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

Thursday, July 30th, 2026
	Bed bugs are on the rise in Davenport, exterminator says A new report from Orkin ranks Davenport 19th in the nation for bed bug treatments over the past year, and local experts say they’re seeing more cases across eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
	Davenport Speedway announces eight more Hall of Fame inductees Eight more inductees to the Davenport Speedway Hall of Fame have been announced. The inductees were chosen through the work of the selection committee and the result from a fan vote. Four from the pre-1970s era and four people from the post-1970 era were elected. Here are the individuals who have been inducted to the [...]
	Rock Island police investigating armed robbery at vape shop Investigators believe a suspect, described as a Black male with his face partially concealed, entered the store with a handgun and demanded money from the register.
	The Heart of the Story: Let's go camping! Our Quad Cities News is partnering with award-winning journalist Gary Metivier for The Heart of the Story. Each week, Gary showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff, enjoying their hobbies and living life to the fullest. Stories that feature the best of the human condition. Summer's not over yet, and you may still [...]
	Tools for Schools supply drive receives donation from Elevate Trampoline Park An Elevate Trampoline Park rep stops by WQAD with a donation during a daylong school supply drive on July 29.
	Attorney change delays former Quad City Arts interim director's detention hearing Former Quad City Arts interim director Benjamin Morris remains jailed after a judge delayed his detention hearing following a change in defense attorneys.
	UAW seeking higher wage increases in counter to John Deere contract extension proposal The union's counterproposal would increase wage hikes from 4% to 5% in 2026 and 2027 and roll current cost-of-living adjustments into employees' base wages.
	Iowa candidates face questions over nitrate pollution and who should fix it Nitrate pollution is emerging as a prominent issue in Iowa’s midterm elections, with candidates in major races facing questions about water quality and accountability.
	Deere, UAW still debating contract extension proposal ahead of union vote Deere & Co. and the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America are still debating a potential contract extension.
	Some much needed rain hitting the Quad Cities With July wrapping up in just a couple of days, it has been a bit lackluster in terms of rainfall, especially compared to last July. Where our average July rainfall sits at around 4 and a quarter inch of rain, this year we are currently sitting at just more than half of that number. However, [...]
	Motorcyclist killed in Davenport crash A 19-year-old motorcyclist was killed Wednesday in a single-vehicle crash in Davenport, according to a news release from the Davenport Police Department. The crash happened shortly after 2 a.m. in the area of East River Drive and East 4th Street, where Davenport police, fire and Medic EMS crews responded. The initial investigation indicates that the [...]
	Scott County presentation will focus on how environmental risk factors contribute to cancer The presentation is being held by the Iowa Environmental Council.
	Motorcyclist killed in single-vehicle crash early Thursday in Davenport A motorcyclist died after his bike crashed on River Drive and Fourth Street in Davenport early Thursday.
	19-year-old killed in Davenport motorcycle crash Investigators believe the rider was traveling eastbound on River Drive early Thursday morning when he struck a curb and lost control of his motorcycle.
	Thank you to everyone who donated to WQAD's school supply drive! All the items will help students right here in the Quad Cities Area.
	Deere gives update on UAW contract, rejects union counteroffer Deere claimed the UAW made a counteroffer that exceeded the company's by roughly "half a billion dollars."
	John Deere will not increase proposed contract extension for UAW workers John Deere reports it will not increase a proposed contract extension with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. According to a release from John Deere: Earlier this month we proposed a two-year contract extension to the UAW. The extension offered to significantly enhance Deere’s industry-leading wages, benefits and protections. The offer allows us to support [...]
	'Party in the Park' series returning to Davenport Tonight's location is at Duck Creek Park on East Locust Street. The party runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
	Mercer County superintendent's bench trial begins The bench trial of Mercer County School District Superintendent Timothy Farquer, charged with illegally accessing student medical records, began Thursday.
	Clinton's police chief named interim city administrator The Clinton City Council appointed Police Chief Kevin Gyrion as interim city administrator Tuesday while he continues serving as police chief.
	19-year-old dead following Davenport motorcycle crash Investigators believe the rider was traveling eastbound on River Drive early Thursday morning when he struck a curb and lost control of his motorcycle.
	Eligible Illinois residents to receive new food benefit Illinois residents who lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive a one-time $400 benefit per eligible household member through the new Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) program. According to a release, the $70 million program was enacted as part of the Gov. JB Pritzker's FY27 budget, which was focused on making [...]
	Crime Stoppers: Rock Island Co. deputies searching for aggravated assault suspect The Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 32-year-old Markcus D. Davis for failing to appear in court on an aggravated assault charge.
	Crime Stoppers: Iowa high-risk unit searching for wanted burglary suspect The Iowa Department of Corrections High Risk Unit is searching for 27-year-old Tyler Copell, who is wanted for burglary and drug possession.
	Crime Stoppers: Armed robbery at RI vape shop nets $9K in goods, $650 in cash Rock Island police are searching for two suspects who used a handgun to rob Essentials Vape of over $9,800 in cash and goods.
	1 dead in Davenport motorcycle crash A man is dead after a motorcycle crash early Thursday morning.
	Rock Island police searching for suspect in vape shop armed robbery Investigators believe a suspect, described as a Black male with his face partially concealed, entered the store with a handgun and demanded money from the register.
	Iowa Catholic schools creates organization for incoming federal scholarship program Families can use the scholarships for tuition, fees, tutoring, before- and after-school activities and classroom supplies.
	Celebrate 20 years of the Quad City Rollers The Quad City Rollers have been bringing flat-track roller derby to the Quad Cities for two decades, and you can help celebrate the competition and community! Sarah 'T Wrecks' Eikleberry and Tara 'Mayhem' Malnar joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about the Quad City Rollers' 20 years and their new home in the QCA. [...]
	Burlington teen, juvenile accused of stealing gun, armor from patrol vehicle A Burlington teen and a juvenile are facing felony charges after deputies say they stole a gun from a patrol vehicle.
	Death Notice: Donald Brandt A funeral service for Donald LeRoy Brandt, 91, of Donahue, will be held at noon on Monday, Aug. 3, at the Runge Mortuary & Crematory, Davenport. Burial with military honors will follow at the Rock Island National Cemetery. A luncheon will follow burial at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 2, from 3-6 p.m. at the mortuary. Mr. Brandt died Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at his home. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com. A full obituary will appear in the Aug. 5 edition of The NSP.
	Rock Island police investigate robbery of local vape and smoke shop Rock Island police are seeking the public's help in solving an armed robbery at Essentials Smoke and Vape Shop on 18th Avenue.
	Mortgage rates hit their highest level in a year, driven by war and inflation concerns The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 6.66% on average Thursday.
	After Fauci Senate hearing, experts worry about 'chilling effect' on public health The accusations against Dr. Anthony Fauci, once the nation's leading infectious disease expert, have some experts worrying that these events may further erode public health staffing in the U.S.
	Moline man charged in Rock Island County's first AI-generated child sexual abuse material case A Moline man faces felony charges in what the Rock Island County State's Attorney says is the first local case involving AI-generated child sexual abuse materials.
	Rock Island Police investigating armed robbery at vape shop Rock Island Police are still investigating an armed robbery at a vape shop Wednesday.
	UAW counters John Deere contract extension proposal with higher wage increases The union's counterproposal would increase wage hikes from 4% to 5% in 2026 and 2027 and roll current cost-of-living adjustments into employees' base wages.
	Rock Island Police investigating vape shop robbery Rock Island Police are investigating a reported armed robbery that took place last night. A news release from the Rock Island Police Department said officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at Essentials Vape and Smoke Shop, 3015 18th Avenue, on July 29 at about 11:02 p.m. They learned that a Black man [...]
	Detention hearing delayed for interim arts leader in R.I. ‘Predator Poachers’ case He faces 30 counts of possession and dissemination of child pornography.
	Clinton police chief appointed interim city administrator The Clinton City Council appointed Police Chief Kevin Gyrion as interim city administrator Tuesday while he continues serving as police chief.
	Wendy Walljasper running for seat on Scott County Board of Supervisors Another QC resident has announced plans to run for a seat on the Scott County Board of Supervisors. Wendy Walljasper is campaigning for a seat on the board in this November’s election as an independent candidate. She says the partisanship of national politics doesn’t always fit the local issues affecting Scott County residents. “I’ve worked [...]
	Death Notice: Gary King A funeral service celebrating the life of Gary R. King, 74, of Eldridge, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Faith Lutheran Church, Eldridge. Visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 4-7 p.m. at the church. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mr. King died Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Fieldstone of DeWitt. Memorials may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church Camp Scholarship Fund or to the Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City. Online condolences may be made at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com. A full obituary will appear in the Aug. 5 edition of The NSP.
	Mercy College of Health Sciences forms new clinical training initiative with MercyOne Starting this fall, nursing students at Mercy College of Health Sciences will train under a new clinical model through MercyOne. (Photo courtesy of Mercy College of Health Sciences)Mercy College of Health Sciences has partnered with a medical center that was also created by the Sisters of Mercy to develop a new method of providing clinical training to nursing students. The Des Moines private college stated in a news release that it will collaborate with MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center to launch a new framework for clinical education this fall for students pursuing their bachelor’s degree in nursing. The program is called a “Dedicated Education Unit.” “This partnership represents a significant step forward in how we prepare nurses for the realities of practice,” said Vincent Salyers, dean of the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing at Mercy College, in the release. “The Dedicated Education Unit model allows our students to build genuine competence and confidence within a real care team, not just rotate through it. That difference matters, both for the students and for the patients they will one day serve.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. According to the release, this education unit will have nursing students remain at MercyOne for the majority of their clinical training, rather than rotating between different systems each semester. MercyOne nurses will act as “unit-base clinical instructors,” the release stated, with nursing faculty from Mercy College serving as partners with the nurses and evaluators for students. By keeping students’ clinical environment consistent, the release stated they will have stronger professional connections, as well as develop better clinical judgment and deeper clinical knowledge. The partnership will also create a workforce pipeline for MercyOne. Both the college and medical center were founded by the Sisters of Mercy in the 1890s, Mercy College states online, within six years of one another, and are located within walking distance of one another in Des Moines. “MercyOne is proud to partner with Mercy College to shape the next generation of Iowa’s nursing professionals,” said Chris Courtney, chief nursing officer at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, in the release. “The DEU model aligns directly with our commitment to clinical excellence and to building a strong, sustainable nursing workforce. Students who learn with us in this model will be situated for success from day one.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Pay It Forward: Davenport man known as father figure, mentor to many Michael Cribbs received the WQAD News 8 and Ascentra Credit Union Pay It Forward award for his passion, sacrifice and dedication to serve the community.
	Indiana Medicaid will cover GLP-1s for obesity Gov. Mike Braun commits to join federal initiative to cover GLP-1 medications for obesity through Medicaid. (Photo by Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle)Hoosiers insured through Medicaid will soon gain access to GLP-1 medications for obesity. Gov. Mike Braun on Thursday directed the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, which administers Medicaid benefits to 1.9 million Hoosiers, to participate in a federal initiative to cover GLP-1 medications for obesity. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center is working with drug makers like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to make GLP-1 medications more affordable — for state Medicaid programs and beneficiaries alike. States that opt into the BALANCE model can access GLP-1 medications at a lower cost. Indiana Medicaid will pay $85.16 of the $245 monthly cost per person, thanks to contributions from the federal government and manufacturer discounts. Manufacturers agreed to provide free lifestyle support as well. “Indiana is proud to expand access to essential treatment for eligible Hoosiers,” Braun said in a news release Thursday. “This agreement reflects our commitment to Make Indiana Healthy Again by pursuing practical solutions that increase healthier lives.” Exact details about eligibility criteria and timing are not yet available, as the agreement is still being finalized. A news release from the governor’s office said access to obesity treatment could allow more Hoosiers to remain or return to the workforce and limit reliance on public assistance. “Obesity is a serious, chronic disease, and addressing it can open the door to better health,” David A. Ricks, chair and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly, said in the release. “Here in Indiana, 71% of adults are living with obesity or overweight. This toll on our state’s health is also a toll on our economy, costing an estimated $10.7 billion a year, or nearly 2% of GDP. “Indiana opting into the BALANCE model is a meaningful step forward,” he said, “and we’re grateful for the Governor’s leadership in making breakthrough medicines like Foundayo and Zepbound available to eligible Medicaid patients. We’re proud our home state is taking action to expand access to obesity treatment, so more Hoosiers can get the care they need.” Courtesy of Indiana Capital Chronicle
	Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosting award gala The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC) is hosting its 2026 Signature Mariposa Gala & Awards Celebration on October 16 at 5 p.m. at Rhythm City Casino, 7077 Elmore Avenue in Davenport. The Gala is the Chamber's premier annual fundraiser and signature community event. It gathers business leaders, community partners, members and supporters [...]
	Medicare and Medicaid birthday celebrated in Davenport with calls for action July 30 marks the 61st birthday of the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs, and several speakers Wednesday in Davenport called for urgent actions for benefit programs subject to budget cuts.
	The Trump administration wants $10 million more to cover its July Fourth celebrations Congress allocated $150 million for 250th birthday events. The Trump-backed group that planned the state fair and July 4th fireworks is asking for an additional $10 million in reimbursements.
	European soccer leaders to boycott the World Cup in an unprecedented step In an unprecedented step, European nations said they would boycott the World Cup unless FIFA reverses a controversial deal to sell minority stakes to the marquee soccer tournament.
	Trinity Muscatine Public Health hosts Back-to-School Health Clinic The free clinic offers a wide variety of essential services to help children start the school year healthy and ready to learn.
	4 ways wildfires generate tornadoes, lightning and other extreme weather, sometimes miles from the flames Thick smoke from massive wildfires has been spreading in North America and Europe once again in 2026. The health impacts of breathing this particle-filled air are becoming well known, but wildfires’ influence on the weather is less widely recognized. We often think about weather controlling wildfires: Dry air, heat, wind and lightning determine when fires start and how quickly they spread. However, once a wildfire becomes intense enough, the relationship can flip. Instead of simply responding to the weather, the fire begins to create its own weather. I study wildfires and air quality at the University of Texas at Arlington. Here are four key ways wildfires influence the weather around them: 1. Updrafts and fire tornadoes Wildfires release a large amount of heat. As the air above the flames heats up rapidly, it becomes lighter than the surrounding air. As a result, the warm air rises. This upward motion creates a powerful current of air known as an updraft. In some cases, the rising air becomes so strong that it begins to spin, forming a fire whirl, also known as a fire tornado. Forestry officials captured this image of a fire whirl during the Douglas Complex fires in 2013 at Rabbit Mountain, Ore. Marvin Vetter/Oregon Department of Forestry, CC BY The process is very similar to how a typical tornado forms, though fire tornadoes tend to be smaller and, because they feed off the heat, confined to the fire area. 2. Fire clouds and thunderstorms The rising plume of smoke and hot gases also contains water vapor released from burning vegetation and the surrounding atmosphere. As the plume rises, the water vapor cools and condenses into tiny cloud droplets, forming a cloud directly above the fire. Scientists call these clouds pyrocumulus, or fire clouds. A pyrocumulus cloud rises above a wildfire in the Angeles National Forest in Southern California in 2012. Jeremy A. Greene/wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA As water vapor condenses, it releases additional heat, making the rising air even more buoyant. If the fire is intense enough and the atmosphere is unstable, the cloud can continue expanding upward into the upper troposphere. It may eventually develop into a pyrocumulonimbus cloud – a thunderstorm generated by the fire itself. 3. Fire-generated lightning As the pyrocumulus cloud rises above the point in the atmosphere where the air temperature drops below freezing, cloud droplets begin to freeze, producing ice crystals, supercooled water droplets and graupel – a soft version of hail. Collisions among these particles separate positive and negative electric charges within the cloud. Over time, the charge imbalance becomes strong enough to produce lightning. Some of these lightning strikes can ignite new fires beyond the original fire perimeter, making firefighters’ jobs even harder. Lightning is a frequent cause of wildfires. Wildfire smoke can fuel storm clouds that generate more lightning, which can start new fires. AFP via Getty Images via The Conversation In late July 2026, a severe wildfire near Saumos in southwestern France became intense enough to generate a pyrocumulonimbus cloud. Lightning from the storm ignited new fires outside the original burn area, allowing the fire to spread beyond its initial blaze. 4. Smoke can change weather downwind Wildfire smoke can also affect weather far from the flames. Smoke can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles. Along the way, it can influence how clouds form and how lightning develops. Smoke contains large numbers of tiny particles. These particles act as seeds on which water vapor condenses to form cloud droplets. Scientists call these seeds cloud condensation nuclei. When wildfire smoke arrives over a region, it increases the number of cloud condensation nuclei in the atmosphere. As a result, the same amount of water is divided among many more cloud droplets, making each droplet smaller. Smaller droplets take longer to merge into raindrops, which can delay rainfall or shift it to another location downwind. This is one reason why forecasting precipitation becomes more challenging during major wildfire events. A pyrocumulus cloud builds over the Gold Mountain Fire on July 26, 2026, in western Colorado. Sláinte Farms. Scientists have also found that wildfire smoke can alter lightning patterns in downwind thunderstorms. Under normal conditions, about 90% of cloud-to-ground lightning carries a negative charge, while positive-charge cloud-to-ground lightning is relatively rare. However, studies have reported unusually large numbers of positive-charge lightning strikes in smoke-affected storms. Positive lightning is more powerful and damaging than negative lightning. It carries larger electrical currents, lasts longer and releases more energy. As a result, it is more likely to ignite new wildfires and can pose greater risks to people and infrastructure. In some smoke-affected thunderstorms, positive flashes accounted for more than 40% of all cloud-to-ground lightning. In the most extreme cases, the fraction exceeded 90%, meaning that nearly all cloud-to-ground lightning was positively charged. Living with fire and its consequences The next time wildfire smoke turns the sky hazy, remember that the smoke is not simply drifting through the atmosphere – it is becoming part of the atmosphere. Wildfires and their smoke can shape clouds, rainfall and lightning in ways we are only beginning to understand. As large wildfires become more frequent, living with them will require more than fighting fires. We must also learn to anticipate and adapt to their far-reaching effects on air quality, health and even the weather. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Yunyao Li, University of Texas at Arlington Read more: Yes, breathing wildfire smoke can harm your health – here’s what you can do to protect yourself How America courted increasingly destructive wildfires − and what that means for protecting homes today ‘The fire has such power’: why the wildfires gripping France and Spain are off the charts Yunyao Li does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
	Trump says he 'may' pull Blanche AG nomination temporarily The news comes as two key Republicans are withholding their support over concerns about the Justice Department's deal with President Trump.
	Pop-culture retail chain BoxLunch opening this weekend at NorthPark Mall The pop-culture retail chain is hosting its grand opening celebration this weekend inside NorthPark Mall, starting with a Loyalty Member Preview Night this evening.
	Honoring America’s Heroes on the Backroads \| Bartell's Backroads Travel across California and the West to explore historic military sites, veteran programs and powerful tributes to service.
	Woman awaiting trial in Henry County charged with battering corrections officer A woman in the Henry County Jail awaiting trial in two felony cases faces a new felony charge after she allegedly battered a corrections officer.
	Ag secretary candidate wants 50% of Iowa school meals to be sourced locally Iowa agriculture candidate Chris Jones unveiled a 10-year plan requiring schools to buy 50% of their food from local farms to improve water quality.
	Davenport man accused of stealing from tobacco shop 3 days in a row Jesse Ware, 23, faces multiple felony charges after police say he repeatedly targeted and robbed a Davenport vape and tobacco shop on East Locust.
	Celebrating National Cheesecake Day with Village Inn It's National Cheesecake Day, and Village Inn celebrated with one of their seasonal favorites, blueberry cheesecake pie. Cesaire Nwatcock with Village Inn tells us about their pies.
	What are the effects of microplastics on bladder health? What are the effects of microplastics on bladder health?Microplastics have made their way into the human body, including the urinary system. But what do the effects of microplastics mean for bladder health? In this story, Aeroflow Urology examines the latest data.Right now, the research is still in its early stages.However, what researchers have found is that microplastics and nanoplastics may induce inflammation and disrupt cell signaling. A direct link between microplastics and bladder conditions has not been proven, but the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for more research.Key Takeaways:Microplastics have now been found in food, drinking water, and human biological samples, including urine and stool.Multiple studies call for further research to better understand the impact of microplastics on the bladder and urinary system.Emerging data on microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) suggest that MNPs may increase inflammation, damage cells, and disrupt cell signaling, raising concerns about bladder cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), and incontinence.What Are Microplastics?Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, typically measuring up to 5 millimeters long. They can come from a variety of products breaking down over time, such as water bottles, food packaging, clothing, and tires.Nanoplastics — which are 100 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair — are a much smaller form of microplastics, and may move more easily through human tissues.These particles can end up in water, food, air, and the human body.Are Microplastics Harmful to the Bladder?Potentially. In a 2022 report, the World Health Organization published its findings about the overall effects of microplastics, stating that there was not enough evidence to “determine risks to human health.”“We have enough research to say that microplastics can reach the urinary system and cause inflammation or tissue stress,” says Aleece Fosnight, medical advisor for Aeroflow Urology. “For bladder-related research specifically, there are some concerns around urinary tract dysfunction; however, there is no strong human evidence that proves everyday exposure directly causes bladder disease.” Aeroflow Urology With microplastics and bladder health, Fosnight suggests being “mindful of your daily exposures to microplastics and reduce unnecessary exposure when possible.”More healthcare professionals specializing in urology, such as Dr. Jason Carter, are speaking out.Carter suggests, “Since the kidneys filter our blood and the bladder stores urine, it’s reasonable to think the urinary system could be exposed to these particles or the chemicals they carry.” He goes on to state, “We don’t have definitive evidence that microplastics directly cause bladder disease, but there’s enough concern that they’re worth paying attention to as the research evolves.”Can Microplastics Lead to Urinary Incontinence?Right now, there isn’t enough evidence to say that microplastics cause urinary incontinence, which is known as the loss of bladder control. However, researchers are watching this area closely.A 2024 scoping review published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology listed incontinence as a possible public health concern.Several articles from this review cited that microplastics and nanoplastics have been shown to:Increase inflammation.Lead to cellular toxicity.Disrupt normal physiological processes. Your Urinary System & MicroplasticsHow exactly do microplastics travel to your bladder? Plus, how does your urinary system work?To answer these questions, it’s crucial to begin with the main parts that make up your urinary system, which include your:Kidneys: Filter blood to remove waste and excess water, producing urine.Ureters: Ducts that connect your kidneys to your bladder.Bladder: Stores urine.Urethra: A tube that allows urine to leave your body.Microplastics can enter your body when you swallow them in food or water, or when you breathe them in from the air. Some of the smallest particles may pass into your bloodstream, where your kidneys can filter some of them into urine.While microplastics are in your urinary system, they may interfere with your hormones. However, these effects still warrant additional research.“Detecting microplastics does not automatically mean they are causing harm,” says Fosnight.There isn’t enough evidence to definitively state that microplastics can cause specific bladder symptoms, but if they contribute to inflammation, they could make existing bladder conditions worse.What to Do If You’re Concerned About Bladder HealthResearch around microplastics and bladder health is still growing, and there isn’t enough evidence to say that they can directly cause bladder conditions.However, it’s still important to pay attention to your bladder health.You can support your bladder by:Being aware of common bladder irritants, such as caffeine and spicy foods.Drinking enough water to avoid dehydration, which can cause urinary tract infections. Being dehydrated can also make your urine more concentrated, which may lead to irritation.Try to avoid constipation. Being constipated can put pressure on your bladder and make it more difficult to empty your bladder completely, leading to urinary urgency.Knowing your medications. They may be causing bladder leaks.Symptoms like leaking urine, a sudden need to pee, or feeling like you have to go to the bathroom more often than usual shouldn’t be ignored. If you experience any of these symptoms, reach out to your doctor.They can help you identify the cause of your symptoms, recommend treatment options, and, if you have bladder leaks, prescribe insurance-covered incontinence supplies.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do microplastics enter the body?Microplastics can enter the body through food, water, and air. Some of these particles can break down into smaller fragments, which may be harder to detect in the human body.How long do microplastics stay in your body?This remains unclear. According to an article from Stanford Medicine, “scientists don’t yet know how long microplastics stay in the body.”Why are microplastics being found in urine?People are being exposed to microplastics in daily life through objects such as water bottles and food packaging. Particles from these materials may enter the body and may pass through the bladder. Researchers are still studying how much reaches the urinary system and what that may mean for bladder health.How can you avoid microplastics?You can’t avoid microplastics completely, but you can lower your exposure by avoiding heating food in plastic containers and cutting back on single-use plastics. Also, try carrying a reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle instead of relying on single-use plastic.Do tea bags have microplastics?Yes, some plastic tea bags may contain microplastics. Plastic tea bags may release very small plastic particles into hot water. A 2025 review reported that microplastics may be present in all types of tea-based drinks.Does gum have microplastics?Yes, some gum may contain and release microplastics.Should you get tested for microplastics?Usually, no. Testing for microplastics is still a developing area, and experts don’t yet fully understand what those results could mean for your health.This story was produced by Aeroflow Urology and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The pros and cons of owning a beagle The pros and cons of owning a beagle A beagle leads with their nose. That one fact explains almost everything you will love about the breed, and the handful of things that will test your patience. The same scent drive that makes them charming, curious, and endlessly entertaining is the reason they will unzip a backpack to find a granola bar, and it is why owning a beagle and managing a beagle’s weight turns out to be the same job. This guide by Ollie covers beagle pros and cons, what is going on under that velvet-eared exterior, and how to feed a beagle so the breed’s biggest health risk never becomes your problem.Beagles are friendly, sociable, family-loving dogs that get along with kids, other dogs, and most cats, which makes them excellent companions for active households.Their biggest care priority is weight. Beagles are one of the most food-driven breeds there is.The single most important thing you can do for a beagle is keep them lean and feed them a measured, complete diet.Beagle quick factsBreed group: Hound (scent hound)Size: Two varieties recognized by the AKC, one standing under 13 inches, the other from 13 to 15 inchesWeight: Roughly under 20 pounds for the smaller variety, about 20 to 30 pounds for the largerLife expectancy: Around 10 to 15 yearsCoat: Short, dense, low-grooming double coat, classically tricolor (black, white, and tan)Temperament: Friendly, curious, merry, sociable, even-temperedBest known for: A world-class nose. Beagles work as detection dogs in the USDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that sniffs out prohibited food and agricultural products Pros of owning a beagleBeagles are wonderful family dogs. Bred to hunt in packs, they are wired to live alongside others, which translates into a dog that is genuinely happy to be part of the group, whether the group is two people or a full house of kids, cats, and fellow dogs.They are sociable to their core. A beagle is not a one-person dog who tolerates everyone else. They tend to greet new people, new dogs, and houseguests as potential friends.They are low-maintenance in the grooming department. That short, weather-ready coat needs little more than a weekly brush and the occasional bath. Those long, floppy ears do need regular checks and cleaning, though.They are compact and adaptable. A 20-something-pound dog fits a lot of lives, doing well in apartments and houses, city and country, as long as they get real daily exercise.They are up for anything. Hikes, fetch, a long sniffy walk, a romp with other dogs at the park. Beagles bring a cheerful, game-for-it energy that makes them a great match for active people and families.Cons of owning a beagleThey are vocal. Beagles bark, and they bay, that distinctive drawn-out hound howl. It is part of the charm for many owners and a genuine consideration if you have close neighbors or thin walls.They dig. A beagle who catches an interesting scent at the fence line may decide to excavate it, especially if left alone too long.They are independent thinkers. A beagle’s nose outranks your voice, so once they are locked onto a scent, recall gets unreliable fast. Positive, food-motivated training works well here.They are relentless about food, a trait that shapes everything about feeding and long-term health (more on that below).Keeping your beagle at a healthy weight starts with portion-controlled, nutrient-dense fresh food.Beagle temperament: The nose-first dogEverything about a beagle’s personality routes back through that remarkable nose. They are scent hounds, bred over centuries to pick up a trail and stay on it for hours, and that hardware did not switch off when they moved from the hunt to the couch.In practice, the nose-first wiring shows up as selective hearing, a powerful pull to roam, and a talent for finding food you were certain was out of reach. Counter-surfing, trash-investigating, and backpack-raiding are not bad behavior so much as a beagle doing exactly what a beagle was built to do.The upside of all that drive is a dog who is curious, engaged, and a joy to keep busy. Scent games, snuffle mats, food puzzles, and “find it” work are irresistible to a beagle, and they double as a way to feed the brain without overfeeding the body. A beagle thrives in company and struggles with long stretches alone, where boredom curdles into barking, digging, and destruction.Beagle health and common issuesBeagles are, on the whole, a sturdy and long-lived breed, which is part of why they have stayed so popular. But like every breed, they come with a few known predispositions worth knowing about:Weight gain and obesity. The defining health risk of the breed, and the one most directly in an owner’s control. Beagles have a well-documented tendency toward obesity, and their food intake needs to be actively managed rather than left to appetite.Ear infections. Those signature low-set, floppy ears reduce airflow to the ear canal, creating a warm, moist environment where yeast and bacteria can flourish. Weekly ear checks go a long way.Hypothyroidism. An underactive thyroid can show up as weight gain, low energy, and coat changes, and is typically manageable with medication once diagnosed.Eye conditions. Beagles can be prone to cherry eye and glaucoma, both worth flagging to your vet if you notice redness, swelling, or cloudiness.Epilepsy. The breed has a recognized predisposition to idiopathic epilepsy, often well controlled with veterinary care.Joint and back health. Hip dysplasia and intervertebral disc issues can occur, and carrying extra weight makes any joint or spinal vulnerability worse.The throughline across most of this list is bodyweight. Keeping a beagle at a healthy weight is one of the highest-leverage things an owner can do for the breed’s long-term health and comfort.How much should a beagle weigh? And why it mattersA healthy beagle generally lands under about 20 pounds for the smaller variety and in the 20-to-30-pound range for the larger one. But the number on the scale matters less than what you can feel with your hands, because two beagles of the same height can carry very different amounts of fat.The tool vets use is body condition scoring, and you can do a quick version at home:Ribs: You should be able to feel the ribs easily with light pressure, the way you can feel the back of your hand. If you have to press to find them, there is too much padding.Waist: Looking down from above, there should be a visible waist that tucks in behind the ribs. A straight or bulging outline from above is a sign of extra weight.Tuck: From the side, the belly should rise up toward the back legs, not hang level with the chest.This matters because beagle weight management is not a vanity project. Beagles are food-motivated enough that they are used as a model in canine obesity and metabolism research. Excess weight is linked to a longer list of problems, from joint strain to metabolic issues, that can shorten a dog’s good years, according to a study published in 2022. The encouraging flip side: Weight is the one major beagle health lever that is almost entirely in your hands.Beagle nutritional needsA beagle diet should do three jobs at once: Deliver complete, balanced nutrition, satisfy a serious appetite without overdelivering calories, and stay consistent enough that you can actually tell how much your dog is eating.Here’s what that looks like in practice:Quality protein as the foundation, to support lean muscle on an active, compact body.Calorie awareness above all, because the gap between “enough” and “too much” is small on a dog this size. A few extra treats a day add up far faster on a 22-pound beagle than on a 70-pound Lab.Lasting satiety, so a hungry dog feels fed. Whole-food ingredients and adequate protein and fiber help a beagle feel satisfied on an appropriate number of calories.Measured meals, not free-feeding. A bowl left out all day is an open invitation that a beagle will accept every time.Research published in 2025 on food motivation has found that how strongly a dog is driven by food, paired with how closely owners manage feeding, tracks with whether that dog ends up overweight. For a breed that scores near the top on food drive, that finding is basically a beagle owner’s manual: the food itself, and your discipline around it, do most of the work.How much to feed a beagleBecause every dog is different, there is no set number of calories to feed your beagle. The right amount depends on your beagle’s life stage. Puppies need more calories per pound and more frequent meals to fuel growth, size, and activity level.A calorie-measured plan is the obvious answer for a dog like this. Instead of scooping cups and guessing, you feed a known number of calories matched to your beagle’s weight, spay/neuter status, and activity, then adjust to body condition.What is the best dog food for beagles?The best food for beagles is not a single product, but instead a set of qualities. Here’s what to be on the lookout for when scouting for dog food for your beagle:Complete and balanced nutrition appropriate to your beagle’s life stage.Real, recognizable ingredients with quality protein doing the heavy lifting.Built-in portion control, which for this breed is essential.Calorie transparency, so you know exactly what is going in the bowl.This is where fresh, pre-portioned food has a particular advantage for beagles.A beagle who is fed well and kept lean is a beagle set up for a longer, more comfortable, more active life. That is the most meaningful thing nutrition can do for the breed.FAQs about beaglesQ: Are beagles prone to obesity?A: Yes, more than most breeds. Beagles have a strong, well-documented tendency toward weight gain, driven by an unusually high food motivation, and their intake needs to be actively managed. The good news is that it is highly preventable with measured meals, treat discipline, and regular exercise.Q: What is the best dog food for a beagle?A: A complete, balanced, life-stage-appropriate food made with quality ingredients and, crucially for this breed, one that makes portion control easy.Q: Is fresh food good for beagles?A: Yes. Beyond precise portioning, fresh food that uses quality ingredients and protein that helps a beagle feel satisfied on an appropriate number of calories makes the breed’s constant food-seeking far easier to manage.Q: How much should I feed my beagle per day?A: Enough to maintain a lean body condition, which varies with age, size, and activity rather than landing on one universal number. Use body condition (easily felt ribs, a visible waist, a belly tuck) as your guide, keep treats to roughly 10% of daily calories, and feed measured meals instead of free-feeding.Q: Do beagles have digestive problems?A: Beagles are not an especially sensitive-stomach breed, but their habit of eating things they find (trash, counter scraps, mystery objects on walks) lands plenty of them in dietary trouble. A consistent, high-quality diet and keeping food and garbage genuinely out of reach prevent most issues.Q: Are beagles picky eaters or food-motivated?A: They are famously food-motivated and near the very top of the scale. Picky is rarely the problem with a beagle. That enthusiasm is a gift for training but a liability for the waistline, so the goal is to channel it rather than indulge it.Q: What human foods are dangerous for beagles?A: The same foods that are toxic to all dogs, and a determined beagle nose makes accidental exposure more likely. Keep chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol, macadamia nuts, and alcohol well out of reach. If your beagle gets into any of these, contact your vet or a pet poison helpline right away.Q: Do beagles need a special diet for their nose or scent work?A: No, there is no special “scent food.” What actually supports a working or playing nose is the same thing that supports the whole dog: complete, balanced nutrition and a healthy weight.This story was produced by Ollie and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	LeClaire man charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor The man was arrested following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to Iowa’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
	Iowa Board of Regents approves $9B budget, extends UI president’s contract The Iowa Board of Regents approved next year's university budgets, highlighting major cost-saving measures and a contract extension for UI's president.
	Rust Belt Americana Antique Swap & Auction, August 6 through 8 Boasting thrilling auctions, a bustling swap meet, and an atmosphere steeped in Americana charm, the Rust Belt Americana Antique Swap & Auction takes place at East Moline's Bend XPO from August 6 through 8, the event hosted hy Rob Wolfe of American Pickers fame, and promising rare items and unforgettable moments on the beautiful bank of the Mississippi River.
	Linn County houses more than 400 ICE detainees this year as immigration enforcement rises New numbers from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office show Linn County has booked hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees this year.
	University of Iowa’s Center for Intellectual Freedom pauses courses until 2028 The pause comes after Republicans in the state legislature just passed a law requiring undergraduate students to take classes at the new center.
	Vietnam memorial replica wall arrives in Brooklyn "The Wall That Heals," a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be open and free for the public to visit.
	Vast produce supply chain complicates tracking cyclospora in Missouri and Kansas The summer months typically bring a small uptick in cyclospora, which is considered a parasitic infection that spreads through food or the use of contaminated water (Centers for Disease Control, Naomi O'Donnell/The Beacon).The same food supply chain that lets restaurants serve nearly identical produce in Missouri, Michigan or California can also make it remarkably difficult to figure out where contamination began when Americans get sick. As cyclospora cases climb across Missouri and Kansas, public health investigators are working backward through a supply chain that can stretch thousands of miles and cross international borders before fresh produce ever reaches our table. Every confirmed case of cyclospora, which is famously afflicting patients with “explosive diarrhea,” triggers an interview that can last up to an hour as public health investigators and epidemiologists ask patients to recall meals from days, or even weeks, earlier. The summer months typically bring a small uptick in cyclospora, which is considered a parasitic infection that spreads through food or the use of contaminated water. But the scope seen across the country this year stands out as the country’s largest outbreak in recent history, sending local, state and federal investigators searching for a common source. And the painstaking process of finding the source of the illness in just one person in Kansas or Missouri highlights a larger challenge: Produce can move through the hands of dozens of farms, packing facilities, grocery stores or restaurants in days. When contamination occurs, tracing it back through that system can take weeks. How investigators track cyclospora cases in Missouri and Kansas Missouri has reported nearly 600 cyclospora cases as of July 27, while Kansas has reported 289. In a typical year, officials in Jackson County see between three and seven cases, which can often be connected to international travel. Nationwide, at least 41 states have reported cases. More than 4,000 cases have been confirmed by testing, with another 7,400 cases that were not confirmed by lab testing. Overall, the country has seen 308 hospitalizations related to the infection so far. In 2025, the country recorded about 2,700 cases total. Cyclospora Cases Source: Centers for Disease Control The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it factors in a six-week reporting lag between the onset of an illness and when cases are actually reported to the CDC, and it anticipates cases continuing to rise. This summer, officials say emergency departments across the region have also seen an uptick in patients arriving at the hospital with diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. In Boone County, Missouri, where health officials are investigating cases in dozens of patients, each interview can take up to an hour. “It is becoming quite a time-consuming endeavor to single in on a common theme,” said Austin Krohn, the public information specialist for Columbia and Boone County Public Health. And the process is made longer by conflicting information from federal officials and major distributors as to the cause of the outbreak. Federal officials initially pointed to Taylor Farms, a major lettuce farmer and distributor, as the cause of much of the contaminated lettuce moving throughout the country. Major food retailers like Taco Bell voluntarily pulled shredded lettuce from their menus, but the Food and Drug Administration later backtracked, saying testing resulted in a false positive result. For health officials trying to find the cause of illness, the uncertainty at the federal level made the process all the more difficult. “The false positive thing that’s been going on with the FDA maybe lengthened the process here,” Krohn said. Investigators must ask where people ate, where they shopped and what symptoms they experienced. Plus, the infection can take up to two weeks to show symptoms, making tracking even more complex. “It’s incredibly complicated with this one because there is a gestation period that can potentially last up to two weeks,” Krohn said. “You have to recall all these things because symptoms can potentially start appearing much later.” Because many people can recover at home without ever going to the doctor, the number of cases is almost certainly higher than what is being reported, Krohn said. “Numbers are most assuredly going to go up in an official capacity and in a nonofficial capacity,” he said. Local cyclospora cases feed the national picture Investigations don’t stop at the county level. They get elevated to state officials, who then compile data and share it with the federal government. Officials in Jackson County are working diligently to identify potential sources of contamination. “The distribution network as it pertains to our food is very, very complex in this country,” said Ray Dlugolecki, the assistant health director at Jackson County Public Health. “Without a centralized entity looking at the data from a large, 70,000-foot perspective, it can take some time to identify sources.” Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services is participating in weekly calls with all 50 states and the CDC to coordinate with public health officials across the country, said Nathan Koffarnus, a Missouri state epidemiologist. “When we get enough really good data from all the questionnaires and the interviews,” Koffarnus said, “the CDC compiles that and does a big data study on it. That’s when they can really identify these clusters of illness that maybe all come from a common source.” The complexity of tracking cases is a byproduct of a nationwide food system tailored to convenience and consistency, regardless of season or geography. How market consolidation can lead to a lack of transparency in the food supply chain Restaurants and grocery chains depend on consistency, said Darin Detwiler, a food safety and supply chain expert at Northeastern University. Customers expect the same quality whether they’re eating in Missouri and Kansas or on the coasts. Demand from large restaurant chains and grocery retailers prioritizes consistency year-round, Detwiler said, despite the fact that most produce is limited to certain seasons in the majority of North America. That can lead to consolidation and large distributors owning major parts of the market. Detwiler pointed to changes in enforcement rules for the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was passed by Congress in 2010. One part of the law asked producers to test water and water treatment beginning in 2016, but industry lobbyists pushed back on the rule, arguing it was too expensive to do. “All of the sudden, boom, we are hit in 2017, 2018, 2019 with all of these leafy green, romaine lettuce outbreaks and recalls,” Detwiler said. And as the cyclospora outbreak continues across the country, changes in federal rules are a topic of conversation. The FDA’s new food traceability rule was set to take effect in January of this year, with the goal of requiring more standard recordkeeping for certain high-risk foods. But enforcement of the rule was delayed until July 2028. The CDC has also reduced the number of pathogens it tracks — including cyclospora — in its FoodNet program, the primary foodborne illness disease surveillance effort. Although illnesses are still reportable through other systems, the changes no longer require producers to collect the same level of data. “Here we are, and this past weekend has been quite eye-opening for the American consumer,” Detwiler said. “It’s not about access and sustainability as much as it is also that trust and confidence in the safety of the product,” Detwiler said. Even with some digitization improving traceability efforts across the supply chain, a lack of transparency in how food reaches the American consumer is creating uncertainty, Detwiler said. “It’s the transparency that is causing what I’ll classify as a certainty gap — you have to understand whether to trust them or not,” he added. The case for shorter supply chains Some advocates for more regionalized food systems say outbreaks like this expose another consequence of market consolidation. Katie Nixon is a Missouri farmer and the food systems director at Nevada, Missouri-based nonprofit New Growth, which is in part working to strengthen local and regional food systems. Nixon said shorter supply chains aren’t immune to foodborne illness or contamination problems, but she argues problems are often easier to trace and the system provides more transparency to consumers. “Over the years, we’ve lost many of our medium-sized farms. Small farms are kind of stuck in small-farmness, and medium farms get bought up by the big guys. Then the big guys get bought up by the mega guys,” Nixon said. “It seems like in this system, it’s just so massive that it’s kind of been lost track of,” she said. Regional food systems can create greater accountability and trust, Nixon said, because produce moves through fewer hands before reaching customers. “When you have regional food systems, it can only go so far,” Nixon said. “You can’t make the entire country sick from one packing facility because that packing facility wouldn’t have the capacity to service the entire country.” In shorter food supply chains, growers, distributors and buyers are more likely to know one another and their customers, Nixon said. “A lot of times accountability is a lot stronger because the people know each other,” Nixon said. Still, she acknowledged that regional food systems are often too small and seasonally dependent to serve the needs of many consumers. For investigators, every outbreak begins with the same questions. What did you eat, and when? But for Nixon and others, this summer’s cyclospora outbreak poses a question of what sort of food supply people want. “We’re the backstop,” Nixon said. “You want those customers to be steady customers, not just emergency customers.” This article first appeared on Beacon: Kansas City and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Courtesy of Missouri Independent
	Are we exposed to more heavy metals today? Are we exposed to more heavy metals today?From lead paint chips to trace parts per billion (ppb) in cookies, exposure to heavy metals has decreased in recent decades. In this story, LMNT details the progress made on this front even as public questions persist.From 1976 to 1980, the average American's blood contained about 12.8 micrograms of lead per deciliter (µg/dL), roughly three and a half times today's reference value of 3.5 µg/dL. Thanks to decades of regulation, median blood levels of lead in young children have dropped 95% in a generation. Yet we worry more about trace metals in everyday foods than our grandparents did about lead paint.Science keeps improving its ability to detect trace substances, but public understanding hasn't kept pace.Let’s break down how heavy metal testing has evolved — and what those measurements actually mean — so you can make sense of the scope when seeing toxicology reports (like the panic over protein powders not too long ago) make the news.Heavy Metal Exposure in the Past vs. TodayLead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium are naturally occurring elements — part of the Earth’s crust, air, and water. But human use amplified our exposure:Early medicines and cosmetics used mercury and arsenic for their perceived healing to treat everything from blemishes to snake bites.The Industrial Revolution brought cadmium runoff from mining.The early 20th century expanded the problem with leaded gasoline and lead-based paints.Practices like these caused environmental and health disasters, including Minamata Bay in Japan (mercury poisoning), "Itai-itai" disease in Japan (cadmium poisoning), arsenic-tainted wells in Bangladesh that affected millions, and perhaps most well-known, the Flint, Michigan water crisis that exposed tens of thousands of residents to elevated lead levels in drinking water.By 1980, we finally had national-scale data to quantify the lead crisis. The Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey measured an average U.S. blood-lead level of 12.8 µg/dL with more than one in five young children exceeding 20 µg/dL — confirming how widespread the exposure really was across the country.When Heavy Metal Regulation Started WorkingFrom the late 1960s into the 1990s, researchers such as Herbert Needleman, M.D. observed an association between elevated lead levels and impaired cognitive and behavioral development. It added to a growing awareness of lead's broader health hazards that drove decades of regulation.These findings reframed lead as a developmental toxin rather than a benign industrial material, which spurred a wave of regulatory action:1970 - Clean Air Act: Empowered the EPA to regulate airborne contaminants, setting the foundation for the phase-out of lead gasoline (completed in 1996). This contributed to declining blood-lead levels across the US.1978 - Consumer Product Safety Commission ban: This ban on lead-based paint, which prohibited the sale of residential paint containing more than 0.06% lead by weight, a primary source of exposure for children. As a result, homes built after 1978 have dramatically lower lead hazard levels, and children in newer homes have lower blood-lead levels overall.1986 - Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments and 1991 Lead and Copper Rule: These regulations collectively limited lead in plumbing materials and set strict thresholds for water system lead content. After these rules took effect, tap water lead levels dropped substantially across US water systems.1990s - 2000s - Strengthened food safety oversight: FDA actions limited lead in foods and packaging. Many companies voluntarily stopped using lead cans in the 1970s, which dramatically decreased dietary lead exposure.The takeaway: Targeted, evidence-based regulation works.Now, population blood lead levels are monitored through the ongoing NHANES survey program.NHANES recruits new samples of people across the U.S. Each year, thousands of participants complete interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory testing, including blood lead measurement for eligible participants. Complex sampling and statistical weighting are used to produce nationally representative estimates.That means we’re not guessing whether Americans’ lead exposure has risen or fallen based only on environmental measurements or food testing. We can look at how much lead is showing up in people’s blood and track changes over decades.Why Testing Shows More ‘Problems’ Now: Modern Detection and MisunderstandingSo why does it feel like heavy metals are everywhere? Because modern testing can see almost everything.Today’s instruments can detect elements in parts per billion — with one part per billion being the equivalent of a single drop in an Olympic-sized pool. That precision is a major win for safety monitoring but also a recipe for misunderstanding.It started in the 1970s when toxicologist Dr. Bruce Ames developed a test so sensitive it could detect mutagens in everyday foods like coffee. People misinterpreted this to believe that coffee causes cancer. Ames had to clarify that detection did not equal danger and that science’s ability to measure something doesn’t automatically make it meaningful.Fast forward to today’s information age, and misinformation spreads faster than facts. A single headline, TikTok clip, or infographic can ignite national (and even international) panic before experts have time to explain what the data mean. Detection technology has outpaced science literacy, and fear often fills the gap.That’s why trace findings often sound alarming — because the numbers are missing context. For example, a two-cookie serving with 1 microgram (µg) of lead may seem worrisome until you learn that a medium carrot contains 1.7 mcg and a medium potato has 2.4 mcg, simply because plants naturally absorb minerals from soil. To put that in perspective, a microgram is about the size of one bacterial cell — invisible to the naked eye.The presence of heavy metals in parts per billion doesn’t imply harm. Toxicity depends on dose, exposure, bioavailability, and your body’s own ability to metabolize and excrete substances. It also depends on a person’s individual susceptibility — children and pregnant women are more particularly vulnerable.When Heavy Metal Safety Standards Don’t Reflect ScienceModern food and environmental safety programs should continue refining how we monitor contaminants, but not all standards are created equal.Take California’s Proposition 65: It was originally designed to protect drinking water from industrial contamination, then was later applied to foods and packaged goods without accounting for bioavailability — how much of a substance your body absorbs.The result? Proposition 65 requires the “no observable effect level” to be divided by 1,000 in order to provide an ample margin of safety. The limit is so strict it flags even trace amounts naturally found in natural foods.Prop 65 isn’t recognized by the FDA or EPA as a federal safety standard, and while its intent may be protective, its limits often don’t reflect toxicological reality.In truth, if you eat whole foods like vegetables, grains, or meats, you’re already consuming more than a microgram of lead a day — another reminder that detection isn’t danger. LMNT Source: Assessment of trace metals in five most-consumed vegetables in the US: Conventional vs. organicAre We Safer From Heavy Metals Today?There was a time when metal toxicity was a genuine public-health threat. Leaded gasoline, lead-based paint, and industrial discharge were not abstract risks; they were widespread, persistent exposures with real consequences.We have largely won that battle. Those major sources have been dramatically reduced or eliminated in the United States, and the result is a generational drop in exposure to lead.Today, what remains is largely trace amounts that have always existed in the natural world, and their continued detection is a sign of progress, not regression. Our bodies are not passive vessels, either; they’re equipped with robust systems that process and clear many compounds safely, including trace heavy metals naturally found in foods, drinks, and household items. Of course, your body’s ability to eliminate heavy metals will vary based on the exact metal and your level of exposure. You can learn more about that here.We are, in many ways, safer than ever.The real progress story isn’t hidden in trace detections, it’s in decades of data that prove science-backed regulations have drastically reduced real risk.FAQQ: Is lead exposure higher now than in the past? A: No, lead exposure is dramatically lower now. Blood lead levels in young kids were a median of 15 μg/dL in 1976 to 1980 but dropped 95% to 0.7 μg/dL in young children by 2016 in large part due to lead paint bans and unleaded gasoline regulations.Q: When was lead paint banned in the United States? A: Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission after evidence showed health impacts, especially on children's development.Q: Are heavy metals in food worse now than before? A: No, heavy metal exposure from just about all sources is much lower now than in recent history. Modern testing simply detects trace amounts that were always present but couldn't be measured when exposures were genuinely dangerous.This story was produced by LMNT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What are Trump Accounts for kids? And should you open one? What are Trump Accounts for kids? And should you open one?Trump Accounts, the president’s foray into free cash for American children, officially launched on July 4, the nation’s 250th birthday.The accounts are designed to help families grow savings for children from the time they’re born, capitalizing on the 20 years or so they presumably have before entering the workforce. Babies born between the start of 2025 and the end of 2028 get $1,000 in seed money from the government for their accounts, which can grow with additional contributions from family, friends and parents’ employers.“We’ll ensure that Americans don’t just end their lives with a nest egg, but instead, all Americans will begin their lives with a beautiful nest egg,” Trump said in January. “There’s never been anything quite like this.”Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called it the “most important government benefit for young people since the GI Bill.”But exactly how far-reaching the policy will be in practice remains an open question, 19th News reports. Families need to sign up for the accounts. They are not automatically opted into them, which means information on how to enroll needs to reach those who need it most. And to have the highest returns, families would need to continue contributing to the accounts past the $1,000 seed money, meaning higher-income families stand to gain the most.There’s evidence that the Trump administration is working to reach some vulnerable populations. The Social Security Administration announced it would allow parents to open a Trump Account for their newborns at the hospital when they register for a Social Security card, a policy that will likely boost signups. State child welfare agencies will also be able to open accounts for foster children in their care, an effort led by First Lady Melania Trump called “Fostering the Future.” States would be allowed to contribute funds they receive to assist foster children, such as disability benefits, into Trump Accounts. About half of states have signed up to participate as of July 1.So far, more than 5.5 million families have made moves to establish a Trump Account. About 1.4 million of those are eligible for the $1,000 seed money. In all, 86% of those applicants are families that have incomes below $200,000.If you’re considering opening an account for your child, here’s what you need to know.What are Trump Accounts?Trump Accounts are investment accounts designed to help children begin accruing wealth. All eligible American children can open one, but babies born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, get a $1,000 contribution from the federal government into their accounts.Parents, family, friends and others can contribute up to $5,000 combined a year into the accounts, though they are not required to. That contribution limit will be indexed to inflation after 2027. Up to $2,500 a year can also come from parents’ employers, with some restrictions.Beneficiaries generally cannot withdraw money before age 18 — or around 2043 for babies born in 2025, which is when the account becomes more like a traditional individual retirement account (IRA).Who is eligible?American children with a valid Social Security number are eligible to open a Trump Account. Children whose immigration status has changed can apply for a Trump Account once they receive a new Social Security card that reflects the change.Legal guardians, parents, adult siblings or grandparents, in that order of priority, can open accounts for a child, according to the IRS. Authorized individuals do not need to be American citizens or have a Social Security number to open an account for an American citizen child. They may use their IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) in the application.Who gets the $1,000 investment?Only children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, get a $1,000 contribution from the federal government into their accounts. For all other kids, parents and guardians can open an account before a child turns 18; they just won’t get the seed money.The $1,000 government contribution does not count against the $5,000 annual contribution limit.Is there any other money available?Yes. Nonprofits and governments can contribute to Trump Accounts with no limits. However, those contributions need to be made in equal amounts to all the Trump Accounts for all beneficiaries living in a specific geographic area or born in a specific year, according to an analysis of the policy by the Bipartisan Policy Center. The requirement was designed to bar donations that would benefit only a certain group or demographic.The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation has already committed $6.25 billion to add $250 to every account for children ages 10 and under — an estimated 25 million kids. Micron, the semiconductor manufacturer, is investing $250 million into Trump Accounts, depositing $250 for children under 18 in the states where it operates: Idaho, New York, Virginia, California, Colorado, Minnesota and Texas. Dalio Philanthropies, from the billionaire founder of asset management firm Bridgewater Associates, is adding another $250 for 300,000 children in Connecticut, targeting those under 10 in certain low-income ZIP codes.Dozens of employers, including Bank of America, Chipotle and Steak ‘n Shake, have also committed to contributing to Trump Accounts on behalf of their employees.How much could this make?In his State of the Union address earlier this year, Trump claimed the accounts could accrue $100,000 or more by the time kids are 18, but experts have pointed out that those estimates fail to account for a number of factors, including inflation, the future of U.S. stock returns and taxes once the funds are withdrawn. The $1,000 in seed money, if left untouched, is more likely to grow to $35,000 over 55 years, or about $8,000 after adjusting for inflation and taxes, according to one estimate from the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right think tank.Still, those are real earnings that could support wealth accumulation in childhood, which has been found to increase children’s chances of pursuing higher education and, ultimately, secure better-paying jobs.“When we have a national policy like a Trump Account that says, ‘We are trying to prepare children so when they become adults they have some bit of savings,’ I think that’s directionally correct,” said Elaine Maag, co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center at the Urban Institute. But the true potential in the policy will depend on how well it can reach those who need it the most, she said.How do I sign up?Parents or guardians must enroll children either by filing a Form 4547 with their taxes or online through the IRS at irs.gov/trumpaccounts. Accounts can be managed online at trumpaccounts.gov or on the Trump Accounts app.Is there a deadline?No. Children can be enrolled anytime before they turn 18.What should I expect if I have already filled out a Form 4547?You should have received an email from no-reply@TrumpAccounts.Treasury.gov prompting you to complete your child’s Trump Account activation.You should follow those instructions to set up the account through the Trump Accounts app or on the TrumpAccounts.gov website.When will the money come in?Beginning July 4, the Treasury Department will deposit the $1,000 seed funds into accounts and families and other contributors are free to begin adding funds.What are the benefits of a Trump account?The key benefit that sets Trump Accounts apart is that contributions can be made before a child earns an income, unlike other traditional IRAs. That allows the money to accrue much earlier and potentially grow through compounding investment returns.“Very few savings products give families $1,000 immediately, and investing that money over nearly two decades can provide a meaningful financial head start,” Stephen Roll, an assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University and research director of the Center for Social Development, where he’s been involved in research on cash transfers and child savings.Children who receive extra funds through governments, philanthropies or their parents’ employers also stand to benefit from the free cash, especially babies who get the seed funding.“If you have a child born between 2025 and 2028, Trump Accounts are likely going to be one of the best options for opening a savings fund simply because there’s a substantial financial incentive attached to it,” Roll said. “Most child savings plans will not hand you $1,000 simply for opening an account.”Are there other savings accounts that could be better to use than a Trump Account?In many cases, yes, but it depends on the goal of the account.If parents or caregivers intend to save money for a child’s education, a 529 college savings plan is likely better suited because it benefits from state tax breaks and the contribution limits are higher.A brokerage account could also be a better option. Families can contribute money with no limits and the account may outperform a Trump Account after taxes, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center’s analysis. Investment gains in brokerage accounts are generally taxed at lower long-term capital gains rates instead of ordinary income tax rates, like with Trump Accounts.Critically, however, the Trump Accounts also won’t address some of the affordability challenges that are squeezing families right now and that are likely to be key to the upcoming midterm election. The earliest kids will generally be able to withdraw the funds is in 2043.“Any kind of savings account that you cannot access until you’re 18 will not meet any of your today’s needs,” Maag said, adding that families that are struggling to pay their rent or childcare will have less to contribute to grow their kids’ Trump Accounts. “It’s hard to imagine if you’re struggling to meet your day-to-day needs, you’re gonna have a lot of ability to contribute to these accounts.”Low-income families who face a host of financial emergencies over the course of their kids’ lives due to housing or work instability could benefit from a fund they could tap into for those expenses, rather than one that locks them out until their children become adults, said Roll, an assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University and research director of the Center for Social Development, where he’s been involved in research on cash transfers and child savings.“A dollar that keeps a family housed or puts food on the table today may do more for a child than a dollar the family cannot reach for years,” he said.Is the money taxed?Yes. Contributions from family or friends are made with after-tax dollars and any investment returns on those contributions are taxed upon withdrawal. When a child turns 18, their Trump Account becomes more like a traditional IRA and operates under those rules. Withdrawals made before a beneficiary is 59 and a half years old are typically subject to a 10% tax with only a couple of exceptions, including withdrawals made for higher education, a first home purchase or birth or adoption costs.Contributions from employers, governments or nonprofits are not counted as taxable income for the employee, but they will be taxed when withdrawn, according to the Congressional Research Service’s overview of the policy.Are there limitations to the policy?Advocates have argued that certain groups will face additional barriers when applying for Trump Accounts. Immigrant families, for example, who are usually less likely to fill out government forms for fear of retribution, may be even less likely to apply now due to the increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, Maag said.“Given the climate, there is evidence that people, even when they are eligible for benefits, may opt to not take up those benefits,” she said. “It certainly seems reasonable that this sort of effect would apply to these accounts as well. If people are nervous about giving their data to the government, then they might choose not to take the benefit up.”Low-income families who are less likely to have a savings account could also be left out because each part of the enrollment process will create barriers for them: Families must know this option exists, trust it, enroll and activate their accounts.“Each of those steps creates greater barriers for low-income families, families with limited English proficiency and families disconnected from the tax or financial systems,” Roll said. Targeting messaging to those families and helping them go through the process may help substantially.Roll and others have also argued that because the program is opt-in — meaning families need to apply, they won’t receive the funds automatically — that will leave thousands of eligible families out of the benefit. He cited a similar child savings account program in Maine that was also opt-in. Higher-income families with higher levels of education were more likely to enroll, until the structure switched to automatic enrollment, raising participation rates from 40% to 100% and lifting low-income families along the way.“Higher-income families generally have more time, financial knowledge and disposable income to navigate and contribute to a new investment account,” Roll said. “Without automatic enrollment and more progressive contributions, Trump Accounts risk concentrating the largest benefits among families that already have the greatest capacity to save.”But the recent changes to allow newborns to sign up at the hospital could help improve some of those disparities, said Jason Ewas, the associate director of lifelong saving and investing at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program. The Social Security Administration said it’s issuing updated guidance to hospitals and working to update its forms to allow parents to sign up for accounts there, as well as at birthing centers and through a licensed midwife.“This is a very positive development for ensuring the policy works for everyone,” Ewas said. “If implemented well, it makes it much likelier that low- and moderate-income households have an account for their children.”This story was produced by 19th News and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	As political giving mounted, lawmakers backed mental health center Charlotte businessman Michael Estramonte has championed the Katie Blessing Center, a pediatric mental health facility under construction in Charlotte that won $35.2 million in state money. (Photo: Michelle Crouch / NC Health News)This story was co-published by NC Health News and The Charlotte Ledger. In 2020, Charlotte businessman Michael Estramonte set out to build a nonprofit treatment center to create more space for kids in mental health crisis. The idea quickly won support from state and local lawmakers. Since 2023, the Katie Blessing Center has secured more than $40 million in public money, including $35.2 million from the state. Supporters say the project’s success reflects the state’s desperate need for more psychiatric beds for kids. The 70,000-square-foot center, scheduled to open in 2027, will house 72 inpatient beds, a behavioral health urgent care and outpatient services, making it the state’s largest pediatric behavioral health facility. But for veteran campaign finance watchdog Bob Hall, the size and speed of the state’s investment in a private facility also raised a question: What role, if any, did campaign contributions play in winning political support for the center? Hall’s analysis of state campaign finance records shows Estramonte and 19 of his relatives, business associates and relatives of associates contributed nearly $1 million to political campaigns of state and local politicians between 2023 and 2026, which is when elected officials were considering funding for the center. “I can count on one hand the number of people who could put together that much money,” Hall said. “Then all of a sudden, he’s getting these huge grants that others can’t get.” Hall told The Ledger/NC Health News he filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections last week alleging some of the people listed as donors and who are connected to Estramonte may not have been the true donors — an allegation Estramonte strongly denies. Although campaign finance complaints by law are confidential, Hall shared a redacted version with The Ledger/NC Health News, along with electronic confirmation that the board had received it. It asks elections officials to investigate the possibility that some of the donations violated campaign finance laws. After the complaint was filed, The Ledger/NC Health News reached out to donors connected to Estramonte listed in state records. Three said they made the contributions recorded under their names. Multiple others couldn’t be reached or did not return phone calls before publication. “I know of every donation that I made, and I made those decisions on my own and with no expectations,” said Tracey Hummell, chief operating officer of Starmount Healthcare Management, Estramonte’s company. Records show Hummell gave $88,000 to candidates between 2021 and 2024. Estramonte: Allegation “not based in facts” In written answers to questions, Estramonte said he became more active in public policy beginning in 2021 and hosted political fundraisers for candidates from both parties. He said he never made a contribution in anyone else’s name or asked anyone to contribute with an understanding that they would be reimbursed. “Any allegation of that nature is an allegation not based in facts or evidence,” he wrote. “Any decisions to contribute were made by the individuals themselves.” Estramonte, a chiropractor, is the CEO of StarMed Healthcare, a Charlotte company that grew rapidly during the coronavirus pandemic by opening sites for COVID-19 testing and COVID vaccine administration. He also owns Starmount Healthcare Management and a Charlotte chiropractic clinic. He has described himself as an entrepreneur who likes to solve problems that the traditional health care system struggles to address. In an interview before Hall filed his complaint, Estramonte said the center became a passion project for him when he learned about children waiting for weeks in emergency rooms because of a shortage of psychiatric beds. The issue became personal, he said, after several close friends struggled to find treatment for their children. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. A surge in political giving Hall, the retired executive director of Democracy NC, has spent decades combing through campaign finance reports and filing formal complaints when he finds irregularities. His complaints have prompted investigations and resulted in consequences for members of both parties, including former Democratic House Speaker Jim Black and former Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Hall said the size of the state’s investment in a private facility prompted him to take a closer look at contributions that could be tied to the project. He argues that the $35 million for the Katie Blessing Center could have been directed to other pressing health care needs, such as supporting rural hospitals and clinics. Hall’s analysis of public records shows that giving by Estramonte, his family members and 13 Starmount associates and their relatives — most of whom have no previous record of contributing to a North Carolina political campaign — totaled $931,308 between 2023 and 2026. Among the named donors are Estramonte’s mother, Kathleen Rooney (Katie Blessing Rooney, for whom the center is named), who is listed as giving $59,000; the daughter of a Starmount human resources director, identified in the records as a yoga and meditation app employee, who is listed as giving $21,200; and Estramonte’s executive assistant, who is shown as giving $10,650. The contributions sometimes arrived in clusters. For example, on April 17, 2023, 13 Estramonte relatives, employees and associates are listed as giving $6,400 to Democrat Gov. Josh Stein. And on March 21, 2024, Estramonte and five people connected to him are listed as giving $6,400 each to former Republican Rep. Jason Saine, who at the time was senior chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Asked about those dates, Estramonte said he hosted fundraising events where multiple people made contributions. “I did not direct or require anyone who worked for me or any of my family to make a contribution or dictate the amount of any contribution,” he said. Contributions coincided with funding Stein was the largest single recipient ($209,000), but top Republican legislative leaders also received substantial sums, including Saine ($102,000), Sen. Michael Lee ($74,000), House Speaker Destin Hall ($69,000), Senate leader Phil Berger ($65,000) and Sen. Dave Craven ($56,000). Estramonte’s companies also began hiring lobbyists in 2023. Starmount Management spent $97,771 on six contract lobbyists that year, according to state records, and $142,508 on seven lobbyists in 2025. The increase in lobbying and political giving coincided with a series of public funding decisions. State lawmakers awarded $5 million to the Katie Blessing Center in 2023-24 and $12.5 million in 2024-25, before allocating another $17.7 million in their most recent budget, which was signed into law this month. The center also received $2.5 million from the city of Charlotte and $2 million from Mecklenburg County in 2024. Sen. Woodson Bradley, a Mecklenburg Democrat who advocated for state funding for the center, said she was still “very surprised” by the size of its funding allocation when she first saw the Republican-crafted budget. She said the money for the center was one reason she voted for the spending plan, adding that the facility will be “life-changing for families.” Filling a gap Estramonte said he spent months explaining to state lawmakers why North Carolina needed more pediatric psychiatric beds and how a public-private partnership would stretch public dollars. “They loved the project,” he said, adding that the center’s foundation invested $20 million of its own money in the center. He said it’s not surprising that the center got state funding because it aligns with the state’s long-standing push to expand access to mental health services. Estramonte said the facility won’t just serve Charlotte but will be a statewide resource, with about half of its residential patients expected to come from outside the region and an estimated 50 percent to 70 percent of patients covered by Medicaid. The center has agreed to treat some of the state’s most difficult psychiatric cases, he said — the children the state has the most trouble placing. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Do contributions influence votes? Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said it’s not unusual for organizations to hire lobbyists and make campaign contributions when they are seeking public funds. While those activities are legal, he said, they raise broader questions about whether large donations help some interests get more attention than others from lawmakers. Research suggests campaign contributions rarely change how a lawmaker votes, he said. Instead, they can help get an issue on a lawmaker’s radar and encourage them to champion it. “It’s very hard to find evidence of vote buying,” he said. “What we do find is that you’re moving that person from a passive supporter to an active supporter more likely to advocate for issues important to you.” Jane Pinsky, former director of the NC Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform, said people who make campaign contributions have long been favored by N.C. lawmakers. “You give enough campaign money, you get something,” she said. “Average citizens need to realize that this is our money being spent.” If the state needed a new psychiatric facility, she said, it should have put the project out for bid and considered multiple proposals. Rep. Carla Cunningham — a Mecklenburg Democrat who campaign finance records show received $15,000 from Estramonte and about $6,000 from his family members and employees — said those gifts had nothing to do with her support for the center. “We need the beds,” she said, adding that 300 to 400 North Carolina children are forced out of state every year for psychiatric care. “This isn’t just a problem in Mecklenburg but in the entire state. I’m a parent. I know what that experience is to be at the emergency psychiatric triage and they don’t have a bed, or they have a bed two or three hours away from home.” This article is part of a partnership between The Charlotte Ledger and North Carolina Health News to produce original health care reporting. You can support this effort with a tax-deductible donation. This article first appeared on North Carolina Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: “https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/07/29/questions-surround-donations-for-katie-blessing-center/”, urlref: window.location.href }); } } Courtesy of NC Newsline
	Virginia launches new unit targeting illegal vapes and intoxicants A vape shop in Chester. A new enforcement unit within the attorney general’s office will oversee compliance with state laws governing vaping products, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom. (Photo by Mechelle Hankerson/Virginia Mercury)Virginia is creating an enforcement unit to oversee the rapidly expanding market for vaping products, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom, consolidating several regulatory responsibilities within the attorney general’s office. Attorney General Jay Jones announced the Regulated Products Enforcement Unit on Thursday, saying it will handle civil enforcement, retail compliance, product directories and public education as new intoxicating products continue to enter the market. Inspectors assigned to the unit will monitor retailers, conduct compliance checks and coordinate enforcement with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and other state agencies. The office will also be able to pursue civil penalties and other legal action against manufacturers, distributors and retailers accused of violating state law. “New intoxicating products and substances enter the market every single day, many of which include dangerous or illegal ingredients and are deceptively packaged, labeled, and marketed to consumers,” Jones said in a statement. “Many of these products even target children, causing irreparable harm to their lives and their futures.” Thursday’s announcement follows several years of legislative efforts to tighten oversight of products commonly sold in vape shops, convenience stores and other retailers. Virginia’s vapor product law generally prohibits the sale of liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products unless they appear in a directory maintained by the attorney general’s office. Manufacturers must submit certifications and other documentation demonstrating their products comply with state and federal requirements. Responsibility for reviewing those applications will now fall to the new enforcement unit, which will determine whether products will qualify for sale, monitor changes in their federal regulatory status and work with retailers to explain the rules while removing unauthorized products from the market. Lawmakers expanded that framework this year through the Vape Enforcement Act, sponsored by Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, and Sens. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, and Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico. The measure gave Virginia additional authority and resources to inspect retailers and crack down on unauthorized products and sales to people younger than 21. “For far too long, too many vape shops have been ignoring the law, selling illegal and dangerous products to Virginians, and taking advantage of gaps in the law to sell vapes to kids. That ends now,” VanValkenburg said in a statement. “The General Assembly took action to pass the Vape Enforcement Act, and the AG’s new unit is ready to move against businesses that repeatedly disregard the law.” Another law approved this year imposed new restrictions on kratom, a supplement that is sold as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever and remedy for opioid withdrawal. It prohibits sales to anyone younger than 21, requires ingredient labeling and mandates that products be stored behind a counter or in a locked display case. It also bans synthetic and semisynthetic kratom compounds, products intended for vaping or injection and packaging or marketing deemed attractive to children. In addition, the law limits the amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, that kratom products may contain. Derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia, kratom can produce stimulant-like effects at lower doses and opioid-like effects at higher doses. Concentrated or synthetically produced 7-OH products have drawn increasing scrutiny from state and federal regulators. Jones said most businesses want to comply with the law but argued that the growing number of intoxicating products on the market requires a more focused enforcement effort. “We know that most businesses, retailers, manufacturers, and distributors want to follow the rules, and Virginians want to know what they are consuming,” Jones said. “This new unit will educate Virginians and ensure strong accountability for bad actors who violate the law and put our communities at risk.” The attorney general’s office has not yet announced staffing levels or a separate operating budget for the new unit. Virginia has struggled at times to enforce existing restrictions on hemp-derived products. In 2024, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found violations at 82% of the retailers it inspected. Some THC-infused drinks and other products exceeding Virginia’s potency limits also remained available online and in some stores. Other states have also expanded enforcement in recent years as regulators try to keep up with products that often fall between traditional tobacco, cannabis and controlled-substance laws. Pennsylvania established an electronic nicotine delivery system directory under a 2025 law that is administered by the state’s attorney general’s office. Products not included in the directory may be seized beginning in October. California has combined education, inspections and enforcement in campaigns targeting illegal hemp and kratom products. State officials there said investigators visited more than 4,500 businesses during one kratom enforcement effort and identified 61 violations. An earlier crackdown on hemp products produced a compliance rate of more than 99% of businesses licensed by the state’s alcohol regulators. Alabama took a more aggressive approach in June, executing 83 search warrants and seizing nearly 123,000 doses of kratom products during a statewide operation led by the attorney general and state law enforcement officials. Several states have also coordinated enforcement against unauthorized vaping products. Last year, a coalition of 25 attorneys general urged the online marketplace Shopify to stop providing services to websites selling illegal vaping products. Virginia, under then-Attorney General Jason Miyares, did not join the effort. At the time, federal regulators had authorized only 39 e-cigarette products even as unauthorized disposable services continued to dominate much of the market. Beyond enforcement, Virginia’s new unit will also work with advocates, medical professionals and public health organizations to identify emerging products and develop prevention strategies. “The Regulated Products Enforcement Unit is a critical component of Attorney General Jones’ commitment to keeping Virginians safe,” said Helen Hardiman, deputy attorney general of public advocacy. “Through investigation, enforcement, and programmatic work, this unit will ensure that consumers are well informed and protected from harmful products and that bad actors will be held accountable.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Virginia Mercury
	VA Secretary Collins and Rep. Luna discuss psychedelic drug treatment for veterans U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and GOP U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna in Madeira Beach on July 29, 2026. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)MADEIRA BEACH — Military veterans with PTSD and other mental health conditions may soon be able to use psychedelic drugs to aid in their treatment. In April, President Trump signed an executive order directing health regulators to speed up reviews of psychedelic treatments and allocate more funding for research into their use. “I think we’re making massive progress in how we diagnose things, but also how we do new treatments, which in the past was more of a wait-and-see approach, and now we’re being more cutting-edge,” U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs Doug Collins said Wednesday. Collins spoke with reporters after attending a roundtable discussion with military veterans at American Legion Post 273 in Pinellas County with Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. The VA is involved in 20 active clinical trials focused on psychedelic therapies. The first clinical study of psilocybin-assisted therapy in veterans with PTSD was released this week. It found that nine out of 12 veterans no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD one month after treatment. Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in mushrooms. The findings revealed “that PAT (Psilocybin-assisted therapy) is safe, well-tolerated, and shows preliminary clinical improvement for PTSD, suggesting that PAT may offer therapeutic relief for Veterans with severe treatment-resistant PTSD,” wrote researchers at the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education in Columbus, Ohio. “The science does show that it’s effective but it’s not like, ‘Hey, just give them a pill and send them home,’” said Luna, a U.S. Air Force veteran. “There’s a lot that goes into that treatment —also something that I think has been brought to the forefront.” She gave credit to the Trump administration for considering alternative medical treatments for veterans with PTSD, saying “that would not have happened had people like the secretary, President Trump, and also Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushing that, and those impacts it has on veterans’ long-term [care] in preventing suicide is incredible.” News reporters were not invited to attend the roundtable itself, but Luna said the topic of psychedelic therapy “was actually something that was discussed by them, and you will see those suicide numbers go down, which is really ultimately our biggest concern right now.” PTSD affects 6% of U.S. adults but somewhere between 10%-30% of U.S. military veterans, according to the National Center for PTSD. Courtesy of Florida Phoenix
	The most common pressure injury is also the hardest to treat. Here's why The most common pressure injury is also the hardest to treat. Here's whyIt usually starts with something small. A daughter helps her father turn onto his side, the way the nurse showed her, and notices a patch of pink skin at the base of his spine.It does not look like much. It does not hurt him yet. But anyone who has cared for a bedridden loved one knows that this little mark can be the first sign of one of the most stubborn problems in home care: a pressure injury.In hospitals, nursing homes and home care settings alike, pressure injuries affect anyone who spends extended time lying or sitting in one position.Roughly one in eight hospitalized adults worldwide develops one, according to a meta-analysis of more than 2.5 million patients published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies. Among nursing home residents, pooled prevalence runs above 11%.The most vulnerable spot, by a wide margin, is the sacrum, the broad bone at the base of the lower back. Clinicians refer to pressure injuries in this area as sacral wounds.Below, Dimora Medical looks at the causes and care of these common pressure injuries.Why the sacrum is the hardest place to healThe sacrum accounts for around 40% of pressure injury cases in some clinical series and as much as 51% in a recent large-scale study of community-acquired injuries.Sacral wounds are also stubborn to heal. One 2025 review by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology calls pressure injuries "one of the most challenging clinical problems" in medicine, noting that they harm patients "in emotional, psychological, physical and social aspects." Three things explain why this spot is so difficult to treat.First, movement in bed can cause shear. When a patient slides down in bed, even slightly, the skin stays put while the tissue underneath shifts, tearing the tiny blood vessels that keep deep tissue alive. Wounds here are often far worse beneath the surface than they look.Second, the location creates its own problems. Wounds at the base of the spine sit close to the groin, and are regularly exposed to sweat, urine and stool. Skin that stays wet breaks down fast, and there is a constant risk of infection.Third, the shape of the area makes it hard to keep a wound dressing in place. The lower back curves, the skin folds between the buttocks, and the whole area shifts every time the patient moves. It is a hard place to keep any dressing attached.For years, standard dressings made these problems worse rather than better. Gauze drapes well over curves, but it does not stay anchored on a part of the body that is always moving, and it cannot hold fluid under a patient's weight. It slips, it leaks, and it needs constant changing, disturbing fragile skin each time. Thankfully, dressing design has been catching up.What good sacral care actually looks likeAs an alternative to standard dressings, clinicians can reach for dressings that pair a superabsorbent core with a soft silicone surface: one to handle the fluid, the other to protect the skin.Start with absorption. Where gauze soaks through and presses fluid back against the body, a superabsorbent core pulls fluid in and traps it, even under a patient's full weight.Shape matters too. Standard dressings are flat squares, built for flat surfaces. Newer designs have broader coverage, are cut specifically for the sacral area (following the curve of the lower back so edges stay down), and the dressing holds its position as the patient moves. A soft silicone surface grips gently and lifts away cleanly without disturbing healing skin.The approach has clinical backing. In a study covering 171 patients treated by 55 clinicians, superabsorbent dressings were rated as having good absorbent capacity in 98% of cases, and clinicians reported less damage to the skin around the wound.Of course, no dressing works in isolation. It has to sit within a broader care routine, and international guidance is clear on the basics: Turn the patient every two to three hours, and do not expect a mattress or cushion to do that job for you. But dressings are a solid second line.The cost questionSuperabsorbent dressings do cost more upfront than traditional gauze. However, a dressing that stays on for days instead of hours means fewer changes, fewer supplies, and less damage to healing skin. For hospitals and nursing homes, it also means fewer nursing hours.One clinical study tracked what happened when a group of patients switched to a superabsorbent dressing. Costs fell by almost half, not because the dressings were cheaper, but because patients needed fewer of them and nurses spent less time changing them.For family caregivers, many of whom have no formal medical training, ease of use is an important consideration. In home care, dressings that remain securely in place and require less frequent attention can help simplify daily care routines, reducing some of the practical burden on caregivers.Pressure injuries will keep forming where bone meets bed. But caught early and covered well, the pink patch the daughter spotted on her father's back can stay exactly what it was that morning: a warning, not a wound.This story was produced by Dimora Medical and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The economy slowed a bit -- but Americans continued to spend The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the spring, according to the Commerce Department. That's a modest slowdown from the previous quarter — but consumer spending picked up steam.
	“Puffs,” August 6 through 15 Praised by Metro as "hilariously heartfelt" and by the New York Times as "a fast-paced romp" that "exudes a jovial, winking fondness for all things Harry," author Matt Cox's stage comedy Puffs enjoys an August 6 through 15 run at Moline's Black Box Theatre, this riotous and touching tale about the hangers-on of a certain boy wizard a show that, according to Nerdist, "never goes more than a minute without a laugh."
	Trinity Muscatine Public Health hosting back to school clinic Trinity Muscatine Public Health is helping area families get ready for a new school year. The fifth annual Back-to-School Health Clinic is a convenient, one-stop opportunity to obtain important health screenings. Families in Muscatine and surrounding areas can attend the clinic, hosted by Trinity Muscatine Public Health, on Thursday, August 6, from 12 - 6:30 [...]
	Stop running 5 businesses in 1: The case for multichannel retail management software Stop running 5 businesses in 1: The case for multichannel retail management softwarePicture a typical day at your store: Customers are browsing the floor while employees in the back are packing items for online orders. A customer messages your shop’s social media page asking if a product is in stock. Someone’s sorting through hundreds of price changes needed across your different channels, while another employee updates your online inventory from a spreadsheet. Just as you finish unpacking today’s shipments, you realize it includes plenty of items to restock a key product line, but not the one thing you need for an upcoming promotion.Between physical retail, the online store, social media messages, the website price updates, and the incoming inventory, it might seem like you’re running five different businesses. The reality is you’re not. As Rapid POS explains below, you’re running one business with five disconnected systems.In most retailers, valuable sales information is scattered across different systems: your online store, your point-of-sale system, inventory spreadsheets, marketing tools, and accounting systems. Keeping all of them current requires a tremendous amount of duplicate work, which could lead to mistakes, lost sales, and product waste. This is why many retailers are turning to multichannel retail management software, built to unify every sales channel rather than keep things separated. Call it a retail management system, retail software, or a retail point-of-sale system, the goal for retail businesses is the same: one accurate source of truth. Rapid POS Retail Has Changed Faster Than Many Businesses HaveMost retailers agree that the landscape has changed significantly over the last few years, faster than most businesses have been able to adapt. When you look at the “simple days of retail,” customers visited the store, employees rang up sales, and inventory was updated at the register. By the end of the day, you’d get a report on how various departments performed.Today’s retail environment looks very different. Customers start their shopping journey at different points (social media, a search on your website, etc.) and interact with you through a variety of channels. It could be a call to the store or browsing your selection online before visiting; they may even opt to have their items delivered right to their door. They shop when and however they want, and expect a consistent experience every time. Some of these processes are easy to manage within a single channel; others require connecting several systems at once, and that’s exactly where most retailers struggle.A 2017 Harvard Business Review study found that 73% of customers used multiple channels during their shopping journey, and nearly a decade later, that percentage has likely only risen. To these customers, every online and offline channel is just one process for finding and buying what they want. They expect every channel to know their purchase history and have the stock they’re looking for, and the only way to meet that expectation is by running every sales channel off the same information. Shop owners and small business owners are catching on that a modern retail point of sale (POS) does more than ring up sales; it connects sales channels, customer profiles, and sales history in real time, on and off the sales floor.The Cost of Disconnected SystemsDisconnected technology doesn’t always create dramatic failures. The occasional big failure might get reported in the press, but more often it’s a bunch of small inefficiencies adding up over time:An online sale doesn’t update inventory in the store.An employee updates a price in one system and forgets to update it in another.Customer purchase history exists in multiple places.Marketing promotes products that are already running low.Managers export data from several systems just to build one report.These gaps in inventory data, purchase orders, or vendor management chip away at customer satisfaction and customer retention, all the same. Rapid POS Inventory Is Everywhere NowThe typical view of inventory management is stock sitting on a store’s shelves. Today, inventory exists in far more places. Products may be:Available in-storeReserved for online ordersIn transit from suppliersWaiting to be receivedTransferring between locationsCommitted to special ordersListed across e-commerce platformsManually managing all of these locations is becoming increasingly difficult. According to IHL Group research, a lack of inventory visibility costs retailers an estimated $1.77 trillion a year worldwide. While that exact figure won’t hit every retailer the same way, the problems behind it, disappointed customers, cash tied up in overstock, and missed sales from products that only appear to be out of stock, are the same for every multichannel seller. Multichannel retail management software helps keep every channel and location updated with the same stock information, so you can avoid all three.The most complete inventory management tools and warehouse management systems track every one of those locations, giving retail stores real inventory accuracy and inventory tracking, instead of a guess pulled from a spreadsheet. POS systems built for multichannel selling let you manage sales and inventory from the same dashboard, whether you’re running one shop or multiple locations.One Customer, One ExperienceCustomers don’t see your internal systems. They simply expect consistency. If a customer purchased from your website last week, they expect that the purchase can be referenced in-store. If they’ve earned rewards online, they expect to redeem them at the register. If they find a product on your website and then can’t find it on your shelves, the customer may leave with a poor impression, one that can shape how they see your business going forward.Building a good relationship with a customer involves many interactions; closing a single transaction isn’t enough. One of the biggest advantages of multichannel retail management software is that every part of the business, including customer relationship management, runs on one system, so employees spend less time searching for information and more time serving customers. Loyalty programs and customer loyalty perks only work if every channel pulls from the same system, and customer interactions and customer feedback both suffer when they don’t. Completing a sale is good, but building trust is what actually matters.Better Visibility Leads to Better DecisionsEvery retailer makes dozens of decisions a day. Should you reorder that product now or wait a week? Is a promotion driving profitable sales or just cutting into margins? Which categories deserve more floor space? Are seasonal products arriving too early, or too late? Better data leads to better decisions, more so than gut feeling alone. However, your unique retail experience is still invaluable when combined with facts and data.A major advantage of multichannel retail management software is having your whole shop in one database; no more juggling systems or exporting data just to build a report. Historic sales, stock movements, customer buying behavior, and purchasing activity from every part of your operation merge together and become far more visible. Better sales data and real-time visibility into supplier performance and stock levels help retail operations run with more operational efficiency and less guesswork.Every Department Benefits from Connected SystemsThere’s a misconception that retail management software is only for the owner or manager. In practice, every employee benefits when your systems are connected. For example, receiving teams are able to process incoming shipments more efficiently, and marketing can identify which products to promote, because they know what’s actually stocked across every channel. Customer service can also handle returns more efficiently with the full purchase history on hand. An immediate benefit to store managers is spending less time producing reports and more time managing their store. From workforce management on the sales floor to employee management in the back office, daily operations and store operations both run more smoothly when everyone’s looking at the same numbers.Your Data Should Work as Hard as You DoRetailers collect a huge amount of data just running the business day to day: sales transactions, customer purchases, inventory movement, vendor performance, seasonal trends, and the results of promotions. How do you turn that data into actionable insight?You start by asking relevant questions: Which products consistently sell together? Which vendors have the most reliable delivery times? Which promotions bring back repeat customers instead of just one-time bargain hunters? Which categories are growing year over year? Which products are eating up shelf space for little return?The right reports help you improve buying, planning, staffing, and customer service. That same data set touches payment processing and payment processors, too, and the right point-of-sale software turns it into reporting tools you can actually use instead of a spreadsheet. The more you know, the better positioned you are to make the right call.Growth Shouldn't Mean More ComplexityMany people in retail assume complexity grows right alongside the business. Another location means another inventory to manage. Another sales channel means another internal reporting system. Another website means another customer database that doesn’t talk to your physical location.A connected multichannel retail management software platform grows with you instead. Whether you’re adding new product lines, opening a new store, or starting to sell online, your systems should scale with your business, not create more complexity. When inventory, sales, purchasing, reporting, and customer information are all connected, growing the business (online or off) gets a lot easier. That’s true whether you’re one of many small businesses running a single cash register or global brands managing multi-location retailers: An all-in-one solution beats stitching together specialized solutions and hoping they stay in sync. Complex inventory doesn’t have to mean a complicated retail POS system.Preparing for the Future of RetailAs the retail environment continues to evolve, customers expect accurate inventory online, flexible fulfillment options, and the same experience whether they’re shopping online, in-store, or on their phone. Artificial intelligence is starting to help customers find and compare products and make purchases, and while these emerging technologies will keep changing how customers shop, one thing stays the same: Retailers need reliable, connected information.Omnichannel retailers stuck with limited offline functionality often feel this the most, especially when an already-stretched IT team is left maintaining multiple systems instead of one. A retailer running connected systems spends more time growing, improving, and serving customers. Technology that connects every part of the business is what gives retailers the visibility they need to deliver a better retail experience.Bringing It All TogetherThe challenge of multichannel retailing isn’t keeping up with every trend and theory; it’s making sure every part of the operation works together. Connecting your information on inventory, customer details, reports, purchasing, and sales means spending less time on errors and more time developing your business.Multichannel retail management software is an operational advantage. Whether you’re monitoring the business, making informed purchasing decisions, delivering a consistent customer experience, or getting ready to seize a new opportunity, visibility into your own operation is one of the most valuable assets a retailer has today. Rapid POS This story was produced by Rapid POS and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Home safes, jewelry boxes, and insurance tips: Storing jewelry safely Home safes, jewelry boxes, and insurance tips: Storing jewelry safelyThe safest way to store expensive jewelry is to keep each piece separate, dry, protected from scratches, and stored in the right place based on how often you wear it.The two primary rules:Daily-wear jewelry can be stored in a secure jewelry box, with pieces separated for protection against scratches and tangles.High-value and heirloom pieces need to be stored in a safe or vault.Throwing your jewelry into a drawer can lead to scratches and tangles, and even broken clasps. A disorganized mess can make it easy to lose track of your favorite pieces. And a haphazard pile of jewelry isn’t exactly a stylish look.If you want to keep your valuable jewelry safe, BriteCo recommends a few steps. First, adhere to damage prevention practices and consider a jewelry insurance policy so you’re covered if something does happen. How and where you’re choosing to store it is also important. A home safe is ideal for everyday protection, while a safe deposit box or bank vault is the best place to store jewelry that isn't worn often. Keep your up-to-date appraisals, photos, receipts, and insurance policy documents in a safe place as well.Let’s take a deeper look into responsible jewelry storage and the precautions you can take to keep your jewelry secure and looking pristine for longer.The Golden Rules of Storing Expensive JewelryExpensive jewelry should be stored separately and securely to prevent scratches, theft, and accidental damage.Here are the seven basic rules for proper jewelry storage:Store each piece of jewelry separately.Keep jewelry in a dry place, away from humid spaces like bathrooms.Avoid direct sunlight and heat.Use jewelry containers with soft, nonabrasive interiors.Store diamonds away from softer stones and/or metals.Store frequently worn pieces differently from rarely worn pieces.Document all your jewelry before something goes missing.Paying attention to proper storage means you’ll be able to keep your jewelry safe and looking great for years to come.Why Proper Jewelry Storage MattersCareful storage protects jewelry from three primary risks: physical damage, environmental wear, and theft/loss. Your jewelry deserves to be cared for in a way that will best preserve its value.If you don’t invest in proper care and storage, you can expect to see:ScratchesTangled chainsTarnishingLoose stonesBent prongsMissing piecesTheft and accidental loss are among the most common causes for jewelry insurance claims, so jewelry protection starts with prevention!How to Store Each Piece SeparatelyStore all your jewelry pieces separately so that metals, gemstones, chains, and settings do not rub, scratch, or tangle.Rings should be on ring rolls or in padded slots.Necklaces should be placed on hooks or in individual pouches.Earrings should be placed in paired compartments.Bracelets should be placed in flat trays or on padded rolls.Watches should be in watch rolls, boxes, or winders (for automatic watches).Other gemstones, like loose stones, should be in labeled gem jars or similar secure containers.Always keep in mind that diamonds can scratch other jewelry, and softer gems need extra separation.Best Jewelry Boxes and Organizers for Expensive JewelryThe best jewelry box for proper jewelry organization will feature a soft lining, multiple compartments, anti-tarnish features, and a design that prevents pieces from shifting.When shopping for the perfect box to keep your jewelry organized, look for the following features:A suede, microfiber, or velvet-lined boxIndividual compartmentsRing rollsNecklace hooksEarring slotsAnti-tarnish lining or stripsA lockable lid for basic privacyStackable trays for collectionsThen, be sure that you never:Use hard plastic containers without a lining.Store jewelry in humid bathroom drawers.Toss multiple pieces into one tray.Leave high-value items out on countertops or in otherwise visible areas.How to Prevent Tarnish, Humidity Damage, and ScratchesTo prevent tarnish and humidity damage, keep jewelry in a cool, dry place in a box with soft lining, separate storage, and moisture control.The latter is key, as humidity can speed up tarnish and corrosion. Silver pieces, in particular, can benefit from anti-tarnish strips or pouches; adding silica packets to your jewelry box can also help reduce humidity and prevent discoloration.Be sure to keep pieces out of direct sunlight, since light and heat can damage some stones and materials. Never store jewelry near substances like lotions, perfumes, chlorine, or household cleaners. These often contain harsh chemicals that can cause significant damage.To keep your jewelry in pristine condition, always look for a storage solution that is:CoolDryLow-lightAway from humidityFine Jewelry vs. Costume Jewelry StorageFine jewelry and costume jewelry differ in materials, value, and risk, so they come with different storage considerations. Fine jewelry is made from precious metals like gold and silver, while costume jewelry is more likely to be made from less valuable metals or rough materials. The latter may scratch or tarnish fine jewelry if the two are stored together.Fine jewelry storage: Use individual soft pouches or compartments for each piece, and store particularly high-value items in a home safe. You’ll also want to invest in an appraisal and jewelry insurance for optimum protection.Costume jewelry storage: Use trays or drawers, since your pieces will fare best in a space that’s dark and dry. You may want to invest in tarnish-prevention materials, such as anti-tarnish strips or silica packets.Where to Store Expensive Jewelry at HomeAt home, high-value items and heirloom jewelry should be stored in a secure, discreet, and dry location. For added security, it may also be helpful to store them somewhere where they’re difficult to remove quickly. Ideally, precious items that are rarely ever worn should be stored in a bank vault or safe deposit box, rather than at home.For daily-wear pieces, store valuables in a lined jewelry box in a drawer or closet. Valuable items worn less regularly can be stored in a home safe for added security.Avoid storing any pieces in dresser-top jewelry boxes, open display stands, or in easily accessible drawers that would be a thief’s first thought. Your bathroom and nightstand drawers really aren’t safe spaces at all. Consider hiding your jewelry in unexpected places, such as repurposed vintage tins, decorative boxes, or even a medicine cabinet. You can also add hooks to the back of a door to hang necklaces and bracelets out of sight.And if you’re traveling, don’t keep expensive jewelry unsecured in your luggage.Choosing a Home Safe for Expensive JewelryA robust jewelry safe will safeguard your treasures from theft and environmental hazards such as fire, flood, and earthquake. A good safe should be difficult to remove, appropriate for the value of the jewelry stored, and practical enough that you’ll actually use it.A secure, high-quality safe will:Be bolted to the floor or installed into a wallFeature burglar-resistant designBe fire-resistant/fire-ratedInclude interior lining or trays specifically for holding jewelryOffer additional space or boxes for luxury watchesInclude a backup access methodBe placed in a discreet locationWhen you buy a home safe, make sure to document your chosen option, including purchase and/or installation receipts. They may come in handy the next time you get a jewelry appraisal or insurance quote.Some insurance providers may offer discounts if you store your jewelry in a safe or have a home security system.Do I Need a Home Safe, a Safe Deposit Box, or a Bank Vault?Use a home safe for valuables you wear regularly. A bank safe deposit box or a bank vault is best for pieces you don’t need to access often. BriteCo It’s worth noting that your choice of storage solution is likely to affect how much you pay for jewelry insurance. Your premiums will depend on the value of the pieces in question, among other things.How to Store Engagement Rings and Wedding Rings SafelyExpensive jewelry should be stored properly, so keep engagement and wedding rings in the same safe place whenever you remove them. The same applies to any other specific pieces you may not be planning to wear for some time. This helps mitigate the risk of loss, theft, and mysterious disappearance.While ring holders and jewelry dishes may be appropriate in low-risk scenarios (such as removing your rings before working out in your private home gym), they should never be placed near sinks or drains. It’s also best to avoid storing rings loose in pockets or bags, since these can damage the rings’ metals and/or diamonds. Instead, opt for ring boxes or padded slots. Always keep engagement rings away from lotions, cleaners, and chlorine.If you’re not wearing your rings for an extended period of time, opt to use a home safe, and make sure you’ve got comprehensive engagement ring insurance before wearing your ring daily or traveling.How to Store Luxury Watches SafelyLike fine jewelry, luxury watches should also be stored in a padded, dry, and secure space. Ideally, these should be lined with soft fabric to protect the watch case, crystal, and bracelet from movement-related damage. It’s also wise to keep any related watch documentation (like your watch insurance policy) in the same box.When storing a luxury watch:Opt for a watch box with a soft-cloth interior or a watch roll.Consider using a watch winder for automatic watches.Avoid storage solutions that might expose the watch to magnets, moisture, or extreme temperatures.Keep service records and serial details in the same spot.Use a home safe for seldom-worn watches.Use a travel watch roll when traveling with a watch.How to Store Jewelry While TravelingYou may want to bring along some of your favorite pieces of jewelry while traveling. If this is the case, bring only the jewelry you definitely plan to wear during your trip, and leave anything else in secure storage. Keep what you do bring in a padded case that stays with you whenever possible. Travel-friendly jewelry cases offer padded compartments and secure closures, protecting your pieces from damage and loss during transit.There are multiple ways you can store and keep jewelry safe while traveling:Use a zippered padded jewelry case.Keep jewelry in your carry-on, not in your checked luggage.Photograph what you’re bringing ahead of time, so you have a record of it.Avoid leaving pieces loose in hotel rooms.Use hotel safes cautiously and document what you store in the safe.Keep your jewelry appraisals and photos accessible digitally while traveling.Confirm that your jewelry insurance provides worldwide coverage before travel.In many cases, travel insurance does not cover lost jewelry, but specialized jewelry insurance is an option.Jewelry Inventory: Photos, Receipts, Appraisals, and Serial NumbersA jewelry inventory is essential for tracking your jewelry collection. Take accurate note of what you own, what it’s worth, and what you’d want repaired or replaced if something were to happen.As you create your jewelry inventory, it’s essential to compile:Clear photos from multiple anglesReceipts or invoicesCurrent appraisalsLab or grading reportsSerial numbers for watchesRepair recordsSafe and/or security detailsWhere each item is storedHaving a professional, up-to-date appraisal helps ensure your jewelry is insured for its true replacement value, so you won’t be surprised by out-of-pocket costs at claim time. Online jewelry appraisals make this process quick and convenient.How Storage Can Affect Jewelry InsuranceHow you store your jewelry can affect your insurance policy; how you protect your jewelry at home may affect the risk associated with your coverage, and therefore the cost of jewelry insurance.Some insurers may provide discounts of up to 10% if you use a home safe and have a home security system, which is why it’s wise to share your safe specs and storage details when purchasing an insurance policy. This is also why it’s recommended that high-value pieces you don’t wear often are better off in a safe deposit box or vault.If you make a claim on your policy, having documentation to prove how you store and protect your jewelry may aid in the claim being processed more quickly and easily.Maintenance Before Long-Term Jewelry StorageBefore storing expensive jewelry long-term, inspect and clean it so that small issues do not become bigger problems while the piece goes unworn. You don’t want gemstones, pearls, or precious metals deteriorating while they’re in storage, since they likely won’t be receiving the regular cleaning and maintenance that you might afford your daily-wear pieces.Before storing any piece of jewelry:Take it in for a professional inspection of the prongs and clasps.Invest in tightening for any gems, if needed.Give the item a gentle clean.Ensure the piece is completely dry.Keep all pieces separate within your chosen storage solution.If, during maintenance, the piece needs to be changed or updated in any way, be sure your appraisal reflects that.Jewelry Storage Mistakes to AvoidTo ensure your pieces are stored correctly, follow these tips.Jewelry mistakes to avoid:Leaving jewelry on dressers or countersStoring jewelry in bathroomsTossing pieces togetherTraveling with too much jewelryKeeping heirlooms in obvious hiding spotsForgetting appraisals/photosNot using a safe for high-value piecesNot insuring pieces worn dailyA quick way to remember jewelry storage best practices: separate, secure, document, insure. Always store pieces separately and individually, choose a secure storage method, document each piece’s value fully, and insure all high-value pieces.How to Store Expensive Jewelry Safely: Step-by-Step ChecklistTo store expensive jewelry safely, choose a storage method specifically designed to cater to the piece’s value, how frequently you wear it, and the risk of loss, theft, and damage.Sort fine jewelry from costume jewelry.Separate pieces by type and material.Choose a lined jewelry box for daily pieces.Use anti-tarnish pouches/strips where needed.Store high-value items in a secure safe.Put rarely worn heirlooms in a bank vault or safe deposit box.Keep an inventory with photos, receipts, and appraisals.Review jewelry insurance coverage and storage discounts.FAQs About Storing Expensive Jewelry SafelyShould I store expensive jewelry in a home safe?Yes, expensive jewelry that is not worn daily should be kept in a home safe, alongside your jewelry documentation, including appraisals. For jewelry that is exceptionally high-value or an heirloom, and is worn even less frequently, consider a bank safe deposit box or vault.Is a safe deposit box better than a home safe for jewelry?If you don’t plan to wear the jewelry often, a safe deposit box can be a more secure option than the average home safe.How do I stop necklaces from tangling in storage?To stop necklaces from tangling, don’t store them together. Instead, store each necklace separately.How should I store engagement rings when I’m not wearing them?When not being worn, store engagement rings in soft-lined, individual boxes in a secure jewelry box that’s out of sight and not in a predictable hiding place.Can safe storage lower jewelry insurance costs?Yes, if you use a home safe to store your jewelry, a jewelry insurance provider may give you a discount on your premium. You may also receive a discount if you use a home security system.How to Store Expensive Jewelry Safely: Final TakeawayExpensive jewelry often has value that goes beyond its retail price, marking special occasions, milestones, and impactful life events. It follows, then, that it’s important to follow as many best practices as possible to keep it safe and in good condition.Store expensive jewelry separately, dry, and securely, using soft-lined storage for daily pieces, a home safe for high-value pieces, and a safe deposit box or bank vault for rarely worn heirlooms.The safest jewelry storage plan combines secure physical storage with updated documentation, routine maintenance, and jewelry insurance for loss, theft, damage, and mysterious disappearance.Next steps:Photograph and document all of your valuable pieces.Invest in safer storage for all high-value and rarely worn jewelry.Review your current insurance coverage and see if you qualify for safe or security discounts.This story was produced by BriteCo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Coal Valley planning commission to review proposed rezoning of new youth sports complex near Niabi Zoo The Coal Valley Planning Commission will consider whether to recommend rezoning 26 acres near Niabi Zoo for a proposed youth sports complex.
	Pay It Forward \| Mentor teaches life skills to Quad Cities youth This week's Pay It Forward honors Mike Cribbs for his dedication to mentoring young people and serving the Quad Cities through education and ministry.
	The Pentagon poured $151 million into technology most Americans have never heard of. Does that make it a good investment? The Pentagon poured $151 million into technology most Americans have never heard of. Does that make it a good investment?Quantum computing occupies a strange place in the investing universe. The technology promises to revolutionize everything from drug discovery to cryptography, and it overlaps with artificial intelligence in ways that could accelerate both fields.While traditional computers process information one step at a time using bits that are either 0 or 1, quantum computers use qubits that can represent both states at once. This gray-scale quality allows them to explore many possible answers simultaneously, potentially solving certain complex problems far faster. For investors, that could unlock meaningful gains in lucrative industries, but the technology is unproven at scale, and the handful of pure-play quantum computing stocks are not yet profitable.Still, the federal government keeps writing checks to accelerate research in this field. Retail investors search for IonQ and Rigetti hundreds of thousands of times per month. Others have turned to quantum computing ETFs to spread their bets across the sector. Yet, most of those contracts have had no material, long-term impact on share prices, according to a Motley Fool analysis. As of mid-2026, over the past year, a basket of 11 pure-play quantum stocks tracked in this analysis has trailed the Nasdaq-100.That gap between enthusiasm and returns tells a promising story. Quantum computing is real, the game-changing potential is undeniable, and the government funding is serious. With $151 million in obligated federal dollars since 2008, the U.S. Department of Defense is picking up most of the tab so far. This next-generation computing technology has massive implications for national security, so the DoD needs to take a deep interest in it. The U.S. wants to be on the leading edge if and when quantum computers start to break encryption or revolutionize military strategy.Still, a Motley Fool analysis of stock price reactions to individual contract awards found that government money rarely moves these stocks in any lasting way.This is actually good news, in a counterintuitive way. It means investors can stop chasing funding headlines and start evaluating these companies on what actually matters: the technology, the competitive landscape, and the long road to commercialization. The Motley Fool Which quantum computing companies have received the most government funding?Federal funding has not been distributed evenly across the quantum computing sector. Infleqtion, formerly known as ColdQuanta, leads all companies with approximately $90 million in obligated federal dollars since 2008. IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and privately held PsiQuantum round out the top four recipients, though the total figures for those three companies fall below Infleqtion's share.Infleqtion leads federal funding because its neutral-atom technology operates at room temperature, allowing for portable, field-deployable hardware that pure-play computing rivals can't match. This unique hardware enables the company to secure contracts for both long-term quantum computing and immediate national security needs, like GPS-free military navigation and quantum sensing. And the company has been around for decades under two different names.Ultimately, its almost two-decade track record with agencies like DARPA and the DOD has made it the government's most trusted partner for domestic quantum infrastructure. When the CHIPS funding came around, Infleqtion was poised to grab the lion's share.Then there is D-Wave Quantum, sitting at the bottom of the leaderboard with just $40,000 of federal funding awards. That is not a typo — forty thousand dollars, across almost two decades of federal quantum spending.Five of the companies in this analysis have received exactly zero U.S. federal funding for one simple reason: Xanadu Quantum Technology, Horizon Quantum, Arqit Quantum, IQM Quantum Computing , and Diraq. The common thread? These five are headquartered outside the United States, which makes them ineligible for most federal contracts and grant programs. The Motley Fool The CHIPS Act complicationIn May 2026, the Department of Commerce announced that nine quantum computing companies had signed letters of intent for $2.013 billion in CHIPS Act funding. That figure dwarfs the $151 million obligated over the prior 18 years. Headlines were written. Stocks popped. Investors got excited.Twenty trading days later, every single one of those gains had evaporated.The letters of intent are non-binding pledges, not actual money. Until binding agreements are signed and funds are formally obligated, the $2 billion exists only as a press release. This analysis excludes CHIPS Act pledges from all funding totals for that reason. That act brought significant funding to many semiconductor companies, but the quantum computing provisions were less impressive.Do government contracts actually move quantum computing stocks?The short answer: Rarely.A Motley Fool analysis of stock price reactions to individual federal contract awards found that the typical contract produces no measurable long-term effect on share prices. This holds even after controlling for overall market movement and sector-wide swings among quantum peers.If anything, the pattern runs slightly negative. Companies that received contracts tended to underperform both the Nasdaq and other quantum stocks in the weeks following an award. Buying quantum stocks on contract news would have been a losing strategy more often than not, especially if you didn't see the temporary jump coming ahead of time. Most investors are locked in inflated starting prices with limited staying power. The Motley Fool The exception that proves the ruleIonQ's stock did see significant, long-term gains after the company was awarded a $13.4 million Air Force Research Laboratory contract in 2022. The military ordered a trapped ion quantum computer from IonQ, and the stock posted a sustained double-digit gain that held up even after accounting for market and peer movements. IonQ delivered the computer in 2025. The Air Force isn't using the system for military operations, but is gaining experience with quantum computing to take advantage of it once such systems become powerful enough. Early tests included sending quantum data via visible light signals — a first step toward combining quantum computing with fiber-optic communications equipment.That contract was IonQ's largest and most heavily publicized award, though. The lesson: a contract has to be big enough and newsworthy enough to break through the noise. A $2 million award buried in a government database doesn't move the needle, and the money isn't enough to fund quantum research with market-moving implications in the long run.Should government contracts factor into a quantum computing investment?Here is the honest answer: government funding is a signal that smart people in national security think quantum computing matters. It is not a guarantee (or even a suggestion) that any particular stock is about to go up.The CHIPS Act announcement moved prices for about three weeks. Individual contracts barely register. Investors who built a strategy around chasing government headlines would have been disappointed repeatedly.That finding is not an argument against quantum computing stocks. It is an argument for tuning out the funding noise.The technology has genuine long-term potential, and the federal government's continued interest is one data point in its favor. But "the government gave this company money" is not an investment thesis. It is a headline, quickly forgotten on Wall Street and rarely making a notable difference to the company's business prospects.Investors interested in quantum computing have better questions to ask. Which companies are making technical progress? Who has a credible path to commercialization? What does the competitive landscape look like in five years? Those questions are harder to answer than "who got the biggest contract," but they are the ones that matter.The next government headline is unlikely to provide a useful signal for any of those factors.MethodologyFederal funding figures in this article come from USAspending.gov, the federal government's public record of contract and grant spending. Each company was matched to its exact federal registration number, known as a Unique Entity Identifier, rather than by company name alone. Every total was checked against individual award records before publication.This article tracks 11 publicly traded and two privately held, pure-play quantum computing companies, meaning quantum computing is each company's core business, not a division or side project within a larger technology company. Eight have received direct federal funding: Infleqtion, IonQ, Rigetti, Quantinuum, Quantum-Si, Quantum Computing Inc, D-Wave, and PsiQuantum. Five have received none: Xanadu, Horizon Quantum, Arqit, IQM, and Diraq. This pure-play criterion is why companies like IBM and GlobalFoundries are excluded from the company comparisons even though both received CHIPS Act pledges: quantum computing is a small part of each company's much larger business, and neither isolates its quantum-specific federal funding in public records.Figures reflect obligated dollars: money the government has formally committed, not proposed or requested amounts, and not contract ceiling values that may never be paid out. Some federal awards are issued under shared, multi-company contract vehicles known as Indefinite Delivery Vehicles. The full ceiling value of one such vehicle, roughly $151 billion, was excluded from this analysis because it represents money available to every company on the vehicle combined, not a commitment to any single company.Data covers fiscal year 2008 through July 2026, across both federal contracts and grants.Stock price reactions to individual contract awards are measured against two benchmarks: the Nasdaq Composite, to account for overall market movement, and an equal-weighted average of the other publicly traded quantum computing companies tracked in this article, to account for sector-wide swings. A stock's raw price change in the days after a contract is not, on its own, evidence that the contract caused the move; comparing it to how the market and peer companies moved over the same days isolates the contract's likely effect from broader trends.Letters of intent for $2.013 billion in CHIPS Act funding, announced by the Department of Commerce on May 21, 2026, are not included in any funding total in this article. A letter of intent is a non-binding pledge, and the money will not appear in federal spending records until a binding agreement is signed and funds are formally obligated.This story was produced by The Motley Fool and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	7 cars coming in 2027 that are worth the wait 7 cars coming in 2027 that are worth the waitEven in the face of challenging economic conditions and tepid sales, many automakers are forging ahead with all-new products that could help revitalize the market. Coming in the next year or so are dozens of all-new or redesigned vehicles, representing everything from cheap and cheerful EVs to high-dollar supercars. If you're not absolutely desperate for a new ride right this second, one of these future cars could be worth waiting for. If you do need something right now and can't put off your purchase any longer, fear not; there are alternatives on dealer lots today.Below, Edmunds shares seven future cars, trucks and SUVs worth waiting for, as well as alternative options that are ready to go now.2027 Audi TT replacementThe original Audi TT helped establish the German brand as a design powerhouse in the early 2000s, and the automaker wants to recapture some of that magic with another stylish sports car. The new offering, previewed by last year's Concept C show car, will take a slightly different approach. While the 2000 TT repackaged relatively inexpensive mechanicals in stunning clothes — it was based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf — the Concept C's production follow-up will actually be based on an all-electric architecture co-developed with Porsche.As a result, it'll be a little more expensive than the TT, comparatively speaking, with an estimated starting price in the $70,000 range. If you're concerned about the Concept C's bold design, take a look at the Audi Nuvolari, a recently announced six-figure supercar featuring the plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain from the Lamborghini Temerario. The Nuvolari borrows many styling elements from the Concept C, looking distinctive at worst and stylish at best.And if you simply can't wait for the next-generation TT follow-up to arrive, you might want to consider the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53. Although it lacks Concept C's all-electric powertrain, it features a stylish, comfortable interior, plenty of performance, and a bold design that might scratch your Bauhaus itch.2027 BMW iM3 / i3 MBMW's high-performance M division will boldly go where it's never gone before when it releases the sportier version of the 2027 i3 electric sedan next year. If it follows in the footsteps of the M Concept Neue Klasse that BMW recently revealed, then you can expect a whole lot of power from the first-ever EV with an M badge. The concept has four electric motors, one for each wheel, with all-wheel drive and a rumored 1,000 horsepower for stunning acceleration.This layout would give the sophisticated powertrain computer lots of control over torque distribution. In aggressive cornering, for example, the front inside wheel could enter regen mode, while the outside rear tire could rotate faster than the others to reduce understeer and improve turn-in response.If the arrival of the iM3 (or i3 M, depending on how BMW chooses to brand it) is too far away, you don't need to stray from the automaker's stable in pursuit of electrified performance. The M5 sedan and station wagon offer plug-in hybrid capability with about 25 miles of all-electric range, along with 717 horsepower and a 0-60 time of about 3 seconds.2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500The next generation of Chevy's half-ton pickup is on its way, and while details are somewhat scarce as of this writing, it promises to be a grand improvement over today's model. The headline news is the arrival of a new small-block V8 engine design, which will come in 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter formats for the 2027 Silverado 1500 (replacing today's 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter engines). Power and capability ratings haven't been released yet, but Chevrolet says that the 6.6-liter will be the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in its class. Edmunds predicts an output of about 490 hp, which would put the 6.6-liter engine's power figures between the two turbocharged six-cylinder versions of its Ram 1500 competitor.The cabin design of the new Silverado is much improved as well, especially since it comes standard with a 16.3-inch touchscreen.Those in the market for a half-ton pickup right now would probably be pretty satisfied with the current Silverado, which offers the aforementioned V8s, as well as a torquey and cost-effective turbocharged four-cylinder and a supremely efficient, smooth-running turbodiesel inline-six.2027 Ford EV pickupFord is hard at work on the next "Model T moment," as CEO Jim Farley put it. Called the Universal Electric Vehicle platform, it promises faster, cheaper manufacturing and improved efficiency, and the first recipient of the advanced architecture will be an all-electric pickup, similar to the Maverick, but with more space. With a touted starting price of around $30,000, the Universal Electric Vehicle will give Ford a rival to the Chevrolet Bolt, although its truckish versatility and styling may make it more appealing than that tall hatch. Plan on around 250 miles of range for the inexpensive EV, though the automaker could offer an optional battery with greater energy density for upward of 300 miles of range.If you need a cheap-and-cheerful EV right now, consider the Nissan Leaf. It isn't a pickup, but with a starting price of $31,535 and a maximum range of 303 miles, the Leaf is a very appealing option for those who want to go gas-free. It offers plenty of versatility and a pleasant driving experience. 2028 Nissan XterraNissan made off-road enthusiasts very happy when it announced it would bring a body-on-frame, truck-based midsize SUV back to the lineup. The next-generation Xterra is expected to debut in early 2027, and Edmunds predicts it'll share a platform with the rugged Frontier pickup (as it did before). That said, Nissan has also promised some form of electrification, saying the body-on-frame lineup led by the Xterra would feature a mix of V6 and V6 hybrid powertrains. Although traditionalists may not agree, the addition of instantaneous electric torque could turn the 2028 Xterra — expected to debut next year — into a certified billy goat when crawling over rocks.However, there is already a hybrid off-road SUV on the market, so if you need something today, give the 2026 Toyota 4Runner a look. The base powertrain is a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four, but torque junkies should consider the i-Force Max hybrid, which pairs the same engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.2028 Scout Traveler and TerraScout Motors, an upstart brand that sees itself as a redux of the classic International Harvester Scout off-roader, will offer two products in the coming years. Both the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup target 350 miles of all-electric range, and they could give Rivian a run for its money in terms of rugged capability. Scout will also placate range-anxious buyers with an available Harvester onboard generator that will give it 500 total miles on a fully charged battery and tank of gasoline, making long-distance off-road journeys a very feasible option for outdoor enthusiasts.The best right-now alternative for the Scout lineup is probably the Rivian R2. The smaller sibling to the mid- to full-size Rivian R1S has a more approachable size, refined road manners, and a commendable 330 miles of range. The only model available right now is the R2 Performance, which carries a starting price of $57,990.2027 Toyota GR GTToyota will enter the world of high-performance supercars for the first time with the 2027 GR GT. The headliner is its powertrain, with a twin-turbocharged V8 up front and a sophisticated hybrid transmission mounted to the rear axle. Toyota expects the combo to produce a healthy 641 horsepower, and the transaxle-style layout will improve weight distribution for even better handling. The slinky machine boasts the automaker's first-ever all-aluminum frame, with carbon-fiber reinforcements appearing in the roof, pillars, and hood for added strength and rigidity. It'll be suitably exotic when it arrives — at Lexus dealers, oddly — sometime next year.If that's too long to wait, those same dealers will happily sell you a Lexus supercoupe that's only slightly less exotic than the GR GT. The Lexus LC 500 is one of the most eye-catching designs to ever come out of Japan, and its 471-hp naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 sings an absolutely scintillating tune. The LC is also available as a convertible, all the better to hear that exhaust shriek on the way to redline.This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Why used-car scams are harder to spot today Why used-car scams are harder to spot todayIn the market to purchase a used vehicle? You have more options for finding the right car today than ever before, thanks to increased opportunities via online marketplaces, private listings and car dealerships.But buyer beware: It’s easier than ever to be swindled by fraudsters who hide vehicle histories and move damaged cars across state lines. Consider that around 2.45 million vehicles on U.S. roads may have rolled-back odometers, and more than 480,000 water-damaged autos were returned to the road last year, per CARFAX.TheZebra.com explains what you need to know to avoid used-car scams.The Used-Car Scams Buyers Encounter Most OftenUsed-car scams remain common for a simple reason: The seller knows much more about the vehicle’s real condition than you do.“For example, the car’s odometer might’ve been changed, or the vehicle might’ve been damaged by flooding without you knowing it,” explains Patrick Peterson, lead automotive analyst for GoodCar.com. “In the past, scammers could only reach buyers in their local area through newspaper ads or by displaying cars for sale on the side of the road. But today, they can reach thousands through online platforms, and they use AI tools to create realistic fake documents.”Attorney Michael Akiva says buyers are at a serious disadvantage because problems with used cars usually don’t show up at the time of purchase. “They come up later, often after an accident, when the vehicle’s condition actually gets examined,” he says. “A car can look fine after a crash, but once records are pulled, it turns out there was prior damage that wasn’t disclosed. Common scams follow that same pattern. Someone sells a car they are not actually registered to, or the title history doesn’t match the condition of the vehicle, or it’s been moved from one area after sustaining damage.”Three of the Most Frequently Used Car ScamsCurbstoning: The Fake Private SellerCurbstoning happens when unlicensed dealers pose as private sellers to avoid consumer protection laws. They may claim the car belongs to a family member, even though the title is not in their name. These vehicles often come with hidden damage, salvage histories or rolled-back mileage. Red flags include multiple listings tied to the same phone number and a seller who wants to meet in a parking lot instead of at a home address.“The reality is this person is likely an unlicensed dealer moving cars for profit while deliberately avoiding the consumer protection laws that licensed dealers have to follow,” cautions Rami Sneineh, co-president of insurance brokerage Insurance Navy Brokers.To protect yourself, verify that the seller’s name matches the title, check whether the vehicle appears in other listings and ask to see the title before meeting. “Also, request to see the title before seeing the car. A legitimate private seller will hold the title in their name,” adds Sneineh.Title WashingTitle washing happens when a vehicle with major accident damage or a salvage or flood title is re-registered in another state so that the history no longer appears on the title.“The car may have major damage or been seriously affected by flooding, but after the paperwork moves through another state, it can suddenly look much cleaner on paper than it really is,” says personal finance expert Andrew Gosselin, CPA.This happens because retitling rules vary by state, and some damage records do not follow a vehicle across state lines. If the car is priced far below what its age or condition would suggest, or the seller dodges questions about the title, walk away.“Always get a full vehicle history report and check for any inconsistencies between what the title says and what the report shows,” suggests Peterson.Flood Cars Traveling Far From Disaster ZonesFollowing a major flood or hurricane, fraudsters often attempt to resell water-damaged cars in other parts of the country. Warning signs include a musty smell within the cabin, fog in the headlights, rust under the dashboard or seats and electrical malfunctions.Always carefully check the car's registration history, confirm where it was titled and have the vehicle professionally inspected.Why Suspiciously Cheap Cars Are Often the Biggest Red FlagLow-priced cars attract buyers who often make quick decisions before doing their homework. Scammers capitalize on their eagerness to score a bargain, but low prices often signal hidden accident damage, a salvage title, odometer fraud or a vehicle that doesn’t even exist.“Cars under $5,000 are especially at risk for fraud because buyers are less likely to question such a low offer,” Peterson continues. “Scammers often use other tricks, too, such as pressuring the buyer to make a fast decision and close the deal right away.”Remember to compare similar listings locally before committing to a purchase.Facebook Marketplace and Other Online Listings Create New RisksFacebook Marketplace, OfferUp and Craigslist have made it easier for charlatans to pose as private sellers because it’s simple to delete listings or accounts, transactions can occur offline, and minimal identity verification is required.“On these platforms, it’s very easy to fake urgency and pressure people into sending deposits before they have even seen the car in person,” says Gosselin.Think twice if the seller refuses to meet during daylight or allow for an inspection, lists photos that appear reused from other sites or pushes for a deposit before a test drive.The inspection step buyers skip most oftenMany scams succeed because buyers rely on first impressions rather than a thorough mechanical inspection, which can reveal hidden problems such as flood and frame damage, poor repairs and latent mechanical issues.“Don’t react impulsively,” Gosselin advises. “Paying a mechanic to inspect is a small cost, but it can end up saving you a lot of money.”Vehicle History Reports Help, But Aren't FoolproofServices that provide vehicle history reports are helpful, not bulletproof. Not all accidents are reported, some states share fewer data, not all service shops share information with major reporting systems and damage repaired outside of an insurance claim may never appear on the report.“History reports are only as complete as what has been reported. In some cases, prior insurance claims can fill in gaps, but even that is not always complete,” says Akiva. “But a basic professional inspection can catch things that don’t show up in a listing or vehicle report.”Insurance Records Can Expose Hidden DamageInsurance records can capture losses and events that aren’t indicated in basic title records alone. When a carrier pays for a claim or serious collision, flood damage, fire, or total loss, those details get recorded in databases used by vehicle history services.“These records can reveal serious past problems that may not be obvious from photos or the seller’s description,” adds Peterson. “Tools like CARFAX and AutoCheck compile insurance claim data like accident dates and payout amounts.”There are also free tools that can help you spot red flags before paying for a deeper report, including the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s VINCheck service and data providers approved by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.VIN InconsistenciesBefore buying a used car, verify that the VIN matches everywhere it appears, including the dashboard plate, title, registration, vehicle history reports and insurance documents. Inconsistent VINs can signify title fraud, stolen parts and improperly rebuilt vehicles.Salvage Titles and Insurance LimitationsInsurance history also affects how easy it is to insure the car. Case in point: A vehicle with a salvage or rebuilt title may only qualify for limited coverage. Or, the insurer may deny full coverage entirely. You may not discover these problems until you attempt to insure the car. Also, previous severe claims can affect the vehicle’s resale value.Questions That Reveal Red FlagsTo avoid getting conned, ask the seller direct questions about the car’s history, title, ownership and condition:How long have you owned the vehicle?Why are you selling the car?Has the car ever been in an accident, flood or been salvaged or rebuilt?Is the title in your name?Does the VIN match the title and registration?Can you provide a recent vehicle history report?Has anyone else recently tried to purchase this car?Can I see the service records?Has the car ever changed plates or regions since it was manufactured?Can I have the car inspected by my mechanic?“Honest sellers can usually answer these questions directly. Dishonest sellers usually get vague, annoyed, or start trying to redirect the conversation,” Gosselin says.If the seller will not answer clearly, refuses an inspection, provides a title that does not match their information, pressures you to pay immediately or offers a price far below similar listings, walk away.This story was produced by TheZebra.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	7 nightmare tenant and squatter stories from across the US 7 nightmare tenant and squatter stories from across the USA New York homeowner walked into a house she owned and was left in handcuffs. A stranger had changed her locks, and when she changed them back, the police arrested her for an illegal eviction; meanwhile, the stranger leaned on local tenant and squatter protections to stay put.While her story is unsettling and difficult to believe, nightmare tenants and squatters like this turn up all over the country. For every case that reaches the news, plenty more play out quietly, while owners are locked out of their own homes with no camera crew on the lawn to document the injustice.Below are seven true stories, along with the two habits that help homeowners and landlords prevent similar situations from unfolding on their own properties.What these nightmare cases all have in commonThe stories TurboTenant covers below are extreme cases, not the everyday realities of owning or renting out a home, and the bad actors differ in ways that matter. Across the seven real cases, three themes surface again and again:Unauthorized occupants manufacture ownership disputes: A forged or informally extended lease turns a quick police call into a monthslong court fight. Officers often cannot tell a real tenant from a stranger holding a fake rental document.Self-help removal backfires: When an occupant presents a plausible tenancy claim that police cannot resolve, owners may need a court order before retaking possession. Owners who change locks or cut power tend to get arrested or sued before the illegal occupant does.Occupied and vacant rentals require different defenses: A properly screened applicant and a signed lease reduce the risk for an occupied rental. An empty home needs rekeyed locks, regular check-ins, and fast action the moment a stranger turns up.But the most disturbing fact is this: Not one of these owners saw their fiasco coming, and every time disaster befell one of these owners, it was because they let their guard down. The stories below show where each weak spot was and how little time it took an owner to lose control of their property.The homeowner arrested for changing her locksAdele Andaloro inherited her family’s home in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, New York, and in early 2024 began preparing it for sale. That’s when she found the locks had changed and strangers were living inside.When Andaloro brought a locksmith to change the locks, a man claiming to be a tenant forced his way in and called the police. Officers arrested her for illegal eviction, then let him stay.He claimed he had signed a $3,200 monthly lease and had moved subletters into the rooms, though he had no proof of the lease that day, and news cameras caught the standoff playing out on the property.At the time, New York law did not expressly exclude squatters from its definition of “tenant,” creating confusion about the state’s 30-day occupancy rule. Unsure who could legally stay, officers played it safe and let the man remain in the home.The man, Brian Rodriguez, was later sentenced to two years in prison in March 2025 for falsely claiming his tenancy and renting out rooms in the home. Andaloro’s case helped push New York to amend its property law in 2024, so squatters no longer count as tenants.Lesson learned: An owner can lose control of a paid-off house in the time it takes to swap a lock, so check on a vacant property often.The Airbnb guest who stayed 570 daysSascha Jovanovic rented his Los Angeles guesthouse to Elizabeth Hirschhorn in 2021 for what was supposed to be a six-month stay at $105 a night. She stayed roughly 570 days, most of them without paying a dollar.Once her stay exceeded six months, Los Angeles’ Cause Ordinance protections applied, and a judge had no expedited process to remove her. A city investigator later found the guesthouse fell under Los Angeles rent-control rules, which handed her unarguable tenant protections.The allegedly unpermitted guesthouse further complicated the case. Her lawyers argued that she owed nothing, claiming the unit lacked a required occupancy permit and could not be legally rented, meaning he could legally collect nothing.Hirschhorn then demanded a $100,000 relocation fee from Jovanovic to leave, and the two sued each other. She finally moved out in late 2023 under police escort, leaving behind approximately $60,000 in unpaid rent.Lesson learned: A short-term stay can harden into a protected tenancy, so get the right permits, put any extension in writing, and learn the local rules before a guest crosses the legal line.The professional tenant on his 13th evictionWhen a constable finally reached a Burlington, Massachusetts, rental, the tenants were already gone. They left trash across the floors and a large hole in the hallway wall.Bryan Coombes and his partner moved in during December 2023 and went delinquent almost immediately. The nearly two-year fight cost the landlord, a Syrian immigrant with limited English, more than $100,000.Housing records showed it was Coombes’ 13th eviction in Massachusetts, a pattern that spanned two decades and looped through appeals and bankruptcies. Taxpayers had even covered the cost of rental assistance before the couple was finally removed.A prior landlord had described the couple as “professional tenants,” the same term investigators later used.Lesson learned: A serial mover can look clean on paper, so verify identity and check eviction reports for recency and whether it ended in a judgment rather than a filing.Atlanta: Where squatting became a businessIn Metro Atlanta, squatters have increasingly targeted vacant homes owned by corporate landlords rather than scattered one-off properties. In one DeKalb County neighborhood, residents say squatters took over boarded-up houses managed by companies like Invitation Homes.The sheer scale set Atlanta apart. The National Rental Home Council reported that its member companies had roughly 1,200 metro homes taken over, more than in any other market it tracked, though public squatting data remains thin.One DeKalb County homeowner, real estate agent Paul Callins, came home from caring for his sick wife to find that occupants had moved in and changed the locks. When deputies arrived, one occupant produced a false lease on her phone, and the group claimed a phony leasing agent had conned them. Callins, who believes the lease was faked, regained the property days later.By 2024, Georgia had seen enough. The state passed the Squatter Reform Act in 2024, making unlawful occupation a clear-cut crime.Lesson learned: Squatters target empty homes and can show up with fake paperwork ready. Watch vacant properties closely and document ownership before someone else tries to claim it.The fake lease that changed Florida lawTwo women moved into Patti Peeples’ Jacksonville, Florida, home overnight, just as she prepared to list it for sale. They cut the realtor’s lockbox, drilled out the front door lock, installed their own, and refused to leave.When Peeples tried to reclaim her property, the pair pointed to a fake lease to justify their tenancy. They claimed they had found the home on Zillow and signed with a landlord named Christopher, though Zillow had no record of the listing and no such landlord existed.By the time Peeples got them out through a civil ejectment, the “tenants” had occupied the home for 34 days. The women left thousands of dollars in damage behind, including smashed walls, broken windows, and a missing washer and dryer, all while a pending sale fell apart.Her ordeal helped spark change and inspired Florida’s HB 621 in 2024, one of the toughest anti-squatting laws in the country. The law created an expedited sheriff-removal process when the owner and property qualify, and makes damage of $1,000 or more a felony.Lesson learned: Unoccupied homes are ripe for abuse. Keep an eye on listings and document their condition before a fake lease turns up on someone’s phone.Gone 3 weeks, a squatter took over her Dallas-area homeA few weeks away was all it took. While Terri Boyette handled a family matter out of town, a stranger broke into her Mesquite, Texas, home and settled in as though he owned it.Police told her it was a civil issue, so she hired a lawyer and waited. It took roughly seven months and a court-ordered eviction to get her house back. By then, the home needed serious work. Crews reportedly cleaned it in hazmat suits because water had run for nine months straight, forcing a complete mold remediation.Texas lawmakers responded. The state’s SB 38, which took effect Jan. 1, 2026, streamlines the civil eviction process and sets faster procedures for resolving possession disputes.Lesson learned: A few weeks away is enough for squatters to move in, so have someone check a vacant home while you travel and document any break-in the day it happens.The ‘slice of hell’ an evicted tenant left behindAn evicted Colorado Springs tenant who ran a pet shelter gutted a five-bedroom house so thoroughly that its later listing billed it as a “slice of hell.”The damage traced back to a move-out that nobody actually supervised. After her 2019 eviction, a judge allowed the tenant to return briefly to collect her belongings, and she used an unguarded window to enter and wreck the rental property.She spray-painted messages to the owner across the walls, left the floors grime-caked with waste, and shut cats inside a bathroom, where they later died. A festering freezer of spoiled meat permeated the entire home.The owner, sick and living out of state, had not set foot in the home in a decade, and insurance refused to cover a cent of the damage. Empty for nearly 18 months, the house was listed for nearly $600,000 and still needed a small fortune to make it livable.Lesson learned: A supervised move-out only helps if someone actually supervises it, so send a witness, inspect the unit right after, and check whether your landlord insurance policy includes tenant vandalism.Two habits that help rental owners avoid nightmare tenantsSome of these stories could have played out differently with more attention to detail. The millions of rental property owners who stayed off this list relied on two habits worth building:Properly screening tenants: Landlords should verify identity and income, then run a background and eviction-history check on every applicant before they ever hand over a key. A thorough online rental application builds the paper trail that those background checks rely on.Guarding empty units: Since a vacant home reads as an open invitation. Rekey between tenants, check any empty property every few days, and act the moment a stranger tries to move their belongings in.A few bits of extra advice from these stories are worth keeping ready:Verify permits before you rent out a converted space.Keep a witness on hand for any supervised move-out.Carry landlord insurance that covers tenant vandalism.Learn your state’s squatters’ rights rules so you can act fast without overstepping.Enlist the help of a qualified lawyer as soon as a possession dispute turns messy.Put these habits in place today, because the time to build a defense is long before a nightmare tenant moves in to test it.This story was produced by TurboTenant and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Police presence reported along River Drive in Davenport Police were seen investigating an area along River Drive on Wednesday morning, according to a crew on the scene.
	Alien Terrorist Removal Court to hold its first-ever hearing after 30 years Congress created the Alien Terrorist Removal Court in 1996 to make it easier for the Justice Department to use classified evidence to deport people from U.S. soil.
	Iowa, Illinois groups celebrate Medicare and Medicaid on 61st anniversary Local advocates met at the Davenport Public Library to celebrate Medicare and Medicaid's 61st anniversary and discuss preserving the vital programs.
	Make back-to-school season easier with these mealtime solutions (BPT) - Does the back-to-school season feel hectic for your family? If you're navigating a packed schedule and change in family routine, you're not alone. A survey commissioned by Bob Evans and conducted by Talker Research found that nearly 8 in 10 parents (77%) say back-to-school season makes everyday life feel more hectic and unpredictable.One task that increases during the school year is driving. Between school drop-offs and extracurricular commitments, parents spend 6,858 minutes driving kids to and from activities during the school year — that's about 38 minutes a day which equates to 15 full workdays.Mealtime is also a big stressor, with 66% of parents saying getting dinner on the table makes them feel overextended. A whopping 90% struggle to come up with appealing new dinner ideas during the school week.If you're one of the 53% of parents who say finding easy-to-prepare meals would lower their personal stress levels, Bob Evans has got your back. During this busy season, Bob Evans brings comfort to the table with convenient, quick-to-prepare side dishes that make mealtime — and snack time — easier.Here are tips and recipes to help you and your family settle into the school year routine.Keep it simpleSetting up a regular rotation of 5-10 easy weeknight meals simplifies grocery shopping and establishes a familiar routine. On weekends, batch-cook or cut up veggies to have them ready for the week. Plan a couple of meals to be DIY-style, where kids can build their own burgers, pizzas or kebabs.For weeknights that are especially busy with activities, serve easy staples like tacos or even breakfast for dinner.Enjoy time-saving sidesMeal prep and cleanup are a breeze with comforting, family-favorite sides that can be prepared in just minutes. Bob Evans ready-to-heat dinner sides provide delicious quick-to-table options in less than 10 minutes, with no mess and no stress. Choose kid-pleasers like Bob Evans Macaroni & Cheese in a family size for everyone to share.Bob Evans sides can be enjoyed as-is or incorporated in a variety of recipes for added flavor and convenience, giving you more time to enjoy special moments with your family.Make the most of after-school snacksAfter a full day of school, it can be tough for kids to make it until dinnertime without some fuel. Providing a hearty, tasty snack will help give kids the energy they need for homework, chores or playtime before sitting down with the family for a full meal or on weekends between activities. Bob Evans Single Serve Original Mashed Potatoes and Macaroni & Cheese offer convenient after-school options, or try one of these tasty recipes kids are bound to love.Bacon Macaroni & Cheese QuesadillasCrispy tortillas, creamy macaroni and cheese and smoky bacon combine for a satisfying, kid-friendly snack that's ready in minutes.Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 20 minutes; Servings: 6Ingredients28 ounces Bob Evans Family Size Macaroni & Cheese6 burrito-size flour tortillas12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded1/2 cup ranch dressingInstructions1. Preheat oven to 450°F; place 2 large baking sheets in oven while preheating.2. Spread macaroni and cheese over one side of each tortilla.3. Top with bacon and shredded cheese.4. Fold side of tortillas over filling.5. Spray preheated baking sheets with cooking spray.6. Transfer quesadillas to pan and spray tops with cooking spray.7. Bake 10 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.8. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.Mashed Potato Cheese SticksThis fun, kid-approved snack was made for dipping: crispy on the outside and gooey inside, and wrapped in rich, buttery mashed potatoes.Prep time: 30 minutes; Cook time: 20 minutes; Servings: 12Ingredients12-count mozzarella string cheese snack24 ounces Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes1/2 cup all-purpose flour2 large eggs1 cup panko breadcrumbs1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese1 teaspoon dried thyme1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary1/2 teaspoon garlic powder15-ounce jar marinara sauceInstructions1. Unwrap cheese sticks.2. Press potatoes around cheese sticks to coat; dredge in flour, shaking off excess.3. Lightly beat eggs in a shallow dish.4. Stir together breadcrumbs, cheese, thyme, rosemary and garlic powder in a second shallow dish.5. Dip coated cheese sticks in beaten egg, letting excess drip off.6. Dredge in breadcrumb mixture to coat.7. Place on lightly greased wire rack.8. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.9. Spray air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray.10. Place coated cheese sticks half-inch apart in air fryer basket.11. Spray generously with cooking spray.12. Air-fry in batches 5 minutes or until golden brown.13. Turn and air fry 3-4 minutes longer.14. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.Get ready for the school year with the Bob Evans Back-to-School Giveaway Bob Evans is helping families get ready for the upcoming school year by giving away 50 back-to-school kits filled with everyday essentials to support an easier start to the season. To enter to win, visit the Bob Evans Instagram page @BobEvansGrocery and follow the details listed in the giveaway post.Find products to make your back-to-school meals easier at BobEvansGrocery.com or a grocery store near you.
	Caregiver criminally charged with dependent adult abuse of autistic teenager Iowa Workforce Development manages unemployment claims filed on behalf of Iowans. (Photo by Getty Images, logo courtesy the State of Iowa)A central Iowa caregiver accused of kicking and punching an autistic teenager is now facing criminal charges of dependent adult abuse. State records indicate Falisha Turner, 47, of Des Moines was employed by as a care professional by Home Instead, an in-home care provider, earlier this year. The company provides daily living assistance for people with disabilities, usually in residential settings. According to court and state unemployment records, Turner was driving a home-care client on March 14, 2026, when she was pulled over by police, who informed her there was an arrest warrant for her related to an incident that had occurred days earlier when Turner was working for a different company. She was then charged with dependent adult abuse. Court records indicate Turner was accused by police of punching an 18-year-old autistic woman in the face “multiple times in the face, and kicking her in the chest, causing physical injury.” The incident allegedly happened at a Waukee residence owned by Watchtower Investment Group, a company that provides affordable housing for people with disabilities. Two days after her arrest, Turner was fired from Home Instead after being placed on the state’s adult abuse registry, which made it impossible for her maintain employment as a caregiver for that or any other Iowa company. A judge later denied Turner’s application for unemployment benefits, citing her placement on the registry. Turner has pleaded not guilty to the charge of dependent adult abuse and a pretrial conference is scheduled for Sept. 11, 2026. Turner told the Iowa Capital Dispatch that a state abuse investigator told her there was video of her attacking the alleged victim and that a supervisor had also witnessed the incident. Turner said she was never shown any video and that she suspects the supervisor fabricated the allegations to cover up her own role in the matter. “I never punched that lady. I never punched her, I never choked her, I never chased her,” Turner said, adding that there had been a physical altercation that resulted in her trying to “break free” of the teenager who was grabbing at her clothes, neck and hair. “The only thing I tried to do was run out the door,” Turner said. Other recent unemployment cases Other Iowans recently accused of workplace misconduct include: — Haley Sly, who worked as a certified medication aide for Accura Healthcare of Cascade, a nursing home, until she was fired on May 1, 2026. State records show the facility alleged Sly had asked a resident of the home to come to the dining room to eat dinner, and that the resident declined. A certified nursing aide later alleged Sly grabbed the resident and pulled them up out of their chair and forcibly transported them to the dining table. The home’s administration investigated the matter and found that the resident had sustained “substantial bruising” due to Sly’s rough handling. Sly was fired and applied for unemployment benefits, which led to a recent hearing before Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth Johnson. In ruling that Sly was ineligible for benefits, Johnson stated that Sly’s conduct amounted to abuse and a violation of workplace rules. She also ordered Sly to repay the $3,570 in unemployment benefits already collected. — Alexander Gully, who worked as a full-time paraeducator at Butler Elementary School in the Fort Dodge Community School District from August 2023 through May 2026, when he was fired. The district alleged that while removing a fifth-grade student with special needs from the classroom due to misbehavior, Gully hoisted the 10-year-old child off the floor by one of the child’s arms, then carried the child in that manner while exiting the room and placing the child in a hallway chair. Gully’s alleged handling of the child left marks on the child’s arm, which triggered a complaint by the child’s mother. Administrative Law Judge James Timberland recently ruled Gully was ineligible for unemployment benefits due to workplace misconduct. Gully, Timberland ruled, had chosen to disregard the district’s deescalation protocols “and elected instead to handle a 10-year-old student in a physically abusive manner in violation of district policy. There was no excuse or justification for (his) conduct.” Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Fueled by AI and smoky skies, more Americans are struggling with 'anticipatory anxiety' Fueled by AI and smoky skies, more Americans are struggling with ‘anticipatory anxiety’Anticipatory anxiety is excessive dread about an event or situation that hasn't happened yet. From political instability and the rapid adoption of AI, to unpredictable wildfires, anticipatory anxiety is something many are struggling with right now.Researchers and clinicians describe it as an “anxiety state rooted in uncertainty.” Your emotions are “forward leaning,” in that your thoughts, behaviors, and mood all shift in advance to brace for a threat that may never show up.Despite how awful it feels, this anxiety is meant to support your survival. Your brain, in its overzealous and well-meaning way, is trying to keep you safe. It runs scenarios, scans for threats, and keeps your internal alarm system on high alert, just in case.More manageable worries can escalate into anticipatory anxiety when the brain is unable to forecast the size or shape of a future threat. Its job is to protect you, but it doesn’t know how, so it gets stuck in a loop.So how do you get your brain to stop fueling fears about the future? Alma shares evidence-based strategies that can help.Why anticipatory anxiety is on the risePeople are living through a genuine pileup of uncertainty, and the data show that its impact is being felt across the country.In the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) 2024 mental health poll, Stress in America, more than 70% of U.S. adults reported feeling anxious about current events (with the economy, socio-political climate, and gun violence topping the list). In 2025, around three-quarters of adults said the future of the nation is a significant source of stress, which was similar to results in 2024.Younger adults are feeling this acutely, as nearly two-thirds of those ages 18–34 said they've considered relocating to another country because of the state of the nation.Here are four areas that are likely to be worsening anticipatory anxiety across the country.1. The Political ClimatePolitical uncertainty is one of the most obvious contributing factors. Elections, legislation, policy reversals, international conflict, healthcare, economic security, civil rights, people's basic sense of belonging … are these words striking a chord?Though according to research on the 2024 election, political stress has more to do with the news than it does politics: News-related stress was linked to higher odds of risk for generalized anxiety, distinct from stress specific to the election outcome, which showed no significant association.And then there’s the lack of trust. The majority of adults reported very little to no trust in the U.S. government. When trust collapses, uncertainty expands and anticipatory anxiety rushes in to fill the space.2. Artificial IntelligenceAI is quickly becoming its own driver of anticipatory anxiety. In 2025, 57% of adults called the rise of AI a significant source of stress, up from 49% the year before. Young adults ages 18-34 felt it most, with 65% reporting AI-related stress, up from 52% just a year earlier.The anxiety associated with AI seems to have a few moving parts. First is thinking about the capability of these tools and whether they'll make you replaceable in terms of your work. Secondly, feelings of tension, fear, loss, and some helplessness around AI creep into every aspect of the day. And finally, there’s your own actions related to AI, which may be balanced or swing between two extremes: avoiding it entirely or leaning on it far too hard.Whatever your relationship with AI happens to be, there is likely anxiety coming to the surface. And the deeper conversation beneath that anxiety is about control. When people feel they've lost the steering wheel — and are therefore at the mercy of decisions made by systems they can't see into and biases they can't audit — many respond by checking out entirely.3. Misinformation and Information OverloadMisinformation is another anticipatory anxiety trigger. In 2025, 69% of adults named the spread of inaccurate or misleading information as a major source of stress, up from 62% the year before. When you don’t know if you can trust the headlines, photos, or videos in your feed, you may feel the need to always be on guard.3. Widespread Smoke from WildfiresSmoke drifts hundreds of miles beyond a fire's perimeter, triggering anxiety and growing fears about future wildfires. One 2024 study found that within 48 hours of wildfire smoke exposure, emergency room visits for anxiety rose across five western states, with the sharpest increases among women, girls, and older adults.Smoke brings uncertainty that can escalate into anticipatory anxiety; you can't fully predict where it's headed, how long it will linger, or whether today's orange sky will be an even darker shade tomorrow. Unable to find answers, your brain loops on an unsettling list of what-ifs.Signs and symptoms of anticipatory anxietyNot everyone shows the same signs or symptoms related to anticipatory anxiety. But the ones listed below tend to come up often.Cognitive signsAnticipatory anxiety usually starts with repetitive thinking. People rehearse bad outcomes even when those outcomes may be very unlikely.That can look like:Catastrophic thinking — This will go horribly or I won't survive it“What-if spiraling” — What if I say the wrong thing? What if they don't like me? What if I lose my job?Overestimating the threatTrouble concentratingPhysical signsThe stress of constant worry can manifest in physical symptoms, including:Muscle tensionHeadachesGI disturbanceSleep problemsRacing heartShortness of breathEmotional signsEmotional signs can vary from intense, negative feelings to no feelings at all. People with anticipatory anxiety may experience:Dread (the debilitating kind)IrritabilityEmotional numbness or detachmentBehavioral signsThis is where anticipatory anxiety starts interfering with real life in noticeable ways, such as:AvoidanceOver-preparingReassurance-seekingDifficulty making decisionsPulling away from peopleGiven these symptoms — which can sometimes overlap to the point where you can’t tell them apart — it’s easy to see why anticipatory anxiety is exhausting and unsustainable.What’s happening inside your brainYour brain is a problem-solving machine. And its favorite kind of problems are familiar ones. When you have a solid idea of what you're up against, your brain can run a logical threat-response playbook. But if you’re imagining a future filled with unknown threats, your brain doesn’t know what to do. Since it can’t go down the problem-solving track, it needs to pick another path.Whether that path leads to anxiety, and how hard that anxiety is to soothe, depends partly on a trait called intolerance of uncertainty (IU). People who can meet the unknown with curiosity rather than dread tend to recover faster. For these folks, uncertainty has become something to learn from instead of brace against. For people high in IU, that kind of reframing doesn't come easily without support, especially when your mind and body are already under stress.Something called “cognitive appraisal,” also comes into play. Cognitive appraisal is the story you tell yourself about what a threat means and how likely it is to happen. Some people are more likely to tell themselves the worst possible version of that story. This, in turn, contributes to a state of hypervigilance, where your brain is actively inflating danger while also underestimating your ability to cope.Normal worry vs. clinically significant anxietyMost people worry about the future to some degree, and with good reason. So it can be hard to figure out if what you’re feeling is just part of being human, or if it’s something worth seeing a therapist about.These three questions can help you decide:How much does it bother you?How long has it been bothering you?How is it affecting your life?Per the DSM-5-TR, generalized anxiety is marked by excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least six months, alongside three or more of the following:Restlessness or feeling on edgeBecoming easily fatiguedDifficulty concentrating or the mind going blankIrritabilityMuscle tensionSleep disturbanceIf you’ve been worrying frequently for months and are nodding your head at a few of the items above, speak with your doctor or a therapist. Don’t let thoughts like “I can handle it,” “it’s not that bad,” or “other people have it much worse,” stop you from taking care of yourself.How to manage anticipatory anxietyYou are not powerless against anticipatory anxiety. There are evidence-based strategies that can help you build tolerance for an increasingly uncertain world.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)CBT remains a gold-standard approach to any type of anxiety. CBT built around intolerance of uncertainty works the usual three levers — what you think, what you feel, what you do — while also changing your relationship with not-knowing. We can't delete the uncertainty from your life, so the goal is to change your relationship with it.MindfulnessMindfulness interrupts future-oriented anxiety by drawing your attention back to the present. It supports steadier emotion regulation, eases rumination, dials down anxiety sensitivity, and builds a sustainable rhythm of self-care. Over time, mindfulness practice can soften your first-reflex reactions to anticipated threats, so uncertainty starts to register as less menacing.Structure, Sleep, ExerciseBuilding more structure into your days (e.g., a consistent sleep routine, regular movement) can ease perseverative thinking. That's the looping, ruminating "what if" cycle at the heart of anticipatory anxiety, which only gets worse when you're overly tired.Graduated Exposure to UncertaintyYou could try to stop watching the news or ignore AI altogether. Alas, avoidance is a short-term fix that tends to amplify the problem long-term. Building exposure to uncertainty in small, deliberate steps grows your tolerance over time. You make a plan without knowing every outcome, you survive it, you do it again.Digital and App-Based SupportFor people who don’t want in-person help, or who are stuck on a waitlist, app-based tools can be a reasonable bridge for working through moments of uncertainty. Consider checking out apps like: Headspace, Calm, Rootd, Virtual Hope Box, and Self-Help for Anxiety Management.Help for an overworked nervous systemAnticipatory anxiety is a deeply human response to a world that is less predictable than it used to be, and your brain / nervous system is just doing what it evolved to do.Unfortunately, your brain is not going to feel less anxious about the future on command. It takes time and care to become more aware of your thought processes and responses, and find a different way of viewing our often uncertain world.If worrying about the future is interfering with your well-being, consider scheduling a consultation with a therapist. They can talk through your symptoms and help you consider the best options for feeling better.This story was produced by Alma and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Trump accounts: Why they’re not your typical college fund Trump accounts: Why they’re not your typical college fundThe Trump account, a new tax-deferred vehicle aimed at helping families save for children, poses a fundamental question: How is this tool best used?Last year’s tax legislation (known as the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act) introduced a new vehicle to the tax-deferred savings landscape: the “Trump account.” Like 529 college savings plans and custodial accounts held under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA accounts), Trump accounts offer a way to earmark assets for children. But what problem are these accounts designed to solve?Early commentary often treated Trump accounts as a potential education savings tool. Subsequent IRS guidance—most recently IRS Notice 2025‑68—confirms that Trump accounts generally operate as a specialized form of traditional IRA after the child reaches age 18, which can make them more comparable to long-term retirement-savings vehicles than to education-specific accounts. To decide which path to take, examining the tax attributes of each option is crucial. The following analysis from Bernstein Private Wealth Management aims to demystify these considerations and help families make the most prudent choices for their specific circumstances.529 Plan BasicsAmong the most popular savings vehicles for affluent families, 529 plans are known for their tax efficiency. But this comes with strict constraints on how their funds must be used to avoid triggering substantial income taxes and other penalties. The tax advantages of these vehicles begin at the funding stage, where donors may “superfund” a 529 plan—using a provision under Internal Revenue Code section 529(c)(2)(B)—by making up to five years’ worth of annual exclusion gifts in a single lump sum. This lets those assets compound on a tax-deferred basis earlier and for longer time periods. If distributions are channeled toward qualified academic expenses like higher education, limited K-12 tuition, apprenticeships, and certain student loan repayments, those withdrawals are income tax free. More recently, the SECURE 2.0 Act, part of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, expanded flexibility by permitting a lifetime transfer of up to $35,000 from a 529 plan to a beneficiary’s Roth IRA, tax and penalty free.An Overview of UTMA AccountsParents willing to forego tax efficiency in exchange for flexibility would do well to consider funding UTMA accounts. This empowers donors to transfer assets to minors while retaining custodial oversight until their beneficiaries reach the age of majority, typically at age 18 or 21.But bear in mind: UTMA accounts come with notable drawbacks. First, income and realized gains in a UTMA account are generally taxable to the child, and depending on the child’s age, student status, and amount of unearned income, the “kiddie tax” rules may cause part of that income to be taxed at the parents’ rates rather than exclusively at long-term capital gains rates. Second, once a beneficiary reaches the applicable age under state law, the beneficiary generally assumes full control of the account. That means families should think carefully about whether the loss of control aligns with their planning goals.How Trump Accounts WorkWhile Trump accounts promote tax-deferred growth, they’re subject to restrictive funding limitations and tax-inefficient withdrawal rules. To truly understand their function, it’s essential to explore two distinct phases: the growth period and the IRA period.Phase One: The Growth PeriodThe growth period runs from account creation through Dec. 31 of the year in which the child turns 17. During this period, families and employers may contribute up to $5,000 annually, with inflation adjustments beginning in 2027, under limits described in IRS Notice 2025‑68; employer contributions are capped at $2,500 per employee, and aggregate family and employer contributions cannot exceed the $5,000 annual ceiling. In addition, the federal government will make a one-time $1,000 contribution for children born between 2025 and 2028.During the growth period, Trump accounts may only invest in specified low-cost mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track broad U.S. equity indexes. That materially narrows the available investment menu relative to many taxable or custodial accounts. What’s more, distributions are prohibited during the growth period, meaning beneficiaries may not access the funds during this phase.Phase Two: The IRA PeriodBeginning Jan. 1 of the year a beneficiary turns 18, a Trump account generally becomes subject to the rules applicable to traditional IRAs, subject to certain special coordination and reporting rules. Namely, Trump accounts may not accept SEP or SIMPLE IRA contributions, and they must be tracked separately from other IRA assets. At that point, the special growth-period investment restrictions cease to apply. While beneficiaries may continue contributing up to earned‑income and contribution limits, withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. And barring exceptions, early distributions taken before age 59 1/2 are subject to a 10% penalty.Should Trump Accounts Be Used for Educational Expenses?When first introduced, many families wondered whether Trump accounts could efficiently fund education expenses while avoiding an additional 10% penalty. But many failed to realize that these assets are still taxed at ordinary income rates upon withdrawal. The following real-world, apples‑to‑apples comparison illustrates why this distinction matters.Assume a family contributes $5,000 annually (the maximum permitted contribution to a Trump account) to a 529 plan, a UTMA account, or a Trump account for 18 years. Under these assumptions, a 529 plan grows to approximately $213,000 (Display 1). Because qualified education withdrawals are tax free, the full balance is available for financing education. On the other hand, a UTMA account grows to roughly $199,000, but after capital gains taxes, only $187,500 is available for education. Meanwhile, a Trump account grows to $213,000, but only the after‑tax value of approximately $174,500 is available for educational expenses. Bernstein Private Wealth Management The takeaway is clear. When it comes to tax-efficient education funding, families should prioritize 529 plans, followed by UTMA accounts, and finally Trump accounts. Although the last option benefits from tax‑deferred growth, withdrawals are taxed at high ordinary income rates. UTMA accounts benefit from lower capital gains rates, while education-funding 529 plans eliminate income taxation altogether on qualified withdrawals, even though families should keep in mind that Trump accounts are generally expected to be excluded from reportable assets for financial aid, unlike 529 and UTMA balances.For Retirement, Timing Is EverythingWhen all is said and done, Trump accounts are best evaluated as retirement‑savings tools rather than education vehicles. A 529 plan’s utility in this context is limited; SECURE 2.0 allows only a $35,000 lifetime rollover to a Roth IRA. Therefore, the relevant comparison is between Trump accounts and UTMA accounts.Here, timing matters. In the early years, given the ongoing taxation of UTMA accounts and the tax-deferred nature of the Trump account, the Trump account appears superior. However, nonqualified distributions from a Trump account before age 59 1/2 will be assessed a 10% penalty on the earnings in addition to the ordinary income tax. It takes until the penalty expires after approximately 59 years for the after-tax value from a Trump account to be greater than the after-tax value of a UTMA account (Displays 2 and 3), based on the illustrative assumptions in Bernstein’s modeling of Trump‑to‑Roth conversion scenarios. Bernstein Private Wealth Management Bernstein Private Wealth Management The lesson isn’t that Trump accounts are universally superior; it’s that their ideal application is situational. For those with long horizons and clear retirement objectives, Trump accounts can play a limited but meaningful role. However, for many families, relying on this vehicle to fund education or short-term needs is like trying to eat soup with a fork—technically possible, but inefficient and frustrating. In most cases, more familiar and purpose-built tools remain the better fit.This story was produced by Bernstein Private Wealth Management and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Grammy-winning fiddler to perform in Cambridge Grammy-winning artist and two-time IBMA “Fiddle Player of the Year” Bronwyn and her band will bring her powerful blend of Americana, bluegrass and roots music to Ca d’Zan House Concerts in Cambridge on Thursday, Aug. 6, a news release says. Presented by Crossroads Cultural Connections, the all-ages concert will begin at 7 p.m., following an optional [...]
	UnityPoint Health - Trinity earns national recognition for stroke care UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island received the Get With The Guidelines – StrokeSilver Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Get With The Guidelines – Stroke helps hospitals apply the latest research and evidence-based practices from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association to patient care and education. Participating hospitals demonstrate a commitment to improving patient outcomes, reducing disability and supporting [...]
	City employees will go door-to-door in Monmouth Over the next few weeks, City of Monmouth employees will go door-to-door in the North 5th Street area and associated side streets to collect information from residents, a news release says. The information is needed for a grant application the city will submit to fund sewer replacement and related infrastructure improvements. "The city has a [...]
	Pleasant Valley School District resignations, hirings from July school board agenda The following personnel items are from the July 13 of the Pleasant Valley School District. The School Board met at Belmont Administration Center at 525 Belmont Rd., Riverdale, Iowa.
	Resignation, hirings and transfers from Bettendorf School District for July 22 The following personnel items are from the July 22 agenda of the Bettendorf Community School District. The School Board met at the Administration Center, 3311 18th St., Bettendorf.
	Eldridge fire department warns volunteers may dwindle if city absorbs department Several Eldridge volunteer firefighters said they’re unlikely to stay after Oct. 1, following the city’s vote to absorb the department into the city.
	Homeless New Orleanians swelter amid scorching heat wave Elainna Williams of the New Orleans Office of Homeless Services and Strategy distributes water to an unhoused individual on Claiborne Avenue during a heat advisory July 20, 2026. (Photo by Christiana Botic/Verite News and Catchlight Local/Report for America)For people experiencing unsheltered homelessness like Victor Tate, shade is sometimes the only available relief from summer heat. Living in a makeshift shelter under the Pontchartrain Expressway, Tate told Verite News that he lost his shelter during 2025 Super Bowl sweeps, had his phone stolen and felt disrespected often by people passing by during the last 10 years that he’s been unsheltered on and off. With the heat index expected to reach as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit this week, full shelters and worsening climate conditions, Tate is bracing for the additional stress brought on by rising temperatures. “If it gets hot, you’ve got to stay up under here or go to the shelter at night,” he said. ”The cars going back and forth — that’s what makes it cool. Then when it rains, the wind blows.” About 1,563 people experience homelessness across Orleans and Jefferson parishes, according to recent data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. While the point-in-time counts estimate just over a quarter of unhoused people are unsheltered, people can often fall in and out of the gaps of New Orleans’ safety net. A man on Gravier Street in New Orleans carries an umbrella to shade himself from the afternoon sun during a heat advisory on July 21, 2026. (Photo Christiana Botic/Verite News and Catchlight Local/Report for America) Like the rest of the nation, Orleans Parish has seen warmer maximum morning temperatures — meaning those who remain outside have less recovery time from the heat, according to research from the Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program, a partnership between Louisiana State University and University of Oklahoma. Barry Keim, an environmental health professor at LSU who is a former state climatologist, called humidity a “killer” as it interrupts people’s natural ability to cool off. “When you perspire, you’re still not getting a whole lot of evaporation off of your skin because the air is so humid to begin with,” Keim said. “It limits the amount of evaporation that can take place. And as a result, your body just continues to get hotter and hotter.” According to research from the Louisiana Department of Health, parishes in southeast Louisiana experienced 98 heat-related deaths since 2023, which is just over half of the statewide total. This year, people from those same parishes made up over a third of all statewide hospitalizations for heat-related injury. Seniors and people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to heat, according to Joe Heeren-Mueller, a coordinator for the Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness. Over the past six years, seniors — aged 65 and older — are the fastest growing unhoused population with a 78% uptick in homelessness, according to a recent study from Unity of Greater New Orleans. Elainna Williams of the New Orleans Office of Homeless Services and Strategy distributes water to Robert Harrison during a heat advisory in New Orleans on July 20, 2026. (Photo by Christiana Botic/Verite News and Catchlight Local/Report for America) According to the National Weather Service’s Baton Rouge/New Orleans office in Slidell, this year is currently the 16th hottest summer season since 1946. NWS meteorologist Danielle Manning recommends people outdoors stay in shaded areas, avoid physical activity and hydrate with water instead of coffee, soda or alcohol. While unhoused New Orleanians are supported by shelters and heat relief initiatives in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, shelters are just one step in eliminating homelessness, according to Heeren-Mueller. He added that because demand for shelters is higher than their capacity, specialized solutions are needed to help people find relief. “That doesn’t simply mean that we need to just build more shelters because…what works is creating flow,” Heeren-Mueller said. “You need sufficient shelters, and those who go into shelters need somewhere to go afterwards where they can maintain stable housing.” At the start of next year, public sleeping will be illegal statewide because of a new law, Act 788. The law doesn’t explicitly mention the termination of services and programs that help people who are unhoused, but housing advocates are concerned at its potential to weaken trust with unhoused people and push them away from lifesaving services. “Over 350 cities have passed anti-camping bills in the past two years,” said Jesse Rabinowitz, the communications director for the National Homelessness Law Center. “None of them have solved homelessness because laws that make it a crime to be homeless will never actually solve homelessness. They’ll only make homelessness worse.” People cool off at the main branch of the New Orleans Public Library on July 21, 2026. Due to its central location, this branch serves a large number of unhoused people and acts as a cooling center for the public during heat advisories. (Photo by Christiana Botic/Verite News and Catchlight Local/Report for America) During extreme hot and cold weather, New Orleans activates cooling and warming centers in its libraries and recreation facilities. When overnight shelters for unsheltered people are at capacity, cooling centers can house about 100 people at each center. City outreach teams from the Office of Homeless Services and Strategy and the Public Health Emergencies & Environmental Health Unit also coordinate bottled water distribution near the Claiborne Corridor and French Quarter. During colder weather, the same outreach teams will attempt to get unsheltered people into warming centers and shelters. Elainna Williams, an Office of Homeless Services’ team member, said she learned how important rapport was the first time she did winter street outreach. “They would not come off the street, and it was mind blowing. But then I went to the warming center the next day, and [saw] some of the same people that told me ‘no’ the night before,” Williams said. “Sometimes it takes time, and sometimes it could be a level of trust.” To reduce the citywide heat index, the Office of Sustainability is planning to plant 40,000 trees by 2030 as part of the New Orleans forestation plan. After Katrina, New Orleans lost 200,000 trees, decreasing available shade and its tree canopy coverage to half of the shade of other southern cities. The Heat Action Plan is currently being drafted and is expected to be adopted by the city later this year, outlining different cooling strategies. As the public sleeping ban goes into effect before winter’s coldest days, some advocates worry criminalization could perpetuate homelessness. A city spokesperson said warming and cooling efforts would not be affected by the public sleeping ban. Outside of municipal operations, local grassroots efforts aid those living outside of shelters. During summer months, Below Sea Level Aid dispatches street teams to hand out cold drinks, ice packs, battery-powered fans and other cooling supplies. The weekly trips are part of the nonprofit’s harm reduction and public health mission. “New Orleans is not built to handle extreme heat. Our infrastructure actually makes it even worse,” said Below Sea Level Aid founder Jack Waguespack-Slooijer. “I really try and focus on our people who are under the overpasses and directly on concrete or the street, [as] opposed to being in a park or somewhere green.” Christiana Botic contributed to this report. This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: "https://veritenews.org/2026/07/27/homeless-heat-wave-new-orleans/", urlref: window.location.href }); } } Courtesy of Louisiana Illuminator
	Minnesota’s clean water certification program is helping farmers be good stewards The author, on her farm near the headwaters of the Minnesota River and the Red River, writes that the state's clean water certification program has helped her understand how farm management affects water quality. (Courtesy photo)My family farms just under 1,000 acres near the headwaters of the Minnesota River and the Red River on the continental divide. The view out our window is an expanse of fields and sky that spans for miles. Water that comes to our farm through rain and snow eventually ends up in the Minnesota River, flowing into the Mississippi and finally into the Gulf of Mexico. We think a lot about how our farm management affects that water, and how to be the best stewards of that resource. That’s why we were eager to meet with our local Agriculture Water Quality Certification specialist, and why we’re proud to be certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program since 2021.  The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Certifiers throughout the state offer knowledgeable advice and assistance to farmers on evidence-based practices that protect water quality. A recent report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor identified areas for improvement within the program and for the Legislature to consider in the next session. Much of the media coverage of the report pointed to concerns around certification contingencies, data collection and impact reporting. I’m supportive of improvements in public programs, and improving and investing in MAWQCP should be a priority for all Minnesotans.  But we should also consider the positive impacts and outcomes that MAWQCP has had over the past 10 years. On our farm, working with a certifier helped us understand the impact of our previous tillage and nutrient management strategies. Through the certification process, we decided to move our farm to a no-till system. This isn’t just good for water quality — it has also improved the outcomes of our farm and the watershed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. There’s a reason that we, along with over 1,600 other Minnesota farmers, find value in MAWQCP.  Farmers are constantly weighing new research, programs and practices against the realities of their own operations. Having a trusted, science-based resource focused on water quality strengthens that decision-making process. The certification process includes a whole farm risk assessment, identifying risks to water quality and affirming that approaches already in place are working as intended. The program also helps connect farmers with cost-share opportunities and other resources that might otherwise be overlooked. Conservation improvements often require significant investments, and understanding what assistance is available can make the difference between putting off a project and getting it done. Perhaps just as importantly, the program treats farmers as partners. The conversations start with the assumption that farmers care about their land. Healthy soils, clean water and productive fields are in our own best interest. Our livelihoods depend on them. The program is the first of its kind in the nation and continues today to be innovative and responsive to farmer needs and environmental concerns. Minnesota has long been a leader in agricultural innovation, and the MAWQCP reflects that tradition. It recognizes that conservation isn’t a one-size-fits-all checklist but an ongoing process of learning. In the end, the greatest strength of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program isn’t the sign at the end of our driveway — though that’s nice too. It’s the relationships, expertise and practical guidance that help farmers improve their operations while protecting Minnesota’s water for future generations. Courtesy of Minnesota Reformer
	Much-needed rain headed to the Quad Cities One more nice summer day is in the forecast before it turns very wet tomorrow. It'll be warm today, but much cooler tomorrow and Saturday with the rain. Here's your full 7-day forecast.

Thursday, July 30th, 2026