Sunday, June 28th, 2026 | |
| A bridge to Canada may be blocked by the Trump administrationThe Gordie Howe bridge spans the most important border crossing between the U.S. and Canada. President Donald Trump has said he doesn't want it open yet. |
| Extreme Heat Warning until TUE 9:00 PM CDTExtreme Heat Warning in Effect Until 9 PM CDT Tuesday |
| Illinois and Iowa fireworks laws: What to knowWith Independence Day celebrations just around the corner, you might be wondering what's legal where you live. According to the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal: Consumer fireworks displays are permitted only in villages, counties and municipalities that have passed ordinances allowing such displays, while adhering to the requirements for use, and using only [...] |
| Davenport apartment fire prompts E. Locust Street closureA dryer fire spread to an apartment, closing E. Locust Street at Iowa Street late Sunday morning. No injuries were reported. |
| BioBlitz brings scientists and families together to document wildlife at Wapsi River CenterVolunteers, scientists and families spent 24 hours helping document the region's biodiversity while inspiring future conservationists. |
| U.S. and Iran exchange strikes, as violence escalates between Israel and HezbollahTehran launched drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait Sunday, threatening to halt negotiations with the U.S. entirely. Meanwhile, violence between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated. |
| U.S. and Iran exchange strikes, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefirePresident Trump accused Iran of violating their framework agreement, and Tehran threatened to halt negotiations with the U.S. entirely. Meanwhile, violence continued between Israel and Hezbollah. |
| Supreme Court rulings, ABC-FCC dispute | News 8 This Week - June 28, 2026Jon Diaz sits down with experts to break down the U.S. Supreme Court's latest decisions, including cases involving gun rights, voting rights, and more. |
| Family member questions need to resentence admitted killer in QC strangulationOne of the people guilty of the 2005 murder of Adrianne Reynolds had a status hearing Wednesday as the court prepares for a resentencing hearing. |
| Trade tensions shake up Brazil's caipirinha spiritU.S. tariff pressure is pushing Europe and Brazil closer—opening new global doors for everything from aircraft parts to Brazil's cachaça, the base of the caipirinha. |
| How to adjust your A/C temperature to help save moneyMuch of the U.S. is about to be stuck in a heat dome. Here's how to help avoid frying your electric bill. |
| Three firefighters killed on Colorado-Utah border as wildfires intensifyThe deaths occurred as crews battled multiple blazes across a parched region. Two other firefighters were also injured. |
| Davenport Police Department announces assistant chiefThe Davenport Police Department has promoted Captain Jason Smith to major and assistant chief of police. |
| 2 flown to hospital after Lee County motorcycle crashTwo people are left injured after a motorcycle crash in Lee County over the weekend. |
| CBI Bank & Trust welcomes Heidi Fields as Vice President, Talent and Professional DevelopmentCBI Bank & Trust announced that Heidi Fields has joined the organization as Vice President, Talent and Professional Development. |
| Davenport moving ahead on flood project and what else is coming up in local government newsDavenport will consider a contract for a flood project at Second and Gaines Streets and resurfacing on Harrison Street. Plus other upcoming city government news. |
| Bettendorf graduate gains firsthand view of Iowa politics through youth councilFrom committee meetings to conversations with lawmakers, a Bettendorf student got an inside look at state government. |
| La Catrina Plus opens, The Doc's Inn under new ownership, Ginza Hibachi & Ramen temporarily closed, and more Quad-Cities business newsLa Catrina Plus retail shop opens, The Doc's Inn under new ownership, Ginza Hibachi & Ramen temporarily closed, and more Quad-Cities business news. |
| MARK-TO-MARKET: The state of today’s labor market in the world of AIAccording to Gartner, total global spending on AI in 2026 is expected to reach nearly $2.6 trillion. |
| QCA Christmas in July bike tour benefits Bikes For TykesA Quad Cities Bicycle Club (QCBC) event will benefit Bikes For Tykes. According to a release from the Quad Cities Bicycle Club, will host a Christmas in July bike tour to benefit Bikes For Tykes, an annual effort by the QCBC to brighten the holiday season by donating bicycles and accessories to children of needy [...] |
| Mel Brooks is 100! Celebrate the comedy legend's birthday with a look back at his best films, rankedMel Brooks is officially a centenarian! To celebrate the comedy legend's 100th birthday, we're taking a look at his incomparable career with a complete ranking of his films, from The Producers to Blazing Saddles to Spaceballs. |
| These church members disagree on politics. Together they're wiping out medical debtTrinity Moravian Church, a politically diverse congregation in Winston-Salem, N. C., has been raising money to retire medical debt in the surrounding community. |
| The Rock Island BarracksThis is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.In July of 1863, Union troops arrived on this island to build a prison. By December, some 5,600 Confederates—many… |
| Will the new student loan limits actually drive down tuition? Economists weigh inThe idea that there's a connection between federal student loans and what colleges charge dates back almost four decades. But it's unclear that link can lead to lower costs. |
| Food defined social hierarchy in 1776. Here's what was on the tableAround the time the United States was founded, Americans' diets included Parmesan ice cream and terrapin. But what you ate depended on your social status. |
| Onto the knockout round: 4 takeaways from the FIFA World Cup so farThe anxieties before the World Cup were many. But with the knockout round set to begin Sunday, it's fair to say: The North American World Cup has been a thrill. |
Saturday, June 27th, 2026 | |
| 1-year-old, woman ejected in rollover crash on I-80Three people were injured in a rollover crash on I-80 near Walcott. |
| Musco Sports Center holds first Inflatable Fun DaysThe venue has bounces houses, an obstacle course and space for soccer and football. |
| Davenport appoints new assistant chief of policeThe Davenport Police Department has announced Major Jason Smith has been promoted to assistant chief of police. |
| 1-year-old, woman ejected in I-80 crash that injures 3 near WalcottThree people were transferred to hospitals after a single-vehicle rollover crash on I-80. |
| Jury finds Davenport man guilty in 2024 double homicideOnline court records show Israel Martinez was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder. |
| Toddler, adult ejected in Scott County rollover accidentA toddler and two adults were transported following a roller accident in Scott County. According to a release from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Scott Emergency Communications Center received a call of a rollover single-vehicle accident near the 283 mile marker of westbound Interstate 80 on June 27 at approximately 3:23 p.m. The Scott [...] |
| 2 adults, 1 child injured in Scott County rollover crashTwo adults and a 1-year-old child were injured Saturday in a rollover crash on Interstate 80 near Walcott. |
| Vehicle rollover sends three including infant to hospitalA 31-year-old female and a 23 month old female infant are both in the hospital after a single vehicle rollover near Walcott Saturday afternoon. |
| Road blocked due to Walcott crash on I-80News 8 has reached out to the Iowa State Patrol for more information and will provide updates as they become available |
| Cook review: 'Supergirl' feels like a 'Star Wars'/MCU hybrid'Supergirl' is above average because of the terrific performance of Milly Alcock in the title role, a few heart-tugging scenes about friendship, and of course the presence of the adorable Krypto, Supergirl's puppy who arrives with her from Krypton to the planet Earth. Otherwise, is a sometimes-entertaining mixed bag of CGI action and one-liners that [...] |
| Bettendorf Police Department warns public of bond fraud scamThe Bettendorf Police Department is sending out a warning about potential bond fraud scam. According to a Facebook post: Our community has recently seen an increase in bond fraud scams. Scammers are monitoring local inmate lists and contacting family members while pretending to be law enforcement officers. These scammers quickly locate phone numbers and demand [...] |
| Davenport police captain promoted to majorThe Davenport Police Department has announced that Captain Jason Smith, a 27-year veteran of the Davenport Police Department, has been promoted to the rank of major and will serve as the assistant chief of police effective July 5, a news release says. Smith’s promotion follows the appointment of Major Greg Behning to Chief of Police. [...] |
| Hooppole Fun Day marks 50th anniversaryHenry County community celebrates milestone with parade, games, fireworks |
| Wapsi River Center holds 24-hour event on conservationThe data collected from the event will be put into a growing data-base for future conservation. |
| What to know of proper heat safetyAfter things have been relatively cool for June, right at the end and to start July, temperatures will be heavily on the rise. We are expecting to see low to mid 90s for most of the week with feels-like temperatures reaching well into the triple digits from an increase in humidity. With the incoming heat [...] |
| LeClaire opens new splash padLeClaire opens new splash pad with plans to add more amenities to Huckleberry Park. |
| Traffic Alert: vehicle crash on I-80 causes delaysTraffic is down to a single lane westbound on Interstate 80 near Walcott. |
| Four more drivers enjoy first-time wins at Davenport SpeedwayDespite the 107-car count, flagman Bart Montgomery was able to keep the caution flag holstered much of the evening at the Davenport Speedway. Three features went completely caution-free. The Outhouse / Storage to Go - IMCA Late Models saw their fifth different winner of the season. Bryce Garnhart added his name to the list of [...] |
| Extreme heat warning issued by National Weather ServiceThe National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning that will run from 1 p.m. Sunday until 9 p.m. Tuesday as heat indices are expected to top 100 degrees. |
| Extreme Heat Warning from SUN 1:00 PM CDT until TUE 9:00 PM CDTExtreme Heat Warning: Dangerous Temperatures Expected Through Tuesday |
| Critical fire weather complicates firefighting efforts in massive Utah wildfireFirefighters working on the nation's largest current wildfire, burning in southern Utah, are being challenged by historic weather conditions. Extreme wildfire behavior is expected to continue through the weekend. |
| SNAP recipient's benefits slashed: 'Who lives on $24 a month?'Shiela Boyd, an 81-year-old New York resident, had her benefits suddenly cut from $298 a month to just $24. |
| Check your quarters: Rare 'July 4th' coins entering circulationOnly 250,000 of these special quarters are being released into circulation. |
| Henry County man sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possessing, distributing child sex abuse materialsA Henry County, Illinois, man has been sentenced to nine years in prison and life on mandatory supervised release after pleading guilty to federal child sex abuse materials charges. |
| Moline to host Party in the Park to celebrate summer and America’s 250th birthdayA Moline annual summertime tradition is returning again this year that also pays tribute to America’s 250th birthday. |
| Davenport captain promoted to assistant chief of policeA 27-year-veteran of the Davenport Police Department has been promoted. |
| Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s deputy injured after crashThe deputy was responding to an emergency call of a reported missing juvenile. |
| Henry County, Illinois first responders to participate in training, SaturdayCrews will be participating in an emergency response training today in Henry County. |
| Cooling centers to open up across QCA amid dangerously hot temperaturesThe QCA is gearing up for an active week of weather with dangerous heat and humidity expected to set in beginning Monday. |
| Rockford celebrates July 4 with Eats 'N' Beats celebrationAs part of the ongoing America 250 celebration, Rock Falls Tourism invites residents and visitors to continue honoring the nation's 250th anniversary with an evening of food, entertainment, and fireworks on Thursday, July 2, at the RB&W District Park in downtown Rock Falls, a news release says. The celebration will kick off Fourth of July [...] |
| Double heat dome headed to US: Here's when it'll start, where it'll be worstTwo heat domes are preparing to join forces, sending temperatures soaring around the U.S. next week. Here's where it'll hit hardest. |
| Uzbekistan makes its World Cup debut, a first for Central AsiaThe country is the first Central Asian nation to qualify for the World Cup, and Uzbek fans have reveled in showcasing their country and culture. The country's president calls the team a symbol of the "new Uzbekistan." |
| Nominations sought for annual Fiesta Parade grand marshalThe 73rd Annual Fiesta Parade will be held on Sept. 19, a news release. This community tradition is organized and implemented by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Leaders Committee. Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 Fiesta Parade grand marshal. Individuals, groups, or organizations who have made a meaningful impact in [...] |
| Bettendorf Middle School student earns 1st place in national documentary competitionLast week at the National History Day National Contest, Bettendorf Middle School student Adrian Gillette brought home first place in the Junior Documentary category. His documentary, "Brought to You by the Letter R: Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in Sesame Street’s Mission to Desegregate Education," documents how the battle to desegregate America’s schools wasn’t fought just on the [...] |
| Tributes to Johnny Cash, Demon Hunters in Adler/RiverCenter lineupTributes to Johnny Cash and the popular Demon Hunters are part of the lineup at The Adler Theatre, Davenport, according to news releases. VenuWorks Presents has announced an evening of dinner and entertainment with "Walkin’ The Line: A Johnny Cash Tribute, Starring Scott Moreau, at the RiverCenter, Davenport. Filled with anecdotes, stories, and history pulled [...] |
| Davenport Civil Rights Exhibit will be at German-American Heritage CenterThe Davenport Civil Rights Traveling Exhibit, which was developed by the Putnam Museum, Davenport, will be featured on the fourth floor of the German American Heritage Center and Museum in July. Visitors can explore the powerful stories, struggles, and triumphs that shaped the fight for equality in the Quad Cities, specifically Davenport. Through photographs, documents, [...] |
| Resignations, hirings and other Moline School District personnel news from June 22See the personnel items from the June 22 agenda of the Moline-Coal Valley School District. The board met at the Moline Education Center. |
| Developer releases renderings of potential plans for the former Quad-City Times buildingRenderings show a brand new concept for the former newspaper building. |
| Memories of Muscatine: A camera from 1891This week for Memories of Muscatine: A camera once owned by Muscatine photographer Oscar Grossheim. |
| Bi-CAN hosts 2026 BioBlitz at Wapsi River Environmental Education CenterThe Bi-State Conservation Action Network (Bi-CAN) will host its semi-annual BioBlitz, a 24-hour community science event focused on documenting the biodiversity of the Quad Cities region. Participants will work alongside scientists, naturalists, educators, and conservation professionals to identify and record plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms found throughout the site. The event will feature expert-led [...] |
| Local government roundup: Clinton starts over on city admin search, Davenport approves Rockingham Road grantClinton restarts its city administrator search, Davenport approves a Rockingham Road grant program, and Muscatine considers demolition or stabilization of 17 buildings. |
| If a Lyme disease vaccine gets approved, how would it go over? We asked huntersDrugmakers are working on a potential new shot to prevent the tick-borne illness. How might it fare in the era of vaccine skepticism? |
| Amateurs now conduct most weddings. Here is some basic adviceA marrying couple are more likely than ever to ask a friend to officiate their wedding. Here's how to handle this high-stakes assignment. |
| Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin talks phone bans in schools, education fundingFrom phone bans in K-12 to a tight budget year, Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin speaks on the educational issues discussed during spring session. |
| Revitalization experts to visit Clinton for study of downtown areaDowntown development will be the focus when five downtown revitalization specialists from the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Downtown Resource Center visit Clinton, a news release says. The City of Clinton, Downtown Clinton, and Grow Clinton have teamed to coordinate this downtown assessment scheduled for July 7-9. The Assessment is an intense, on-site study of the [...] |
| Holiday drivers may get relief, but not cheap gasDES MOINES, Iowa -- The fuel for a Fourth of July getaway may feel a little less expensive than it did in May — but not by much. GasBuddy projects the national average price of gasoline will be about $3.75 per gallon on July 4, putting this Independence Day on track to be the second [...] |
| Writer's BlockThis is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Like all humans who put words on paper, I suffer from bouts of Writer's Block. I think, how many Rock Island Lines can… |
| As Supreme Court expands Trump's immigration power, experts warn of steeper U.S. population declineThe U.S. population was already aging and tilting toward decline. After the Supreme Court confirmed Trump's power to deport hundreds of thousands of foreign migrants, population decline could accelerate. |
| Inside a secretive Ukrainian team launching deep drone strikes at RussiaUkraine's long-range drones are striking deep inside Russia, up to 1,200 miles away, hitting oil refineries and depots. NPR recently spent time with one of the Ukrainian strike teams launching drones at Russian targets. |
| Venezuelans in Colombia scramble to send aid as earthquakes death toll increasesAid efforts are intensifying after twin earthquakes killed nearly 1,000 in Venezuela, with international teams arriving but a slow government response hampering relief on the ground. |
| 4 ways to get creative with your leftovers (and save money on food)Don't let your leftovers go to waste. Cookbook authors share clever storage techniques — like an "Eat Me First" box in your fridge — and cooking tricks to help you make the most of your food scraps. |
Friday, June 26th, 2026 | |
| U.S. strikes Iran in response to a drone attack on a shipThe U.S. struck Iran on Friday in response to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It's the most significant test yet to an interim understanding reached a week ago by the two countries. |
| Resources available for displaced residents in MuscatineAfter a partial collapse on East Second Street destabilized nearby buildings, residents were told to evacuate last week. |
| Resources available for displaced Muscatine residentsAfter a partial collapse on East Second Street destabilized nearby buildings, residents were told to evacuate last week. |
| U of Iowa researchers find that moms often unbuckle to care for infants, young kids in the carMotor-vehicle crashes remain a frequent cause of pregnancy complications and maternal death in the U.S. A new study looked into seatbelt habits for new moms. |
| Monmouth rebuilding after tornado, as businesses race to repair damaged rooftopsNine days after severe storms tore through Monmouth, damaged businesses are drying out, roofs are being repaired and neighbors continue helping one another recover. |
| Pete Buttigieg and his kids subject to CPS, police investigation after false reportButtigieg, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, shared his family's experience when police and Child Protective Services came to his home investigating an anonymous tip that was false. |
| Our QC Crime Watch: Adoptive parents accused of child endangerment: Episode 70Watch crime reporters Linda Cook and Sharon Wren talk about crime and courts in our area with the latest episode of the Our Quad Cities Crime Watch Podcast. In this episode Linda and Sharon discuss: updates on: To view, click the video above or watch on-the-go on Spotify. The QC Crime Watch Podcast | Pod |
| Jury convicts man in Moline double-homicideHe was charged in the deaths of Giovanni Flores, 17, and Zachary Meincke, 19, both of Moline. |
| | Idaho Behavioral Health Council asks lawmakers to prioritize rural communities with opioid fundingThe Idaho Behavioral Health Council made recommendations for use of funds obtained from a state settlement with opioid manufacturers. (Getty Images)A state advisory council will urge the Idaho Legislature to use its opioid settlement funds to target rural communities next year as it considers a number of project proposals. The Idaho Behavioral Health Council brings together Idaho’s three branches of government — legislative, judicial and executive — to provide recommendations to lawmakers about how to improve mental health and substance use issues statewide. On Friday, the group provided its recommended priorities for the state’s opioid settlement fund — which was created from a nationwide settlement with opioid manufacturers and may be used for certain, approved mitigation for opioids. Last year, the Legislature approved spending $6.8 million of opioid settlement funds, according to a memo from the Division of Financial Management. Idaho secures $24M more in settlement with opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma “In Idaho, we have pockets of service,” said Sara Omundson, director of the state court system and co-chair of the council. “And so one of the things that I think should be a priority for how we spend these funds is that we focus on services that are available statewide and specifically services that are available in rural and frontier areas.” The majority of council members voted to recommend top prioritization of projects focused on prevention for high-risk populations, behavioral health support for first responders, and behavioral health workforce development. The council solicited public input for uses of funds, and received 46 specific proposals for projects, said Cheryl Foster, project manager for the council. However, the council may only provide high-level recommendations for prioritization of topics, rather than for specific projects, Omundson said Friday. Sara Omundson was appointed as the administrative director of Idaho courts in July 2016. (Photo courtesy of the Idaho Behavioral Health Council website) The specific projects within those categories may be recommended by the governor in his budget proposal next year or by state agencies in their budget requests. The Idaho Legislature will consider and decide how the funding will ultimately be awarded during the 2027 legislative session, which will begin in January. As the council considered their priority topics, members also voted to include in its recommendations that, within each category, lawmakers consider projects that would be available statewide or targeted to rural and frontier areas. Omundson noted that the state was also in the process of awarding federal Rural Health Transformation grant funding from the ‘Big Beautiful’ law passed last year. “It is a category that I think we really need to have our eye on, and we’re seeing this nationally with the big grant … I think it’s timely that we recommend that they really focus on ensuring that we support those services that are going to be available either statewide or within our rural and frontier areas,” she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. First responder support and prevention topped council’s priorities Dave Jeppesen, former director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said typically when the Legislature has approved spending from the opioid settlement account, it does so as a one-time expenditure. This means that ongoing programs might not be the best fit for it, he said. “I’m just thinking about what’s the most efficient use of $2 million in the 12 months of fiscal year ‘28,” Jeppesen said. “ … I land somewhere around prevention, which feels like that’s an area that tends to get underfunded because treatment is so important.” Idaho District Judge Gene Petty, who leads Canyon County Mental Health Court, highlighted support for first responders as another goal because of their high risk of suicide. Petty said there’s a section in the settlement agreement that allows funds to support first responders who are affected by their interaction with people with opioid use disorder. Omundson said the criminal justice system is “also looking at workforce throughout the criminal justice system, and how that’s impacting first responders.” “That has a direct tie into whether or not people choose to go into that profession or stay in the profession based on just the level of stress and trauma that they experience while on the job,” she said. Jeppesen said first responders are a critical workforce for those supporting those with opioid addiction. All eight council members present voted to place prevention programs for high-risk individuals and behavioral health support for first responders as top priorities. Five voted for workforce development as the third priority, and three members voted for treatment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Idaho Capital Sun |
| Republicans target Iowa Libertarian candidates, urging them to drop out of congressional racesWith Republicans trying to hold onto a narrow majority in the U.S. House, Libertarian candidates have become a target for Republicans hoping to avoid another close election. |
| Bishop Hill Creative Commons earns Music in Action GrantBishop Hill Creative Commons, an independent music venue and artist cooperative owned and operated by the nonprofit organization Crossroads Cultural Connections, has been selected as a recipient of Live Music Society’s 2026 Music in Action Grant, according to a news release. Bishop Hill Creative Commons is one of 29 independent venues across 19 states, Washington, [...] |
| iHeartRadio layoffs cause QCA radio legends to be dropped off airFor decades, Quad-City listeners have started their mornings with the Leuck and Howe Morning Show on WLLR or heard the voice of Mark Manuel on The Big NEW 106.5 or 100.7 The Fox between the latest hits. After widespread layoffs by iHeartRadio, those routines will be no more. iHeartRadio let go of many radio personalities [...] |
| 5 million have dropped ACA insurance after Trump and the GOP let prices skyrocketThe number of people who signed up for a health plan and then didn't pay their premium fell much more sharply than it has in years past. Trump officials blame fraud. Health policy experts blame costs. |
| Cullen earns Leadership in Place Management designationJack Cullen, executive director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance, has obtained the designation of Certified Leader in Place Management (LPM) from the International Downtown Association (IDA,) a news release says. Cullen joins a community of professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills to manage and lead a place management organization. “Having worked with Jack [...] |
| Sheriff: No injuries reported after plane makes emergency landing in Knox CountyThe sheriff's office said the aircraft, a Cessna 172N with three people on board, had experienced a possible engine failure while in flight. |
| Hello Muscatine County: KWQC celebrates the communities and historyKWQC is celebrating the people, places, and history that shaped Muscatine County. |
| Jordan Spieth returning to the John Deere ClassicTournament play officially kicks off Thursday. |
| Planet Funk Con, 5th Annual Stoneware Fest among weekend offerings in the Quad CitiesFind out what you and your family can get up to this weekend! |
| Heavy police presence in CamancheOur Quad Cities News crew is watching a heavy police presence at a Camanche chiropractic clinic for an investigation that continued for more than an hour Friday afternoon. As of 4 p.m., officers from the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, Camanche Police Department and Clinton Police Department are at Camanche Chiropractic Center,1601 S. Washington Blvd. Squad [...] |
| Davenport names new assistant chief of policeThe Davenport Police Department named a new assistant police chief Friday. |
| | Federal health agency cancels most of its teen pregnancy prevention grantsA teacher holds a student’s baby while his class completes coursework at a high school for young parents in Spokane, Wash. U.S. Health and Human Services sent termination letters to 53 of 67 grantees under the Office of Population Affairs’ Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program on Friday, June 26. (Photo by Camilla Forte/The Hechinger Report)A spokesperson for U.S. Health and Human Services confirmed to Stateline on Friday that the agency is canceling 53 out of 67 grants, worth about $68 million, under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, affecting grantees in more than two dozen states. A list obtained by Stateline of canceled grants includes those awarded to universities, community organizations, city and state health departments and Planned Parenthood affiliates in states such as Arizona, Montana, Michigan, Texas and West Virginia. The grants were canceled two years before their expiration dates because the programs did not align with agency priorities, according to one of the grantees who received a termination notice. The program is part of the agency’s Office of Population Affairs and is a “national, evidence-based grant program that funds diverse organizations working to prevent teen pregnancy across the United States,” according to the HHS website. The agency provides funding to programs that develop and evaluate innovative approaches to prevent teen pregnancy as well as to prevent sexually transmitted infections among adolescents, and to promote positive behaviors. Family planning organizations sue Trump administration over Title X funding announcement Ayana Bradshaw, president and CEO of AccessMatters in Philadelphia, told Stateline her organization received the termination notice of its $1.2 million grant on Friday, and it was effective the same day. Bradshaw said the letter cited a misalignment with agency priorities, specifically that the program “normalizes or promotes sexual activity for minors.” AccessMatters’ Adolescent Health Initiative is entirely funded by the federal grant and provides free sexual and reproductive health programs to more than 1,100 teens between the ages of 13 and 19. The program provides information, education and referrals for healthcare as needed. “This is devastating for the youth that we serve,” Bradshaw said. “It also impacts us as an organization, our staff, and it impacts the partners that we had who supported us in implementing this program.” During the first administration of President Donald Trump in 2017, HHS took the same action, ending grants for more than 80 recipients two years before they were set to expire. Legal advocacy organization Democracy Forward sued the administration on behalf of several grantees and won a permanent injunction after courts ruled the action violated agency regulations. The Trump administration identified the teen pregnancy program as one to cut in its 2025 budget request, and it was included in the final 2026 appropriations bill. The language accompanying that bill said grants for sexual risk avoidance must use medically accurate information and teach youth about risky behaviors “without normalizing teen sexual activity.” Teen birth rates have fallen dramatically in the past 20 years, according to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data — about 72% since 2007. Experts attribute that decline to fewer teens deciding to have sex earlier, sex education and better access to contraception, especially for girls. The agency also released two new grant programs this week, one of which is titled “Replicating Effective Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs,” with $63.4 million available to be awarded. The other is “Rigorous Impact Evaluation of Programs to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and Achieve Optimal Health,” with $8.3 million available. Both opportunities tell applicants that they must pass an alignment review process to ensure they meet agency priorities. That language mimics Trump administration language in the 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity for Title X grants, which a national family planning organization filed a lawsuit over last week, arguing that it violates Congress’ intentions and administrative procedure. Tara Mancini, director of public policy at reproductive health advocacy organization Power to Decide, said she expects the administration’s decision to cancel the grants to be challenged again in court. Stateline reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris can be reached at kmoseley@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Stateline |
| Downtown Muscatine residents and business owners displaced from demolition project seek answers from the cityAfter a roof partially collapsed, the city evacuated 20 buildings on a single block in downtown Muscatine, displacing 28 residents. The city said a final decision on whether to demolish or stabilize the compromised structures will be made in early July. |
| Disability care group sounds alarm over DOJ memo suggesting an end to in-home and community-based servicesThe Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel released a memo in June advising states to cease funding for in-home and community-based services that allow Americans with disabilities to integrate within their communities. A Bettendorf-based nonprofit, Hand in Hand, said the move would upend thirty years of evidence-based care. |