and it is the only foundation on which a durable market design can rest.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The paper identifies three possible pathways for reform: The first would stabilize the market by ensuring that the vast majority of power needed is obtained through longer-term agreements to insulate ratepayers from volatility. Any additional power needed would be secured through spot auctions to allow higher prices to ensure capacity is available for peaks in demand on the hottest and coldest days of the year. Another would do away with the shared reliability contract when supplies are scarce and develop a framework that differentiates between customers that can and cannot be cut off. Policymakers, including the PJM governors and the Trump administration, have backed a requirement for large loads such as data centers to build their own power plants. “Path B focuses on physical accountability – those who do not bring or fund supply cannot lean indefinitely on the shared pool – but it requires a fundamental reorientation of how the PJM system allocates reliability as a scarce good,” the report says. The third would pair long-term contracts that reduce volatility with a shift in how power generation owners recover revenue to cover the cost of producing electricity, placing an emphasis on payments for the underlying electricity commodity rather than the availability of power plants to handle peaks in demand. Courtesy of Pennsylvania Capital-Star
	Rock Island school creates community garden through club The University of Illinois Extension is teaching students at Thurgood Marshall Learning Center, Rock Island, to embrace their green thumbs. Students spent part of their morning Wednesday building beds for a new community garden., which is run through a school club that started last week. "I wanted to join this one because we used to [...]
	Crews battle fire at Burlington recycling center A fire official who spoke to News 8 said he was unaware of any injuries.
	Muscatine warns of scam asking for large event fees Several individuals and organizations have reported receiving emails, texts, or phone calls from someone claiming to be from the city and demanding up-front payments to secure approval for events.
	Rescued beagles from Wisconsin facility now recovering in Davenport The dogs are part of a larger effort to relocate about 1,500 beagles from Ridglan Farms near Madison.
	Inside Iowa Politics: Why VP Vance came to Iowa Vice President J.D. Vance came to Iowa Wednesday to hold a political rally for U.S. Zach Nunn.
	WWII veteran, 102, attends his first Honor Flight as Honor Flight of the Quad Cities celebrates its 65th The 65th Honor Flight of the Quad Cities departed from the Quad Cities International Airport (QCIA) this morning. While the flight celebrates every vet, there was only World War II veteran on this honor flight. Ted Albert is 102. Wednesday was his first honor flight. "I served in the Air Force. And when? Heck, I [...]
	John Deere partners with Freedom 250 to celebrate nation's birthday Freedom 250 has announced a new strategic partnership with John Deere, according to a news release. "This partnership brings together John Deere — an enduring symbol of American ingenuity and strength — and Freedom 250, united by a shared mission to honor our nation’s heritage and inspire Americans to come together in celebration of its [...]
	Augustana opens new Stem Q student resource center The center offers help with coursework, study skills and problem solving.
	Crews battle fire at Burlington recycling center A fire official who spoke to News 8 said he was unaware of any injuries.
	QCSO plans rare out-of-town concert next year at new WIU performing arts center The Quad City Symphony Orchestra will perform April 5, 2027 at the new Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, on Western Illinois University’s campus, Macomb.
	City of Muscatine warns of scam involving permit applications, impersonation of city departments The scam is targeting event planners, vendors and organizations by impersonating city planning, zoning or special event departments to solicit large “event fees."
	Alabama House approves primary bills as Republicans seek to redistrict House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville (right) speaks to a colleague in the Alabama House of Representatives on May 6, 2026 in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The House Wednesday debated a measure that would allow the state to set new primary dates should federal courts allow the state to revert to congressional and legislative maps previously deemed discriminatory against Black voters. To the left is Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)The Alabama House of Representatives Wednesday passed a bill that would change the date of primary elections in four congressional districts should the federal courts allow the state to use an old map that would alter their boundaries. HB 1, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, would allow for a new special election if the U.S. Supreme Court lifts an injunction preventing the state from redrawing congressional maps before 2030. “This bill simply creates a mechanism to hold special primary elections in certain congressional districts should the federal courts relieve us of the federal injunction against us,” Pringle said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Secretary of State Wes Allen and Attorney General Steve Marshall sought to have the injunction removed last week after the U.S. Supreme Court significantly weakened a key part of the Voting Rights Act. Pringle said on the House floor he has not read Callais. The bill passed 75-29 after nearly five hours of sometimes heated debate, in which House Democrats — nearly all of whom spoke on Wednesday — accused majority Republicans of denying Black Alabamians representation in Congress. “This body continues to find more ways to make voting more difficult, more ways to suppress the vote and more ways to dilute the power of the Black vote,” said Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile. “Make no mistake, that’s what HB 1 would do, and it’s a tragic step backwards for Black Alabama voters. But we’ve been here before and we will not give up this fight.” No representative spoke in favor of the legislation. Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, abstained from the vote. Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, leans against the dais in the Alabama House of Representatives on May 6, 2026 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The House Wednesday debated a bill that would allow the state to set new primary dates should federal courts allow Alabama to revert to congressional and legislative maps previously declared discriminatory against Black Alabamians. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) However, exchanges got tense. While Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, spoke about Alabama’s history of Black voter suppression and segregation, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said she was not staying relevant to the bill. “The Speaker gaveled me down, no differently than when he gaveled down one of my other colleagues when we began to get into race and when we began to get into history,” she told reporters on Wednesday . “We cannot stand here today without speaking about history, without talking about slavery, without talking about the assassination of (Dr. Martin Luther) King (Jr.).” Ledbetter also gaveled down Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, during debate when things got heated between her and Pringle. “It is time that we stop standing on the past and move into the future. I am tired of the doors that were closed that are just now cracking open,” she said. Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa said the state’s loss in Allen v. Milligan was “bad lawyering.” “Essentially Alabama’s on four years of probation, and instead of honoring that four years of probation, we’re in this session trying to go on a bender,” he said. “And there will be consequences to that, because to my estimation and many others, we are in contempt because we said we weren’t going to do anything like this.” Democrats also mentioned a comment made by Marshall on Tuesday where he argued that Black voters can be adequately represented by the Republican Party. “That’s the equivalent of saying that Black people should be led and governed by a master from slavery days,” Givan said. Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile (bottom) speaks in opposition to a bill that would set new primary dates in the state on May 6, 2026 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama, The measure would take effect if federal courts allow the state to revert back to congressional and legislative maps previously ruled discriminatory against Black voters. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) After 27 of the 29 House Democrats spoke, Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, introduced a motion to end debate that passed along party lines. Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, used the final 10 minutes of debate to question why Republicans didn’t speak up for the bill, alluding to Rep. Kenneth Paschal, R-Pelham, the House’s single Black Republican. “This bill produces such a racial gerrymander, that not even the lone Black Republican serving in this body will hit his speaker light to come down to the well and defend it,” he said. A message seeking comment was left Wednesday with Paschal, who voted for the bill. After the House adjourned, House Democrats said they are planning to file a motion in Allen v. Milligan alleging the passing of HB 1 is a violation of the court’s ruling. “We should not be here,” Rep. Penni McClammy, D-Montgomery, said. “The court has ruled that we should wait until 2030. They do not even have a court ruling to vacate this case so we can even be here.” The bill moves to the Senate. Courtesy of Alabama Reflector
	Bix Beiderbecke's childhood home is up for sale Nathaniel Kraft, director of the Bix Museum, joined The Current to speak about Bix's impact on American music and some legends associated with the home.
	Lee County, Illinois sheriff warns of suspicious interactions involving children The Lee County Sheriff's Office has reported two incidents of suspicious interactions with children in Franklin Grove and Amboy, urging the public to be vigilant.
	Massive scrapyard fire in Kewanee destroys building, sends smoke across central Illinois A large scrapyard fire in Kewanee Tuesday afternoon destroyed a building and office area, shut down roads and drew aid from numerous agencies.
	Childhood home of jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke is up for sale! News 8's Shelby Kluver got a tour of the historic home. Take a look!
	NC Rep. Cunningham introduces bill to increase child welfare oversight in wake of child’s death Rep. Carla Cunningham (U-Mecklenburg) spoke at a press conference on May 6, 2026 alongside a bipartisan coalition advocating for increased state oversight of county child welfare services. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)Rep. Carla Cunningham (U-Mecklenburg) is leading a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers seeking to strengthen state oversight of local child welfare agencies after a child’s death from severe abuse and neglect in her home county. House Bill 1144, “Dominique Moody Safety Act,” is named in memory of a Charlotte 6-year-old who died in December 2025 after years of severe abuse and neglect, according to authorities. Cunningham said Moody weighed just 27 pounds at the time of her death. Moody’s home was visited nearly 50 times by police and subject to five child welfare investigations prior to her death, WBTV first reported in January, but all were closed due to insufficient evidence. A Mecklenburg County Social Services spokesperson told WBTV that each child removal case is complex and unique as they depend on numerous case-specific factors. “Her sister stated that Dominique stayed in a cage and sometimes rats would bite her,” Cunningham said. “She heard her cry and scream, but it was ignored. She described Dominique being tied up with black tape — her arms, her legs, and her butt. The adults in the home would whoop Dominique with a belt, a stick, or a pole.” The N.C. House Oversight Committee has requested records pertaining to the case from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Mecklenburg County DSS, but neither request has been met. A Mecklenburg County judge blocked the release of the CMPD files out of concern for the rights of the defendants in the abuse case, WBTV reported. Rep. Allen Chesser (R-Nash), pictured at the May 6, 2026 press conference, is a lead sponsor on the Dominique Moody bill. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline) Cunningham said she authored the bill after she met with Moody’s uncle and several other relatives in December. She said the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services told her no rapid response team was in place to work alongside county social services departments in cases such as Moody’s. “She could be any child in the state of North Carolina,” Cunningham said. H1144 would establish a child welfare case escalation team of representatives for each regional social services department under DHHS’s Division of Social Services.. Each regional team would be tasked with assessing when to escalate cases where minors have repeatedly been the subject of child protective services reports. “It would give them another level of expertise for acceleration and looking at these cases in coordination with the local [departments of social services],” Cunningham said. The bill would appropriate $550,000 in recurring funds, as well as $157,000 in federal dollars, to establish six full-time positions to staff and implement the program. It would also appropriate $100,000 to train child protective services employees and social workers in identifying signs of abuse and neglect. A sweeping child welfare and foster care bill wins NC Senate committee approval Rep. Allen Chesser, a Republican lead sponsor, represents Nash County, where two children also died of abuse and neglect in recent years despite the involvement of social services. DHHS took over the county’s Division of Social Services for seven months after the second death. Chesser said intervention needs to happen earlier. “Every time a tragedy occurs, we look at it and say, ‘Okay, well, DHHS goes in and takes over, and now it should never happen again,’” Chesser said. “We cannot continue to let that cycle play out and just say these are isolated incidents. The Dominique Moody Act here works to correct this lack of oversight.” The news conference was Cunningham’s first public appearance since changing her party affiliation from Democratic to unaffiliated. She was introduced by Demi Dowdy, deputy chief of staff to Republican House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell). Dowdy’s presence at the press conference reignited questions about whether Cunningham will choose to caucus with Republicans or join them in upcoming veto overrides — a possibility the Charlotte lawmaker alluded to last month after losing her primary in March to a challenger backed by Gov. Josh Stein. Cunningham was joined by both Republicans and Democrats in support of her bill at Wednesday’s press conference, a positive indicator for her bill’s odds of passage. “I think we ought to operate like that all the time, I really do, because you can get things done,” Cunningham said. “When you’re carrying on with each other all the time, that’s a distraction that keeps you from getting to the solution.” Courtesy of NC Newsline
	Davies named ‘priority candidate’ for permanent UNMC chancellor Interim University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Dele Davies. Jan. 15, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)LINCOLN — Dr. H. Dele Davies could soon be the next permanent chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, pending a 30-day review and likely future vote of the NU Board of Regents. The University of Nebraska system announced Davies on Wednesday as the “priority candidate” for chancellor. Under state law, NU names one priority candidate for a 30-day public vetting period, after which the NU board can vote to confirm the person. Davies has served as interim UNMC chancellor since Gold became president in July 2024. Davies said Wednesday he was honored to be selected and looks forward to engaging with the community. “UNMC is an extraordinary academic health center because of our people, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our faculty, staff, students, Nebraska communities and all those who depend on us,” Davies said in a statement. “I firmly believe our best work is ahead of us, and we will get there together.” University of Nebraska Dr. Jeffrey Gold, right, speaks with state senators and NU regents after a forum with dozens of Nebraska state senators regarding NU’s proposal to buy out the share of Nebraska Medicine owned by Clarkson Regional Health Services. At center is Dr. Bill Lydiatt, Clarkson’s CEO, and at left is State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte. Jan. 14, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The vetting period will include public sessions at UNMC’s Omaha campus, as well as visits in Lincoln, Kearney, Norfolk and Scottsbluff. Gold previously served 10 years as UNMC chancellor and described Davies as a “thoughtful and strategic leader, an accomplished researcher, an incredible physician and someone I’ve been proud to work alongside for more than a decade.” “During his time at UNMC, he has repeatedly demonstrated a deep commitment to students, patients and communities across Nebraska,” Gold said in a statement. “I commend the search committee for their work in identifying such a strong and experienced candidate.” NU first opened the search to internal candidates and included an advisory committee with representatives from UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, the other three NU campuses and community members. David Jackson, NU’s chief academic officer, chaired the committee, which was assisted by executive search firm CarterBaldwin. Davies joined UNMC as vice chancellor and dean of graduate studies in 2012. In 2017, he became senior vice chancellor, which included direct oversight of all UNMC colleges and a health sciences library. He was previously a professor and chair of Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, Pediatrics and Human Development and a previous director of the Child Health Research Unit at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Canada, and the Child Health Research Institute at the University of Calgary. He is specialty-trained in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and is a past fellow of the Academic Leadership Program. Davies earned his medical degree from the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine. He earned a master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Toronto Dana Lana School of Public Health and a master’s degree in health care management from the Harvard School of Public Health. The interim chancellor also took a frontline role in championing the decision of NU leaders and the NU Board of Regents to buy out Clarkson Regional Health Services’s 50% stake in nonprofit Nebraska Medicine, the hospital, clinical and medical services partner to UNMC. The University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Dec. 5, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Davies in January said UNMC and Nebraska Medicine “are already virtually the same organization and cannot afford to be divided.” He has echoed those sentiments since. The $800 million deal, plus a $200 million return investment from Clarkson to NU, was announced Jan. 2 and finalized Jan. 15. The former members of the Nebraska Medicine Board protested the change, and NU leaders and Nebraska Medicine leaders clashed at times. Once the regents moved forward with the deal, institutional leaders at NU and Clarkson, including Gold and Clarkson CEO Dr. Bill Lydiatt, removed most of the Nebraska Medicine board and appointed themselves. Davies became board chair. The shakeup ended a short-lived lawsuit from Nebraska Medicine board members against NU. Since January, Davies, Gold and other leaders from Nebraska Medicine and NU say they have sought to rebuild trust and chart a new path forward. Some candidates for the Board of Regents this year have cited the NU-Clarkson deal as a reason for increased transparency and public engagement. NU Regent Paul Kenney, chair of the board, also praised Davies on Wednesday. “Dr. Davies has brought a wealth of experience, both at UNMC and at other top medical schools, to the interim chancellor position,” Kenney said. “He has done a wonderful job in the interim role, and I am confident he is the right person to lead UNMC in the years ahead.” The regents are next scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. June 18 in Lincoln. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Nebraska Examiner
	Iowa hospital nurse sanctioned for being drunk on the job The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing is responsible for overseeing Iowa's licensing boards and nursing homes. (Main image via Canva; logo courtesy of Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing)An Iowa hospital nurse accused of being drunk on the job will retain his license, a state board has ruled. In January, the Iowa Board of Nursing charged registered nurse Jordan Robert Good of Ida Grove with practicing nursing while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, excessive use of drugs or alcohol, and engaging in behavior that is contrary to professional decorum. The board alleges Good was working as a nurse in an Ida Grove hospital on Nov. 13, 2025, when he showed signs of alcohol intoxication. According to the board, initial tests showed Good had a blood-alcohol level of .094, which was just above the legal limit for driving. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX He was then placed on administrative leave and offered help through the hospital’s Employee Assistance Program before returning to work a few weeks later in early December 2025. According to the board, on Dec. 19, 2025, Good was tested again at the beginning of a shift at the hospital, and his blood-alcohol level was .0009 — indicating he was not impaired but had alcohol in his system. At the time, Good allegedly explained he’d consumed one beer the previous evening. He returned to work a few days later and reported that he was also picking up additional work at a medical facility in Carroll, Iowa, the board alleges. On Jan. 8, 2026, the Plains Area Mental Health Center completed an evaluation of Good and concluded he suffers from a substance abuse disorder, according to the board. At a recent disciplinary hearing, Good denied any wrongdoing. To resolve the matter, Good and the Iowa Board of Nursing recently agreed to a settlement that calls for his license to be suspended until he enrolls in the Iowa Professional Health Program. In the alternative, Good can enroll in some form of monitoring and chemical screening program, but that will also result in his license being placed on probationary status for three years. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was not able to reach Good for comment. Federal records indicate the only Medicare/Medicaid-certified hospital in Ida Grove is Horn Memorial Hospital. Other Iowa nurses who have recently been sanctioned or licensed by the state’s Board of Nursing include: — Tara Sheets of Pleasantville: In January 2023, the board charged Sheets with excessive use of alcohol that could impair her ability to practice. In April 2023, the board placed Sheets’ license on probation and five months later, in September 2023, Sheets voluntarily surrendered her license. In March 2025, Sheets applied for reinstatement of her license. Twelve weeks later, the board issued a preliminary notice indicating it intended to deny the application. Sheets then appealed that decision, which led to a hearing in January 2026. Recently, the board agreed to reinstate Sheets’ license, subject to her enrollment in the Iowa Professional Health Program. The board noted that Sheets had completed two months of “intensive outpatient treatment” in December 2025, nine months after she applied for reinstatement of her license. — Foster Frempong of Woodbridge, Virginia: According to the board, it issued Frempong an Iowa license to work as a registered nurse in January 2023. The board now says it did so despite the fact that Frempong never met the educational requirements for licensure as a registered nurse, although Azure College of Florida represented that he did. Federal authorities later charged Azure College officials with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, alleging the sale of thousands of fake diplomas and transcripts. The Iowa Board of Nursing recently charged Frempong with deviating from the standards of education ordinarily possessed by other licenses. In response, Frempong agreed to surrender his license. — Sabrina Tyer-Mbaye of Lincoln, Nebraska: According to the board, the state of Nebraska issued Tyer-Mbaye a multistate license in January 2024, enabling her to work at a Glenwood, Iowa, nursing facility. On June 9, 2024, while working in the Glenwood facility, she allegedly administered the wrong medication to a patient who then became ill and began vomiting. The patient later tested positive for the drug Depakote, a drug used to treat seizure disorders which had not been prescribed for that patient, according to the board. The next day, Tyler-Mbaye allegedly closed the door to a patient’s room and attempted to force the patient to take medication they had been refusing. The Iowa board charged Tyer-Mbaye with committing act that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare, committing an act that causes injury to a patient, and engaging in behavior that’s contrary to professional decorum. Recently, Tyer-Mbaye agreed to surrender her license, although national records indicate she remains licensed in Georgia. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Davenport man charged with sexual abuse, grooming of a minor Daniel Griffin, 25, was arrested Tuesday and is charged with sexual abuse, grooming and other related charges.
	Davenport reaches settlement with motorcyclist hit by suspect during pursuit; council to vote Davenport has reached a settlement, pending council approval, with a motorcyclist struck by a suspect Davenport police pursued in 2020.
	Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the Taco and Margarita Festival You can take in a street party with area vendors, live entertainment, drinks and some of the best Mexican-inspired food in the QCA. Patricia Hansen and Dawn Imel joined Our Quad Cities News with all the delicious details on the Taco and Margarita Festival. For more information, click here.
	Burlington police identify vehicle tied to Crapo Park vandalism Burlington police said they have identified the vehicle and owner connected to recent vandalism that damaged grass and landscaping at Crapo Park.
	QC Farmers' Market returns to Rock Island Downtown Rock Island will be alive with local food, art, crafts and so much more!! Ian Forslund and Jack Cullen joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about the QC Farmers' Market. For more information, click here.
	Watchdogs, AG call for massive cuts to Peoples Gas rate request Consumer advocates filed their first testimony in this year’s Peoples Gas rate hike case, calling on the ICC to cut the $205 million request by at least $137 million.
	Quad Cities commercial real estate market report released for 2026 The report focuses on current conditions and trends shaping the Quad Cities region.
	Oklahoma lawmakers unveil revised Medicaid expansion state question proposal Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, speak on the House floor during session on May 6, 2026. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahomans could vote in November on a state question seeking to make major changes to the Medicaid expansion program if a new proposal unveiled this week gains traction. The latest legislative effort, House Joint Resolution 1067, would ask general election voters to approve a single ballot measure to both remove Medicaid expansion from the state Constitution and allow the Legislature to decline to cover the cost of the program if the federal match drops below its current rate of 90%. Republican lawmakers previously proposed splitting the issues into two different state questions, which would have appeared on two different election dates, but the Senate was unable to garner enough support to qualify Medicaid changes for the August ballot. “We were sitting here with two similar proposals to the voters of Oklahoma to be on the November ballot,” said Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, the House bill author. “I don’t think anybody wants that, that doesn’t make sense.” Potential state questions on Medicaid expansion have been stuck in limbo over what election date they should appear, but Eaves said the latest plan combines the original concepts behind HJR1067 and House Bill 4440 into one measure. The Legislature cannot alter Medicaid expansion without first obtaining voter approval because it’s enshrined in the Oklahoma Constitution. Against the wishes of many legislators, voters in 2020 approved expanding the state’s Medicaid program to provide healthcare access to over 200,000 working, lower-income Oklahomans. Lawmakers have repeatedly said the state cannot afford the rising cost of Medicaid expansion unless changes are made to the program. They want permission to make adjustments to it. Under HJR1067’s new language, the state would be required to provide healthcare services to low-income Oklahomans and “for medical services at healthcare facilities for which the State receives a match of 100% pursuant to federal law.” Eaves said this new language would cover Indigenous populations and was the result of negotiations with Oklahoma tribes. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes have spoken out in support of preserving Medicaid expansion. While Eaves said he’s personally not a fan of having “two different sets of rules,” he said he is not concerned about challenges to the constitutionality of the measure, including whether it violates the state’s prohibition against measures that contain more than one subject or because it carves out a special population, such as tribal members. The Oklahoma Constitution contains a single-subject rule. It forbids lawmakers from combining unrelated topics into legislation or ballot measures. The state Constitution also bars the creation of “special laws” that give special or preferential treatment to people based on race, ethnicity or origin. This is a “strictly financial” issue and the Oklahoma Legislature’s hands are tied because Medicaid expansion is enshrined in the state Constitution, Eaves said. “I’m from Oklahoma, I know how important Medicaid is, both to the people and our rural hospitals,” Eaves said. “However, we’re five or six years into Medicaid expansion, being told it was going to do all these great things for us, and it hasn’t. We have not seen health outcomes increase.” Republican leaders were pushing to place one Medicaid state question on the Aug. 25 primary runoff ballot, but failed to garner the two-thirds support needed due to a rare moment of unity between Senate Democrats and far-right Republicans in the Freedom Caucus. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said the plan is to move forward with a single Medicaid state question and he hopes the new language will go before the House. Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said he assumes the chambers will come to an agreement in order to place the question on the November ballot, and the Senate is looking at the proposed language. The Senate adjourned Wednesday morning without taking up any legislation and plans to return next week before the wrapping up session on May 14, about two weeks earlier than constitutionally required. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Oklahoma Voice
	ISU researchers dive into hard-to-reach waterway testing with drones Iowa State University professors Nathan Neihart, left, and Jonathan Claussen show the electronics and sensors included in a water quality testing system that can be attached to a drone and flown to the testing site. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)As Iowans across the state turn their gaze toward the quality of Iowa’s waterways, student and faculty researchers at Iowa State University have developed prototype equipment to measure the nitrate levels of hard-to-reach watersheds with drones as the vehicle. What started as a senior design project has grown into a multi-year, federally funded effort to turn the team’s proof of concept into multiple working drone lab systems that could potentially provide water quality monitoring support to government organizations and other groups. “It’s really custom,” said Jonathan Claussen, ISU mechanical engineering professor and project lead. “It hasn’t been done before — trying to bring up water from the stream, put it into a test vial that could have enough fluid in there so the sensors could be placed inside to take measurements, and then to flush out that water afterwards.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In its current form, the “lab-on-a-drone platform” as described in a paper published by the research team includes a pump and hose that bring water up from the source. The water reaches sensors that measure nitrate concentrations in the sample with a membrane developed by the researchers. Data is stored on an SD card in the system for users to access after taking samples. Supported by the National Science Foundation and ISU’s Digital and Precision Agriculture Applications program, the research team in January also received a three-year, $590,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Iowa State University researchers have developed a water quality testing system that is placed on a drone for on-site testing. (Photo courtesy of Iowa State University) Traditional testing for water quality often can’t provide results quickly, said ISU electrical and computer engineering professor and researcher Nathan Neihart. That’s because the samples need to be taken from the water source then brought back to a lab for analysis. “What we’re trying to do is have a much simpler, much lower-cost version of those sensors on board that maybe aren’t quite as flexible as what you see in a laboratory grade benchtop piece of equipment, but are tailored for the specific readings that we’re taking, and so can do it as accurately as the benchtop lab equipment,” Neihart said. Michelle Soupir, agriculture and biosystems engineering professor and associate dean of the ISU graduate college, added that many of Iowa’s waterways are not easy to access, let alone allow for set-up of a stationary sensor system. Having the sample collection and testing on a mobile unit allows testers to bypass marshy areas where humans would have a hard time getting through and check out nitrate levels in areas where there may be agricultural runoff from nearby farms or other practices impacting the water. Field testing of the drone sensor systems showed where some tweaks needed to occur, Claussen said. For example, researchers realized a filter was needed to stop the water collection from bringing sediment or other debris in the water into the testing chamber. The team is also working on a way to spool up the line that collects water, as right now it dangles and could potentially get caught on something. Once the three-year grant period is complete, Claussen said he hopes to have multiple drones outfitted with sensor systems taking measurements in the field to the point where entire watersheds could be mapped out. Graduate students involved in the project are pursuing licenses to pilot the drones. Meanwhile, Neihart said he is working on integrating the currently separate electronics into one piece while trying to add additional sensors to measure water temperature, pesticides and herbicides like glyphosate and dissolved oxygen. Iowa State University mechanical engineering professor and project lead Jonathan Claussen explains how sensors are integrated into a water quality testing system that can be placed on a drone. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) In the days since ISU publicized the team’s work and results, Claussen said “a variety of different organizations” have reached out to share their interest in the project. Collaboration with Iowa’s neighboring states could also occur in the future, he said, through a National Science Foundation project having researchers look at nutrients in soil and water. Water quality has been on the minds of state officials during the recently completed legislative session as well. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on May 1 announced a “farm to faucet” water quality package that invests state funds in water quality monitoring and infrastructure. There are sensor systems already in place across the state, Soupir said, including the Iowa Water Quality Information System operated by the University of Iowa IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering department and water quality monitoring through the Department of Natural Resources. However, those sensors are stationary and not every waterway in Iowa has one set up. Having the drone water testing system available could mean better response to events like spills or other contamination of waterways, Soupir said, or giving farmers the chance to see if the cover crops or other conservation efforts they’ve implemented are actually having an impact on nearby streams. “The timing is just really exciting, as far as being able to contribute to the conversations and to be part of a topic that really everyone across the state cares about,” Soupir said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	The Art of Blending In: LG Electronics Reimagines the Wallpaper TV From the Inside Out (BPT) - By KM Ahn, head of the Design Laboratory, LG Media Entertainment Solution Company at LG ElectronicsWhen LG Electronics (LG) debuted the Wallpaper TV in 2017, it posed a simple question: How quietly can a TV exist in a living space? Ultra-thin and mounted flush to the wall, the Wallpaper TV challenged long-held perceptions of what a TV needs to be — shifting attention away from the object itself and toward the space around it.For 2026, that question returns in a more demanding form. With the LG OLED evo W6, or Wallpaper TV, thinness is no longer just a design target but a constraint that reshapes every decision — pushing restraint to its absolute limit without compromising the experience people expect from a premium TV.The Wallpaper TV is not about making a visual statement. It is about discipline — being clear about what should remain, so the picture and the space could come forward naturally.Eliminating Distractions to Reveal the Essence At nine-millimeter-class thickness1, design choices become inseparable from engineering decisions. With extremely limited internal space, every system must coexist within the same few millimeters.When you push thinness to its limits, nothing can be treated independently anymore. Structure, power, heat and sound become so intertwined that a single decision in one area can put everything off-balance.Rather than finalizing the exterior design and layering technology behind it, we began by clearly defining constraints and questioning anything that introduces unnecessary visual elements — protrusions, visible connections or structural complexity. A clean design was not just an aesthetic goal but a governing rule for every decision.This approach challenged our designers, engineers and product planners from the very beginning as we rigorously questioned every element to prove whether their place was justified in such a limited space.Engineering Every MillimeterOnce the ultra-thin form factor was set, conventional internal layouts were no longer sufficient.Our only option was to redesign multiple systems as one.We began with the power board — traditionally one of the most space-intensive components. Instead of relying on separate heat sinks, we integrated a patterned thermal structure directly into the board itself. This preserved power capacity and improved heat management without adding additional thickness.Audio followed the same logic. Delivering convincing sound from such a thin enclosure required re-engineering internal components. By reducing speaker size and reconfiguring magnetic circuits, the Wallpaper TV delivers 4.2-channel, 60-watt audio.For enhanced structural rigidity without adding bulk, we bonded layered aluminum sheets within the frame. This design distributes stress efficiently, supporting a sturdy and lightweight form.These weren't isolated optimizations. They were system decisions. Thinness, stability and performance had to advance together.That same millimeter-by-millimeter discipline extended to the TV's most visible detail. When the screen goes dark, a TV becomes a silent presence. Inspired by crafted objects such as fluted watch bezels, the Wallpaper TV's linear edge was formed from folded corrugated aluminum — reinforcing the structure while remaining refined, present without demanding attention.Designed to Sit Flush, Tuned for Expansive SoundAs the panel became thinner, another question surfaced: how the TV physically meets the wall.Flush mounting is central to the Wallpaper TV experience. Even the slightest misalignment can create visual distraction. A Wallpaper TV isn't truly a Wallpaper TV unless it sits perfectly flush. Alignment became an obsession.To achieve this, we developed an integrated folding bracket through extensive tolerance and fit simulations. The structure guides the panel into position with precision while keeping installation intuitive, allowing the TV to settle cleanly against the wall without drawing attention to the rear mechanism.Sound demanded a similar attention to detail. When a TV sits so close to the wall, rear-firing sound paths are cut off. To resolve this, we re-angled and widened internal sound ports to project clear sound across the entire room.Wall integration is more than a mechanical solution. It reinforces the same discipline applied throughout the design: removing unnecessary visual elements without diminishing the core viewing and listening experience.Removing the Final Visual Distraction: True Wireless ConnectivityAfter pushing thinness and flush-to-wall integration to their limits, one distraction remained difficult to overlook: cables.Once the panel itself reached this level of visual simplicity, any visible wiring became immediately disruptive.That requirement is fulfilled by the Zero Connect Box, which enables True Wireless2 transmission of lossless 4K video and audio at up to 165Hz between external devices and the Wallpaper TV. The box itself is now around 35% smaller, designed to be placed discreetly away from the screen.Within this same pursuit of visual restraint, the Wallpaper TV, along with other LG wireless TVs, has received TÜV Rheinland's True Wireless Lossless Vision certification3, recognizing picture quality that remains uncompromised over wireless transmission.Together, the Wallpaper TV's razor-thin profile and True Wireless architecture make it the world's thinnest True Wireless OLED TV, with all core systems fully integrated into the panel.Picture Quality is Always KingAs physical distance and visible elements disappeared, one assumption had to be confronted: that such restraint would come at the expense of picture quality.Rather than simply preserving picture performance, we enhanced it. Hyper Radiant Color Technology amplifies color, contrast and brightness. The screen is up to 3.9 times4 brighter than conventional OLED models, while Reflection Free Premium5 technology helps deliver enhanced color expression and the perfect black OLED is renowned for, even in bright lighting.All of this is powered by the α (Alpha) 11 AI Processor Gen 3 with Dual AI Engine. Supported by an NPU 5.6 times6 more powerful than its predecessor, this processor upgrades color processing from 10-bit to 12-bit to deliver smoother gradients and more precise tonal control without over-processing textures.Recognized by Design: Presence Without DemandThe Wallpaper TV's design philosophy has earned recognition beyond LG. The product received both the 2026 iF Design Award and the 2026 Red Dot Design Award Best of the Best distinction for its design and engineering.Reflecting on the recognition, we aim to keep leading with customer-centered design that becomes a benchmark for innovation.No longer just a design concept to be admired from a distance, the new Wallpaper TV rethinks structure, refines heat and sound pathways and removes visible cables. What began as an ambitious experiment has evolved into a TV designed for real living spaces.What remains is not an object competing for attention, but a screen that blends naturally into the wall, existing quietly yet beautifully in the home.Every decision served a purpose: presence without demand.1 The actual measurement is 9.95 millimeters and may vary slightly depending on the measuring conditions.2 Wireless OLED TV refers to connectivity between Zero Connect box and screen. Visually lossless, based on internal test results with ISO/IEC 29170-2 and measurement results may vary depending on connection status.3 Visually lossless based on TÜV Rheinland certification test conditions conducted in accordance with ISO/IEC 29170-2. Measurement and performance results may vary depending on connection status and environment.4 Brightness may vary based on model, screen size and market region. Peak brightness is 3.9 times brighter than conventional OLED @3% window by Internal measurements.5 Reflectance is measured as the Specular Component Included (SCI) value at 550 nanometers, independently tested by Intertek. LG OLED Display is measured to be under 0.5 percent reflection using IDMS 11.2.2 sampling-sphere method. Actual results may vary by conditions.6 Compared with previous year of OLED evo models (α9 AI Processor Gen8).
	Executive Council tables $1.2 million for childcare program over DEI language Gov. Kelly Ayotte and other Executive Council members during the meeting on May 6. (Photo by Maya Mitchell/ New Hampshire Bulletin)The New Hampshire Executive Council tabled a $1.2 million extension of an existing contract to bolster the Granite Steps for Quality program and provide more professional development opportunities related to caring for children with special needs. In Wednesday’s meeting, the Executive Council voted against providing additional funding to the Pyramid Model Consortium, a national resource center and nonprofit that developed models to promote social-emotional development and school readiness in children under age 5. The organization works with the state’s Department of Health and Human Services to run the Granite Steps for Quality program. Granite Steps for Quality is New Hampshire’s version of the Quality and Rating Improvement System, a national program that tries to ensure continuous improvement of early education providers through professional development, training, coaching, online learning models, and other tools. Programs opt in to Granite Steps for Quality and, in return, receive quarterly and annual payments. The company is under contract with the state through fiscal year 2028. The contract’s amendment increases funding by $1,276,128, bringing the total contract to over $3.6 million. The contract is paid for using federal funds. When discussing the bill, Councilor John Stephen challenged Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver and department officials over why funding for the workforce recruitment and retention program has yet to be sorted out. The bill was ultimately tabled after Councilor David Wheeler raised concerns that one of Pyramid Model Consortium’s strategic priorities is to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. “Without seeing the curriculum, I can’t support this item,” Wheeler said. Wheeler also stated he would not approve the contract if there were “politically correct teachings” for a contract over a million dollars. Health and Human Services Associate Commissioner Chris Santaniello said that because the program works with “lots of children,” including children with disabilities, there’s “inclusion language.” “[I am] not seeing what you’re referring about, I am suspecting that’s what it’s talking about, equal access to childcare for all children,” she told the council. Additional funding would have gone toward: Expanding free, statewide professional development services for childcare providers, including coaches, training, expanding one of the GSQ pathways, and providing unlimited access to the company’s e-modules Supporting the inclusion of young children with special needs by teaching professionals care strategies and providing additional consultation services Technical support for the program Pyramid Model Consortium and Department of Health and Human Services collaboration and contract oversight Weaver wrote in the contract’s explanation that if the council decided not to authorize the request, it would result in a “loss of necessary support for teachers, financial loss to programs, which may result in lower quality care for children and families.” She estimated that around 9,500 professionals working in 719 licensed programs across the state are eligible for professional development services. Courtesy of New Hampshire Bulletin
	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: RENITA CLAY, 25, 4’11"” tall", 171 pounds. Wanted by Iowa DOC High Risk Unit and Scott County Sheriff’s Office for parole violation on convictions [...]
	Rock Island County Health Department offering STI screenings and Narcan kits Rock Island County Health Department Chief Nursing Officer Tracy Keenon says the screening covers four STIs with results within 48 hours. The testing is $25, but can be waived for lack of funding. The department is also continuing its free Narcan kit outreach program. Since May 2024, the department has given out nearly 700 kits. Anyone can request one, and the department staff will show how to administer the lifesaving opioid overdose nasal spray, no questions asked.
	Salem City Council responds to planned closure of Salem Elementary School The Salem City Council released a statement following the decision to permanently close Salem Elementary School at the end of 2027.
	Massive scrapyard fire in Kewanee destroys building, sends smoke across central Illinois A large scrapyard fire in Kewanee Tuesday afternoon destroyed a building and office area, shut down roads and drew aid from numerous agencies.
	3 juveniles charged after being found with BB guns near park, Silvis City Hall Three juveniles have been charged after being found with BB guns near a park and City Hall in Silvis.
	2 firefighters injured while battling garage fire At 9:07 p.m., crews arrived to see smoke coming from an attached garage in the 800 block of Robin Road, according to a news release.
	Why brands are thinking bigger through the psychology of large-scale visual marketing Why brands are thinking bigger through the psychology of large-scale visual marketingLarge-scale visual marketing might seem archaic given the ubiquity of digital ads, but the reality is that industry analysts are seeing brands implement it as a calculated response to the increasing fragmentation of human attention.Driven by the over 392 billion daily emails and the $781 billion spent on online promotional activities each year, consumers have begun to adapt their minds to automatically filter out so much of the small-scale stimuli they’re bombarded with. Thus, real-world marketing using traditional, physical display methods and psychologically tuned design techniques has the power to cut through the low-level cacophony of digital marketing.Part of the trend comes down to a maturing understanding of how the psychology of brand visuals works at scale, on posters, billboards, video screens, and so forth.TEAM Concept, a printing services provider based in Chicago, examines the psychological principles behind large-scale visual marketing. TEAM Concept Why Say It With SignageBrands are committed to large-scale visual marketing in a big way, and details of the billboard and outdoor advertising industry indicate just how prevalent it is globally. Grand View Research estimated the size of this market at over $41 billion in 2025, while predicting that by 2033 it will exceed $78 billion, with annual growth of 8.4% cementing its significance.Most impressively, static billboards account for the largest single slice of this market, at 28.1% last year. So, while crowds in Times Square might gape at the vast screens and their all-singing, all-dancing animated ads, the bread and butter of this niche is less flashy, but just as impactful.From a psychological perspective, scale is important for obvious reasons. When visual marketing occupies more of a consumer’s line of sight, they are innately more engaged. It’s the same reason that watching a movie in IMAX at a theater leaves more of an impression than consuming the same content on a smartphone.More than that, research shows that frequency is just as important as size. A 2017 Nielsen study found that using at least 40 large-scale visual ads increased recall among general audiences.A similar 2024 study on ad memorization reached similar conclusions: People have better recall for what they’ve seen when it's repeated regularly over a short span. Researchers also found that variety was important for memorability, with information conveyed through more distinctive visual designs being more likely to be retained.Many brands stand to benefit from understanding the advantages of large-scale visual marketing. The opportunity to engage prospective customers, enhance brand recognition, and provide useful information simultaneously should not be overlooked.Establishing AuthorityThere’s another psychological benefit to going big with visual marketing, and it’s not tied to the immediate impact on brand recognition and recall. Instead, it’s the adjacent message that underpins any organization that runs a conspicuous campaign in a specific area: We’ve got the resources, know-how, and confidence in our product to spread our message loud and proud.Consumers associate visual ads with multinational brands, so companies that share the same platforms benefit from this reputational boost by association. When major players throw their weight behind a platform, minor players receive similar public kudos when they adopt the same strategy.Moreover, a large-scale visual marketing piece might not prompt an immediate conversion the way a digital ad does. However, even if a consumer does not interact with the brand there and then, the sheer scale of the visual ensures that the brand is the top-of-mind representative for its category. When the need for a specific service or product eventually arises, the brain naturally gravitates toward the most visually dominant memory it has stored.The transition to larger visuals is also a response to the tiny-screen problem. As most content is consumed on handheld devices, the impact of professional photography and design is often lost. Reclaiming the physical world allows designers to use detail and color theory at a resolution that commands attention and evokes a visceral, rather than just intellectual, response.A New Era for Urban Brand InteractionAs urban environments continue to evolve, the integration of brand visuals into the architectural fabric of cities will likely intensify. The psychology of large-scale marketing suggests that the most successful brands of the next decade will be those that understand how to occupy space without creating visual clutter. This involves a delicate balance between being bold enough to be noticed and being aesthetically integrated enough to be welcomed.Future marketing strategies are expected to lean further into these environmental triggers, using scale to create landmarks rather than just advertisements. When a visual becomes a part of a city's identity, the brand achieves a level of permanence that no digital campaign can match.This story was produced by TEAM Concept and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Diagnosed at 21: A Young Adult’s Journey with Blood Cancer Sorry, but your browser does not support the video tag. var bptVideoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); if (bptVideoPlayer) { var cssText = "width: 100%;"; cssText += " background: url('" + bptVideoPlayer.getAttribute("poster") + "');"; cssText += " -webkit-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -moz-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -o-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " background-size: cover;"; bptVideoPlayer.style.cssText = cssText; var bptVideoPlayerContainer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayerContainer"); if (bptVideoPlayerContainer) { setTimeout(function () { bptVideoPlayerContainer.style.cssText = "display: block; position: relative; margin-bottom: 10px;"; var isIE = navigator.userAgent.match(/ MSIE(([0 - 9] +)(\.[0 - 9] +) ?) /); var isEdge = navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Edge") > -1 \|\| navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Trident") > -1; if (isIE \|\| isEdge) { fixVideoPoster(); } }, 1000); } var bptVideoPlayButton = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayButton"); if (bptVideoPlayButton) { bptVideoPlayButton.addEventListener("click", function () { bptVideoPlayer.play(); }, false); bptVideoPlayer.addEventListener("play", function () { bptVideoPlayButton.style.cssText = "display: none;"; }, false); } var mainImage = document.getElementById("mainImageImgContainer_sm"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var mainImage = document.getElementById("photo-noresize"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("asset_gallery")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("trb_article_leadart")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.querySelectorAll("[src='https://d372qxeqh8y72i.cloudfront.net/5f8cc930-7e74-472c-8447-e121cc2c1509_web.jpg']")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } } function fixVideoPoster() { var videoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); var videoPoster = document.getElementById("bptVideoPoster"); fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, true); window.onresize = function() { fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster); }; videoPoster.onclick = function() { videoPlayer.play(); videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; videoPlayer.onplay = function() { videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; } function fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, display) { setTimeout(function () { var videoPosition = videoPlayer.getBoundingClientRect(); videoPoster.style.position = "absolute"; videoPoster.style.top = "0"; videoPoster.style.left = "0"; videoPoster.style.width = videoPlayer.offsetWidth + "px"; videoPoster.style.height = (videoPlayer.offsetHeight + 20) + "px"; if (display) { videoPoster.style.display = "inline"; } }, 1010); } (BPT) - Sponsored By AmgenJust two weeks after his 21st birthday, William, now 28 years old, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), a subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) — a rare fast-growing type of blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made.1 B-ALL is the most common subtype of ALL, accounting for up to 75% of adult cases and 80% of pediatric cases.2-4Diagnosed at a pivotal moment in early adulthood, William underwent a range of treatments over the course of three years, experiencing multiple periods of remission and relapse. Today, he sees a survivorship doctor once a year and continues to navigate the uncertainty that can remain long after treatment ends.Now in remission, William is sharing his story to help raise awareness of B-ALL and support other adolescents and young adults facing similar challenges. Through reflection and advocacy, he hopes his experience can offer perspective, encouragement and a reminder of the importance of having a promising outlook throughout the cancer journey.For more information on B-ALL, please visit Amgen.com.References:Jiwani N, Gupta K, Pau G, et al. Pattern Recognition of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Using Computational Deep Learning. IEEE Access. 2023;11;29521-29593.Anilkumar K, Manoj VJ, Sagi TM. Automated detection of B cell and T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia using deep learning. Innov Res Biomed Eng. 2022;43(5):405-513.Tasian SK, Hunger SP. Genomic characterization of paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: an opportunity for precision medicine therapeutics. Br J Haematol. 2017;176(6):867-882.Terwilliger T, Abdul-Hay M. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a comprehensive review and 2017 update. Blood Cancer J. 2017;30(7).
	Most major FL gubernatorial candidates say state should never legalize recreational marijuana While it’s not something voters will decide this year, Floridians might want to know where their candidates for statewide office stand on legal recreational marijuana. (Getty images)The issue of whether Florida should legalize recreational cannabis went away as a significant campaign issue earlier this year after Smart & Safe Florida, the organization behind an initiative to put it back before voters this November, fell short of the nearly 880,000 verified petition signatures required to qualify for the statewide ballot. That failure came a year-and-a-half after nearly 56% of Floridians voted to legalize adult use of recreational marijuana on the November 2024 ballot, a clear majority but short of the 60% required for passage. While it’s not something voters will decide this year, Floridians might want to know where their candidates for statewide office stand. Speaking during a “Business Women for Byron” campaign event Tuesday at the Getaway, a waterfront restaurant and Tiki bar in St. Petersburg, the first question asked by an audience member to GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds was his position on the topic. “I do not support recreational marijuana,” Donalds replied. “I think the current regulatory system around medicinal use is fine.” Donalds has previously acknowledged that he was arrested for possessing “a dime bag of marijuana” as a teenager, and admitted to CBS Miami recently that he actually had sold small amounts of cannabis as a youth. He now says that he doesn’t support expanding the legal use of weed beyond the 924,820 Floridians listed as qualified medical marijuana patients, according to the state Office of Medical Marijuana Use. Acceptance on medical, but never for recreational The other Republicans running for governor share Donalds’ sentiments. “I oppose recreational marijuana in Florida,” investment firm CEO James Fishback told the Phoenix in a text message. “I have seen what it has done to cities that have already tried it, from New York to Chicago to Washington D.C. The foul stench of pot in public parks and outside our schools can never come to Florida.” However, Fishback says he will always protect the right of those “with a legitimate medical purpose, including our U.S. military veterans.” “No one should be denied herbal medicine and pushed toward addictive big pharma prescriptions for pain,” he said. “As Governor, I will protect medical marijuana. But I won’t tolerate hoodlums smoking pot in a public park, just as we already don’t tolerate them drinking in one.” “I’ve been clear from day one. I am completely against legalizing marijuana,” Lt. Gov Jay Collins said in a video posted on social media on April 26. “We’ve seen the impact in other states, and that’s not where Florida is headed. I stand with Governor DeSantis on this. No compromises, and no money from the marijuana industry. That can’t be said for all of my opponents.” “I’m against full blown recreational marijuana,” former House Speaker Paul Renner said Wednesday during a roundtable discussion of high energy prices in Hillsborough County. “We have medical. It was put in the Constitution [in 2016]. If people want to get it, they can get it. And we opened that up to the extent where it needs to be, but I’m opposed to recreational. Period. If it came back on the ballot, I would campaign against it like Gov. DeSantis did.” DeSantis announced in June 2024 that he would use a political action committee to fight the constitutional amendment on recreational marijuana, saying he could not believe that the Florida Supreme Court allowed the language of the measure to qualify for that November’s ballot. He later used tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to campaign against both that proposal and another measure that would have enshrined abortion rights in Florida, according to a report by the Tampa Bay Times. Where are the Democrats? The Phoenix reached out to the two major Democrats running for governor this year: former GOP U.S. Rep. David Jolly and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. “I think the governor’s role is to represent the majority of the state, and the majority of the state asked for it, and I think that we should do it,” Jolly told the Phoenix in a phone call Tuesday. The Pinellas County Democrat says he actually voted against Amendment 3 in 2024, the one calling for legalizing adult use of recreational marijuana. But since he announced his candidacy last year, Jolly has emphasized that he would work to implement all recent constitutional amendments that have been passed by a majority of Floridians but failed to get the high 60% margin required for passage. “Recreational marijuana got more than 50% of the vote in the constitutional amendment process and I pledged to support the enactment and introduce legislatively any amendment that got more than 50% of the vote. That includes open primaries, recreational marijuana, and Amendment 4 on reproductive freedom,” he said. The only major gubernatorial candidate whose stance the Phoenix was unable to clarify was Demings. While serving as the sheriff of Orange County in the 2010s, Demings opposed the constitutional amendments that would have legalized medical marijuana in both 2014 and 2016. The Phoenix reached out by phone and by email to the Demings campaign for two days this week but did not receive a response. Calls to the phone number listed on the most recent press release from the Demings campaign were answered by a recording saying that the person with the number had not set up a voice mail system. President Trump’s endorsed Amendment 3 One prominent Florida Republican who supported Amendment 3 in 2024 was President Donald Trump. “As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product,” Trump posted on Truth Social in September 2024. “As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November.” In that post, the president promised that if elected back to the White House he would work towards changing marijuana from a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act to a Schedule III drug — which he did in December in an executive order. The U.S. Department of Justice announced last month that it would immediately move FDA-approved marijuana products, along with items regulated by a state medical marijuana license, to Schedule III. That puts medical cannabis into the group of regulated drugs with recognized medical uses, such as Tylenol, rather than Schedule I drugs, like heroin and LSD, which are considered to have no medical use and have a high potential for abuse. Courtesy of Florida Phoenix
	72% of small businesses say this is the key to AI visibility 72% of small businesses say this is the key to AI visibilityThere is good news for every small business owner who’s been terrified of AI. The one thing most likely to make you show up in an AI search result is the same thing that’s always helped small businesses grow: your reputation.Global Payments recently surveyed 1,000 U.S. small business owners (SMBs) on how they’re thinking about AI. When the researchers asked what matters most for showing up when a customer uses an AI platform to find a business, the answers weren’t what most people expect:72% rank customer reviews as one of their top factors for AI visibility.67% say social media presence matters is a top factor.37% say what matters most is making sure their business shows up accurately on local directories and Google Maps.Put another way, the largest AI visibility levers are reputation and presence. For most small business owners who are used to more “pay-to-play” tactics, that’s a welcome shift.Why AI is just fishing with a wider netWhen someone types “find me a coffee shop near me” into ChatGPT instead of Google, that AI isn’t just pulling from one data set. It’s casting a wide net over everything — your Google Business Profile, your Yelp page, your Facebook reviews, your Instagram, your website — and synthesizing it all into one answer.Small business owners are already picking up on this. According to the research, 78% already know that AI platforms can recommend their business to potential customers, and 53% are actively taking steps to show up in those results — with another 22% planning to do so. That means roughly three-quarters of your competitors are either already in motion or will be soon.The SMBs that can see this coming have a real advantage. Traditionally, Google’s algorithm rewarded whoever had the biggest SEO budget or the most backlinks. AI rewards whoever has the most presence — and presence is something any business with customers can build.What does a well-positioned SMB look like when it comes to AI?For example, consider a restaurant in Wisconsin. It has one location, in a small town, and it is not a digital marketing powerhouse by any stretch. But here’s what a business like this needs to do to show up when someone nearby asks an AI for a recommendation:A Google Business Profile with store location and current hours.A website. Your website should clearly state where your business is located, what you specialize in, why someone should make a purchase or schedule a service from you.A Facebook page and Instagram account where customers can leave reviews. The more you’re out on social media platforms, the more reviews you can receive.Social posts when something’s happening — Easter brunch, playoff specials, live music, Mother’s Day sales, etc.Perhaps most importantly, responding to reviews that come in.The good news is that a lot of small businesses are already instinctively doing the right things. The research found that 50% of SMB owners are already focused on adding more content online — blogs, product details, event updates — and 33% are actively working on improving their online reviews. Those are good marketing habits.Savvy businesses treat their online presence the same way they treat their physical store or office: They don’t let it go stale. They keep their information current, they post when something’s happening, encourage reviews and specifics, and respond when customers leave reviews. That’s what AI is looking for.When should you ask for customer reviews?A lot of small businesses think of reviews as something to collect passively. That’s a mistake. Reviews happen in moments — and if you miss the moment, you’ve probably lost it.The best reviews come from people who are feeling something in the moment — gratitude, relief, delight. Wait until that feeling fades and you won’t get the same review, if you get one at all. After all, reviews don’t just happen — you have to earn them at the right moment.For businesses using point-of-sale systems with built-in reputation management, that request can happen automatically — prompting the customer right when the transaction closes, before they’ve walked out the door. The closer the ask is to the moment of service, the better the result.In-person businesses have more to gain, not lessThere’s a misconception that AI-driven discovery is primarily a digital commerce thing.When someone asks an AI to recommend a yoga studio, a contractor, or a restaurant, they’re planning to show up in person. That recommendation carries real weight.Our research found that 62% of small business owners believe AI-driven commerce will influence how customers discover their business — and that includes businesses where every transaction happens face-to-face. The review someone leaves after a great haircut or a car repair doesn’t just live on Yelp anymore. It becomes part of the dataset AI draws from the next time someone nearby asks for a recommendation.In some ways, in-person businesses, whether goods or services, have an advantage here. The emotional moment that produces a great review — the flat tire fixed, the taxes finalized, the dental cleaning complete, the meal that hit exactly right — happens in real life, not through a screen. That authenticity shows up in the review, and AI notices.The 49% still on the sidelines should get startedAbout half of small business owners in our survey told us they’re waiting until AI tools feel more proven before leaning in. But the data tells an interesting story: 66% of small business owners already expect AI to have a mostly positive impact on their business over the next few years, and 38% are already adopting early and experimenting. Only 2% say they actively avoid new technology.The businesses that moved early on Google SEO compounded those advantages for years. The same thing is playing out right now with AI, and it’s moving faster.If you’re sitting on the sidelines waiting for proof, the risk is that you’re not building the habits — the reviews, the content, the presence — that will make AI work for you when you’re ready.The one thing to do for Small Business WeekIf you take one action during Small Business Week, set up a Google Business Profile. If you already have one, update it — make sure your hours and location are accurate and match what’s listed on your website, add recent photos, post something on your social media accounts. When AI tools search for a local business, they cross reference data from Google and platforms like Instagram and Facebook, Yelp, Apple Maps and pull around them. If you’re not there, you’re missing that opportunity.Don’t be afraid of this moment. These tools aren’t here to replace small business owners — they’re here to give you leverage you’ve never had before.If there’s something that helps you run your business better, grow your customer base, and gives you back a few hours to spend with the people who matter — that’s not a threat. That’s the whole point.This story was produced by Global Payments and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	KWQC, KCRG-TV9 to host Democratic congressional forum KWQC and KCRG-TV9 will host a live, commercial-free candidate forum for Democrats running for Iowa’s Second Congressional District seat ahead of the June 2 primary election.
	These companies help parents try to pick their babies' traits. Experts are wary Prospective parents can now pick embryos based on risk predictions for thousands of diseases and odds for specific traits. But should they?
	How to talk with kids about inappropriate content online How to talk with kids about inappropriate content onlineParents often feel pressure to get conversations about inappropriate content exactly right. But Marilyn Evans, founder of Parents Aware, says waiting for the “perfect moment” can do more harm than good. Her work focuses on helping families navigate how children encounter and process explicit content online—and how to talk about it before it happens.Why? Studies show that 1 in 12 children can be exposed to inappropriate content online. Parents and caregivers can help children prepare for these encounters by discussing early what they consider inappropriate, using a collaborative approach with their kids, and applying parental control apps to their phones—and knowing how to handle the situation if (or when) they see something inappropriate online.Building up to these discussions using research and expert guidance from a variety of experts, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can help correct language and terminology, show kids that home is a safe place to ask questions, and that nothing is too awkward or embarrassing to discuss, Verizon reports. That said, sometimes the conversations should happen before you’re really ready.This guide can help start the conversation, beginning with what to do if your child is exposed to inappropriate content online. It also includes age-by-age guidance for talking about a topic many parents may find hard to address.What you can do if your child is exposed to inappropriate content onlineOngoing conversations about what defines inappropriate content for your family can help kids develop the language they may need to be comfortable saying something if they get an explicit text message or request for an intimate photo. Even if the situation is unexpected, it can still be an important teaching moment.If your child came to you to talk, praise them for doing so.Remind them that this is an opportunity to talk openly about what makes content inappropriate.Take a deep breath, pause, and ask what questions they may have or what they need right now.Listen carefully.Age-by-age guidanceAges 3–5: In most cases, children this age should not be left alone with any device that’s connected to the internet or has a camera—even when watching something as simple as drawing videos or cartoons. Parents can also check the built-in parental controls on devices as a safeguard against questionable content.Ages 6–8: This is when kids may start to spend more time away from home with friends, at school, or on playdates, and therefore, children this age can be exposed to inappropriate content online. It can also be intimidating to bring up the topic of media safety with other parents. But families often share similar concerns. This makes having these conversations easier.Some kids can have food allergies. Some kids can have nightmares when they watch scary movies. And some parents can talk with other parents before a playdate or sleepover to make sure those needs are communicated. The media safety conversation can happen in that same space.Try this: “We have a family rule that kids at this age are only allowed to be on the internet when an adult is present. Is that a policy at your house?”Ages 9–12: Many kids get their first phone around this age. Each new device that comes into the house can be an opportunity to review the family’s media plan.It can start with a few self-reflective questions: “How can my media use align with my hopes, dreams, and values?” Using the red, yellow, and green lights as metaphors to stop, pause, or go, consider the following:Green light: Doing homework, talking with Grandma, or looking up videos about making something. Anything that reinforces those stated goals can fall into this category.Yellow light: Does the time spent on a certain activity online take up most of the day? For example, when friends come over, can the device go down? Is it hard turning off the tech when asked?Red light: Anything that doesn’t align with those hopes, dreams, and values, and the family’s tech boundaries. Shut it down right away. Tell a trusted adult for added safety.Age 13–18: At this age, kids are becoming more autonomous online. If they want to find something—even if it’s inappropriate content—they may find it. So they may need to know there’s a safe place at home where they can ask important questions. Often, kids can be afraid that if they ask for help, they’ll get in trouble and lose their tech. Their fear of losing access to the phone can override their desire to talk about what’s going on.It’s not uncommon for children to confide in friends, but not a parent, when they’ve felt pressured to text intimate photos to someone at school.That’s why we need to put these difficult conversations on the table. Kids are faced with difficult scenarios. It’s not fair to have them navigate these things on their own—to solve big adult problems without having someone they can talk to.To make space for these conversations, consider the following:Make ongoing connection a priority. Once a week or once a month, let them choose an activity, or a place to eat for lunch, or spend time talking together about something that interests them. The idea is to build a space for ongoing connection so it’s easier to talk about the tougher things.Consider alternatives to taking the phone away as punishment. When boundaries get crossed, ask teens to help develop the consequences instead of simply taking the phone away. Another approach is to ask, “Would it be helpful to you if we set stronger tech boundaries together?”Take the pressure off. Shoulder-to-shoulder conversations are best. Teenagers may open up more when the conversation feels more casual. Consider natural ways to avoid eye contact, such as riding in a car or making dinner together.How to report inappropriate content onlineIf you or your child discovers inappropriate content of any kind on a social media platform or other space where it is prohibited, report it. The mechanics of reporting inappropriate content vary, but virtually all major platforms encourage users to report material that violates the platform’s guidelines.Experts say never forward any sexual content that involves minors, even in an attempt to report it. Doing so is against federal law, and it perpetuates the abuse of victims.You may think, “Kids don’t want their parents to talk to them about sensitive topics.” That’s simply not true. That sentiment implies parents don’t know how to approach these conversations with children. But that’s fixable.These conversations have the potential to strengthen parent-child relationships. And the earlier they take place, the better.This story was produced by Verizon and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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