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

Monday, May 25th, 2026
	Muslims begin the annual Hajj against a backdrop of war concerns More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, against the backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war and related regional tensions.
	China launches Shenzhou 23 spacecraft with 1 of 3 astronauts set for yearlong stay China launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft with 3 astronauts heading to its space station. One astronaut is set to stay in space for a year to explore human adaptability in long-duration spaceflights.
Sunday, May 24th, 2026
	The Power of Sharing a Table: How Americans are Reviving 'IRL' Experiences with Drinks, Dinners and Beyond (Feature Impact) Real-world connection has become increasingly rare and if you've felt the effects, you're not alone. After years of digital-first habits becoming the new norm, many people are looking to rediscover face-to-face social interaction - "IRL," in real life, not from behind a screen. With many Americans now spending less time together than ever before as in-person contact continues to decline, according to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Teremana Tequila is inviting people back to something simple: the table. Rooted in the philosophy of Mana - the brand's guiding core philosophy and belief that good energy is contagious and the best moments in life happen when people come together - its "Share the Table, Share the Mana" initiative and partnership with Timeleft, a global app that matches strangers into small groups for real-life meetups, is a call for real-world connection. A gradual rebalancing is underway, according to Teremana. In a world where people are more digitally connected yet more personally disconnected, sometimes all it takes is one small gesture, like pulling up a chair and sharing a table to unlock something transformative. Activity-Based Communities According to the American Psychiatric Association, 1 in 3 American adults went at least a week in 2024 without feeling genuinely connected. In response, many people are shifting toward connection rooted in shared activities rather than conversation alone. Consider Eventbrite's 2026 Social Trends Report, which found 58% of people now prefer events where socializing isn't the primary focus, signaling a growing appetite for in-person gatherings built around common interests and experiences. Recurring events - such as weekly trivia nights or monthly potlucks - reflect this shift toward activity-based connection. With a built-in rhythm and shared interest, they reduce the pressure of constant planning and allow relationships to develop more naturally over time. Whether it's a standing "taco Tuesday" or "trivia Thursday," these gatherings create structure that makes it easier for people to simply show up and enjoy the moment together. This shift is also extending beyond traditional community spaces into experiences that transform everyday environments into opportunities for connection. Third Spaces, Reimagined Building on its spirit of good energy and shared moments, Teremana Tequila's "Share the Table, Share the Mana" campaign kicked off with a series of out-of-home billboards across the country, but took a surprising turn when what appeared to be a standard billboard concealed a hidden bartender, drinks and an open invitation to share the table - turning a street corner into an unplanned gathering space for strangers. More experiential moments like this are on the way. While digital tools remain central to how people connect, they're increasingly being used to facilitate in-person moments - helping organize meetups, dinners, and shared experiences in the real world. For example, by partnering withTimeleft, a global app that matches strangers into small groups for real-life meetups, Teremana's idea is becoming a nationwide movement. Every Thursday from now through August, the Share the Table series will bring curated groups of people together at bars and restaurants across 13 U.S. cities, creating a consistent space for the kind of unscripted human connection no screen can replicate. The nationwide initiative offers a key to unlocking something much bigger than one-off moments as an investment in infrastructure for connection, providing strangers opportunities to match with groups of people with similar interests and compatibilities. Neighborhoods as a Nexus for Connection By meeting and greeting neighbors and attending local events, the reliance on digital tools can be reversed. Proximity lowers barriers like time and distance, increasing the likelihood of repeated encounters for after-work drinks or dinner parties that allow for relaxed, low-pressure socializing. For an easy way to break the ice with those near you, sharing a drink, or the mana, lets you open up your home in a low-stress setting without the pressure of cooking for a crowd. These simple at-home cocktail recipes for a Cucumber Serrano Margarita or Mana Paloma make hosting a breeze - and will leave neighbors thinking you're a natural bartender. To discover more ways the philosophy of Mana can revitalize human connection, visit Timeleft.com. Cucumber Serrano Margarita 2 ounces Teremana Blanco or Reposado 1 ounce fresh cucumber juice 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice 1/2 ounce agave nectar 3 thin slices serrano pepper, divided ice cucumber slice, for garnish salt, for rim tajin, for rim In cocktail shaker, combine tequila, cucumber juice, lime juice, agave nectar and two slices serrano pepper; shake with ice. Strain over fresh ice into rocks glass. Garnish with cucumber slice and remaining serrano pepper slice. Rim half of glass with salt and tajin. Mana Paloma Ice 2 ounces Teremana Blanco 1 ounce grapefruit juice 3/4 ounce lime juice 1/2 ounce simple syrup club soda 1 pinch salt lime wheel or grapefruit peel, for garnish In highball glass over ice, combine tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, club soda and salt. Gently stir, garnish with lime wheel or grapefruit peel and serve.
	Play Can't Wait: Give the Gift of Play to Children Around the World (Feature Impact) As the world comes together around the excitement of international soccer on a global stage, it's a reminder that every child deserves safe opportunities to play, learn and simply be a child. Play is essential to childhood - yet globally, about 1 in 7 children under the age of 5 do not have toys or playthings at home, according to UNICEF. Through play, children make sense of the world around them, building critical skills from problem-solving and creativity to physical strength, confidence and the social and emotional tools needed to connect and thrive. In times of crisis, play takes on an even greater role, helping restore a sense of stability, familiarity and joy when children need it most. While many families may spend this summer cheering on teams, signing children up for sports or playing outside together, millions of children affected by conflict, disaster and displacement still lack safe places to play at all. From the United States to Lebanon - and across more than 150 countries and territories - UNICEF supports safe spaces where children can play, learn and connect. The organization works with caregivers, schools and governments to bring play into classrooms and communities, particularly for children affected by conflict, displacement and poverty. "For children living through crisis, play is not optional, it is essential," said UNICEF USA President and CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis. "Play offers a sense of stability and connection, helping children cope and continue to grow despite adversity. Our organization is committed to ensuring every child can access safe, inclusive opportunities to play because this fundamental right is critical to their well-being, development and future because play can't wait." Play should be safe everywhere children are, both online and offline. Every child deserves environments that protect their safety, privacy and well-being while ensuring inclusion for children with disabilities and those most marginalized. Still, safe play spaces are shrinking, and childhood can't be put on pause. Access to safe play supports learning, emotional well-being and healthy development. Sometimes, something as simple as a ball, jump rope or shared game can help children reconnect with joy and normalcy. Consider supporting the mission with these UNICEF Inspired Gifts that help bring the power of play to children everywhere: 5 Soccer Balls for Kids to Exercise and Play: Soccer fosters connection, teamwork and a sense of normalcy. As the world unites around global moments of international competition, a simple ball can help bring the same spirit of unity and joy to children everywhere, so they can keep the world's game in play, no matter their circumstances. Recreation-in-a-Box: Designed for impact at scale, this kit includes basketballs, soccer balls and other recreational supplies to provide enough equipment for more than 90 children to play, move and have fun together. 30 Jump Ropes for Kids to Exercise to Play: A simple yet powerful tool. Providing 30 jump ropes to child-friendly spaces and schools allows children affected by crisis to gather, play and reconnect with childhood through movement and shared activity. The nonprofit organization supports parents and caregivers worldwide by expanding access to early childhood education rooted in learning through play. Together, these efforts help turn the right to play into a reality for every child. When play is protected, childhood is protected. To help children everywhere access safe opportunities to play, visit unicefusa.org/chooseplay.
	Iowa Hawkeyes coaches coming to Muscatine Hawkeye fans in Eastern Iowa are encouraged to attend the Muscatine I-Club Spring Event on Thursday, May 28.
	Whitewater Junction to temporarily close for repairs Whitewater Junction announced they will temporarily close Tuesday, May 26 to address unexpected repairs.
	Coaches from Iowa Hawkeyes coming to Muscatine Thursday for I-Club event Hawkeye fans in Eastern Iowa are encouraged to attend the Muscatine I-Club Spring Event on Thursday, May 28.
	Bill regulating powerful AI models advances as advocates say it’s only the first step The Illinois Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to advance a bill that would regulate how large artificial intelligence model developers handle transparency and catastrophic risk.
	Fire up the grill for this Memorial Day forecast The holiday weekend has been a real good one for us so far with a little bit of some rain yesterday and a perfect Sunday. Temperatures reaching the 80s today and looking to continue to warm up to the mid and upper 80s for Memorial Day tomorrow. These temperatures will stay hot all throughout next [...]
	Tips to save cash this Memorial Day We're all feeling the pinch at the pump, but that's not keeping millions across the QCA and beyond from taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to plan gatherings with family and friends. Our Quad Cities News correspondent Jo Ling Kent shows ways to save some cash at the last minute as you celebrate Memorial [...]
	California chemical tank has cracked causing state of emergency, thousands to evacuate One California town is in a state of emergency and 50,000 people are under an evacuation order as a malfunctioning chemical tank at an aerospace plant is overheating and could leak or explode.
	Silvis honors fallen service members at Hero Street Memorial Day ceremony The city of Silvis hosted a Memorial Day ceremony at Hero Street U.S.A., honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
	‘We decided to make it right,’: QCA family places headstone on baby’s grave after 100 years A local family is finally giving a loved one something he never had — a headstone, 100 years after his death.
	Community gathers for Memorial Day ceremony in Silvis Hero Street in Silvis holds a Memorial Day ceremony to honor those who served.
	DR Congo Ebola cases rise amid distrust, armed conflict zone Africa races to contain a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak threatening 10 countries as infections spill from eastern Congo into Uganda.
	Whitewater Junction faces unexpected repair, to remain open through Monday The pool will remain open for Memorial Day weekend.
	Power restored to over 1,000 in Illinois, Quad Cities Over 1,000 MidAmerican Energy customers are without power in the Illinois Quad Cities area.
	4 the Record Web Extra: Iowa bill to target predatory towing practices has bipartisan support Thanks for checking out this web extra. We didn't have enough time to bring you all of our panel discussion on 4 the Record. This part of the conversation focuses on a bill in Iowa that targets a practice referred to as predatory towing. Let's look at House File 2617. It reached Governor Kim Reynolds' [...]
	Clucking egg prices as of 5/22/26 Here’s this week’s egg price update. This is the USDA’s average price per dozen when delivered to the warehouse on Jan. 20, 2026, compared to where prices are now. To see the price, click on the video above. Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 The Record, a weekly news and [...]
	Trump Administration's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" slush fund draws ire of former Iowa congressman It seems the people who took part in the attack on the Capitol on January 6 five years ago deserve some charity, at least in the eyes of President Trump. He already pardoned them. Now he's setting up a special fund in the Department of Justice. Acting attorney general Todd Blanche established what he calls [...]
	Illinois proposed tax for online vacation rental bookings gets bad review Illinois considers pursuing online vacation rental bookings as a new source of revenue. In Illinois, state lawmakers are considering a new tax. House Bill 5776 would impose a 4% tax on short-term rentals across the state. It would apply to rentals that last less than 30 days and would be paid by renters when they [...]
	Iowa governor hopeful Sherman calls Reynolds' eminent domain veto a mistake It is crunch time on the Iowa political scene. The Iowa primary is nine days from now. Five Republicans are on the ballot trying to be their party's nominee for governor to succeed Kim Reynolds. They are, in alphabetical order, Eddie Andrews, Randy Feenstra, Zach Lahn, Brad Sherman and Adam Steen. One candidate must get [...]
	Over 1,000 in Illinois, Quad Cities without power Over 1,000 MidAmerican Energy customers are without power in the Illinois Quad Cities area.
	What's open for Memorial Day 2026? Forgot something for your cookout? You're in luck.
	More than 500 children have died in an outbreak that the world is virtually ignoring The number of cases — and deaths — in Bangladesh is staggering. As of Sunday, 528 have died, mostly children. How did this measles outbreak begin? And how is the country responding?
	Louisiana lawmakers shelve maternal mortality resolution despite nation-leading death rates Marko Cvetkovic/Getty ImagesIn a state where women die from pregnancy-related causes at more than double the national average, Louisiana lawmakers quietly sidelined a resolution last week that would have forced a deeper examination of the crisis. House Concurrent Resolution 110, authored by Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, was voluntarily deferred in the House Health & Welfare Committee after a single objection — a move that stunned advocates who have spent years pushing for better maternal health outcomes. HCR 110 would have required the Louisiana Department of Health to conduct a sweeping review of maternal and pregnancy-associated mortality, evaluate barriers to maternal healthcare access and delivery, and provide recommendations to improve outcomes, strengthen accountability and reduce preventable deaths statewide. The resolution directed health officials to examine the state’s persistently high maternal death rates — 222 confirmed pregnancy-associated deaths from 2020 to 2022, with 84% deemed preventable It also called for a look into racial disparities that leave Black mothers 2.2 times more likely to die than white mothers. Also suggested for review were gaps in prenatal and postpartum care, including the finding that only 5.2% of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries received a case management plan of care. The resolution also covered the collapse of obstetric services in rural parishes, including seven parishes with no birthing hospital, no obstetric providers and drives for patients exceeding an hour to the nearest facility. It also sought scrutiny for workforce shortages, including 24 parishes with no OB/GYN providing Medicaid services. Finally, Marcelle’s resolution was meant to measure the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of existing state maternal care programs. These priorities closely mirrored the findings of the March 2025 Louisiana Legislative Auditor performance audit, which found that $383.2 million in managed care Incentive payment spending on maternal health was “not always designed to achieve measurable outcomes and, in some instances, was duplicative.” The audit also found managed care organizations were providing case management plans to only 5.2% of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries, that 24 of 64 parishes had no OB/GYN providing Medicaid services, and that 18.3% of listed OB/GYN providers had zero claims — providers on paper who were not seeing patients. Also, the state’s own Bureau of Family Health was not consulted during the development of the spending milestones, according to the audit. The state’s most recent 2020–22 Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review, published days before the committee hearing, reinforced these concerns. The report found that drug overdoses have been the leading cause of pregnancy-associated death since 2018 — eight consecutive years — and that its own recommendations “may not reflect existing policies of the Louisiana Department of Health.” The resolution also mandated the development of a statewide improvement plan and submission of a Feb. 1, 2027, report to the legislature, requiring the health department to publicly account for what is working, what is failing and why Louisiana continues to lose mothers at rates far above the national average. But Marcelle’s proposal never made it to a vote. Rep. Stephanie Berault, R-Slidell, argued the resolution was unnecessary, claiming “the state is already doing all of this.” She pointed to the health department’s existing Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review process and ongoing federal initiatives, though the 2020–22 review states its recommendations may not reflect existing state policy, and the Legislative Auditor found that 76.4% of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries did not receive timely prenatal care. Berault’s comments lasted only minutes, but they were enough to halt the measure. The resolution was voluntarily deferred. The move underscores a broader trend in Louisiana’s maternal health response: Lawmakers concede the severity of the problem, but efforts to enact meaningful systemic change repeatedly stall. Despite years of reports documenting preventable deaths, racial inequities and failures in postpartum care, Louisiana has not implemented many of the recommendations made by its own review committees. The same categories of prevention recommendations — care coordination, substance use treatment, workforce expansion, racial disparities and data infrastructure — have appeared in every PAMR report since 2017. In 2018, the Legislature created the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Advisory Council through Act 497. The council reported recommendations in 2020 and then dissolved. By the 2020–22 PAMR, the council is no longer mentioned. Its recommendations remain unimplemented. Louisiana’s health secretary acknowledged to the Legislative Auditor that “having coverage under Medicaid does not mean that beneficiaries have access to services.” HCR 110 would have required a more immediate, comprehensive accounting. Instead, the legislature chose to trust that existing systems are sufficient — despite the findings of its own auditor and the health department’s own mortality review committee. Maternal health advocates reacted with frustration, saying the decision reflects a reluctance to confront the depth of the crisis. Dismissing the resolution as “duplicative” sidesteps the central finding of both the Legislative Auditor and the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review: Existing efforts have not been enough. 77% of the women who died had Medicaid coverage. 77.5% of deaths occurred after delivery, during the period when managed care organizations are responsible for follow-up care. Only 5.2% of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries received a care plan. The state’s managed care system is failing to provide care management to the population most at risk, during the period when they are most likely to die. By shelving HCR 110, critics say lawmakers avoided a public reckoning with these failures and missed an opportunity to demand accountability from state officials and the system of care. With the resolution deferred, no new reporting requirements or oversight mechanisms will be implemented this session. The state will continue relying on existing programs that the Legislative Auditor found were not always designed to achieve measurable outcomes and that the PAMR committee’s own recommendations may not reflect. Courtesy of Louisiana Illuminator
	Mind-bending photos by anonymous cousins show the pain and dreams of Afghan women The young women make photos that look at life — how it is, how they wish it could be — under Taliban rule. The images are on display at the Photoville Festival in Brooklyn, New York.
	NAI Ruhl Commercial Company releases QC Commercial Real Estate Market Report NAI Ruhl Commercial Company releases Commercial Real Estate Market Report highlighting a more disciplined, opportunity-driven environment.
	Religious leaders, lawmakers push for $1 billion to secure houses of worship There's an effort on Capitol Hill to increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which awards funding to houses of worship to harden their defenses. In 2024, roughly a third of those who applied actually received funding.
	Orion elementary school principal to retire at end of 2029-30 school year The Orion school board accepted R.C. Lowe's retirement on Wednesday.
	15 movies we can't wait to see this summer, from Spielberg to 'Spider-Man' The Toy Story squad takes on a tablet, the Minions take on Hollywood and Christopher Nolan takes on a Greek epic.
	Suspect dead after opening fire near White House security checkpoint, Secret Service says A man who opened fire near a White House security checkpoint is dead after being shot by officers who returned fire, the U.S. Secret Service said.
	Arkansas’ data center fights boil down to trust and transparency An aerial view shows an Amazon data center last year in Ashburn, Va. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)Secrecy may be standard operating procedure when it comes to economic development. But it makes for bad politics and potentially even worse policy, as the fight over data centers in Arkansas makes abundantly clear. Pulaski County has become the latest front in the war over data centers, with opponents stepping up pressure for a moratorium on new data centers so local-level restrictions can be considered. It’s a debate that’s playing out across the country, as more communities are pushing back against the facilities, citing concerns about water use, utility rates and other quality-of-life issues. Pulaski County has two centers coming, one from Google, the other by Connecticut-based AVAIO Digital. Supporters say the projects will bring much-needed tax revenue and jobs to the area. There’s a growing push for Arkansas’ most populous county to tap the brakes on the centers, which house advanced computer servers that power artificial intelligence. Wendell Griffen, the Democratic nominee for the county’s top elected administrator, has been calling for more county-level regulation of the centers. Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, meanwhile, is also calling for city regulation. The efforts are a preview of what Arkansas lawmakers can expect in the legislative session next year, as polling shows increasing resistance and trepidation in communities across the country. One recent poll from Gallup showed more opposition among respondents to data centers being located in their area than nuclear power plants. Concerns about the centers’ impact on energy and water usage isn’t limited to red or blue states. The push for more restrictions and transparency is happening at the state level in nearly a dozen states, from South Carolina to Vermont. In Ohio, lawmakers formed a bipartisan committee focused solely on the issue. Adding to trepidation about the centers is the secrecy that accompanies the projects and the lack of input from members of the public. The concerns aren’t just limited to Pulaski County. The same day Pulaski County’s quorum court heard concerns about the two planned data centers, more than 100 people attended a meeting in Conway about a data center planned there that also has faced protests. As Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporting this month showed, data center projects are bound by broad nondisclosure agreements that make basic details difficult — if not impossible — for the public to find. Secrecy surrounding economic development deals is nothing new. State officials have long argued confidentiality is needed to help the state better compete for business. That argument was why lawmakers approved up to $300 million in incentives in the hopes of luring an unnamed project to West Memphis. But the local backlash to data centers demonstrates the dangers of that playbook. Data centers are growing rapidly across the nation at a time when fears are growing about the impact of AI on multiple sectors of the economy, when commencement speakers are learning the hard way that mentioning AI is the best way to earn boos from graduates. Supporters showed they know about the public image problem, with supporters of Pulaski County’s planned centers unveiling a website last week to address what they call “misinformation” about the projects. There’s a valid debate over data centers, including whether the economic benefits they’re projected to bring outweigh any of the potential dangers. And it’s a debate Arkansas is likely to face more in the coming years, with two-thirds of the planned centers in the U.S. heading to rural areas. But it’s hard to have that debate without the public’s trust. And earning that trust is even harder without transparency. Courtesy of Arkansas Advocate
	Lemons This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.As the winds of change blew down the Mississippi River and through the halls of higher learning in the 1960s, more than…
	'Homeland Security' has spawned political insecurity since DHS was born DHS was originally conceived in the interest of unity and harmony — and the phrase "homeland security" was originally meant to be reassuring.
	The Enhanced Games are Sunday. Here's what to know about the controversial event Dozens of athletes — including former Olympians — will participate in the Las Vegas event while using performance-enhancing drugs.
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
	NFL legend Ken Anderson gives Augustana’s commencement address The ceremony was a full circle moment for Augustana’s very first Academic All-American Ken Anderson who went on to become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
	Feger gets the hang of it - and the win - at Davenport Speedway Friday brought the third annual Corn State Nationals to the Davenport Speedway, featuring the MARS racing series. It also brought a third consecutive MARS victory at Davenport for Jason Feger of Bloomington, Illinois. Feger, who once claimed he didn’t run well in Davenport, must be getting the hang of it. Jason set fast time in [...]
	Cosplayers gather for Quad Cities Comic Con Quad Cities Comic Con brought several characters to the Bend XPO in East Moline.
	Man pulled from Rock River, water rescue successful Whiteside County officials say a man was pulled from the Rock River and the water rescue was successful.
	Man pulled from Rock River, rescue successful A water rescue was underway at the Rock River, officials said.
	Augustana College and Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson finally walks the stage Ken Anderson gave the commencement speech at Augustana College on Saturday and received an honorary doctorate. Read the article for more about the message he shared with the graduates.
	Secret Service fatally shoots suspect outside White House checkpoint, bystander wounded The suspect began shooting at posted officers, who returned fire and hit the shooter, the Secret Service said. A bystander was also shot, a law enforcement official said, but it's unclear by whom.
	Suspect dead after opening fire near White House security checkpoint, Secret Service says A man who opened fire Saturday near a White House security checkpoint is dead after being shot by officers who returned fire, the U.S. Secret Service said. It was the third incidence of gunfire in the vicinity of President Donald Trump in the past month.
	Romanian director Cristian Mungiu's 'Fjord' wins top prize at Cannes Mungiu took home the prestigious Palme D'Or for his film Fjord, a culture-war drama set in Norway.
	Local waterparks open ahead of Memorial Day Both Whitewater Junction and Riverside Riverslide opened for the 2026 summer season.
	Turning up the heat next week It is no lie that we have been a little bit on the cooler side of things from this past week for the second half of May. Temperatures have cooled down last week into the low 70s and even the upper 60s ranging around 5-10 degrees below average. Now that we have hit the holiday [...]
	Trump says a deal with Iran and opening of Strait of Hormuz are 'largely negotiated' President Trump announced the unfinalized deal on social media after talks with Israel and other allies. It aims to end the war and includes two-month negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
	Changes for recreational boaters at Lock and Dam 14 and 15 this summer The secondary lock for small boats in Pleasant Valley won't be used at all this summer due to staff shortages.
	Hero Street 8 remembered at Memorial Day ceremony in Silvis As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday this summer, Memorial Day weekend takes on special meaning at Hero Street in Silvis. The street and Memorial Park pay tribute to 8 men from that 1 1/2 block area who descended from Mexican immigrants, served in the military and died in either World War [...]
	Iowa Down Ballot podcast: GOP governor debate, MAHA in Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidates, from left, state Rep. Eddie Andrews, former state Rep. Brad Sherman, businessman Zach Lahn and former Iowa Department of Administrative Services Director Adam Steen faced off for a debate hosted by KCCI, which was broadcast May 19, 2026. (Screenshot via KCCI/Gray Media) Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 5-23-26 by Iowa Writers Collaborative Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland and Kathie Obradovich of Iowa Capital Dispatch are here to recap the Republican gubernatorial debate, for which Dave had a front-row seat. Read on Substack Dave Price shares behind-the-scenes details and we discuss impressions of the KCCI/Gray Media debate with four of the five GOP candidates for governor. We also delve into U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s visit to Iowa as Gov. Kim Reynolds signed her “MAHA” legislation. Listen here. The Iowa Down Ballot Podcast with Dave Price is a production of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Please consider a paid subscription today to help us cover production costs, or moving up to the benefactor level — or sending a gift subscription to a friend — if you’re already a paid subscriber. And please spread the word to friends who might enjoy the podcast. Thanks! Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Voy 61 Drive-In to upgrade marquee with American Express grant The grant program awarded more than $10 million to more than 500 small businesses, according to a news release.
	What will Trump do next with Iran? Three months since the start of its conflict with Iran, the Trump administration is oscillating between strike threats and diplomatic overtures. Neither path has yielded a clear resolution.
	Kyle Busch died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, his family says The two-time NASCAR champion died on Thursday, a day after passing out in a Chevrolet simulator.
	Caitlin Clark scores 22 points in return from 1-game absence as Fever beat Valkyries 90-82 Caitlin Clark had 22 points and nine assists in her return after missing a game with a back injury, Aliyah Boston had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and the Indiana Fever beat the Golden State Valkyries 90-82 on Friday night for their third straight win.
	Peoria man accused of killing girlfriend’s pets A man faces three counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals after being accused of killing his girlfriend’s pets.
	A little bit country, a little bit Desi: A Pakistani-American's hybrid music On May 31, Yo Sabri make a landmark appearance with the Nashville Symphony for an orchestral rendition of his new album, "Tennessee Desi," which blends Appalachian styles with Muslim devotional music.
	Traffic alert: Temporary parking restrictions for Quad Cities Criterium Davenport Public Works said the Village of East Davenport will have temporary no-parking areas from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
	Henry County Board hears concerns about carbon capture project near Galva Read the article to see more about what Henry County residents had to say about a proposed carbon sequestration project near Galva.
	Singer/songwriter Heather Maloney will be in concert in Cambridge Crossroads Cultural Connections will present acclaimed singer-songwriter Heather Maloney on Thursday, May 28, at Cà d’Zan House Concerts in Cambridge, Illinois, a news release says. Opening the evening will be High Tea. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with an optional potluck dinner, giving guests an opportunity to gather and connect before the music begins. Those who want to participate can bring [...]
	Muscatine crews to conduct annual flood gate maintenance Wednesday Muscatine crews will test and maintain the city’s flood gates Wednesday, causing temporary road closures near East 2nd Street and Mississippi Drive.
	Free lemonade, sweet deals will be part of Downtown Davenport's Sip 'N Shop A free Lemonade Sip 'N Shop in downtown Davenport will be 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, May 30, when downtown businesses will serve up their own take on lemonade along with exclusive specials and deals. Curbside Concerts will pop up throughout downtown. Visitors can start their adventure at any of the participating businesses, where [...]
	From fireworks to plastic cups: Waste Commission of Scott County explains summer party disposal rules The Waste Commission of Scott County is offering guidance to help residents safely dispose of summer party waste and recycle correctly before, during and after seasonal gatherings.
	U.S. passengers flying from Ebola-affected countries rerouted The U.S. government is responding to the Ebola outbreak in with travel restrictions. American citizens and permanent residents departing affected countries must fly into one of three U.S. airports.
	South Dakota’s water quality reports grow more polished and less honest A shallow area near the shore of Lake Mitchell on May 4, 2024. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)South Dakota didn’t stop polluting its water. It stopped talking honestly about what’s polluting it. In 2018, the state’s own water quality report plainly identified the causes fouling South Dakota rivers and lakes: livestock waste, manure runoff, cropland erosion, nutrient loading and failing septic systems. Agriculture was identified as the primary source of surface water pollution, and the report said so directly. That wasn’t partisan. It wasn’t controversial. It was the state’s own science. By 2026, the pollution remains. But plainspoken honesty has steadily disappeared. Across the 2018, 2022, and 2026 reports, one thing changes: the language. The pollutants remain. The impaired waters remain. What disappears is the state’s willingness to say what’s causing the damage. Praise for simplicity, concern about brevity greet new format for South Dakota water quality report The turning point came on Jan. 19, 2021, when the Department of Agriculture absorbed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under then-Gov. Kristi Noem’s government reorganization. The merger was sold as efficiency — a “one-stop shop” for producers. Then-Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden said it would “unleash the next generation of agriculture.” What it created was an agency responsible both for promoting agriculture and communicating with the public about pollution tied to it. That is not a minor administrative tweak. It is a built-in conflict of interest — one that determines what gets highlighted, what gets buried, and what quietly disappears from public view. The reports themselves tell the story. In 2018, DENR’s final report spoke plainly. It described nonpoint source pollution as the state’s “most serious and pervasive water quality problem” and directly connected impaired streams and rivers to livestock waste, manure runoff, cropland erosion, nutrient loading and failing septic systems. The state treated residents like adults: Here is what’s in the water, here are the sources, here is what we’re doing about it. By 2022, the tone shifted. Pollutants remained, but discussion of their causes slid deeper into the document. Executive messaging shifted toward Environmental Protection Agency “Vision” priorities, scheduling of total maximum daily loads (known as TMDLs, which are the amounts of pollutants waterbodies can receive and still meet safe standards for designated uses), and bureaucratic process. Agriculture’s role was still present but no longer clear and no longer emphasized. The report read increasingly like something written to minimize political friction, not inform the public. This year, much of the plain language is gone. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. The report tells us 77% of assessed stream miles and 73% of assessed lake acres fail to meet standards. It lists pollutants such as E. coli and mercury. But the discussion of the sources driving those impairments is now far harder for the public to find — and in many cases, simply not there. Language once describing nonpoint pollution as the state’s dominant water quality threat is gone. References to livestock waste, cropland erosion, nutrient loading and failing septic systems — long understood as central challenges in South Dakota water quality — have been quietly removed from public emphasis. The water didn’t get cleaner. The reporting got safer for the people in charge. Some call this modernization: dashboards, graphics, interactive tools, “user-friendly” design. But when public reporting becomes more polished while growing less candid about cause and responsibility, that is not modernization. It is political risk-management disguised as transparency. South Dakotans deserve better than percentages stripped of explanation. Communities living with algae-choked lakes, E. coli advisories, beach closures, and rivers that run brown after every storm do not need curated graphics to tell them something is wrong. Producers investing in better grazing systems, manure management and conservation practices know it, too. Plain reporting does not attack agriculture. It acknowledges reality and respects the people already trying to improve it. But truth becomes politically inconvenient when the agency authoring the report is institutionally aligned with the very industry contributing most heavily to the pollution. That is not modernization. It is a retreat from public trust, and a deliberate narrowing of what the public is encouraged to notice. ... When public reporting becomes more polished while growing less candid about cause and responsibility, that is not modernization. It is political risk-management disguised as transparency. We see what happens after hard rains and spring floods. We see creeks turn the color of soil and lakes bloom green. The land speaks plainly. The water speaks plainly. Government reporting should, too. The next governor will inherit a system that has grown more polished and less honest. The next governor should not be allowed to dodge the question: Will South Dakota return to clear, independent reporting about the sources of water pollution, or will the state continue managing the issue through euphemism, omission and politically convenient silence? This is no longer just about water quality. It is about whether residents are being told the truth about the condition of the state they call home, or whether political considerations shape public communications. Clean water policy begins with direct public accounting. Without that, accountability disappears long before the pollution does. Pollution doesn’t vanish when the reporting does, and no amount of political messaging can clean a river or a lake. South Dakotans can manage the truth about their water. The question is whether their government — and the next administration — will choose transparency over political comfort. Courtesy of South Dakota Searchlight
	Opinion: Remembering Barney Frank, trailblazing public servant Mass. congressman Barney Frank was the first House member to come out as gay and was instrumental in Wall Street reforms after the Great Recession. He died this week at the age of 86.
	Memories of Muscatine: Maple Grove Saddle Club This week for Memories of Muscatine: A photo that Oscar Grossheim's photographer's index listed as "Maple Grove Saddle Club."
	Stories and Trains This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.One of the great teachers of writing in the Rock Island area is no more. Now, would-be writers must sit in other…
	Summer electric bills sizzle as the cost of cooling climbs The temperature is climbing, and so are people's utility bills. Rising electricity prices and hotter-than-usual weather could make it especially costly to stay cool this summer.
	Chile's MAGA-inspired border control Chile digs desert trenches along its northern border as President José Antonio Kast pushes a hardline migration crackdown critics say may have little effect.
	15 years since a deadly tornado brought Joplin, Mo. together, kindness carries on Nearly 100,000 volunteers helped the town rebuild and a spirit of community service continues to this day. Researchers studying human behavior catastrophes can bring out compassion in surprising ways.
	One solution for Maine's struggling fishing industry? Give fillets away for free Surging food costs and fuel prices are pummeling Maine's struggling groundfishing industry. But a pandemic-era program is helping to keep it afloat as inflation worsens.
	'I'd wait forever, but 334 days is crazy.' USS Ford finally comes home The USS Ford came home to a hero's welcome. Sailors had been away from home for nearly a year, through two conflicts, a fire and problems with the sewage system.
	Coal mine gas explosion in China kills 82 people, state media say A gas explosion at a coal mine in China's northern province of Shanxi killed at least 82 people. Official news agency Xinhua said the accident happened on Friday evening and 247 workers were trapped.
	Coal mine gas explosion in China kills 90 people, state media say A gas explosion at a coal mine in China's northern province of Shanxi killed at least 90 people. Official news agency Xinhua said the accident happened on Friday evening. Around 247 workers were on duty at the time.
	SpaceX launches its biggest, most beefed-up Starship yet on a test flight The mega rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he's taking the company public. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said Starship is now one step closer to the moon.
	Trump administration to force foreigners in the U.S. to apply for a green card abroad Foreigners in the U.S. who want a green card will need to leave and apply in their home country, the Trump administration announced Friday, in a surprise change to a longstanding policy.
Friday, May 22nd, 2026
	'It Takes Two' rapper Rob Base, who helped bring hip-hop mainstream, dies at 59 Rapper Rob Base has died after a battle with cancer. He was 59. His team shared the news of his death on his Instagram page. Base was one half of the Harlem hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock.
	Mercado on fifth opens for the 2026 season This year marks Mercado's 10th anniversary.
	New details released in death of Davenport woman who fell from Ohio hiking trail 63-year-old Nancy Baker was hiking with her husband when she slipped off Cantwell Cliff Trail, falling 70 feet.
	City of Galesburg to host city-wide food drive The food drive is from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. on June 12.
	City of Eldridge asks community to fill out survey The community-wide survey focuses on the future of the city's facilities, public services and long term community planning.
	Changes for recreational boaters at Lock and Dam 14 and 15 this summer The secondary lock for small boats in Pleasant Valley won't be used at all this summer due to staff shortages.
	Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber cuts ribbon on new location Leaders found their new home in Silvis while they searched for more space.
	2026 Quad Cities Unity Pride Parade canceled Organizers said the decision was made after considering sponsor engagement, participation levels and costs associated with the event.
	City of Eldridge launches community-wide survey for residents The city of Eldridge is asking residents to complete a survey about the future of city facilities, public services and community planning.
	Stamp Out Hunger Drive brings more than 100,000 meals to Quad Cities families The Stamp Out Hunger Drive on May 9 raised over 100,000 meals for Quad Cities families.
	ORA Orthopedics provides new, first-of-its-kind CT scanner ORA Orthopedics in Bettendorf added the Planmed XFI Cone Beam CT Scanner. Traditional CT scans capture images while patients are lying down. In ORA's newest CT scan, patients either are standing or in a seated, weight-bearing position. The scanner provides 3D imaging of bones and joint structure. "A standing CT scanner allows you to see [...]
	Friday night budget lights: Spending details released after a week of closed-door meetings Sen. Ed Hooper speaks to reporters following a budget conference on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)After a week of behind-the-scenes negotiations, budget writers for the Florida House and Senate met Friday afternoon and early evening and produced apparent agreements on a $50 million investment for a Tampa Bay Rays stadium, pay raises for targeted state employees, and money for a state emergency fund. The chambers made no offers on one of the most complicated and costly budget areas — funding for Medicaid and other healthcare programs that provide services to the poor, elderly, disabled, and children in foster care. The HHS budget accounts for about 47% of the overall state budget and more than $19 billion in general revenue funds, representing state tax receipts. Meanwhile, the Friday night budget offers included $50 million for “campus improvements” at Hillsborough College, which is where a proposed stadium is planned so the Rays can play in Tampa instead of St. Petersburg. The investment was offered after local governments agreed to a memorandum of understanding that committed hundreds of millions in city and county funds to the stadium to help finance the $2.3 billion project. Although the standard recently has been for the chambers to publicly exchange only offers that have been already privately agreed to, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sen. Ed Hooper hinted that the money for the stadium might still be in flux. “I just believe that until that issue is resolved and signed and sealed, I don’t know that the state should committee $50 million to help Hillsborough College,” Hooper said Friday following the first of the two budget meetings. The governor supports the project. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. The talks resulted in agreements on some of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ priorities, including funding for the Florida State Guard, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, and an emergency fund that over the past year has paid half a billion dollars for immigration enforcement. The House offered to agree to the Senate’s suggestion to pump $250 million more dollars into the fund for the fiscal year beginning on July 1. That’s more than double the amount the lower chamber initially proposed — $100 million. The agreement came after the chambers agreed to pass legislation during 2026 re-establishing the emergency fund in statute nearly exactly the way it was, with the only major change being that the Florida Division of Emergency Management couldn’t buy airplanes or boats but could lease them. Whether the DeSantis administration considers the House’s $40 million investment for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, which promotes workforce training, a win is not clear. That’s closer to what the Senate proposed, but the House’s offer puts guardrails on the spending, placing half in reserve. The $20 million in reserves won’t become available until after Jan. 5, 2027, DeSantis’ last day in office. Education The behind-the-scenes budget negotiations also yielded apparent agreements on some education spending. The House backed away from paying $20 million to transfer of University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida. The House also proposed delaying its proposed date of the land transfer from October 2026 to January 2027. Hooper said USF trustee Will Weatherford, a former speaker of the Florida House, “has been clear that as long as he gets to keep the funds and his teachers and his programs and his students can relocate to another campus if they choose to do that, then he doesn’t object to the transfer.” But the House is sticking to proposed budget language that would put an additional $10 million in general revenue for operational enhancements at New College. “I don’t think there’s heartburn over the transfer; the heartburn is over the money,” Hooper told reporters. The House maintained its position of not funding preeminent universities, rewarding campuses that meet excellence goals. The House proposal offers $43 million in State University System Projects, more than the $15.8 million the Senate initially proposed. While the chambers didn’t agree to include an across the board 3% pay increase for state employees, the House agreed to a 4% pay increase for state firefighters, state law enforcement officers, and state corrections officers. The chambers had previously announced agreement not to increase health insurance premiums for state employees in the coming year. There were no revelations regarding spending in the Health and Human Services section of the budget at the two initial Friday night budget meetings. Some of the stumbling blocks the chambers need to sort out include payments for Medicaid managed care plans and hospitals as well as the future of a revolving low interest “health innovation” loan program, a key part of former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s Live Healthy Initiative and a recurring $50 million funding commitment. Phoenix reporters Liv Caputo and Jay Waagmeester contributed to this story. Courtesy of Florida Phoenix
	1 person died, 36 injured after blast at New York City shipyard, officials say One person has died after a blast Friday at a New York City shipyard, officials say. They said 36 people were injured, most of them firefighters and other first responders.
	40,000 people under evacuation orders after chemical tank leak in Southern California About 40,000 people were under evacuation orders and schools shut down Friday in Southern California after a storage tank continued to leak a hazardous chemical that officials said could rupture or explode.
	City of Bettendorf named a ‘Bee City USA’ affiliate he city of Bettendorf is joining several cities across the country, including Moline, Illinois, in being named a “Bee City USA” affiliate.
	Rural hospitals could see relief under bipartisan proposal co-sponsored by Kansas reps U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, the 1st District congressman from Kansas, says every American deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare. Mann appears here in September 2024, preparing for a candidate forum. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — A coalition of federal lawmakers from Kansas introduced in the U.S. House this week a bipartisan bill that could offer interest-free loans to rural hospitals “hanging on by a thread.” U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids and Tracey Mann of Kansas and representatives from Alabama, Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Oregon and West Virginia co-sponsored the Rural Hospital Revitalization Act. Mann and Davids said rural hospitals need resources to continue serving patients and stay open. The bill could help rural hospitals build new facilities or renovate existing ones “so rural Americans don’t have to drive hours to see a health care professional,” Mann said in a statement. “Every American deserves access to affordable, quality health care, no matter their ZIP code,” he said. Kansas has the highest number of rural hospitals at immediate risk of closure in the nation. An estimated 68 rural hospitals are at risk of closure and 30 face an immediate risk, according to an analysis by the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. “Rural hospitals are already hanging on by a thread,” Davids said in a Thursday news release, “and extreme Medicaid cuts are now forcing closures and leaving families with hours-long drives just to see a doctor.” The bill would offer eligible hospitals interest-free loans for up to 10 years through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those loans would support construction and renovationand, in theory, free up funds from reduced debt costs, which could be funneled into care, workforce and operational expenses. Moran and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, introduced the bill in the Senate in March. At the time, Moran said in a news release that “rural hospitals are critical to the well-being of the communities they serve in Kansas and across the country.” Republicans, including Moran and Mann, approved Medicaid cuts in July that could result in Kansas hospitals losing up to $2.65 billion in federal and state Medicaid funding over the next decade. Also included in the legislation was a $50 billion rural health transformation fund, which promised to provide emergency assistance for rural hospitals facing closure. Kansas received $221 million from the fund in December, securing the sixth-largest sum among receiving states. Moran said the revitalization bill could foster long-term viability for rural hospitals and, in turn, rural communities. To qualify for the program under the bill, a hospital must be located in a county with fewer than 20,000 residents and one of two criteria: Possess a critical access hospital or rural emergency hospital designation or be located at least 35 miles from the nearest hospital — or 15 miles if located in an area with mountainous terrain or only secondary roads. Under the bill’s terms, hospitals must also demonstrate a need for the program funds and be financially stable. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Davenport man faces multiple charges for child exploitation and drug distribution, possession of sex-abuse material Justin Neumiller, 46, has been charged with over 20 counts of sex abuse material possession.
	1 dead after Davenport apartment fire One person is dead after a Davenport apartment fire on the 1400 block of East 39th Street.
	Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce cuts ribbon on new location in Silvis Read about what Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce leaders said about their move to Silvis.
	Illinois bill to help students access nutritious food advances A new bill in Illinois is aimed to reduce food waste in schools while helping students access nutritious food more easily. House Bill 4859 builds off an existing law that requires school districts enrolled in federal child nutrition programs to develop food sharing plans. The bill clarifies that share tables, where students can put uneaten, [...]
	New research explores why some teens may be more vulnerable to harmful social media use A team at the University of Iowa found that not all social media behaviors carry the same level of risk. Here's what they found and what steps parents can take.
	‘Catch the baby’: Neighbors detail dramatic rescue during deadly Davenport apartment fire One person is dead and 15 residents are displaced following a fire at the North Park Manor Apartments in Davenport. Find updates on the situation here.
	Greater QC Hispanic Chamber opens new, larger offices in Silvis Staff and supporters of the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce gathered Friday, May 22, for a ribbon-cutting to open its new larger offices, at 908 1st Ave., downtown Silvis.

Monday, May 25th, 2026

Sunday, May 24th, 2026

Saturday, May 23rd, 2026

Friday, May 22nd, 2026