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

Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
	Hantavirus outbreak kills 3 on cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, WHO says Hantaviruses are usually spread by exposure to urine, saliva or feces from infected rodents, such as rats or mice. Hantavirus infections are rare but can cause deadly respiratory infections.
	Resurfacing project to close section of Central Avenue Crews will work to replace the water main in some spots from 19th to 23rd streets, closing the road to through traffic, according to a media release.
	Man faces an arson charge after Clinton house fire Court records show Aaron Hines is charged with second-degree arson after an April house fire that occurred in the 100 block of South 3rd Street.
	Moline crews respond to early morning house fire The Moline Fire Department responded to a house fire on 31st Avenue. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.
	Great Strides walk in Bettendorf to support those with cystic fibrosis Families gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Bettendorf Saturday morning for the Great Strides Walk. The event was for CF families to come together and celebrate their year of fundraising.
	Our first chance of rain for May After finally getting back to some warmer temperatures in the Quad Cities, we are looking forward to some rain to start the week. A marginal risk for severe weather across the Quad Cities for upcoming storms Monday evening that look to linger into Tuesday. The big risks from the storms are strong winds and the [...]
	Gas prices went up more than 30 cents a gallon last week. How high could they go? U.S. gas prices were nearly $3 an average prior to the start of the war in Iran.
	Pellet found in Secret Service agent's vest links suspect to WHCD attack, Pirro says The pellet "definitively" links the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, to the attack, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told CNN on Sunday.
	Coal Valley Fire Protection District swears in 24 members, brings staffing in-house Coal Valley Fire Protection District swore in 24 members on May 1 and moved to in-house staffing, ending contracted EMS partnerships used since 2018.
	Rock Island man charged in Davenport child sexual abuse investigation A Rock Island man faces multiple felony charges after an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of a child that took place in Davenport between 2022 and 2023.
	Fire damages Moline home; no injuries reported Moline fire crews contained a house fire on 31st Avenue Court in about 25 minutes on Sunday morning. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation.
	U.S. Attorney David Waterman discusses priorities, key issues: News 8 This Week, May 3, 2026 U.S. Attorney David Waterman discusses his background, priorities and how they align with the DOJ, plus issues like immigration, trafficking and fraud.
	Here’s what Iowa lawmakers approved in marathon session Iowa legislators worked through the night to attempt to find final agreements on key issues that have dividied them for months.
	Bettendorf Public Library announces Summer Concert Series The Bettendorf Public Library announced the lineup for its Summer Concert Series. According to a release, the free Summer Concert Series begins June 4. Every Thursday through August 13, a different band will appear: Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and are welcome to bring their own food and drinks. Food trucks will [...]
	Bettendorf Public Library announces annual Summer Concert Series lineup Food trucks will be available at each concert, officials said.
	Rock Island Arsenal to conduct training exercise The Rock Island Arsenal will conduct a full scale exercise on Wednesday that the public should be aware of.
	Rock Island Arsenal to host Armed Forces Day celebration The Rock Island Arsenal invites the Quad Cities community and beyond to participate in a two-day armed forces celebration.
	Closed Republican primary locks out too many South Dakota voters Signs point the way to a polling place at the Sioux Falls downtown library during the primary election on June 4, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)In the June primary, many of the openings in the state House and Senate will be filled by Republicans. Those of us who choose not to belong to a political party will get to pay for the election, but will not get to cast our ballots. Running in a primary election seems to have become a rite of passage for Republicans in South Dakota. This year there will be 23 Republican primaries for positions in the Senate and 25 GOP House primaries. Democrats, on the other hand, have one state Senate primary and an exceedingly difficult job of getting anyone at all to run for office. This year they have fielded 13 Senate candidates — with two facing off in a primary — and 33 House candidates. Without a November ballot being cast, Democrats’ inability to field candidates has once again allowed Republicans to maintain their majorities in the Legislature. South Dakota Democrats’ traditional indifference about getting people to run for office adds all the more importance to the Republican primary. In many cases, for Republican candidates, the primary is the only election they will have. Democrats find few places in South Dakota for the grassroots to take root Many of us will be left on the sidelines on June 2 because the Republicans hold a closed primary. Only voters registered as Republicans are allowed to vote in the primary. Democrats are more open about the process, allowing independents and non-affiliated voters to participate in their primary. That turns out to be an empty offer since Democratic primaries are so rare in this state. The Secretary of State’s Office is pretty good about keeping voter registration numbers updated, so offering a current view of the numbers is like trying to hit a moving target. At this writing, the SOS website shows 137,696 registered Democrats, 318,491 Republicans, 2,820 Libertarians, 88,123 independents, 69,206 with no political affiliation and 1,134 with “other” political affiliations. That’s more than 157,000 South Dakota voters shut out of a primary that will dictate the make-up of the Legislature for the next two years. Opening South Dakota’s primaries is not a new idea. In 2024 voters rejected Amendment H, which would have created what is known as a “jungle” primary with the top candidates, regardless of party affiliation, going on to the November election. Voters decided that a jungle primary is not what we need out here on the prairie, with only 34% of voters in favor. A simple move to an open primary would likely have been more palatable. To no one’s surprise, both political parties came out against Amendment H. Democrats were worried, and rightfully so, about having their few candidates overwhelmed by the deluge of Republican candidates. As it stands in the current election environment, one of the easiest ways to get on a South Dakota ballot is to be a Democrat. The Republican argument against Amendment H was all about purity. Only Republicans, it seemed, should choose Republican candidates. That argument ignores the notion that an open primary opens up the possibility of interesting more citizens in the process and the party. Perhaps more importantly for a political party, there’s the prospect of getting the previously unaffiliated interested in making a donation. If, as they say, only Republicans should decide on Republican candidates, there are other options available. They could choose their candidates in caucuses or the state convention. Recently in Brookings there was a presentation about “250+ Years of American Civics and News” hosted by South Dakota News Watch CEO Carson Walker and Jon Ruff, an assistant professor of political science at South Dakota State University. At one point they noted that all citizens are held accountable for obeying laws and paying their taxes. Good citizens, they said, are held to a higher standard. They’re responsible for staying informed on the issues of the day and regularly going to the polls to vote. Maybe Walker and Ruff need to amend their presentation, because the current system shuts out good citizens who choose not to be affiliated with a political party. South Dakota’s closed primary elections ensure that a large chunk of its population is not allowed a voice in choosing its next set of legislators. They do, however, get to see their tax dollars used to pay for the purely political exercise of conducting a primary election. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of South Dakota Searchlight
	No injuries reported following Moline fire No injuries were reported following a morning fire in Moline. According to a release from the Moline Fire Department, crews were dispatched May 3 at approximately 5:54 a.m. following a report of smoke in a residential area. Engine Company personnel discovered a home with visible smoke in the 5500 block of 31st Avenue Ct. Firefighters [...]
	Cesar Toscano: Celebrating National Poetry Month with Augustana College poet Augustana freshman George Young is the latest student featured in a National Poetry Month series, sharing how identity, community and everyday moments shape their work.
	U.S. military depletion of weapons in war with Iran draws security concerns There is certainly a lot of heated conversation about the war with Iran, whether the United States should have started it, the impact on the economy and if the world will be better off whenever it ends. One issue that hasn't got a lot of attention is how much the United States has exhausted its [...]
	Pritzker's executive order on prediction market restrictions is small step Illinois' Gov. JB Pritzker takes a limited stance on prediction markets by issuing an executive order recently to address prediction markets. His order bans state employees from using insider information to their advantage in prediction markets or help anyone else do it based on insider information. Prediction markets are like gambling websites that let people [...]
	Zach wants fast Lahn to Iowa governor's mansion We're now 30 days away from the Iowa primary. That night we will find out who the Democratic and Republican party nominees are for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Joni Ernst, and we might know who the Republican choice will be for governor vying to replace Kim Reynolds. Five candidates will be on [...]
	Woman sentenced to four years in prison in Scott County sex abuse case She pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated misdemeanor child endangerment in January.
	No injuries reported in early Sunday house fire in Moline At about 5:54 a.m. Sunday, the Moline Fire Department responded to the 5500 block of 31st Avenue Court after a neighborhood resident reported the smell of smoke in the area.
	Crews battle early morning fire at Moline home The Moline Fire Department battled a house fire early Sunday morning at an unoccupied home.
	Chaos as procedure: Watch as Democracy erodes in Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry canceled the U.S. House party primary elections scheduled for May 16 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the House district map in use was an illegal racial gerrymander. (Photo by Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)Louisiana is not experiencing ordinary political turbulence. We are watching democratic instability unfold in real time. Within a matter of days, voters across this state have been forced to absorb three major disruptions at once: the dismantling of Black voting representation through the ruling in Louisiana v. Callais; the suspension of congressional primary elections already in progress; and a statewide constitutional amendment that could fundamentally reshape public education in East Baton Rouge Parish and beyond. The timing could not be more critical. Election Day is May 16. Early voting began Saturday. Absentee ballots have already been distributed. Yet Gov. Jeff Landry’s executive order suspended Louisiana’s closed party congressional primaries after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the state’s congressional map. Voters are now left in a vacuum of information, told that congressional races will still appear on their ballots, but that their votes in these contests won’t count. That should alarm every person in this state, regardless of party affiliation. A democracy cannot function when election rules shift after the machinery of voting has already begun moving. This creates confusion and distrust precisely when public confidence is most fragile. Black communities, in particular, understand the historical weight of sudden procedural changes in elections. Louisiana does not get to separate this moment from that history. This erosion of collective representation is not limited to the ballot box. It is also manifesting in the very structure of our local institutions. On the May 16 ballot voters are being asked to decide on Constitutional Amendment 2, which would formally recognize the St. George Community School System with independent authority to receive state funding and raise local revenues though taxes. When coupled with its implementing legislation, the amendment mandates the transfer of public school lands, facilities and assets from the East Baton Rouge Parish School System to the new St. George system by June 30, 2027. Reports indicate that East Baton Rouge schools could lose roughly $100 million if this separation proceeds. This is bigger than one city, one amendment or one election cycle. This is about fragmentation: the fragmentation of voting rights, public education and, ultimately, public trust. The people most harmed by this fracturing are always the communities with the fewest resources to absorb the blow: Black families, working-class families, disabled residents and children already navigating underfunded schools. Supporters of these measures frame them as issues of local control or administrative necessity. But language matters less than outcomes. When systems repeatedly reorganize power away from collective accountability and toward isolated control structures, inequity expands. History has shown us this repeatedly. The most dangerous part is how normalized this chaos is becoming. Louisianans are being conditioned to accept government by disruption. Maps change overnight, elections pause midstream, public assets become bargaining chips. That is not healthy governance. That is democratic erosion dressed in procedural language. The people of Louisiana deserve clarity before elections begin, not after. They deserve stable representation and public institutions designed to serve communities rather than divide them into competing islands of power. Because once citizens begin believing their vote is conditional, their schools are negotiable, and their representation is disposable, democracy itself begins to fracture. And fractured systems rarely fail equally. Courtesy of Louisiana Illuminator
	Crews battle overnight fire at Moline home The Moline Fire Department battled a house fire early Sunday morning at an unoccupied home.
	Incoming Quad-City Times editor reflects on Davenport collapse anniversary, newsroom’s mission A moment that changed a community also shaped a newsroom. Incoming executive editor Analisa Trofimuk explains how she plans to carry that forward.
	'I just want to see her again' says son of imprisoned Myanmar ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi On Thursday, authorities in Myanmar claimed they had transferred Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest. Her son Kim Aris spoke to NPR about his doubts about the regime's account.
	Giving Back: Know Someone Deserving of a Free HVAC System? (BPT) - You probably know someone in your community who makes a difference every day. Whether they are a health care worker or first responder, a teacher or Army Reservist, a community volunteer or veteran — or simply one of your neighbors who deserves a helping hand, the Feel The Love program sponsored by the LII Lennox Foundation wants to know about them.For anyone who may be facing financial hardship or illness, or who may have been impacted by a natural disaster, having a home that provides the worry-free safety and comfort of heating and cooling is crucial.Lennox, a leading provider of reliable home comfort solutions, and the LII Lennox Foundation are kicking off their annual Feel The Love program in partnership with residential dealers across the U.S. and Canada. Through the program, Lennox donates essential heating and cooling equipment, while local Lennox dealers generously donate their time, expertise, and resources to install HVAC units for deserving homeowners, as well as nonprofit organizations. The LII Lennox Foundation, established in 2023, sponsors Feel The Love and other charitable initiatives that help support the communities where Lennox employees live and work.How Feel the Love helps provide reliable heating and cooling where it's neededSince 2009, Feel The Love has installed more than 3,100 heating and cooling systems for homeowners in need across North America, including over 400 installs in 2025 alone. The Feel The Love program provides much-needed relief to those who may be struggling with uncomfortable living conditions. It also brings communities together, encouraging a spirit of generosity and support. It's easy to get involved: Submit your nomination todayAnyone can submit their nominations for the program starting on May 1 of this year, with nominations closing on Aug. 31, 2026. During Feel The Love Week held annually each October, the selected recipients will receive a new, high-efficiency Lennox heating or cooling unit, professionally installed by participating local Lennox dealers, at no cost to them.Do you know about a nonprofit organization that is helping your community be a better place? You can nominate them, too: Now 501(c)(3) nonprofits are also accepted as Feel The Love program nominees (though they must be able to take residential HVAC equipment).Last year, the Feel The Love program provided four new much-needed air conditioning units for H.A.L.O.'s No Kill Animal Shelter in Sebastian, Florida, to help keep the shelter's staff and their many rescued animals feeling safe and comfortable all year long — even throughout the famously hot and humid Florida summers.To learn more, or if you'd like to nominate a community member or nonprofit organization for this year's Feel The Love program between May 1 and Aug. 31, visit FeelTheLove.com.
	I-80 work begins May 4 in Bureau County It's an Our Quad Cities News traffic alert. The Illinois Department of Transportation announced work will begin on Interstate 80 in Bureau County beginning May 4. According to a release: Monday, May 4: Work on the I-180 ramps from and to westbound I-80 will begin at 7 p.m. One ramp will be closed as a [...]
	Isabel Klee's new memoir explores the realities of dog rescue New York City-based content creator Isabel Klee is known for fostering some of the hardest-to-place dogs. She's written a memoir, "Dogs, Boys, And Other Things I've Cried About."
	April rains end drought, push rivers to flood stage in Quad-Cities Flooding and drought relief arrived together this April, as the Quad-Cities recorded more than 6 inches of rain.
	MARK-TO-MARKET: Inside America’s stock market: Who participates and who doesn’t The U.S. possesses the largest and most influential stock market industry in the world. The U.S. accounts for roughly 60% of the total value of the entire global stock market industry. In 1990, the combined value of all publicly traded…
	Sunday Puzzle: It's all German to me NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with WPNE listener Cheryl Haupt and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz.
	Arkansas lawmakers just wrapped up this year’s session. It’s not too early to think about 2027. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs the state budget for fiscal year 2027 at the Arkansas State Capitol on April 29, 2026. (Photo by Ainsley Platt/Arkansas Advocate)The ink is barely dry on Arkansas’ latest budget and lawmakers haven’t even convened this week to take up a new round of tax cuts. But the agenda for next year’s legislative session is already getting crowded. Unresolved fights over prison expansion, the University of Arkansas and data centers await lawmakers when they return to the Capitol a little over eight months from now. The results of Arkansas’ midterm elections, the national political landscape and many other factors could change what’s on the top of legislators’ minds when they convene. But it’s already clear these are several key issues and fights to watch in 2027: Higher ed independence If one thing was clear from the fiscal session and the preceding months, it’s that Republican lawmakers are more aggressive about dictating how Arkansas’ universities are run. The University of Arkansas’ flagship campus was at the center of that effort, from efforts that came up over the past three weeks to block money going to athletics to calling for the shutdown of its Middle East Studies Center. The efforts show GOP lawmakers are less gun shy about meddling in higher education or crossing a line established by the decades-old state constitutional amendment keeping colleges and universities independent. It’s a continuation of the push that gained nationwide attention when UA Fayetteville withdrew the job offer to its incoming law dean following complaints by top Republicans. And it’s unlikely to be limited to Fayetteville, as demonstrated by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock announcing it was dropping gender studies after its budget bill struggled in the House. The prison fight, continued When Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders put on hold her plan to build a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County, it didn’t pause the problem that she and lawmakers agree need to be addressed: Arkansas’ overcrowded prisons. Heading into the session, legislative leaders said there weren’t enough votes to pass the budget bill needed to continue the prison’s construction. As last week’s story showed, there are other options the state can pursue for easing its prison overcrowding problem. The alternatives include expanding existing facilities, looking at other parts of the state or turning to private prisons. Each of those options pose their own challenges that could open a new debate in the Legislature next year. Sanders still insists Franklin County is the best location, so it’s still possible she tries again if she wins reelection. But it’s hard to see how the political challenges for that site get any better, especially after she was unsuccessful in efforts to oust two Republican opponents of the prison plan in the March primary. The governor’s influence A major factor in the prison fight and other debates next year will be just how much influence Sanders has in the 2027 session. The Republican governor is in a comfortable position for reelection and is already making moves signaling she’s preparing for or at least seriously considering a White House run. But those ambitions and whatever agenda Sanders has in mind could easily be derailed if lawmakers from her own party are more willing to openly challenge her next year. True, efforts this year to reject her choice for Corrections Board chairman and to eliminate former Corrections Secretary Joe Profiri’s adviser job were unsuccessful. But GOP lawmakers even floating those moves is a major change for a governor who’s seen most of her agenda items pass with little resistance. What may complicate matters even more is if Republican Sen. Ron Caldwell, who defeated a Sanders-backed challenger in his primary in March, wins his bid to lead the Senate in November. Caldwell has been more willing to speak out against Sanders on issues like the prison. If Caldwell is able to defeat Republican Sen. Breanne Davis for the post, that may signal just how strong of an anti-Sanders faction the governor has to contend with. Data centers, AI worries If other state legislatures and the mood in Arkansas’ communities are any indication, Arkansas should prepare for concerns about data centers to dominate next year’s legislative agenda. Officials have praised the announcement of data centers in communities like Little Rock and West Memphis as economic boons. But that may not jibe with the fears of activists and neighborhood leaders about the quantity of water and energy they’ll use up. And it comes as lawmakers in other states are pushing for more restrictions and moratoriums on their construction. Much of the discussion could be driven by local leaders like Wendell Griffen, the Democratic nominee for Pulaski County judge. Griffen, an outspoken critic of data centers, has been pushing for more regulation at the county level. Arkansas lawmakers are likely to grapple with the consequences of artificial intelligence, too. Expect to see a host of bills addressing AI use in multiple areas, from classrooms to political campaigns. Courtesy of Arkansas Advocate
	Key City This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Even as the Key City slid off the ways into the river in 1857, some intuition must have told Captain Jones Worden that…
	He recorded his quest for tariff refunds. It shows why billions may never get repaid After the Supreme Court struck down most of President Trump's tariffs, Richard Brown began lining up the paperwork he needed to get his refund. Experts say many businesses may never get their money back.
	Afrin recall: Packaging poses child poisoning risk Packaging violates federal standards to protect children.
	Why this tribe is buying up hundreds of acres of farmland — and flooding it The Stillaguamish Tribe in Washington state has been buying land in its traditional territory and removing levees. The goal is to turn farmland into wetlands with the hopes of restoring Chinook salmon.
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
	Hauberg Estate hosts Derby watch party The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby took place on Saturday and those in the Quad Cities decided to get in on the fun.
	Cornbelt Running Club hosts 45th annual 24-hour race at Brady Street Stadium One of the longest-running ultra running events in the country took place this weekend at Brady Street Stadium as the Cornbelt Running Club hosted its annual 24-hour race.
	Quad Cities farmers market season begins with packed crowds and fresh demand for local goods Crowds filled the Freight House Farmers Market in Davenport, and shoppers returned to Bettendorf as the farmers market season is officially underway.
	Physician assistant program becomes 'physician associate' at St. Ambrose St. Ambrose University is aligning its Physician Assistant (PA) program with a growing national movement to modernize the profession’s title from “physician assistant” to “physician associate,” reflecting the evolving role of these highly trained healthcare providers, according to a news release. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed legislation this month updating Iowa statute to recognize “physician [...]
	Farmers market season begins Crowds filled the Freight House Farmers Market in Davenport, and shoppers returned to Bettendorf as the farmers market season is officially underway.
	Germany says U.S. troop withdrawal 'anticipated', Spain and Italy could be next Germany's defense minister is playing down the impact of the Pentagon's decision to pull 5,000 troops from the country, but the move has rattled NATO allies and added to growing fears that Europe can no longer rely on Washington.
	Bard College's president to retire after scrutiny of relationship with Jeffrey Epstein The longtime president of Bard College in New York has announced his retirement, months after it was revealed that he had a much deeper relationship than was previously known with Jeffrey Epstein.
	Golden Tempo takes the Kentucky Derby as Cherie DeVaux becomes the 1st woman to train its winner Golden Tempo has won the Kentucky Derby at odds of 23-1 to make Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train the winner of the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
	Iran submits 14-point response to U.S. proposal to end war Iran has presented a 14-point response to the U.S. proposal to end the war, according to Iranian state media.
	American Legion Riders, Post 569, Milan, will present QC Family Motorcycle Expo The American Legion Riders, Post 569, Milan, will present a QC Family Motorcycle Expo from noon until 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the American Legion Post 569. In cooperation with Springfield Armory, a scholarship fundraiser with a raffle for a Hellcat Pro will be held. This will help establish a scholarship for a student [...]
	Mercer County man reported missing The Mercer County Sheriff's Office is working to locate 65-year-old Charles Covemaker.
	Bettendorf Public Library holds Free Comic Book Day event The event was full of kids activities, selfie stations and books to take home.
	Our April 2026 in review With May now underway we have had quite the eventful April for this year in the Quad Cities. Starting with our average temperatures being over 4 degrees warmer than normal across the month. We have also seen a lot of rainfall for April, so much rain that it brought us out of our drought conditions [...]
	FBI, Portland police provide update after driver crashes into Multnomah Athletic Club with explosive devices Local and federal authorities provided an update after a driver crashed into the Multnomah Athletic Club. Several explosive devices were found inside the car.
	Mercer County man reported missing The Mercer County Sheriff's Office is working to locate 65-year-old Charles Covemaker.
	Feel the beat: Vibrations at Soule Bowl showcases local talent Quad Cities local youth groups showcase talent at Vibrations at Soule Bowl.
	Mercer County Sheriff's Department seeks help in locating missing man Have you seen Charles Covemaker? Mercer County deputies are asking the public’s help in locating the missing 65-year-old.
	Clinton man charged with arson after fatal house fire A man arrested out of state is now charged in a Clinton fire that left a homeowner dead. Here’s what investigators say.
	It’s Saturday. Why are Iowa legislators at the Statehouse? Iowa lawmakers are pushing toward the end of this year's session with significant decisions to make.
	Timmy the stranded whale rescued after weekslong effort Timmy captured the hearts of whale lovers across the globe who rooted for a happy ending for the humpback.
	Academy announces major overhaul to rules The new rules focus on areas such as AI protections for writers and actors and expanded eligibility for international films.
	Is your job at risk due to AI? What to know Cuban said the shift is already underway, driven by companies weighing the cost and productivity of AI systems against human labor.
	Taiwan's Lai lands in Eswatini in a trip delayed by lack of overflight clearance Eswatini remains the only African nation without tariff-free access to China's market due to its ties with Taiwan.
	Mother goose brings smiles to infusion patients at Mercy One Genesis West A goose started building her nest on an overhang April 1. She gives cancer patients a welcome distraction from their treatments.
	Bill Clinton says namesake public service school is fulfilling ‘urgent need’ President Bill Clinton delivers the keynote address on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the 2026 Clinton School of Public Service Commencement ceremony in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)Former President Bill Clinton told the 20th graduating class of his namesake public service school in Little Rock on Saturday that they can play a key role in protecting democracy during an era of divisiveness. Speaking at a ceremony outside of the building that will soon be the new campus for the University of Arkansas’ Clinton School of Public Service, the former president told graduates he hoped the degrees will give them tools to help society. “So far, in 250 years, we have come close to the brink of losing our democracy on more than one occasion. But at the last minute, we’ve always pulled up and said, ‘I think we’ll stick around, see if we can work this out,’” Clinton said. “We wanted to give you the tools to play a personally fulfilling, and nationally urgent need.” The 2026 Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas commencement ceremony was held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at One World Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)Graduates of the Clinton School of Public Service class of 2006 arrive to the graduation ceremony at One World Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)Graduates of the Clinton School of Public Service class of 2006 procession in during the graduation ceremony at One World Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)President Bill Clinton walks into the 2026 Clinton School of Public Service graduation ceremony at One World Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)President of the University of Arkansas System Jay Silveria, speaks during the 2026 Clinton School of Public Service graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at One World Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)President Bill Clinton sits on stage during the 2026 Clinton School of Public Service graduation ceremony at One World Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)Scott M. Curran, Clinton School of Public Service graduate, introduces keynote speaker, President Bill Clinton, at the 2026 graduation ceremony at One World Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)President Bill Clinton delivers the keynote address on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the 2026 Clinton School of Public Service Commencement ceremony in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)President Bill Clinton delivers the keynote address on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the 2026 Clinton School of Public Service Commencement ceremony in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)President Bill Clinton delivers the keynote address on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the 2026 Clinton School of Public Service Commencement ceremony in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)Former Clinton School of Public Service Dean Skip Rutherford speaks during the 2026 Clinton School of Public Service graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at One World Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)Carlotta Walls LaNier, a member of the Little Rock Nine who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, receives an honorary Master of Public Service degree from the Clinton School of Public Service during the 2026 graduation ceremonies in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)The Clinton School of Public Service class of 2026 graduation ceremonies took play at One World Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas on May 2, 2026 with Former President Bill Clinton giving the keynote address. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)Carlotta Walls LaNier speaks to guests at the Clinton School of Public Service class of 2026 graduation ceremony after she received an honorary Master of Public Service in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)Carlotta Walls LaNier speaks to guests at the Clinton School of Public Service class of 2026 graduation ceremony after she received an honorary Master of Public Service in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)Clinton School of Public Service Dean Victoria M. DeFrancesco Soto speaks during the school's 2026 graduation ceremonies in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate) The school was established in 2004, the same year Clinton’s presidential library opened in Little Rock, and students earn a Master of Public Service degree. The first class graduated from the school in 2006. Victoria M. DeFrancesco Soto, the school’s dean, said it was launched as a “bold experiment” and continues to have an impact. “While others may talk about what needs to change, our students spend two years learning how to work with small communities across Arkansas to global organizations and making a positive impact while doing it,” she said. Clinton said the goal of the school was to show the value of public service, and said that the students’ work also teaches them the value of cooperation. “The real question for democracy is whether you can be proud of your tribe, be convicted in your beliefs, and still find room for others to be part of the decision making process and day to day living,” he said. “The big question the world is facing today is whether we will have inclusive tribalism, or divisive tribalism.” Though he did not specifically name Republicans or President Donald Trump, Clinton alluded to efforts to attack diversity programs. “Contrary to what some people say, implying that these diversity programs are designed to achieve quotas, that’s not true,” he said. “They’re just designed to make sure that the whole field is considered, before decisions are made, to give everybody a chance to be considered, everybody a chance to play the game.” Carlotta Walls LaNier, a member of the Little Rock Nine who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, receives an honorary Master of Public Service degree from the Clinton School of Public Service during the 2026 graduation ceremonies in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate) Carlotta Walls LaNier, who was one of the nine Black students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, was awarded an honorary Master of Public Service. LaNier, who was the first Black woman to graduate from Central High, compared Saturday’s experience to when she and the rest of the Little Rock Nine were presented the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999. “Outside the Congressional Gold Medal, to be honored in my hometown. I’m not sure what award could be more meaningful,” LaNier said. Courtesy of Arkansas Advocate
	Death Notice: Phyllis Miller A funeral service for Phyllis M. Miller, 97, of Davenport, will be held at noon on Thursday, May 7, at the Runge Mortuary & Crematory, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Thursday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Durant Cemetery. Mrs. Miller died Friday, May 1, 2026. Memorials may be made to the Iowa Department for the Blind in Des Moines or to the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House of Bettendorf. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com. An obituary will appear in the May 6 edition of The NSP.
	Harley-Davidson recalls nearly 90,000 motorcycles (WHTM) - The Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced it is recalling nearly 90,000 motorcycles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Harley-Davidson is recalling certain 2024-2026 FLTRX, FLHX, 2025-2026 FXBR, FLFB, 2025 FLHXU, 2026 FLTRXL, FLTRT, FLHXL, and FLHLT motorcycles built with an Airbox Baseplate [part number 29000373]. The recall was initiated because the airbox [...]
	Banksy confirms new statue installed in central London is his work The statue in Waterloo Place, which appeared early Wednesday, depicts a man proudly hoisting a flag— but the flag is blinding him.
	KWQC Blessing Boxes distributed Saturday morning KWQC partners with PUNCH, donations distributed this morning.
	Bettendorf to celebrate National Bike Month in May with special events Residents are encouraged by the city to hop on their two-wheelers and explore the community in a whole new way, city leaders said.
	Country Style Ice Cream to open near TBK Bank Sports Complex Another business is preparing to open in the area near the TBK Bank Sports Complex just in time for summer.
	Iowa Down Ballot podcast: Water quality, governor powers and GOP debate Iowans urge lawmakers to support a state water quality monitoring system at a rally for clean water at the Iowa Capitol Feb. 19. 2026. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 5/2/26 by Iowa Writers Collaborative Kathie Obradovich of Iowa Capital Dispatch and Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland are here to help break down a chaotic end-of-session Friday at the Statehouse. Read on Substack Ten days into legislative overtime, Gov. Kim Reynolds and other GOP leaders introduced a package of water quality legislation. Host Dave Price, Laura Belin and I chat about what that means. We also discuss the Senate’s approval of a bill supporters say is aimed at preventing government shutdowns but that critics called a “power grab” by Republicans worried about the prospect of a Democratic governor. This week’s GOP gubernatorial candidate debate — and the fact that no-shows included both Randy Feenstra and Zach Lahn — was also a topic this week. Listen here. The Iowa Down Ballot Podcast with Dave Price is a production of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Paid subscriptions help cover production costs. Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner in critical condition Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was hospitalized after collapsing in prison. Her family says her condition has deteriorated since a March heart attack.
	“An Introduction to Germany's Imperial Rhine: Part I,” May 3 With the first part of presenter Richard Baldner's program, guests of Davenport's German American Heritage Center will be treated to An Introduction to Germany's Imperial Rhine on May 3, a fascinating exploration of Western Europe's second-longest river delivered as part of the venue's popular "Kaffee und Kuchen" series.
	Moline forms agreement with sister city in Germany Moline has made it official and now has a sister city.
	First weekend of May, events in the QCA It’s the first weekend of May and there’s lots to do across the QCA.
	For 110 years, the Citizens Research Council has sought to give Michiganders a shared set of facts The Michigan Capitol rotunda \| Susan J. Demas110 years since its founding, the Citizens Research Council is working hard to explain to Michigan’s voters the nuances of a complex question — whether or not the state should take on a Constitutional Convention in 2027. It’s just the latest in a long series of issues the council has taken on since its founding, seeking to provide analysis and research of Michigan’s public policy issues without a partisan or ideological slant, which the group has been doing since 1916. “The mission then is pretty much the mission now, to provide information, to provide analysis of public policy issues,” Eric Lupher, who has been president of the Citizens Research Council for the last 14 years, told the Michigan Advance in an interview, “so that people, citizens, elected officials, civic and business leaders, have good information to make decisions about the lives we live, the government services and how they’re provided and how they’re financed, and who provides them, and who benefits from them.” Eric Lupher \| Courtesy photo In an era of rampant misinformation and disinformation in politics, Lupher said that he believes the issue of strong partisan division is not a new one, and so the council’s long history of being a trusted organization is of great value. He also emphasized the importance of presenting a common set of facts for everyone to work with. “We’re not trying to convince you of doing something,” Lupher said. “We’re just trying to provide the information and provide the analysis so that people can apply their own policy lens to it. If we don’t have a common set of facts, then people are just talking past each other, and we can see that in Lansing, and we can see that in Washington, D.C.” As for whether or not politicians will actually listen to the facts presented, “You can lead them to water, but you can’t make them drink,” he added. “But if we don’t make the facts available, then they’re just going to go based on party talking points and whatever their perception of reality is.” Lupher said he believes, based on the statistics from their website, that people are hungry for the type of information that these reports provide and want to make informed decisions. “Nobody made me the king of Michigan, so I just have to keep providing the information and letting the people that are elected have that information and hope to use it for good,” he continued. In the last 110 years, the ability to reach a wider audience has expanded significantly. When Lupher started at the Citizens Research Council in 1987, when a paper was released, the council would print five to six thousand copies, sending those primarily to a specific mailing list of around 2,500 readers. Now, reports often get 5,000 downloads in the first couple of days, he said. And now, Lupher and his team are working to make the reports even more accessible by boiling down what might be a 12- or 40- or 100-page paper, he said, into three main takeaways that can be presented in podcast form. What’s a Con-Con? Michigan voters will decide if they want to rewrite the constitution in 2026. That’s especially important in boiling down the series of 15 reports that the council is currently in the process of publishing, which seek to explain the facts and nuances of a Constitutional Convention — which voters in November will decide if they want to call, as they have the opportunity to do every 16 years — as well as explaining each of the 12 articles in the state constitution to help the people understand what’s there and what, in each, might be the focus if there is a convention, often referred to as a Con-Con. “We don’t lobby, we don’t endorse candidates for office, we don’t have a goal in trying to change government,” Lupher said. “Our mission has stayed the same over 110 years, so I’m not anxious to make any monumental changes, but continue to adapt to the changing times, to make our information as consumable as possible for as many people as possible.” Courtesy of Michigan Advance
	Artists sought to create mural in downtown Burlington Downtown Partners, Inc., in Burlington, Iowa, seeks proposals from artists to create a mural on a new retaining wall in the heart of downtown, according to a news release. This wall is part of a street-scape enhancement project and is visible from the street. While the wall will not be a space for direct interaction, [...]
	Clinton man sentenced to 45 years in prison for paying minor to send him nude images A registered sex offender in Clinton County will serve a 45-year prison term after a guilty plea in a minor exploitation case.
	Illinois set to receive share of $7.4B Purdue Pharma opioid settlement A $7.4 billion settlement involving Purdue Pharma and its owners took effect Friday. Both Missouri and Illinois are set to receive a share of settlement funds.
	Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival kicks off next week in Galesburg The 46th annual Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival kicks off Tuesday, May 5, and runs through Saturday, May 9, bringing together Knox College, the Galesburg community, and local and renowned performers. Faculty, alumni, students, and guest artists perform daily at various community venues, a news release says. The main event is Saturday, May 9, at the Orpheum [...]
	City of Moline continues lead service-line replacement program The City of Moline continues to advance its 10-year Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program, a proactive initiative to upgrade city infrastructure and maintain high-quality drinking water for all residents, according to a news release. Starting mid-May, weather permitting, crews will begin replacing lead and galvanized steel service lines along 15th Street, between 19th and 25th Avenue. Certified notification letters have [...]
	Regional educators unite in Davenport to support public schools From wages to school safety, Quad Cities educators shared concerns during a rally at Davenport West High School.
	Opinion: The everyday tragedy of gun violence The White House Correspondents Association Dinner was one of several incidents of gun violence in the U.S. last week. Others ended in injuries and fatalities.
	On "SANGÚ," Arturo Sandoval reaches back and pays it forward For more than 60 years, this maestro of magic has collaborated with towering figures. Now a new record, he turns to family.
	Students who host blood drives can earn scholarship money Students who donate blood or host a blood drive through LifeServe can earn scholarships and recognition while making a meaningful difference in their community, a news release says. With schools out and regular routines on hold, blood donations tend to drop during the summermonths. But that doesn’t mean there’s less need. Each blood donation has [...]
	Memories of Muscatine: A lithograph by Stow Wengenroth This week for Memories of Muscatine: Cape Anne Marshes by Stow Wengenroth.
	Can Trump's latest pick for surgeon general make it through confirmation? Nicole Saphier, a breast cancer radiologist, is the president's third nominee for surgeon general. Will she get confirmed?
	IowaWORKS job fair in Davenport open to all Blossom into a new career at the Opportunity Knocks job fair from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at IowaWORKS, 1801 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport. The event is free and open to everyone. Employers will include:
	Americans aren't sleeping enough. Here's what could help Nearly a third of Americans get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep a night. A lot of us struggle to get to bed as we power through tasks or get lost in endless scrolling. Here's help.
	Do You Speak Train? This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.In an age that is losing touch with its roots, Rock Islanders are fortunate. Immigrants to this area have preserved at…
	New Netflix documentary reexamines Winnie Mandela's divisive legacy Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is one of the most revered — and controversial — women in South African history. In a new documentary her granddaughters examine the liberation icon in all her complexity.
	Major drug recall: Ketamine, fentanyl, other drugs do not meet FDA standards Multiple drugs used to treat patients in hospital and clinical settings nationwide are being recalled because they did not meet drug standards.
	After Assad's fall, Syria's Kurds are left in limbo, feeling abandoned by the U.S. Caught in limbo after the fall of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, Kurdish families struggle with cold, loss and uncertainty — feeling abandoned by the U.S. allies they once fought alongside.
	Trends still go from the runway to retail. A lot has changed in how they get there In 2006, an infamous scene from The Devil Wears Prada schooled viewers on how fashion trends make their way from the runway to the clearance bin. 20 years later, what's changed?
	Spirit Airlines ceases operations after escalating financial struggles The low-cost carrier, which had been struggling for years, announced it will cease operations. Spirit had been seeking a $500 million lifeline from the White House, but talks failed to yield a deal.
	Air Force says former Qatari 747 will be ready to fly as Air Force One this summer The U.S. Air Force has finished modifying and testing a Boeing 747 jet donated by Qatar for temporary use as Air Force One and expects to have it ready for President Trump to use this summer.
	What’s in the price of a gallon of gas? The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects nationwide retail gasoline prices to average near US$4.30 a gallon for April 2026 – the highest monthly average of the year. The political response has been familiar. Georgia has suspended its state gas tax, other states are weighing their own tax holidays, and the White House has issued a temporary waiver of a law known as the Jones Act in hopes of moving more domestic fuel to East Coast ports. As an energy economist, I am often asked about what contributes to gas prices and what different policies can do to affect them. The price of a retail gallon of gas is the sum of four things: the cost of crude oil, refining, distribution and marketing, and taxes. In nationwide figures from January 2026, crude oil accounted for about 51% of the pump price, refining roughly 20%, distribution and marketing about 11% and taxes about 18%. That mix shifts with conditions: When crude oil prices spike, that can drive more than 60% of the price; when the price drops, taxes and logistics are larger shares of the cost. Crude oil is the biggest ingredient Because the price of crude oil is the largest element, most of the price at the pump is derived from the global oil market. Usually, big swings in crude prices come mainly from shifts in global demand and expectations – not from supply disruptions, according to widely cited research in 2009 by the economist Lutz Kilian. But what is happening in early 2026 with the war in Iran is one of the exceptions: a classic supply shock. Severe disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Middle East oil infrastructure have taken millions of barrels a day off the global market. Most drivers generally can’t quickly reduce how much they drive or how much gas they use when prices rise, so gasoline demand doesn’t change much in the short run. That means a jump in crude costs tends to result in people paying more rather than driving less. Refining, regulations and the California puzzle Refining turns crude into gasoline at industrial scale. The U.S. doesn’t have a single gasoline market, though. Roughly a quarter of U.S. gasoline is a cleaner-burning blend of petroleum-derived chemicals called “reformulated gasoline,” which is required in urban areas across 17 states and the District of Columbia to reduce smog. California uses an even stricter formulation that few out-of-state refineries make. California is also geographically isolated: No pipelines bring gasoline in from other U.S. refining regions. California’s gasoline prices have long run above the national average, explained in part by higher state taxes and stricter environmental rules. But since a refinery fire in Torrance, California, in 2015 reduced production capacity, the state’s prices have been about 20 to 30 cents a gallon higher than what those factors would indicate. Energy economist and University of California, Berkeley, professor Severin Borenstein has called this the “mystery gasoline surcharge” and attributes it to the fact that there isn’t as much competition between refineries or gas stations in California as in other states. California’s own Division of Petroleum Market Oversight says the surcharge cost the state’s drivers about $59 billion from 2015 to 2024. It’s not exactly clear who is getting that money, but it could be gas stations themselves or refineries, through complex contracts with gas stations. A tanker truck delivers fuel to a gas station. AP Photo/Erin Hooley via The Conversation Getting the gas into your car The distribution and marketing category covers the costs of everything involved in getting the gasoline from the refinery gate to your tank. Gasoline moves by pipeline, ship, rail and truck to wholesale terminals, and then by local delivery truck to service stations. At the retailer’s end, the key factors are station rent and labor, the cost to buy gasoline in bulk to be able to sell it, credit card fees of as much as 6 to 10 cents a gallon at current prices, and franchise fees paid to the national brand, such as Sunoco or ExxonMobil, for permission to put their branding on the gas station. Most gas station operators net only a few cents per gallon on fuel itself – which is why many gas stations are really convenience stores with pumps out front. Borenstein and some of his collaborators have also documented that retail gas prices rise quickly when wholesale costs climb but fall slowly when wholesale costs drop. The question of gas tax holidays The federal government charges a tax on fuel, of 18.4 cents a gallon for gasoline and 24.3 cents a gallon for diesel. States charge their own taxes, ranging from 70.9 cents a gallon for gas in California to 8.95 cents in Alaska. When gas prices rise, many politicians start talking about temporarily suspending their state’s gas tax. That does reduce prices, but not as much as politicians – or consumers – might hope. Research on past gas tax holidays has found that consumers get about 79% of the reduction in gas taxes. That means oil companies and fuel retailers keep about one-fifth of the tax cut for themselves rather than passing that savings to the public. Gas tax holidays also reduce funding for what the taxes are designed to pay for, typically roads and bridges. That pushes road and bridge upkeep costs onto future drivers and general taxpayers. There is an additional problem, too: Taxes on gasoline are supposed to charge drivers for some of the costs their driving imposes on everyone else – carbon emissions, local air pollution, congestion and crashes. But Borenstein has found that U.S. fuel tax levels are already far below the true cost to society. Removing the tax on drivers effectively raises the costs for everyone else. Suspending the Jones Act allows foreign-based oil tankers to sail between U.S. ports. AP Photo/Eric Gay via The Conversation The Jones Act: A small number that adds up The 1920 Jones Act is a federal law that requires cargo moving between U.S. ports to travel on vessels built and registered in the U.S., owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed primarily by U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Of the world’s 7,500 oil tankers, only 54 meet this requirement. Only 43 of these can transport refined fuels such as gasoline. So, despite significant refining capacity on the Gulf Coast, some U.S. gasoline is exported overseas even as the Northeast imports fuel, in part reflecting the relatively high cost of moving fuel between U.S. ports. Economists Ryan Kellogg and Rich Sweeney estimate that the law raises East Coast gasoline prices by about a penny and a half per gallon on average, costing drivers roughly $770 million a year. In light of the war’s effect on gas prices, the Trump administration has temporarily suspended the Jones Act requirements – an action more commonly taken when hurricanes knock out Gulf Coast refineries and pipeline networks. What moves the number The result of all these factors is that the price that drivers see at the pump mostly reflects the global price of crude, plus a stack of domestic costs, only some of which are inefficient. Tax holidays give a partial, short-lived rebate. Jones Act waivers trim pennies, though permanent repeal may cause more fundamental changes, such as reduced rail and truck transport of all goods, which could lower costs, emissions and infrastructure damage associated with cargo transportation. Harmonizing fuel blends across states and seasons may lower prices somewhat, but likely at the expense of increased emissions. Ultimately, the best protection against oil price shocks is a more efficient gas-burning vehicle, or one that doesn’t burn gasoline at all. In the meantime, the best I can offer as an economist is clarity about what that $4.30 actually buys. 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: Robert I. Harris, Georgia Institute of Technology Read more: When oil prices spike, where does the money go? Soaring gas prices prompt Trump to ease oil tanker rules – how waiving the Jones Act affects what you pay at the pump US is less prone to oil price shocks than in past decades Robert I. Harris 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.
	U.S. to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in next 6-12 months The United States will withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany, the Pentagon said Friday, fulfilling President Donald Trump's threat as he clashes with the German leader over the U.S. war with Iran.

Sunday, May 3rd, 2026

Saturday, May 2nd, 2026