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

Spoon River Valley teacher Jennifer Burdette named National Rural Teacher of the Year

Spoon River Valley CUSD #4 teacher Jennifer Burdette has been named the 2026 National Rural Teacher of the Year by the National Rural Education Association (NREA) in recognition of her leadership, dedication to students and commitment to rural education. Spoon River Valley serves students in Fulton and Knox Counties. NREA announced the award on Aug. [...]

Davenport police address officer involved shooting, separate illegal firearm incident

The Davenport Police Department held a press conference on an Aug. 31 officer-involved shooting and a separate Sept. 6 incident involving illegal firearms.

New game Word Medley from Knox College professor, graduate

Sometimes, a dream needs a little technical help to become a reality. Peter Schwartzman and Brij Patel are the brains behind Word Medley, a new online word game. Schwartzman has been playing competitive Scrabble for over 30 years and has written seven self-published word works under the authorship of Dr. Earth. He is the mayor [...]

Woman’s leg partially severed in East Moline motorcycle crash

A woman was severely injured in a motorcycle and car crash on Saturday.

Iowa State Fair announces 2027 theme

Fair officials made the announcement just weeks after a record-breaking 2026 season.

Davenport man arrested after allegedly harassing, stalking woman

A Davenport man is facing charges in Scott County District Court after chasing a woman and her friend in his car through traffic and throwing a hammer at her car.

PHOTO GALLERY: Skydivers drop in on Donahue Days

Donahue Days helped wrap up the summer festival season. NSP photos by Noah Glasgow.

Judge weighing arguments to halt Illinois’ ‘medical aid in dying’ law ahead of Sept. 12 start

Illinois is set to become the first Midwestern state to allow terminally ill adults to take life-ending medication prescribed by physicians when the law goes into effect late this week.

Man extradited to Scott County after being arrested in Mexico over a year after fatal crash

The man who was arrested in Mexico last month after being on the run following a motorcycle crash has been extradited to Scott County.

PHOTO GALLERY: Democrats, Republicans, Independents—oh my!

Election Day approaches—and political campaigns were in full swing for Labor Day in McCausland. NSP photos by Noah Glasgow.

North Scott Press — September 9, 2026

North Scott Food Pantry turns 50

The North Scott Food Pantry is turning 50, but its organizers aren’t resting on their laurels. While details on the early days of the food pantry are somewhat hard to come by, Janalee Keppy has compiled a scrapbook over the years. As near as she can figure, the first iteration of what would become the North Scott Food Pantry was established in 1976, with representatives of Eldridge United Methodist, Faith Lutheran and St. Ann’s Catholic churches leading the charge. In the early days, the location of the food pantry, or “food reservoir,” as it was often called, rotated monthly between the churches. By the early 1980s, the food pantry also became associated with the North Scott Human Services committee. But as the human services organization wound down its work by the end of that decade, the food pantry came to be associated with the North Scott Clergy Group. It found a more permanent home at Faith Lutheran Church. While the food pantry relocated to a spot on North 2nd Street for a few years in the 2000s while the Eldridge Preschool was at Faith Lutheran, it moved back to the church in 2011 and has been there ever since. The food pantry also established itself as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2011. Keppy became involved with the food pantry when the previous representative from Eldridge United Methodist Church stepped down in the late 1990s, and, like other volunteers, she remembers when the pantry took up a single room in the Faith Lutheran basement. Then, the pantry was only open on Friday mornings. “It was packed tight,” said Keppy. “And if you had three, four people, that was a busy day.” Today, the pantry has moved into multiple rooms throughout the church basement, with several refrigerators holding meat products, as well as bread products donated from Panera. There are also rooms filled with empty boxes where the food gets sorted and stored. It’s also expanded its hours to be open two days a week, Tuesdays from 5:30-7 p.m., and Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m. The North Scott Food Pantry runs on volunteers, and in its earliest days, the driving forces included Ruth Blanche – generally recognized as the first chair of the pantry board – Eunice McCubbin and Maureen Van Loon, among others. Later, Lu Wiese led the food pantry through the 1990s, and longtime volunteer Carol Kuehl said Wiese also helped bring her on board. “Lu Wiese was the one that got me,” said Kuehl. “I knew her well through church and she said, ‘Why don’t you come, if you’re not too busy, and we can chit chat.’” Like other volunteers, Judy Shannon came on when someone else from her church stepped down. And Deanna Nielsen started working with the food pantry in the early 2000s, shortly after her oldest daughter went off to college. Along with Keppy and Kuehl, they gradually moved into leadership positions as older volunteers stepped away. How it works For people needing to use the food pantry’s services, the only requirement is that they must live within the boundaries of the North Scott School District. There is some paperwork that needs to be filled out, which includes information for the state and federal government, as well as establishing the size of the household. But Nielsen said, for the most part, as long as you can provide proof of residency, food is available. One visit is allowed every 28 days. “We don’t ask them if they’re in need. They just come,” she said. Although the food pantry prefers photo identification, they will accept something like a utility bill to show proof of residency. “If you have a utility bill from the last 30 days, you probably live there,” explained Nielsen. “The majority of the people that come are honest about it,” said Kuehl. “But we have a reputation, so to speak. You get quite a bit of food out here. Farmers and people are just very generous with donating. But every once in a while, somebody comes out from Davenport, and they’ll say, ‘I live on West Kimberly Road,’ and they’re stretching it. We do give them emergency food.” The North Scott Food Pantry is also different from some other pantries in the area in that it’s a client choice pantry. “We’re not just giving them a box of food,” said Nielsen. “They pick out what food they want.” “It depends on the size of the family whether they get three vegetable or six vegetable cans or whatever,” said Kuehl. “And how much meat and bread,” added Shannon. “We start everybody out with two pounds of hamburger and a pack of hot dogs,” said Nielsen. “We’re very lucky that we have a good relationship with Hy-Vee, just like we did with North Scott Foods. We have vouchers, so each family gets two vouchers for milk for the month. A dozen eggs, although lately we’ve been having fresh eggs, so they don’t get the voucher, they get fresh eggs. And $5 in produce. “When I started, it was a bag of potatoes,” she continued. “Lu thought the bag of potatoes was really important, because that was a staple. Everybody had meat and potatoes. But we switched it over to $5 in produce.” However, like everyone else, the food pantry is feeling the economic pinch, and Nielsen said they might have to reevaluate the produce situation, because $5 doesn’t go as far as it used to. The food comes from a variety of sources – including Hy-Vee, where volunteers stocked up during a recent 99¢ sale. “When Hy-Vee walked in, we all held our breath to see if they would support us the way North Scott Foods supported us, and they stepped up and did,” said Shannon. “We were really lucky there,” said Keppy. The North Scott Food Pantry is also lucky enough to have multiple other sources of food, including generous donations from the public. That includes the Student Hunger Drive, donations to postal carriers and at the Scott County Library and area churches, food drives at local elementary schools and the junior high, and the North Scott girls’ basketball team’s annual shopping cart race, just to name a few. Food also regularly comes from the River Bend Foodbank, which purchases food in bulk so food pantries can get it from them at a significant discount. Once a month, they also get a delivery from the Midwest Foodbank out of Peoria, Ill. The Midwest Foodbank provides some additional items besides pantry staples. “It’s a little different, what they provide,” said Keppy. “We think it’s maybe new items that are being developed or items that didn’t sell, so they might be soon to expire. It’s a lot of crackers and things like that. So, it’s good for our people to have, in addition to what we provide.” The pantry gets a weekly delivery of bagels and other bread products from Panera, and they recently started a food rescue program with Hy-Vee. Some food, including dried beans, comes from the USDA. Nielsen said area farmers have also been very generous in providing meat products, fresh produce and eggs. And, of course, volunteers are always keeping an eye out for deals in the shopping circulars. They also offer non-food items, which frequently come from Dollar Tree and big box stores like Sam’s Club and Ollie’s. That includes paper products, like paper towels and toilet paper, as well as some cleaning products, including dish soap. More recently, they also started offering some other products, like toothpaste, salt and pepper shakers, and feminine hygiene products. Clients have been especially appreciative of the feminine hygiene products, which come in packets of 10 and clients can take two per month, because they are particularly expensive.  “It’s kind of like a surprise for our clients, because some of them do come monthly,” said Nielsen. “We have families that come, and elderly people that are on a fixed income. Those are the ones that I think we see really regularly. We’re on their schedule. And then there’s even young people, single, young people. So, it’s just a real variety.” “Only about 30% of our people get SNAP benefits,” she continued. “We’re serving the people that are the working poor, I think. They just can’t make ends meet.” Shannon agreed, saying recent changes to SNAP have also made things more uncertain for some clients. She said she’s heard many stories from clients who are having difficulty making ends meet, including some elderly people who rely on Social Security and are on an extremely fixed income. “And they come in so thankful,” said Shannon. “They’re so glad they can get things from here, because it really helps them.” Kuehl said the food pantry recently received a phone message from a client who recently moved to Davenport. The woman said she had appreciated the support she got from the North Scott Food Pantry – not only the food, but the fellowship – because she was finding it more difficult to receive those resources in Davenport. “When you get a phone call like that, you realize that it’s not just that we think we’re doing good,” said Kuehl. “We’re being told we’re doing good.” That’s what keeps the food pantry’s volunteers going, and they say they want to help everyone who needs assistance. “I know there’s more needy people in the community, and I haven’t figured out a way to get them to come in,” said Shannon. “Some of them are embarrassed to come in, but others just aren’t coming.” “Our motto is ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’,” said Nielsen. “That’s a big thing. And the Lutheran Church here, we have, once a year, our Outreach Sunday and it’s ‘God’s work, our hands.’ And that’s really what it is here. There’s no judgement for people. It’s their decision to come.” Volunteers come to the pantry regularly. “I have three ladies that all they do is sort,” said Shannon. “A couple that work the food, and I have two guys that always come and push the carts out.” She said her car is usually full of food donations for the pantry, much of which she brings out from St. Ann’s. Following a dip in clients in the aftermath of the pandemic, the pantry is starting to see an uptick. Nielsen said they’re currently averaging about 60 families per month. “We had gone up to about 80 families per month before COVID,” she said. “Then we really dropped after COVID – we had a year there where we probably only saw 45 families. But it’s creeping back up to pre-pandemic. “They’ve had some evenings where 15 clients, 15 families go through in an hour and a half,” Nielsen continued. “You have to really move.” Shannon said the pantry saw about a dozen clients on a recent Friday morning. “Our normal, I would say, is about seven or eight families,” said Nielsen. “You’re not so rushed, and you can take some time with them. When you think about it, it’s probably about 10 minutes per family.” As the food pantry gears up for the holidays and prepares for its annual donation from the Student Hunger Drive – which came to 8,000 pounds last year – they’re still in need of some items right now. Namely, hot and cold cereals, and side dishes, such as noodle and rice packets. They regularly post monthly needs on their Facebook page. Board members are also looking forward to the pantry’s biggest fundraiser of the year, a golf outing sponsored by the St. Ann’s Knights of Columbus that will be held Sunday. Last year, the outing raised more than $22,000 for the food pantry. The outing was recently named in honor of the late Matt Costello, who organized the event and lined up sponsors for many years. “The North Scott community supports us so well,” said Nielsen. “We are so blessed.” In addition to food, there are other ways to give to the food pantry. Although they have a good roster of volunteers right now, the board said they’re always appreciative of newer people, as older volunteers cycle out. For more information, call 563-285-8444 and leave a message on the voice mail, or email northscottfoodpantry@gmail.com.  

Building bridges in Donahue

Funds raised by Donahue Days this year helped build a pedestrian bridge over the drainage ditch that separates the town playground from nearby ballfields. Jon Ferrel built the bridge, volunteer Katie Madden said. The town had placed palates over the ditch in previous years. American Ready Mix provided concrete for footings, and Eric Hamann of 442 Welding built light holders and a custom sign, Madden said. Finishing touches were provided by volunteers Joel Kelley, Andy Cronkleton, Kevin Marple, Tony Bolles, and Randy White.

Owner of Rivercrest Estates silent as dozens of tenants face water shutoff

The City of Princeton has not heard from Mary Diercks, owner of the troubled Rivercrest Estates mobile home park, since officials said they planned to shut off water service at the park later this month. “Not a phone call, not a text, nothing,” Mayor Travis Volrath said. The city has given Diercks until Sept. 17 to pay overdue bills and make extensive repairs to water infrastructure at the park. Substantial leaks—which brought the park’s water usage to one million gallons last month—put strain on city pumps and city finances, Volrath said. Diercks has not responded to repeat request for comment from the North Scott Press. The decision to shut off water services could leave dozens of Princeton residents in uninhabitable trailers. “They say the trailer park’s going to be closed down,” resident Don Smith said. “I hope it won’t.” In late August, city officials brought community services groups and Rivercrest tenants to Virgil Grissom in hopes of preempting the crisis a shutoff could trigger. The public was not allowed access to the event, in the interests of privacy, officials said. Volrath said residents from 15 of the park’s 48 lots attended the meeting. Officials have said that no more than half the lots are inhabited. Lori Elam, Scott County Director of Community Services, said the meeting “went well.” Community Services can provide residents with the first month’s rent at a new property or purchase bus tickets for travel back to family. So far, no residents of the park have reached out to follow up with those services, Elam reported last week. “And that doesn’t surprise me,” she said. Residents were still thinking, figuring out what they want to do. “Hopefully by next week we’ll start getting some calls.” Elam said several residents believed that Diercks would pay overdue bills and that water service would return. City officials have stressed that it would be nearly impossible for Diercks to complete the infrastructure repairs they have requested before Sept. 17. Iowa Legal Aid brought its “justice bus”—a private trailer where potential clients can speak with attorneys—to the Grissom meeting. Volrath said five attorneys were present to meet with Rivercrest tenants. Molly McDonnell, director of Iowa Legal Aid’s Davenport office, could not be reached for comment. Volrath extended thanks to Jodi Freet and Brian Payne of Scott County Emergency Management for assistance organizing the Grissom meeting. Last fall, Diercks told the NSP that residents did not reliably pay lot rent and that she could not afford to make repairs.

Return of the Football Contest is just perfect

Did we make it too easy, or was it just the schedule? Either way, there were 15 perfect entries in the first week of the 2026 NSP Football Contest. John White of Davenport was the big winner. His tiebreaker of 40 was the closest to the total number of points in Auburn’s 17-16 win over Baylor. For his efforts, he’ll receive $50. Maddox Drummond of Donahue and Jeff Kress of Eldridge tied for second, with matching tiebreakers of 45. They’ll each receive $17.50. Others with perfect entries, and their tiebreakers were Dick Erps (50), Reilly Kashmarek (52), Mary Kashmarek (58), Mike Mossage (57), Ken Moss (58), Steve Kuehn (59), Doyle Fox (60), Lisa Mealer-Burke (58), Hayden DeCook (62), Keaton Murphy (67), Cole Ernst (63), and Derrick Berry (52). Making up the honor roll were those who missed one: Judy Bergert, Joan Hennigan, Scott Kashmarek, Marty Lillis, Martha Pearce, Lyn Claussen, Matt Torres, Bryan Janoski, Tom Janoski, Michael Burke, Mike Murphy, Clay DeCock, Cindie Jensen, Carson Kress, Keaton Kress, Kyle Smith, Mark Tomsche, Teagan Fletcher, Payton Dieckman and Troy Harmel. Thirty-two missed two and 21 missed three. There were 102 entries. Games missed most frequently included Davenport Central over Clinton, Eastern Washington over UNI and UNLV over Hawai’i. Other winners were North Scott over Cedar Rapids Washington, Central DeWitt over Davenport West, Cedar Rapids Xavier over Western Dubuque, Indiana over North Texas, Pittsburgh over Miami (Ohio), Iowa State over Southeast Missouri State, Auburn over Baylor, Iowa over Northern Illinois, LSU over Clemson, and Northwestern over South Dakota State. Eleven weeks remain in the contest, with a new slate of games in this week’s paper. Be sure to visit our sponsors to pick up your entry forms: Porter Insurance, DuTrac Community Credit Union, ORA Sports Medicine, Farm Bureau Financial Services – Tony Burkhart, First Central State Bank, Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors – Nancy Billups, King’s Material, Eldridge Body Shop, Amhof Trucking, Iowa 80 Truckstop, and Steve’s Auto.

Monarch butterfly party Sept. 12 at Nahant Marsh

Nahant Marsh Education Center will host its annual Monarch & Friends Party, a free, family-friendly celebration of monarch migration and the incredible diversity of insects and other invertebrates found at Nahant Marsh. The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. – noon. Visitors will have the opportunity to catch, tag, and release monarch butterflies, including wild monarchs captured on the prairie during the event. The morning will also feature hands-on activities, educational exhibits, nature crafts, and opportunities to learn about monarchs, native bees, dragonflies, beetles, spiders, moths, and other important pollinators and invertebrates. Nahant Marsh staff will also be available throughout the event to provide more information about monarch migration, conservation, pollinators, the importance of urban wetlands, and the educational and research work taking place at Nahant Marsh. Monarchs are beginning their annual migration south, traveling thousands of miles to their overwintering grounds in Mexico. Monarch tagging helps researchers better understand migration routes and population movements. The event also highlights the important roles that countless other insects and invertebrates play in healthy ecosystems. Nahant Marsh Education Center is located at 4220 Wapello Ave. in Davenport. For more information, visit nahantmarsh.org/monarch-party.

Grant writing 'boot camp' to be held in Altoona

Nonprofit, government and education professionals can receive feedback as they develop a project idea into a funding proposal during a Grant Proposal Boot Camp Oct. 7-8 in Altoona. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Community and Economic Development unit will offer the two-day, in-person workshop from 9 a.m. to noon both days at ISU Extension and Outreach Polk County, 1625 Adventureland Drive, Suite A. Grant Proposal Boot Camp is designed for participants who have a project idea and want dedicated time to move it toward a complete proposal. The workshop covers key components of grant development, including drafting executive summaries, setting measurable goals and objectives, building logic models and planning for evaluation. “Our Grant Proposal Boot Camp gives participants time to work through their ideas while receiving guidance and feedback throughout the process. They can leave with a clearer project plan, stronger proposal components and specific next steps for completing their application," said Lindsay Henderson, community development specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. Participants are encouraged to arrive with a fundable project idea and bring a laptop or tablet, along with any draft proposal materials or early project notes. Registration is $150 and closes Oct. 4. For more information, visit the Grant Writing Workshops webpage or contact Henderson at lindsayh@iastate.edu.

Our Savior to celebrate 50th anniversary Sept. 20

It has been 50 years since congregants in rural LeClaire united to build Our Savior Presbyterian Church. The church has invited past and current members, friends, and neighbors are to commemorate the anniversary with a picnic, games and historical display Sunday, Sept. 20 on the church grounds, 22530 240th Ave. “We are excited to celebrate this monumental anniversary with our friends and neighbors,” Pastor Margaret Heidenreich said. She joined the congregation this year. “This community has welcome me with open arms, support, and vegetables! I am excited to celebrate this anniversary with all of you,” she said. Activities on Sunday begin with church services at 10 a.m., followed by a picnic meal to feature pork chop sandwiches, hot dogs, sides, and desserts, according to a news release. Games and historical displays will entertain all ages. Our Savior Presbyterian Church was founded by the union of the Argo United Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Church of Summit in 1972. The building in rural LeClaire was completed four years later, in 1976. “During the past 50 years, Our Savior Presbyterian Church has worked to grow our faith and support each other through weekly worship services, Sunday School classes, Bible Study,” and other activities, the church wrote. Its charitable work supports local food pantries, donates quilts, and provides other support to its community.  

Senate debate to air Oct. 7 on Iowa PBS

Iowa PBS will host Iowa Press Debates: U.S. Senate on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at Iowa PBS studios in Johnston. Hosted by Iowa Press moderator Kay Henderson, candidates Ashley Hinson (R - Marion) and Josh Turek (D - Council Bluffs) will answer questions from reporters and discuss their platforms, concerns and future plans. Henderson will moderate the debate with Iowa political reporters. Iowa Press Debates: U.S. Senate will air live on statewide Iowa PBS and be streamed on iowapbs.org and YouTube. The Iowa PBS television network reaches all media markets in the state including broadcast coverage across all 99 counties of Iowa. The debate will be held at Iowa PBS studios in Johnston without a live audience. Additional Iowa PBS debates will be announced as they are confirmed. Learn more at iowapbs.org.  

University of Iowa partnership to expand healthcare education pathways

The University of Iowa is partnering with a graduate healthcare institution to provide UI graduates more opportunities to further their education in different areas of medicine. Midwestern University, a graduate health sciences institution with locations in Arizona and Illinois, announced in a news release last week it has signed an articulation agreement with the UI to provide guaranteed interviews and acceptance into certain programs. “The University of Iowa has long been recognized for excellence in the health sciences, and this partnership builds on that strength by creating additional opportunities for our students to pursue advanced professional education,” said UI Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Kregel in the release. “By expanding pathways to graduate study, we’re helping more students access high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for meaningful careers in healthcare.” Starting with students set to enroll at Midwestern University in fall 2027, the release stated qualifying UI students will have guaranteed admission interviews for Midwestern programs including osteopathic, podiatric, veterinary and dental medicine, as well as pharmacy, optometry and other areas. Students who “meet specified academic criteria” could also receive guaranteed acceptance into certain Midwestern programs through the institution’s college of graduate studies and its college of health sciences nurse anesthesia program, according to the release. Both Midwestern campuses are included in the agreement. This articulation agreement provides a smoother, more transparent path from undergraduate to graduate study, the release stated, allowing students to more easily achieve their academic and professional goals. “Midwestern University is proud to partner with the University of Iowa, an institution renowned for its rigorous academic standards and dedication to student excellence,” said Midwestern University Provost Y. Gloria Yueh in the release. “This agreement reflects our shared commitment to creating seamless pathways for high-achieving students as they prepare to become leaders in human and animal healthcare.”

North Scott FFA sees success at Iowa State Fair

North Scott’s FFA Chapter saw tremendous success at the Iowa State Fair this year. In addition to three chapter awards, including 1st Place Overall Chapter in Horticulture, several students also earned individual awards. Grant Hoffmann showed the Reserve Champion Overall Breeding Heifer in the Breeding Beef show. Andy Klindt was Champion in Forages, Grasses & Legumes in the Farm Crops show. Molly Mose showed the Champion Purebred Carcass and Reserve Overall Live Carcass in the Swine show. Cael Mess was a big winner, winning several dozen ribbons in Horticulture and Floriculture. He also showed the top flower in the Floriculture show and was the top sweepstakes exhibitor in the Horticulture show. FFA Results Ashley Mose: Swine — Hereford gilt (blue ribbon) Grant Hoffmann: Breeding Beef — Reserve Champion Overall Breeding Heifer Evan Keppy: Farm Crops — Late Season Soybean Exhibit (5th Place); Mid-Season Soybean Exhibit (5th Place) Jeremiah Shimkus: Rabbit Andy Klindt: Horticulture — Table Vegetable (Reserve Champion); Jumbo Vegetable (Reserve Champion); Premier Exhibit Award (Champion). Farm Crops — Forages, Grasses & Legumes (Champion); 8th Overall Individual Hayden Burmeister: Meat Goats — 2 does (blue ribbon). Swine — Chester Gilt (7th Place in Class); Chester Gilt (8th Place in Class); Yorkshire Barrow (9th Place in Class, Champion on The Rail Carcass) Molly Mose: Swine — Champion Purebred Carcass, Reserve Overall Live Carcass; Poland Barrow (4th Place in Class); Poland Barrow (6th Place in Class); Spotted Gilt (3rd Place in Class) Gracyn Koehler: Floriculture — Dahlia (5th Place Overall) Jordan Jones: Meat Goats Mikie Shimkus: Rabbit Aaliyah Shimkus: Rabbit Grace Clark: Photography Ally Hart: Farm Crops — Early Season Soybeans (6th Place Overall); Mid-Season Soybeans (3rd Place Overall) Amelia Bunce: Horticulture — Cherry Tomatoes (6th Place Overall); Floriculture — Red Dahlia (6th Place Overall); Farm Crops — Late Season Soybeans (2nd Place Overall) Braiden Schmit: Rabbit Grant Wilson: Breeding Beef — Reserve Champion Angus Breeding Heifer Cael Mess: Horticulture — Vegetable Container Display (Champion); High Point Exhibitor Award; Premier Presenter; Acord Squash (1st Place and 3rd Place); Anaheim Peppers (3rd Place); Annual Champion – Lisanthis (Best of Show); Bell Peppers (1st Place); Broccoli (2nd Place); Butternut Squash (3rd and 5th Place); Carrots (1st and 2nd Place); Cauliflower (1st Place); Cherry Tomatoes (1st and 4th Place); Garden Display (1st Place); Herbs (1st and 7th Place); Jack O’Lantern (3rd and 6th Place); Largest Cabbage (1st Place); Largest Onion (4th Place); Largest Potato (4th Place); Largest Pumpkin (3rd Place); Largest Tomato (2nd Place); Other Pumpkin – White (2nd Place); Other Pumpkin – Candy (3rd Place); Pickling Cucumbers (4th and 6th Place); Pie Pumpkin (2nd Place); Poblano Peppers (1st Place); Processing Tomato (7th Place); Red Cabbage (1st and 4th Place); Red Onions (1st and 2nd Place); Red Potatoes (4th and 6th Place); Slicing Cucumbers (3rd and 8th Place); Spaghetti Squash (8th Place); Summer Squash (2nd and 4th Place); Sweet Corn (1st and 3rd Place); White Onions (1st and 2nd Place); White Potatoes (4th and 7th Place); Yellow Onions (3rd Place); Yellow Potatoes (1st and 2nd Place); Zucchini (2nd and 3rd Place). Floriculture — Champion Any Other Flower – Lisanthus; Award of Excellence (Grand Champion); 5th Overall Individual; Purple Lisianthus (Champion Annual and Overall Best of Show); Cactus Dahlia Hot Tamale (3rd Place); Dahlia Mixed Honeymoon (5th Place); Dahlia Pom Sno Ho (3rd Place); Decorative Purple Dahlia Bold Accent (5th); Marigold Inca (1st Place); Mini Dahlia Red Figaro (2nd Place); Orange Zinnia Benary’s Mix (3rd Place); Pink Zinnia Benary’s Giant (4th Place); Pink Zinnia Benary’s Giant (5th Place); Pink Zinnia Pom Benary’s Giant (6th Place); Pom Blend Dahlia Lee’s Seredipity (7th Place); Pom Pink Dahlia Sno Ho (2nd Place); Pom Red Dahlia Cornell (6th Place); Pom White Dahlia Center Court (5th Place); Purple Waterlily Dahlia Arabian Nights (3rd Place); Purple Waterlily Dahlia Arabian Nights (5th Place); Red Mini Dahlia Red Figaro (6th Place); Red Zinnia Benary’s Mix (3rd Place); Salmon Gladiola Mixed (3rd Place); Waterlily Dahlia Caliente (4th Place); White Lisianthus ABC (3rd Place); White Pom Dahlia Center Court (6th Place); White Zinnia Benary’s Giant (6th Place); White Zinnia Benary’s Giant (7th Place); Yellow Zinnia Benary’s Giant (4th Place) North Scott: Floriculture — 4th Place Overall Chapter. Farm Crops – 9th Place Overall Chapter. Horticulture — 1st Place Overall Chapter

Iowa Barn Foundation tours to be held Sept. 19-20

If you are looking for something different to do on a September weekend, consider taking a self-guided tour of Iowa’s historic barns. The Iowa Barn Foundation is holding its 26th Annual All-State Barn Tour on Saturday and Sunday, Sept.19-20, featuring more than 100 barns across the state that will be available for visiting inside and out from 9-5 both days.  Iowa is proud to host the largest barn tour in the world! The fall tour highlights barns that have received a restoration grant from the foundation and those that have received an Award of Distinction or Preservation Award for restoration funded by the owner.  Many of the owners will be on hand to share their memories and regard for the structures and answer your questions.    The self-guided fall tour is free and open to the public, made possible by member donors.  An interactive online tour guide can be found at iowabarnfoundation.org/barn-tours. Questions can be emailed to iowabarnfoundation@gmail.com. As a volunteer-led non-profit, the Iowa Barn Foundation’s goal is to maximize member donations to provide restoration grants to save the state’s historic barns.  Since being founded in 1997, the foundation has given out $2.6 million dollars in grants to help save over 300 barns.  The foundation does not receive any government funding, so it is 100% dependent on private donations to fund its programs. Area barns include: Bickett-Rate Historical Preserve Barn, 600-225th Street, Tipton (Cedar County) - West of Tipton (Or south of Mechanicsville) on County X40, to County F28, go south to Buchanan.  The farm is off to the west of the village of Buchanan. The restoration of the barn was completed in August 2020.  This red painted barn near the unincorporated village of Buchanan, was built in 1922 near the historic Hannah Morse Fowler Hall House.  From 1891-1995, the site operated as an agriculture co-op.  The gabled barn has centrally located sliding door access on both the north & south elevations. The barn includes a passage door access for the farmer on both east ends of the north & south sides and a smaller hinged passage door access for livestock on each corner of the barn’s south side.  A central driveway provides access to the interior for the storage of hay, grain, and machinery (Restoration Grant). Driscoll Barn (New for 2026), 683 Dixon Ave, Mechanicsville (Cedar County) - From Mechanicsville, go south three miles. On X 40, turn right on 160th Street and go to Dixon Avenue. Go south a mile on Dixon to the barn. This barn was built in 1875.  The pre-drilled and precut segments of the barn were brought to Mechanicsville by train from Chicago during the winter, unloaded from the train, placed on bobsleds and carried 5 miles to the farm by the neighbors. In the spring all the neighbors assembled the barn on its current site.  The barn measures 56’ x 42’ and has always been used for livestock, hay and straw storage.  The barn is still being used today for a few cattle and horses.  The barn has always been well maintained and is still in good condition (Preservation Award). Koopmann Barn, 1951 205th St, Bennett (Cedar County) After purchasing the acreage with this 1880s barn in 1993, the owners took steps to ensure it will last for years to come.   First steps included a new asphalt roof, siding repairs, and door replacements.  Over the past thirty-one years, it has housed peafowl, ornamental pheasants and chickens.  It has also been used for storage of pots and greenhouse equipment as well as a home for several generations of farm cats.  The original configuration was for housing horses, and the barn is now in the process of being fully restored.  A new metal roof was installed in 2020, and new siding/window installation was completed in 2025.  It is being restored with no specific purpose in mind, and nest boxes have been installed in the tall hay loft area for both kestrels and barn owls (Preservation Award). Schwien Dairy and Cattle Barns,1667 190th St., Clarence (Cedar County) - From Clarence, go south on County X64, then turn left (east) onto 190th Street. The beautiful Schwien dairy barn (Award of Distinction) was moved eight miles cross country in 1979 from the Cedar County Home Farm.  Original tie stalls and calf pens were put back in the barn after the move.  The barn was used for tie stalls only, next to the milking parlor which sits right next to it.  Two unique ventilation tunnels go from the first floor, thru the hay mow floor up to thru roof.  There is also a four bay cattle barn on the property which was built about 1900 using wooden pegs.  It was damaged during a storm in June of 2014. It was repaired with a matching grant from the Iowa Barn Foundation (Restoration Grant). Tenley Farms Barn, 681 120th St, Mechanicsville (Cedar County) - 3/4 of a mile NW of Mechanicsville, 2 miles N off HWY 30 Bank barn was built in the 1860s with storage for grains, hay, and straw in the upper level. The bottom of the barn was redone in the 1950’s where Richard (Father) and Dennis (Son) Tenley milked cows for several decades.  Dairy cattle and draft horses were housed in the barn at that time also. Milk house was added in the 1970s.  Barn currently used to house and milk dairy cows as part of a direct-to-consumer farming operation.  Approximately 350 gallons of raw milk is bottled in the milk house weekly and sold directly to the farm’s customers (Award of Distinction). Schroeder Barn, 2738 130th Street, Wilton (Muscatine County) - Take Exit 271 off I-80 and go south 5 miles on IA 38 to 130th Street. Go east for 1/4 mile. Built in the 1940s, this barn features a balcony haymow on both sides of the ground floor alleyway.  Original hay trolley and track are still intact.  South side of barn was never painted, so was left that way (Restoration Grant). The Old Barn - Muscatine County Conservation, 3300 Cedar St, Muscatine (Muscatine County) - Located in Discovery Park just east of the Muscatine County Conservation office building, turn off Highway 22 onto Houser Street, take a right on Harmony Lane, and follow to the end. 1926 Gothic-arched roof dairy barn designed by Louden Manufacturing Company in Fairfield.   The barn remains from the Muscatine County Poor Farm/County Home Farm.   The barn has been restored to its original state with the addition of a metal roof, staircase, and an elevator for accessibility.   The historic landmark is maintained by the Friends of the Old Barn non-profit organization. It is used to host events to educate on the richness of Muscatine County’s agriculture history (Award of Distinction). Frye Barn, 11150 New Liberty Rd, Walcott (Scott County)– From Exit 292 of I-80, go northwest on IA 130 towards Maysville The Frye farms were settled in 1881. This dairy barn was built around 1921 by great grandfather William Frye, grandfather Arnold Frye and great uncle Alfred Frye.  All siding is original. All stone and brick work was tuck-pointed in 1996. The farm was designated a Century Farm in 1981. The barn interior, including the hay mow, is essentially unchanged with the exception of window replacements in 1995 (Restoration Grant). Herb’s Crib, 23553 200th Avenue, Davenport (Scott County) - Exit US 61 at Exit 127. Go east on LeClaire Road three miles. Then go south on 200th a half mile. Herbert Schneckloth, prominent Iowa farmer, whose family emigrated from Germany in 1854, built the landmark round crib in 1926.  Work on the 50-feet in diameter structure was done with hand tools.  The foundation was dug and poured by hand using a shovel and one-third of a bag of home mix at a time.  Handmade forms were used to pour the concrete.  The ventilation block tile and matching solid tile were brought from Adel by train and horse-drawn wagons (Restoration Grant, Heritage Farm). Knoll Crest Farm - Nebergall Round Barn, 9478 145th Street, Davenport (Scott County) The Nebergall family had the barn built in 1914 by Benton Steele, a prominent round barn builder from Kansas. The 56-foot diameter design has a two-pitched gambrel conical roof with cupola. The lower section is constructed of hollow clay with the upper section constructed of wood. The barn originally housed dairy cows and draft horses (Award of Distinction).  

Memories of Sept. 11 always come back

Maybe it’s just a sign I’m getting old, but whenever the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks comes around, despite my understanding of linear time, I’m often taken aback thinking about the fact that there are adults walking around that have no memory of a pre-9/11 world. So, I wonder what their understanding of that day is like. If you lived through it, how do you explain that day? Ask any Millennial and they’ll tell you a story that usually starts with, “I had just started college and …” In my case, that’s literally true. I was two weeks into college. I’d never lived on my own before, there was only one other person from North Scott at the same college, and everything was new. Sept. 11 was a Tuesday. I had an early English pre-req class that day. My classmates and I dragged ourselves into the basement classroom and waited. And our professor didn’t show up. Somebody went and asked the building secretary what we were supposed to do. That’s the day we learned, if your professor doesn’t show up to class, you can just leave. Somebody wrote a note on the board. “We were here. You weren’t.” And we all groused out of the building, complaining that we’d gotten out of bed that day for no good reason. I went back to my dorm room. I didn’t have class again until the afternoon, but I didn’t want to totally fall asleep, so I flipped on the TV. The Today show happened to be on, and I left it there for noise. Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were their usual chipper selves, but something was going on. They went to a live shot of the World Trade Center, where smoke was pouring out of one of the buildings. Everyone was confused, but they thought maybe a plane had struck the building. Was it intentional? Was it an accident? Nobody knew, but they said they’d keep an eye on it. Then the second plane hit. I remember the Today show team went completely silent, except for audible gasps. Things somehow happened very quickly and very slowly after that. What I remember most about the day was how it seemed to contract and expand as events unfolded. Eventually, my floor mates started to come in from their early classes. They didn’t know anything was happening yet, but you could tell who turned on their TV as soon as they got in their room because yelps and screams started to emerge as more people got back. A girl in the room next to mine burst into tears. “Are we going to die?” she asked. One of her roommates reminded her that we weren’t anywhere near New York City. That did nothing to quell the girl’s tears. Although we still didn’t know each other very well, my floor mates and I started wandering into each other’s rooms. Every door was propped open. Across the hall, somebody just started flipping through the channels. Every station had switched to some form of the news except for Cartoon Network and QVC. Even MTV tried covering the news with their veejays, before finally giving up and just switching to a feed from CBS. By this point, they were talking about terrorism. Then, as we watched the World Trade Center smolder and smoke, we heard a vague report about an explosion at the Pentagon. I don’t remember when we heard about the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. I remember them cutting to a shot of the Pentagon with smoke pouring out. I remember calling home at some point. And I remember suddenly feeling the need to go for a walk. As I stepped outside, I remember it being so quiet. No one was driving. There was hardly anyone outside. My school was in the flight path for the Des Moines International Airport, and we could usually hear planes. But they were all grounded by that point. I walked into the student center, where a huge group was gathered around one of the large TVs in the lobby. They were just watching, and no one said anything. Every TV in the building was on a news station, and it was a cacophony of anchors. But the images were the same. Back in my dorm room, my roommates were finally back from class. We sat on my bed and watched as the towers collapsed. Did we understand we’d just watched thousands of people die live on TV? As afternoon approached, a girl from my freshman seminar walked into my room. We just sort of shrugged and headed off to class because we literally didn’t know what else we were supposed to do. Seminar was in the library that day. We were supposed to be learning about the peer tutoring center. Instead, as the center director muttered something about rescheduling, she helped my professor drag an ancient portable TV into the room. As my professor fiddled with the bunny ears, Tom Brokaw came into focus in black and white. He was talking with some guy about Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. We knew about al-Qaeda. We knew they were responsible for terrorist attacks elsewhere. Even though they’d attacked a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Cole, about a year earlier, that was still the prevailing thought. Despite living through the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, terrorist attacks were still things that happened ... other places. They didn’t happen in the United States. We thought we were somehow immune. Later, one of my roommates got off the phone with her parents. “They told me to go to the gas station,” she said, dazed. So, we did. Because we didn’t know what else to do. Turns out my roommate’s parents weren’t the only ones with that idea. There was a line at the nearest gas station. We lived with the TV on for 24 hours a day for nearly a week. George W. Bush made speeches. There was footage of first responders digging through the rubble at all three attack sites. The school ordered extra copies of the free daily newspapers in the student center, including The New York Times and USA Today. I think I still have mine tucked away somewhere. One of the ecumenical groups on campus asked the school to keep the chapel completely open. They organized memorial reflection times. Come to the chapel, they said. If you want to pray, you can pray. If you want to cry, you can cry. If you just want to sit, you can do that, too. So, we did. By the end of the week, there was a story in the student newspaper about a group of students who were studying in London for the semester. They went to a memorial service at Westminster Abbey and saw Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. And they said it was weird being away from the United States. They were sad and scared. We were all sad and scared. That’s the thing, for me, that would be the hardest thing to explain to someone with a post-9/11 worldview. The split-second change that happened in the world. The overwhelming feeling of mourning. Everything was fine, and then it wasn’t. There is, of course, a coda to the story, even if it took nearly 10 years to materialize. I was working that night, at another newspaper, and they were starting to wrap up in the newsroom when we got word that President Barack Obama was going to be giving a speech. A quick check of Wikipedia informs me that the announcement of the speech would have been at about 8:45 p.m., so this was highly unusual. In any event, I trotted out to the press room to tell the operators to start pulling page plates off. Speculation was rife. Presidents don’t just give late night speeches. I was still on Twitter then, and suddenly Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson posted that bin Laden was dead. Everyone was confused, because why was that something Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would know? But then news agencies started confirming Johnson’s announcement. As Obama started speaking, people gathered outside the White House, and they were celebrating. Inexplicably, a beach ball appeared, and people bounced it through the air. Personally, I just felt old. The memories from that day came flooding back. As well as memories of everything that happened in the interim. This is ineloquent. I don’t know how to explain the way of the world before Sept. 11, and I don’t know how to explain the stark dividing line between pre- and post-9/11. But the feeling — the knowledge that everything had irrevocably changed — was instant. I know that we all suddenly felt weight on us that wasn’t there before. It was just a Tuesday, after all. Until it wasn’t. 

Remembering “the man,” Wendell Berry

The Midwest is a boring place, and no one ever leaves. It is an old joke that when settlers came out of the east, dull and easily contented ones stayed in the Midwest. “Good enough,” they said, setting the enduring character of the place. Wendell Berry’s ancestors stopped in Port Royal, Ky., just over the Appalachian ridge along the Indiana border. Berry, a farmer, writer and environmentalist who died last week at 92, spent nearly his entire life in Port Royal. He kept a small organic farm and wrote novels, poems and essays, most of which argued that  cruelty and carelessness in the natural world was at the root of cruelty and careless in much of American life. Berry’s arguments inspired the modern Slow Food movement and its careful attention to the social costs of agriculture. “Eating is an agricultural act,” Berry famously wrote in 1989, a sentence so stupefyingly obvious that it is essentially just stubborn. It nevertheless inspired a generation of writers and ordinary people to consider the public as well as the personal effects of what they eat. It is in this right that Berry became most famous: humble practitioner of an antique form of life, inviting—or inciting—others to join his cause. I have been reading Wendell Berry off and on for many years. My copy of his selected essays, The World-Ending Fire, is ink-stained from a former newspaper job where I helped to run the printing press and would pick up the book when the machine inevitably shut down. Berry, naturally, distrusted machines. He never owned a computer. I liked Berry when I picked him up. Too much. Sometimes reading a morally and spiritual pure writer like Berry gives you a kind of vicarious moral and spiritual purity, which is the sort of self-satisfied feeling Berry disliked. But there was another reason I took to Berry: my parents had taken to him, too, so much so that when I was six years old, they left the city where we lived to bring an old New England dairy farm back to life. My parents have a Berrylike abundance of will and singlemindedness, but they are neither of them especially literary. I do not know how much Wendell Berry they have actually read, and how much they got secondhand, through writers like Michael Pollan and Alice Waters who transformed his writing into a public mission. I never saw a Wendell Berry book on the shelves of our house. If they had any sense or affinity for his politics, it was only insofar as they could be assimilated to a broader environmentalism and belief in hard work they both maintained as ordinary liberals. When I called my dad last week, he said that Berry was “the man.” I think for them he was a kind of symbol. Berry has always been a great deal angrier and more sophisticated than most people suppose. No one quietly becomes a symbol. “I must declare my dissatisfaction with movements to promote soil conservation or clear water or clean air or wilderness preservation or sustainable agriculture or community health or the welfare of children,” Berry wrote at his prickliest in 1998. “They are not radical enough, they virtually predict their own failure whole leaving the causes in place. Ultimately, I think, they are insincere; they propose that the trouble is caused by other people; they would like to change policy but not behavior.” Berry’s arguments were prescriptive in a deep moral sense. To follow Berry one had to adopt his attitude toward the land and human culture, both of which he understood as granular things tied together by the idea of place. Then one had to actually find a place, where one could live, eat, raise a family, perhaps farm, and probably worship. (As a Christian and a critic of abortion Berry has always had an uncomfortable position among political progressives. My parents took me to Hebrew school.)         A political cause was only necessary—only possible—once you had your own life and house in order, and something threatened it directly. In 1967 helped block construction of a dam in eastern Kentucky. He joined a sit-in at the Kentucky State House in 2011 to protest pollution caused by the coal industry. When something else bothered him, he wrote out his thoughts and his views for himself, uncompromisingly. Berry was the humble practitioner of an antique form of life, not only because he farmed a marginal acreage in the backwaters of Kentucky, but because he believed personal conscience to be sovereign over every aspect of life. Because it was sovereign it could never be compromised, it had to be kept independent, even willful. He did not allow others to act of think for him. Culture might serve as a guide to action, but only because real culture was identical with the free exercise of conscience in view of one’s particular place in the world. As a consequence of growing up on the farm, I naturally have the sense of place that Berry saw as fertile ground for a decent life. I also have am appreciation for agriculture, especially the diverse kind that Berry preached and my family adopted: chickens, pigs, cows, garden vegetables. Only when I left the farm for college in Chicago did I feel compelled to read Wendell Berry, to make sense of my feelings of remorse for home. Of course I liked what he had to say. I was in the unique, somewhat extraordinary position of owing much of my life and childhood to his writings and the movements they inspired. I had Berry in mind when I decided to move to eastern Iowa and declare it “good enough.” I was picking a new place and Scott County seemed as good as any. I could not farm more than a few porch herbs, but I could write, and I do so with as little compromise as possible.When I accepted the job, I asked Erin Gentz and Scott Campbell if they would help me find a farming family in the rural county with a spare bedroom or garage apartment I could rent, though that came to nothing. Scott County inevitably suffers from the forces of human exploitation and environmental degradation that Berry howled about. It is not redeemed by its agricultural way of life, because that way is set by the mandates of corporate meatpacking and crop insurance and state subsidies and international markets. Berry knew that all of these conspire to destroy the diversity and human scale of Midwestern agricultural as it once was. Berry will live many afterlives, and some of them may be in Iowa. Chris Jones, the Democrat running for state secretary of agriculture, wrote last week that “Berry saw how this country took the dignity away from labor in the name of efficiency, and how this tore the soul from rural America.” Jones has promised a new agriculture agenda that would encourage on-farm diversity and bring more local food to Iowa schools. Republican Zach Lahn, candidate for governor, reads Berry’s poetry to his children and has promised to tackle agriculture giants. He told Tucker Carlson last fall that “a lot of my campaign comes down to a question I came across while reading an essay by Wendell Berry.” The question, if I have identified the essay correctly, is “What will this do to our community?” Berry would have bristled at either appropriation—he distrusted movements even as he seeded them. He was a kind of prophet, singular and relentless. He was as intransigent as the draft horses he led into his nineties. May “the man” rest in peace.

1986: John Langenhan named principal at Virgil Grissom

Sept. 9, 1976 • There would be no contest for North Scott School Board, as incumbents Robert Carter and Dr. Marvin Elliott were the only candidates to file their papers for the Sept. 14 election. In addition to school board, North Scott voters were also being asked to consider reapproving a capital improvement levy, which would require a simple majority. • Approximately 350 families were camping at Scott County Park as part of the state convention for the National Campers and Hikers Association. Young campers planned to conduct a teen queen contest, which would be held at Happy Joe’s in Eldridge. The Eldridge Businessmen’s Association was also providing special offers at local businesses. • An unusual fire destroyed the home of the John Davis family in rural Eldridge. Firefighters extinguished a blaze in the kitchen, but one day later, the fire reignited and engulfed the entire home. No one was injured, but the Davis family lost all their belongings, and the community was rallying around them to get temporary housing, clothing and other items. • North Scott sophomore Teresa Davis was headed to New South Wales, Australia, to participate in a student exchange program at the Kinross-Wolaroi School in Orange, where her uncle was a teacher. Toni White, a student at the school in Orange, was set to attend North Scott High School for the fall. White would return to Australia two weeks before Davis was scheduled to depart and planned to show her the sights. Meanwhile, White said the U.S. and Australia were very similar, and her only major adjustment was learning to drive on the right-hand side of the road with left-side steering. • A reception was scheduled at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge to celebrate Rev. and Mrs. Ronald Jesperson’s 35th anniversary of joining the ministry. Rev. Jesperson was ordained in 1941, three weeks after he and Delores Holmgaard were married. They had served congregations in Nebraska, Texas, and elsewhere in Iowa, before accepting a call to join the Eldridge church in 1970. Mrs. Jesperson was also a home economics teacher at North Scott High School. Sept. 10, 1986 • A local option sales tax measure proposed by Davenport could force the rest of the county to participate if voters approved the measure in the November election. If approved, county sales tax would increase from four to five percent on Jan. 1, 1987. The increased sales tax was project to raise more than $9.8 million, which Davenport wanted to use for property tax relief, capital improvements and economic development. Davenport mayor Thom Hart said he didn’t want to force other communities in Scott County to enact the increased tax, but that was the way state law required the measure to be put forth. He also said maintaining Davenport’s economic viability was important to the whole county. • John Langenhan, a sixth-grade teacher at Virgil Grissom, was named the new principal of the Princeton elementary school. One of 30 applicants and six finalists for the job, Langenhan said he was “looking forward to continuing my commitment to quality education and to the Princeton area.” He had been a teacher at the school for 10 years and said it had always been one of his goals to be in administration. Karen Lortz, who previously held the position, left the district to take a job near Cedar Rapids. • Scott County supervisor David Dahlin resigned from the board. He had previously served as county clerk before being appointed to the board in January to fill the seat held by Thom Hart when he became mayor of Davenport. The seat was up for election in November. • Lois Porter of Davenport, formerly of Eldridge, had attended her first Pythian Sisters annual state convention in 1936, and enjoyed it so much, she had attended every state convention since – except for one year when the convention was cancelled due to World War II. She joined the Pythian Sisters in 1925 when she was 16 and held many titles within the organization, including Grand Chief of Iowa during the war, which required her to travel around the state. Her husband, Joe, and her father, Albert Oetzmann, were members of the Knights of Pythias, and her sister, Verna Warnecke, was a member of the Pythian Sisters chapter in Walcott. The service organizations did many charitable works, including providing wheelchairs and crutches to people in the community. • The North Scott boys’ golf team upset Davenport Central at Duck Creek Golf Course and carded a school record 193 in the process. John Franklin took medalist honors with a 36. Chad Kazos followed with a 38, while Buddy Louck and Matt Dobbe fired twin 39s and Mike Schneckloth turned in a 41. This was the Lancers’ third consecutive win, putting their season mark at 3-4 so far. Sept. 12, 2001 • The North Scott School Board resolved a controversy involving rental fees for school facilities. In August, a non-profit group that wanted to host a volleyball tournament protested the fee. They said they could have been charged as much as $300 to use the facilities. Superintendent Tim Dose was the policy was reexamined by the board’s policy committee. They recommended not charging a facility fee but instead charging for the cost of a supervisor and custodians. “We’ll see how it works,” he said. • Two fires kept rural firefighters very busy. The first, on Sept. 5, broke out in a barn on the Karl Otte farm in rural Princeton. The barn, which was made of wood and full of hay, was destroyed, but firefighters were able to save several nearby buildings, including a hog shed and a milk barn. They also had to return to the farm several times over the next few days to put out hot spots. McCausland fire chief Rob McCaughey said the cause of the fire was believed to be electrical. On Sept. 7, firefighters responded to a fire near the Interstate 80/Maysville blacktop crossing where a machine shed owned by Scott County Lawns caught on fire. Six Davenport firefighters sustained “blast injuries” when a box of fireworks stored under a wooden bench inside the building also exploded. The cause of the fire was yet to be determined. • The Eldridge City Council haggled over, and eventually tabled, an ordinance that would have seen the mayor’s pay increase from $2,400 annually to $4,800. Mayor Larry Rauch said he wasn’t “willing to work for nothing. I’m just not that humble. And I don’t see everybody else turning back their paychecks. So, I would appreciate a raise.” However, only three council members present at the meeting, and Marc Brandt was not in favor of the raise. Brad Noel and John Strazewski said they favored an increase to $3,600. They decided to table the issue until council member Tom Knapper returned at the next meeting. Meanwhile, Rauch also announced he planned to run for reelection in November and said he wanted to see some new faces on the ballot. • Duane Miller of Eldridge helped play host to a group of international labor officials visiting the Quad Cities. The group featured members from Taiwan, Namibia, Australia and Egypt. Miller helped guide a tour of the AT&T Pioneers Museum at the AT&T Building in downtown Davenport. He said, in addition to questions about the artifacts at the museum, group members also asked about labor relations, including unionization. They planned to meet with various union workers for the City of Moline and the UFCW Local 431 office in Davenport before touring the Oscar Mayer plant. Later in the trip, they were also set to visit the Ron and Marcella Schneckloth farm.  • One week after a disappointing 13-7 loss to Muscatine in the season opener, the North Scott football team bounced back with a 20-0 win over Clinton at home. Fullback Ben Anderson scored three touchdowns on the night. Meanwhile, defensive end Jimmy Goddard, who worked at the Wal-Mart in Clinton, said he had a plan for the next day. “Some of my coworkers have been heckling me all week as to who was going to win the game. So, now I feel it necessary to wear my Lancer Power Football shirt to work tomorrow.” Sept. 14, 2011 • Nearly 100 McCausland residents turned up for a meeting with representatives of the U.S. Postal Service. Also present were members of the Scott County Board of Supervisors and representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin and U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley. While USPS representatives had few answers as to why the town’s post office was on the chopping block again, organizer Lloyd Claussen said he was pleased so many residents showed up to demonstrate support. • Princeton residents showed up to a city council meeting to protest a decision to change the name of Boll’s Community Center to the Princeton Community Center. The council had made the change in March on a recommendation from the Community Center Board because much of the business for the center came from out-of-town residents. Regardless, the council had bigger concerns about the community center, because it was losing money. • Low reading proficiency scores for North Scott eighth graders may have been a statistical anomaly, curriculum director Sue Kane reported to the school board. While a July report indicated that only 39% of eighth graders were reading at grade level, that was only according to one standardized test, the Basic Reading Inventory.  According to the ITBS/ITED test, eighth graders were testing in the 86th percentile, and in the 82nd percentile on the MAP test. Junior high principal David Griffin said vocabulary caused the main issue in the BRI test. • The North Scott volleyball team finished second at their own invitational, defeating Cedar Rapids Xavier, Clinton, Davenport West and Central DeWitt before falling to Iowa City High in the championship. Emily Hermiston had 28 kills on the day. Hannah Lindaman dished out 97 assists, and Anna Boffeli finished the day with 58 digs. • Members of North Scott’s Homecoming court included Kasey Denison, Paige Ehrecke, Hannah Wilkerson, Shalynn Eldredge-McMillan, Lauren Cota, Nicole McCombs, Ellen Jelinske, Mary Cunningham, Lindsay Puls and Kerri Golinghorst, and Ben Ihrig, Thomas Cawiezell, Patryk Cotti, Keenan Feldpausch, Brian Speer, John Kinney, Austin Belk, Devin Johnson, Brandon Polzin and Tanner Johnson. Retired teacher and coach Steve Mohr was named grand marshal of the parade. Sept. 8, 2021 • A memorial trip around Scott County was planned by area first responders in honor of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. After stopping at area fire stations, the procession would culminate in LeClaire, where a steel beam from the World Trade Center would be permanently installed. The memorial would also feature two walls, representing the Twin Towers, and a pentagon shaped base. County Emergency Management Agency director Brian Payne was set to speak at the installation. He remembered watching the attacks in class as a sophomore at Davenport West High School. “The think I remember most is the country coming together as one,” he said. “I saw the country truly banded together. Some angry, some sad, but still together.” • There would be a contest in Eldridge in the November election, as Frank King announced he would take on incumbent mayor Marty O’Boyle. Meanwhile, April Rus, Tisha Bousselot and Dan Collins were circulating papers for council. Incumbent Brian Dockery previously announced plans to run for reelection. • Meanwhile, there would also be a contest for North Scott School Board, as Frank Wood took out papers. Incumbents Donn Wilmott, Tracy Lindaman and Mark Pratt had already announced they planned to run for reelection. • As city administrator Lisa Kotter remained on paid leave pending the results of a harassment investigation against her, the Eldridge City Council was considering officially promoting wastewater superintendent Tony Rupe to assistant city administrator. He had been filling the role in an interim position since previous assistant city administrator James Martin took a job with Scott County in July. • The North Scott boys’ golf team finished third at the Davenport Assumption Invitational, behind Pleasant Valley and Burlington. Junior John Dobbe placed ninth with a 78. Drew Sacia (82), Zach Johnson (85), Evin Pieper (85), Carter Loehr (86) and Eli Engelkes (90) rounded out the scoring.  

Healthy aging should be the expectation, not the exception

This year, America has lost several people who were part of many of our childhoods and early adulthoods, including Dolly Parton and Chuck Norris. Their deaths came as a shock to many of us because they appeared to be living full, active and independent lives. Perhaps that's because many of us still hold a narrow view of aging. We often picture older adults as frail or living in skilled nursing facilities, making death seem less surprising when it occurs. Yet that stereotype doesn't reflect the reality most people want for themselves or their loved ones. As a community nutrition expert and healthy aging advocate, I want everyone to have the opportunity to live a long, active and independent life. September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to recognize that aging well should be the norm, not the exception. The need to support healthy aging has never been greater. Every day, approximately 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old and by 2034 (only eight years from now), adults age 65 and older are expected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. Nutrition’s role in healthy aging Nearly one in five Iowans is age 65 or older. In fact, 65 of Iowa's 99 counties have at least 20% of their residents in this age group. Many older Iowans enjoy good health; however, chronic diseases, mobility limitations, food insecurity and social isolation remain important challenges. The good news is that nutrition plays a key role in helping older adults maintain their health, independence and quality of life. Healthy aging starts with access to nutritious food. That means living near stores that offer a variety of healthy options, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products. It means being able to afford those foods without having to choose between groceries, medication, housing or other necessities. Opportunities to connect Healthy aging also means having opportunities to connect with others, such as through congregate meal programs, where older adults can enjoy nutritious meals while building friendships and reducing social isolation. For individuals who cannot leave their homes, home-delivered meal programs provide both nourishment and an important connection to the community. Equally important is access to reliable health and nutrition information that empowers people to make informed food and lifestyle choices that support their long-term health. Community support Supporting older adults as they age in place requires more than individual effort. Communities and policymakers play an important role in creating environments that support healthy lifestyles, from reducing food deserts to improving access to safe places for physical activity. While these larger changes take time, resources are available right now that can help older adults improve their health and maintain their independence. Healthy aging is about much more than adding years to life. It's about adding life to those years. By making sure that older adults have access to nutritious food, social connections and reliable health information, we can help more people remain active, independent and engaged in their communities for years to come.   Sarah L. Francis is Morrill Professor and extension state specialist in food and health at Iowa State University.

Let's look after one another

Providing healthcare is the way we take care of each other.  Medicaid supports the elderly and disabled. In 2025 legislators passed The One Big Beautiful Bill.  There are $900 billion in cuts for the next decade, which mean state cuts. Iowa has a high cancer rate and needs those dollars for treatment!  Before voting, check on the candidate’s record and share with family and friends. We must look out for each other!   Rebecca Oliver Moline

Lancer runners beat the heat at Pleasant Valley Spartan Challenge

There are no timeouts or halftime breaks in cross-country. The searing summer heat is a constant obstacle on the course. Even with an 8 a.m. start time Saturday to avoid the worst of the heat, North Scott’s runners posted some standout performances in their lone race last week at Crow Creek Park. The Lancers made the best of their situation this week as training was significantly impacted. “Heat and distance running don’t usually mix very well. I think if you asked the kids, they would tell you racing was pretty miserable,” Lancer coach Amy Knoche said. “We often talk about how racing should be uncomfortable, and Saturday definitely put that to the test.” The cross-country team moved practices to before school each day and reduced the total time spent outside. Tuesday’s originally scheduled meet in Clinton got axed, so the team’s typical weekly mileage was lower than usual. This only added to the complexity of the weekend’s Pleasant Valley Spartan Challenge, which is one of the premier races in the Midwest featuring teams from Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota. “We told them to go out a little conservative, and if they were feeling good after the halfway point to really start racing,” Knoche said. “Crow Creek is already a tough course with all the hills in the last mile, so adding the heat made it even more challenging. “I thought the kids responded really well. They all finished on two feet, which can sometimes be the goal on a day like Saturday. It wasn’t necessarily about running fast times; it was about racing smart, competing, and getting through a tough day.” The standout performance came bright and early with junior Natalie O’Flahrity crossing the finish line in 20 minutes and 55 seconds and placing 25th overall. It was the third-fastest Lancer girls time at the Spartan Challenge since 2018, only behind times set by Bailey Boddicker and Faith Nead. O’Flahrity’s time led North Scott, and it was more than 40 seconds faster than both of her races at this site last year, which included the state qualifying meet. “Natalie got the day going with a phenomenal race. I think she probably wished (the district meet last season) had gone a little better. So, in a way, Saturday was a bit of redemption for her,” Knoche said. “Talking with her after the race, she emphasized trusting her training, having confidence in herself, and going into the race with the right mindset. Those are all things we talk about, but it was great to see her put them into action on a tough day.” Senior Khloe Hamilton was only nine seconds shy of the time she set at Mount Vernon, running a 21:32 race and finishing 40th overall. North Scott had the same top four as it did at Mount Vernon, with sophomores Vivian Ohsann (23:24 — 75th) finishing third and sophomore Zoey Ayers (24:36 — 89th) finishing fourth. Junior Brylee Rathe scored for the Lancers with her 25-minute 19-second race. Senior Emma Reif and freshman Kayla Stortz were merely steps behind at 25:26 and 25:33, respectively. On this brutally tough day, two Lancer boys found personal records: sophomore Logan Carney in the junior varsity race (23:08) and sophomore Bryton Dougherty in the varsity race (18:04). Dougherty was the second-fastest Lancer and finished in the top half of the 140-runner field. “Bryton absolutely crushed it,” Knoche said. “Crow Creek is a tough course to PR on. To add the heat on top of that makes his 20-second PR even more impressive. Talking with him after the race, he said this was the best his legs had ever felt going into a race. He knew there was going to be adversity during the race, and he had the right frame of mind to accept that, deal with it, and overcome it. It was great to see him make that leap.” Senior Parker Hamly led the team with a 17:27 time and a 32nd-place finish. He and senior Ben Clayton (18:09 — 65th), along with Hamilton in the girls’ race, finished with nearly identical times from the Mount Vernon meet two weeks ago. “Consistency is key in the distance world, and Parker, Ben and Khloe bring it every day,” Knoche said. “To back up their times from last week, especially in those conditions, says a lot about their experience and their ability to race smart. They continue to be dependable for us, and that’s something we really value.” The next five Lancer boys all finished within 30 seconds of one another: junior Zeke Skyles (19:06), freshman Jeremiah Stanley (19:08), sophomore Cooper Esch (19:24), freshman William Crawford (19:32) and Miles Unwin (19:36). Compared to last week, this Thursday has a chilly 81-degree forecasted high temperature, which runners hope will make for another personal-record haven at Cedar Rapids’ Seminole Valley Park. Afterwards, North Scott will look ahead to its home meet on Sept. 15 at Scott County Park.

Gary Hamann to mark 80th birthday with Sept. 26 party

Gary Hamann of Walcott will celebrate his 80th birthday with a party on Saturday, Sept. 26. All friends and relatives are invited to join him from 4-7 p.m. at the Walcott Legion, 121 Bryant St., Walcott. 

Obituary: William Carter

William K. Carter, 66, of Princeton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at his home. A memorial visitation will be held from 3–5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Memorials may be made in care of the family. William was born on Nov. 20, 1958, the son of Kenneth K. and Lowenne R. (Osterberg) Carter. William enjoyed many things, but nothing brought him greater joy than his guitar and spending time with his loving family. Those left to honor his memory are his son, James (Heather) Carter; his grandchildren, Erica Voshell, Anthony Carter, Veronica Carter, Devin Engle, Erica Engle and Alex Engle; six great-grandchildren; his sister, Jolene Springsteen; and his brother, Paul (Cindy) Carter. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother-in-law, Mark Springsteen. Online condolences may be shared with William’s family at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.   Custom obituary

North Scott Class of '76 holds reunion

The North Scott Class of 1976 celebrated their 50th class reunion on Aug. 21 and 22.  On Friday the 21st, there was a get reacquainted get together at Double Barrell in Eldridge.  On Saturday the 22nd, the fun started first with a tour of the RIC building followed by a tour of the High School.  Then a gathering was held at the Isaak Walton League.   Besides Illinois and Iowa, classmates came from Tennessee, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Nevada and Minnesota. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid program offered Oct. 22

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid training for adults who work with youth ages 6 to 18. This educational program is designed to help adults help young people with mental health challenges. The program will be offered in-person in Scott County on Oct. 22. Youth Mental Health First Aid introduces common mental health and substance use challenges in youth and reviews typical adolescent development. Participants will learn a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. “Participants learn how to comfortably talk to a child or teen about mental health. It’s not an easy conversation, but it is important and can save a young person’s life,” Danielle Day said. ISU Extension and Outreach will offer Youth Mental Health First Aid in person on Thursday, Oct. 22,  at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Scott County, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Ste B, Bettendorf, IA 52722. The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This program is being offered at no cost thanks to sponsorship from ISU Extension and Outreach, Scott County. Lunch is provided and registration is required by Oct. 8. Register online for the program at  https://go.iastate.edu/BSZYWD. For more information, contact Dawn Dunnegan, at dunnegan@iastate.edu.

UNI foundry center receives state funding

The University of Northern Iowa will use state funding to expand the capabilities of its foundry center. The Cedar Falls university announced that the Iowa Economic Development Authority has awarded UNI with $970,000 through its Strategic Infrastructure Program. Funds will go to purchasing new equipment for the Foundry 4.0 Center, an off-campus facility focused on exploring new technologies for the foundry industry alongside the university’s Metal Casting Center. “This funding will go a long way to keep the facility and equipment operating in a way to support ongoing research,” said Stewart Carter, head of UNI’s Department of Applied Engineering, in a news release. The funding will be used to purchase a 3D sand printer and an induction furnace for the foundry center, according to the release. The center will use the sand printer to “create complex molds and cores directly from digital designs,” the release stated, cutting down on time and effort. The induction furnace will increase the center’s capacity to melt metal for research and industry work. With this new equipment, the foundry center will be better equipped to support student learning and collaboration with Iowa companies, the release stated. Metal Casting Center Associate Director Nathaniel Bryant collaborated with industry partners to show the center’s need for new equipment and submitted the application for funding, the release stated. “This is quite a humbling moment for me,” Bryant said in the release. “UNI has given me so much, and it is about time I am able to give back something notable. This is only the beginning of more great things to come from the Metal Casting Center.”

Bettendorf to break ground on new police station

The ceremony is at 4 p.m. and KWQC will livestream the event.

View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the Sept. 9 NSP!

THURSDAY, AUG. 27 4:04 a.m. — Daviana Monae Kirkwood, 21, Davenport, was cited for OWI – 1st offense, no valid driver’s license and violation of financial liability coverage, following a traffic stop in the 3800 block of South 1st Street, Eldridge. FRIDAY, AUG. 28 11:37 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 13800 block of 118th Avenue, Davenport. The individual returned to the store to pay for the items and received a lifetime notice of no trespassing for the property. 4:01 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 100 block of Depot Street. 5:48 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem. 6:01 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 4200 block of North Elsie Avenue. 6:07 p.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint in the 11100 block of 140th Street Place. 10:16 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a missing person in the 1000 block of Reynolds Street. SATURDAY, AUG. 29 12:29 a.m. — Derrick D. Conn, 39, Milwaukee, Wis., was cited for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 1st offense, following a traffic stop near North Division and West Lombard streets, Davenport. 1:00 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near Coonhunters Road and 127th Street, where a vehicle driven by Slaud Idanan Lafosse, 84, Blue Grass, struck a deer that entered the roadway. 1:53 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 1700 block of State Street. 2:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 7200 block of Northwest Boulevard. 3:58 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 17900 block of Great River Road. 6:00 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near 110th Avenue and 130th Street, where a vehicle driven by Kossi Sekpona, 47, Silvis, Ill., struck a deer that entered the roadway. 7:51 a.m. — Cali Mae Stoddard, 30, Blue Grass, was charged with domestic abuse assault – 1st offense, after deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 11800 block of 100th Avenue, Davenport. 9:28 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 10200 block of 298th Street. 12:30 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 100 block of South Genessee Street. 3:18 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 11300 block of 140tj Street/ 10:46 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check near 300th Street and 220th Avenue. 11:20 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an assault in the 4800 block of State Street. SUNDAY, AUG. 30 2:17 a.m. — Jessica Dorene Barr, 35, Davenport, was cited for OWI – 1st offense, following a traffic stop near 60th Avenue and New Liberty Road, Walcott. 3:07 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 5:44 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near Slopertown Road and North Division Street. 6:34 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 10:54 a.m. — Aaron M. Voorhis, 37, no address given, was cited for driving while barred (habitual offender), following a traffic stop on 270th Street, Eldridge. 8:50 p.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint in the 28100 block of 120th Avenue. 9:15 p.m. — Dallas Rye Overstreet, 20, no address given, was arrested on an outstanding interstate warrant, following an incident in the 5400 block of Valley Drive, Bettendorf. 9:55 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance on Park View Drive. 10:53 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of North Highway 67. MONDAY, AUG. 31 7:37 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 13800 block of 118th Avenue. 8:44 a.m. — Deputies responded to an indecency/lewdness complaint in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 9:01 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 6900 block of Grove Crossing Court. 9:20 a.m. — Deputies responded to a fraud complaint in the 500 block of Belmont Road. 9:39 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 10:32 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 2300 block of West Locust Street. 10:58 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of Fillmore Street. 12:48 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a juvenile problem in the 9500 block of 160th Street. 1:42 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 2:14 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of West 14th Street. 2:15 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 700 block of 3rd Street. 3:26 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 4:21 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 9:03 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 23300 block of 115th Avenue. TUESDAY, SEPT. 1 12:23 a.m. — Jamie Lee Johnston, 45, no address given, was arrested on an outstanding intrastate warrant, following an incident in the 22300 block of 20th Avenue, Stockton. 5:38 a.m. — Deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident in the 4800 block of State Street. A vehicle driven by Randy James Perkins Jr., 44, Davenport, was travelling through the parking lot at Arconic. He reportedly failed to properly stop at a stop sign and struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The pedestrian self-transported to an area hospital. 6:24 a.m. — Elias Eldon Burke, 40, no address given, was cited for possession of a controlled substance, driving while license denied, suspended, cancelled or revoked and operation without registration, following a traffic stop near mile marker 292 on Interstate 80 East, Davenport. 7:38 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 600 block of Belmont Road, Bettendorf. A vehicle driven by Lori Lynn House, 47, Bettendorf, attempted to make a left turn out of the parking lot at Pleasant Valley High School. She drove into the path of a motorcycle operated by Samantha Sue Royse, 36, Bettendorf. While the vehicles never collided, the motorcycle dumped out due to an abrupt stop. Royse and a passenger on the motorcycle were transported by Medic to Genesis East Medical Center. House was cited for failure to yield on a left turn. 8:54 a.m. — Kylie Rebecca Wilson, 23, no address given, was cited for unlawful passing of a school bus, following an incident in the 10500 block of 140th Street, Davenport. 9:23 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 4800 block of State Street. 3:21 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of West 7th Street. 5:41 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 11000 block of 141st Street. 6:54 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem. 8:28 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 100 block of Park Avenue South. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2 12:43 a.m. — Richard G. Titus, 46, no address given, was arrested on an outstanding interstate warrant and charged with possession of a controlled substance (non-marijuana) – 3rd or subsequent offense, assault on persons in certain occupations (bodily injury), interference with official acts (bodily injury) and public intoxication – 1st offense, following an incident in the 2300 block of West River Drive, Davenport. 2:07 a.m. — Marcus Leonard Taylor, 56, no address given, was charged with failure to appear on a warrant, contempt (violation of a no contact or protective order) and providing false identification information, and cited for driving while license denied, suspended, cancelled or revoked and violation of financial liability coverage, following a traffic stop in the 100 block of West 65th Street, Davenport. 9:45 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 600 block of North Highway 67. 10:29 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 11:31 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance near North Division Street and West Dover Court. 12:27 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 600 block of West Oak Street. 12:51 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 16900 block of 275th Street. 1:05 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of West 4th Street. 3:46 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 700 block of East 14th Street. 5:28 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 2900 block of North Plainview Road. 6:17 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a burglary/home invasion in the 200 block of Filmore Street. 6:21 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fraud complaint in the 5900 block of 230th Street. 6:56 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a missing person in the 27100 block of 183rd Avenue Place. 8:19 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 25500 block of 210th Avenue. 8:34 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near West 35th Street and Wisconsin Avenue. 9:50 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of North Highway 67. 9:52 p.m. — Annalisa Silva Teneyuque, 29, no address given, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for violation of financial liability coverage and failure to maintain control, after deputies responded to the scene of a motor vehicle accident in the 11200 block of 140th Street Place, Davenport. THURSDAY, SEPT. 3 1:08 a.m. — Bobby Ray Ulman, 47, no address given, was charge with OWI – 1st offense and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 2nd offense, following an incident in the 2300 block of West River Drive, Davenport. 2:06 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a burglary/home invasion in the 3200 block of Marquette Street. 3:48 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 2400 block of West 47th Street. 4:19 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident near 140th Street and Interstate 280 East, Davenport. A vehicle driven by Jason R. Black, 53, Moline, was stopped at the end of the Interstate 280 exit ramp, waiting to turn onto 140th Street. He was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Khamel I. Glancey, 30, Moline. Glancey was cited for following too closely. 8:53 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 400 block of East 7th Street. 10:29 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 12:22 p.m. — Deputies responded to an abuse/neglect claim in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 1:02 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage. 2:14 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 4:22 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 20600 block of 310th Street. 6:00 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an assault in the 4700 block of Tremont Avenue. 6:54 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident in the 2800 block of West Locust Street. A vehicle driven by Thomas R. Shipman, 75, Port Byron, Ill., was traveling through the grounds of the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Shipman’s vehicle struck an ice cream trailer that was parked. 6:56 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 10900 block of 160th Street. 11:06 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 700 block of North Meadows Court. FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 12:48 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft near East 46th and Brady streets. 1:19 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of West Kimberly Road. 5:02 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of West Prairie Vista Drive. 12:38 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 8300 block of 130th Street.          

North Scott turns slow start into strong finish

It was far from the prettiest of wins, but North Scott got itself back on track last Friday. Behind a defense that allowed 144 yards of total offense, the Lancers defeated Cedar Rapids Washington 21-3 on a sweltering September night as the scarlet and silver improved to 1-1. “I told the guys anytime you win a football game, enjoy it,” Lancer coach Tony Stewart said. “Obviously, we wish things went down a little differently at times. But you get nine guaranteed opportunities, and we’re going to enjoy it.” Washington had 12 possessions in the game and did not run a play inside of North Scott’s 20-yard line all night. North Scott did not allow Washington any room to breathe on offense. The Warriors mustered just 20 passing yards on 11 attempts, and their jumbo formations were limited to 3.8 yards per carry. “The key was watching film, actually,” said senior Aaron Bergfeld, who led North Scott with 7.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the game. “Our coaches came up with this really smart move for our outside linebackers to stop that run, and we stopped them. And it comes down to everybody being physical. Our line stuffing the crap out of them. Our backers filling hard. Safeties, corners, everyone doing their job.” Washington went three-and-out five times, punted twice, lost two fumbles and turned the ball over on downs twice in its non-scoring drives. Senior Christian Perez was credited with one forced fumble while juniors Evan Kuhn and Drake Reitz recorded the recoveries. The Warriors’ lone points came on a 47-yard field goal with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter. “Once we know those teams are broken, we are going to keep our foot down and stomp them. That’s kind of what we did tonight,” Bergfeld said. “After last week, it feels incredible to get this done. All the guys are tired. Some are hurt. But the feeling of pushing through all of it and coming out with the ‘W’ is just unmatched.” “If the defense plays like that every week, we’re always going to have a chance,” Stewart said. “We have to do a better job on the offensive end at times.” While the Lancer offense was ice cold in week one, it showed flashes of its explosive nature from a year ago. It also showed it still has a long way to go to get back to that point. North Scott did not punt in the first half of Friday’s game. That sounds great, except that the Lancers threw three interceptions and turned the ball over on downs twice. All three interceptions came within the first four drives. The other drive ended in a beautiful end zone ball to senior Ryder Maher delivered by senior Miller Haedt for the game’s first points. Junior Conlan Panther entered the game at quarterback for the Lancers’ fifth drive, with Haedt next to him in the backfield. Haedt rushed for 20 yards on the first play. He sustained an injury on the next play and did not return. “That was not a reactive thing with Miller. We have full confidence in Miller at quarterback,” Stewart said. “I know he had a few picks, and those are things we’ll work through. We had planned, so we could get more dynamic, with (Haedt) at running back and Conlan in the game. When I talked to Miller, he said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ “You saw the first two runs. I’d love to say I regret it, but I don’t. That’s exactly what we were looking for. Miller is a running quarterback anyway. He got hit on that second play and dinged his shoulder. It could’ve happened on any regular running play. It’s just really unfortunate.” Midway through the third quarter, with the scoreboard reading 7-3, there were more than a few nervous fans on the home side of Lancer Stadium. Then, Landon Gronewold happened. The junior wide receiver took a simple 10-yard out route 68 yards down the home sideline, shaking one defender and outrunning three more for a game-breaking touchdown. It came off of a play action bootleg that Panther lobbied to run again. “I saw he was wide open. There was another play where I told our coaches to run that play because he was wide open, and I threw it to him again,” Panther said. “Me and Landon, we’ve had chemistry since we were kids. I knew he would get it done.” As Washington’s death-by-papercuts offense proved ineffective, Panther put the game away himself with a two-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Panther completed 11 of 23 passes for 157 yards and had a hand in both of North Scott’s second-half touchdowns. Senior Gage Wagner continued to lead the backfield with 14 carries for 87 yards. Haedt was trending toward a great day on the ground, with six rushes for 59 yards, before sustaining his injury. Gronewold ended the night as North Scott’s leading receiver with 77 yards. Senior Ryan Block hauled in nine passes for 67 yards, and Maher caught four passes for 44 yards and a touchdown. “I knew I had to help the team get the win. Miller going out with the injury, we had to step up,” Panther said. “All of our linemen played great. We have a lot of young guys, freshmen and sophomores, stepping up. Our run game and outside zone was there. Our passing game, it was there when it was needed.” Nothing came easy in this game with the extreme heat warning only complicating matters on Friday and throughout the week. North Scott practiced late at night for most of the week, and then switched to a 5:45 a.m. session on Thursday. On gameday, it became a mental battle. “We knew both of us were playing a lot of guys both ways. A lot of football. We had to mentally out-tough them so we could physically out-tough them,” Stewart said. “And it was a physical game. They have some good players. I thought at halftime our coaches got into our guys about toughening up. Make sure they’re staying on the field, not asking to come out, things like that. “I finally saw, in the second half, our seniors decided to step up and be the senior leaders they need to be. That’s not always easy, but they got it figured out. I think they’re starting to figure it out. We will need it all year.” The situational spots don’t get any easier as North Scott will take a 146-mile bus ride down Interstate 80 and south toward Pella High School for a ranked matchup. The Dutch eked by North Scott 10-3 last season and eventually made the state semifinals. Pella beat a good Ballard team 13-0 in week one, but dropped a 7-3 decision at home to Waverly-Shell Rock last time out. The Dutch are only averaging 3.4 yards per carry through two weeks. That is perhaps why they are throwing the ball more times than they run (61 passing attempts to 55 rushing attempts).

'At the end of the day, a win is a win'

The streak continues. For the fourth consecutive season, North Scott volleyball has won a five-set match. The Lancers are used to going the distance against elite teams like Pleasant Valley, Davenport Assumption and Clear Creek-Amana. Having to do so against Davenport North introduced an entirely new experience. From down two sets to one, North Scott got across the finish line 25-20, 21-25, 17-25, 25-16, 15-2 at home on Tuesday (Sept. 1) against the now 2-13 Wildcats. “I would hope we stop (the five-set streak),” joked Lancer coach Taylor Ingram. “I don’t want to continue that, to be honest. I’d rather take care of business in three. At the end of the day, a win is a win. We’ll take it, and we’ll move on.” Coming off of four excellent matches to start the season, everybody in The Pit expected to be in and out of the gym in around an hour. North went 7-24 last year, was 2-7 to start this year, and has not beaten North Scott in volleyball in over two decades. Instead, the match lasted more than two hours with North thoroughly outplaying North Scott in the second and third sets. “I don’t think we gave enough respect to North,” Ingram said. “They came ready to play. We came in very lax, and they took advantage. Kudos to them for winning two sets. I think they played very well. “We were working through some lineups and changes with different girls on the floor. Showing people different roles and how they would adhere to challenges. At the end of the day, a win is a win. That’s a positive. We’ll go back to work on what we need to work on.” The first set, 25-20, went more or less as expected. But North started the second and third sets in front and never looked back, stunning and quieting the home crowd. “I think it was more of a mental thing today. We came out nervous for some reason,” Ingram said. “We weren’t sticking to the things we were working on, and it showed. At the serve-receive line, I don’t know what happened.” North Scott only served at an 82.8 percent clip. North was not much better from an efficiency standpoint at 84.8 percent, but the Wildcats matched the Lancers with 15 aces. The home side put its nose in front in the fourth set, leading 11-6 and forcing North to call a timeout. Four straight Wildcat points brought the margin to two. From 16-14, the Lancers won nine of the next 12 points to take the set and force a decider. After rotating as many as 11 players into the game, Ingram found a lineup that worked. “They understood that they’re going to score points. Once we found our rhythm, calmed down, took deep breaths, we looked like us,” Ingram said. “We came out so timid and I don’t know why. We are great athletes. We are so deep in every role that we have. But I feel like we were playing to not make mistakes instead of playing to win. That’s what it looked like to us (coaches).” North Scott nearly pitched a perfect game in the fifth set. It only surrendered two points — both service errors. Service runs by seniors Eisley Weinert and Kamilah Eller clinched the match. “We made our serves, served aggressively and took care of first ball contact,” Ingram said. “Serving and receiving is going to win games. You can have bouncers all day long, but if you can’t pass the first ball, it does us no good. You can’t run an offense from the 20-foot line. We showed that tonight. Staying in-system, staying in-rhythm, and being calm in the chaos.” Weinert had six aces and 32 assists, both of which led the team. Eller had a team-high 17 kills on 32 attempts, and also a team-best .375 kill efficiency. Junior Adelynn Temple had 20 digs. Junior Brinley Schroeder joined her in double digits with 12 digs. North Scott had 18 blocks as a team, led by senior Katie Moeller with five and seniors Alyssa Schroeder and Sydney Soppe with four each. “We’re going to have nerves. A rebuild season. A whole new roster. We’re going to have those moments,” Ingram said. “That’s OK. I would rather have them now than later.” The win moved North Scott to 4-1 on the season. It also cemented its spot inside the Class 5A rankings, debuting at No. 14. Over the weekend, North Scott traveled to Mount Vernon for the Shirley Ryan Invitational, featuring top teams from across eastern Iowa. North Scott went 1-2 in pool play, defeating 4A No. 15 Pella (14-21, 21-17, 15-10) but falling to 4A No. 7 Davenport Assumption (9-21, 15-21) and Waterloo Columbus (21-23, 19-21). The matchup against Assumption provided partiular intrigue considering the two teams would square off three days later in The Pit for a best-of-five conference matchup. Assumption dominated the match and has now won consecutive contests against the Lancers. North Scott had just 12 kills in the match and had a kill efficiency of .070.  Eller, Soppe and Brinley Schroeder all had three kills. Weinert distributed 10 assists and tied for the team lead with three digs. Eller, senior Olivia Graham and Temple also had three digs. The team struggled again from behind the service line. it had zero aces and an 81.5 serve efficiency. The win over Pella showed some improvements with a .172 kill efficiency and an 87 percent serve efficiency. Eller and Soppe each had five kills while Alyssa Schroeder and sophomore Kaylee Ervin had four kills. Ervin collected her kills on only four swings. Weinert had 12 assists while junior Kenna Kibler pitched in with seven. Temple led North Scott with eight digs while Brinley Schroeder backed her up with seven digs. The Schroeders combined for five blocks, with Alyssa rejecting three and Brinley swatting two. After Tuesday's rematch with Assumption, North Scott will head to Iowa City West on Saturday for a 12-school invitational.

Iowa ranks first in participation per state in prep sports

High schools are the heartbeat of Iowa’s sporting world, and the data is only getting stronger. The Hawkeye State ranked first in the nation in participation per state population in prep sports, according to the annual NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey released Aug. 27. Iowa ranked 31st nationally for population in the 2020 census, but was 21st in participation for the third consecutive year in the NFHS survey with 145,730 total entries. Per the NFHS survey, that is up 4.6 percent from last year, when Iowa still led the nation for the highest rate of participation per population. The Iowa High School Athletic Association oversees boys’ activities and featured 83,415 participants while seeing an increase in participants in all 11 sanctioned sports. The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union governs girls’ sports and had 62,315 participants for its 11 sports, topping 60,000 for the first time since 2008-2009. “The results of this year’s survey demonstrate the continued importance of education-based athletics to Iowa’s students, their parents, their schools and their communities,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said. “To see an increase in participation, particularly when Iowa experienced a decrease in student enrollment, is a testament to the value of the programs our schools offer. We congratulate our administrators, coaches, and officials for their commitment to our young people through athletics.” The growth in Iowa’s boys’ sports was spearheaded by football, golf, wrestling, and track and field. These four sports combined to increase by more than 2,500 participants. IHSAA football featured 19,383 participants, marking its highest statewide total since 2015-16. Nationwide, football remains the top sport for participation with over one million boys listed in high school programs. Volleyball remains the top girls’ sport in Iowa with 11,480 participants. Of note, Girls’ basketball saw its first increase of more than 100 participants for the first time since 2007-2008. The survey indicated that more than 8.4 million participants were involved in high school sports in 2025-26, which is an increase of approximately 150,000 from the previous school year. Texas (911,405) and California (859,022) remained atop the list of state participation by a significant margin. Among the fastest-growing sports across the country are girls’ wrestling and girls’ flag football. Participation in girls’ flag football grew 48.7 percent last year and topped 100,000 participants. Girls’ wrestling is not far behind. Participation increased 19.9 percent from 2024-25 and has 88,771 participants. Overall, 75 percent of the share of national growth in high school sports is attributed to girls’ sports. Participation increased by 3.2 percent compared to 0.8 percent among boys. “We are pleased to see the number of students involved in high school sports continuing to rise every year,” NFHS executive director Davis Whitfield said. “Education-based sports within our nation’s schools is a privilege not available in most other countries, and we are thankful these opportunities continue to expand. “We salute the coaches, athletic directors, and school administrators for making these experiences happen, especially with some of the recent growth in several emerging sports. It is great to see new sport opportunities created to involve as many students as possible in high school sports.”

Everybody eats in tennis team sweeps

North Scott’s tennis players posted a true team effort last week in 9-0 wins against Davenport North and Davenport Assumption. 11 different Lancers saw varsity court time, and all of them earned victories. Freshmen Alise Pins, Livia Blanche, and Molly Regan all made their varsity debuts against North. Pins and Regan each won their singles matches handily, while Regan and Blanche teamed up in doubles for a 6-2, 6-0 win. In Monday’s dual, sophomore Kelsey Clayton played up at No. 1 singles, freshman Sloan Varner played at No. 2 singles, junior Olivia Uhlenkamp played at No. 3 singles, junior Chloe Rickertsen played at No. 4 singles, and Regan and Pins played at No. 5 and No. 6. “Those players have worked hard this season, and it was nice to see them step into those spots and secure the win,” Lancer coach Emily Jepsen said. “The conference wins were great to get. We need to continue to build off of those wins into the conference tournament and postseason play.” North Scott rolled out its normal lineup on Thursday against Assumption. 1A No. 3 Lea Patrick was unavailable for the dual, hampering the Knights’ chances. Senior Maddy Jepsen remains unbeaten in singles sets at 18-0. She added scores of 6-1 and 6-2 against the Knights’ fill-in No. 1 Charley Diiulio. Freshman Claire Jepsen improved to 7-4 in singles with a routine 6-0, 6-1 win over Hope Papish. Senior Victoria Samara won 6-1, 6-1 over Clara Reagan, and senior Ava Pins won a shortened match due to a retirement by her opponent. The highlight of the week came from Samara and Pins in doubles. The pair won a wild 18-16 match tiebreak to defeat Diiulio and Alexis Steining late Thursday. “We had a great crowd watching our meet versus Assumption, and playing under the lights was a fun experience for the girls as well,” Jepsen said. “Assumption was missing its No. 1 player, so that changed its doubles lineup. Tori and Ava showed grit during the tiebreaker. They started off 0-6 in the tiebreaker and then won six in a row to tie it up. They continued to battle in a very tight tiebreaker to get the win, which was a great moment for both.” North Scott has just one regular season dual remaining before the postseason begins. That matchup is on Thursday at home on senior night against Bettendorf. The Mississippi Athletic Conference tournament begins on Sept. 16 with medal matches taking place the following day. The Lancers did get some bad news as the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union did not grant North Scott a host site assignment for the individual state qualifying tournament. Potential travel spots for the tournament on Sept. 23 include Iowa City High, Iowa City West and Linn-Mar.

Girls swim at Central Triangular

The North Scott girls’ swim team headed right back to the Davenport Central natatorium for a triangular last week. After competing in the season-opening invitational on Aug. 29, the Lancers swam against the Blue Devils and Rock Island Rocks in a triangular on Wednesday, Sept. 2. Davenport Central won the meet with 76 team points. Rock Island finished just behind with 66 points, and North Scott came in third with 24 points. The team’s best performance came in the 200-yard medley relay, with the ‘A’ team taking second place in 2:22.78 and the ‘B’ team taking fourth place in 2:50.02. Sophomore Madyson Sparkman had the best individual performance of the meet with a bronze medal in the 500-yard freestyle. In this test of endurance, Sparkman posted a 6:30.74 time to take third. North Scott had a litany of fourth-place finishes at the meet. In addition to the 200-yard freestyle relay (2:04.18), the team got individual placements here from senior Madelyn La Plante in the 100-yard backstroke (1:21.41), junior Olivia Durkin in the 200-yard freestyle (2:28.64) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:27.92), and Sparkman in the 100-yard butterfly (1:13.78). Securing fifth-place finishes on Wednesday included La Plante in the 200-yard individual medley (3:07.58), freshman Rylie O’Flahrity in the 50-yard freestyle (34.72 seconds), freshman Tori Gruenhagen in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:32.18), and eighth grader Kaylee Mose in the 100-yard freestyle (1:18.51). Senior Lillian Farro raced in the 100-yard breaststroke to a time of 1:58.15. Freshman Jessenia Webb’s best event came in the 50-yard freestyle. She swam to the end of the pool and back in 36.38 seconds. Webb also raced in the 100-yard backstroke with sophomore Julie Enlow. Webb clocked a time of 1:31.12, and Enlow finished in 1:45.28. After a full week off, North Scott will be back in the pool on Sept. 12 for the massive Linn-Mar Girls Invitational featuring eight of the top 10 scoring teams at the state meet last year. In total, 14 teams are in attendance: Ames, Bettendorf, Burlington, Cedar Falls, Dowling Catholic, Dubuque Senior, Linn-Mar, Mason City, North Scott, Pleasant Valley, Southeast Polk, Wahlert Catholic, Waukee, and Waukee Northwest.

View the Eldridge Police report from the Sept. 9 NSP!

MONDAY, AUG. 31 5:59 a.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 200 block of South 1st Street. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 3:55 p.m. — Assisted a subject with picking up a runaway juvenile in the 200 block of West Davies Street. Handled by officer. 7:41 p.m. — Complaint of juveniles causing a disturbance in the 200 block of South 1st Street.  Handled by officer. TUESDAY, SEPT. 1 12:44 a.m. — Liam McDonnell, 25, of Eldridge, was cited for operation without registration, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. 6:16 a.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 200 block of North 4th Avenue. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 9:07 a.m. — Assisted another agency with serving a warrant in the 9400 block of Granite Way. 3:59 p.m. — Report taken for a dog bite in the 200 block of West Harvest Street. 5:36 p.m. — Chloe Koske, 30, of Davenport, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 100 block of South 3rd Avenue. 6:09 p.m. — Complaint of a disturbance in the 100 block of West Spring Street. Handled by officer. 6:49 p.m. — Performed a welfare check in the 700 block of North 1st Street. Handled by officer. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2 7:28 a.m. — Complaint of a reckless driver near North Buttermilk and West LeClaire roads. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 12:27 p.m. — Performed a welfare check in the 600 block of West Oak Street. Handled by officer. 9:01 p.m. — Lamarcus Cole, 50, of Eldridge, was arrested for OWI – 1st offense, no insurance and leaving the scene of an accident, following a two-vehicle accident near North 1st Street and East LeClaire Road. THURSDAY, SEPT. 3 6:49 a.m. — Complaint of a reckless driver on Highway 61. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 10:03 a.m. — Assisted a resident in the 800 block of East Iowa Street with a civil issue. Handled by officer. 10:27 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of East Price Street. 12:18 p.m. — Complaint of suspicious activity in the 800 block of South 7th Street Court. Handled by officer. 8:50 p.m. — Brennon Boeding, 15, of Princeton, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near East LeClaire and North Scott Park roads. FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 5:02 a.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of West Prairie Vista Drive. Handled by officer. 7:07 a.m. — Complaint of a reckless driver on Highway 61. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 8:41 a.m. — Assisted a resident in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. Handled by officer. 10:49 a.m. — Report of a parking complaint in the 500 block of Harry Herbert Drive. Handled by officer. 12:43 p.m. — David Paulsen, 50, of Long Grove, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for violation of a protective order, following an incident in the 400 block of East LeClaire Road.

Davenport police to provide update on officer-involved shooting

The Davenport Police Chief Greg Behning will provide an update on last week’s officer-involved shooting.

Smithsonian chief Lonnie G. Bunch III resigns

Bunch has spent the last few months defending the Smithsonian against attacks from President Trump. In a statement, Bunch says he leaves with "mixed emotions."

Gift of Giving - Rescued

In August 2026, Necker's partnered with the Rescued for the Gift of Giving.

How Caroline Rose threw out the rulebook on their latest album

Caroline Rose's new album, Gentling the Horse at the Walt Whitman Mall, is out Oct. 23.

Girl Scouts announce 2 new cookies for 2027 cookie season

Girl Scouts is introducing two new cookies for the 2027 Cookie Season; one that’s allergy friendly and one that’s created just for dogs. Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois announced two first-of-their-kind additions to the 2027 Girl Scout Cookie lineup. Patch Pals, developed with BARK, and Girl Scout Sparkables, developed with Partake, make [...]

Rock Island-Milan school superintendent to give State of the Schools address Tuesday

KWQC will livestream the address on KWQC+.

Rally for Breast Cancer raises $35K for Trinity Health Foundation

Trinity Health Foundation recently received a $35,000 donation from the Pinnacle Country Club Rally for Breast Cancer to support breast cancer screenings and diagnostic services access for people in need. This is the largest donation the event has made to date. Funds were raised through Pinnacle Country Club’s annual golf outing fundraiser, which celebrated its [...]

Homeless single mother decries recent eviction in Rock Island

A former tenant of a Project NOW-run rental property is speaking out over what she feels was an unfair eviction that’s left her and her children homeless.

University of Iowa student taken off life support after heat-related collapse at Hawkeyes game

A University of Iowa student was taken off of life support Monday night after his family said he collapsed at Saturday’s football game.

6 trends shaping the 2026 e-commerce holiday season

6 trends shaping the 2026 e-commerce holiday seasonFor e-commerce brands, peak season is no longer a single, isolated surge centered around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the weeks leading up to New Year’s. In 2026, that Q4-focused approach is becoming less reliable.Economic pressures, consumer expectations, trade regulations, AI, and supply chain challenges are all evolving faster than historical trends can predict. This dynamic environment is reshaping holiday sales periods and the way businesses prepare for them.The result is a longer, more complex seasonal calendar, especially for brands selling internationally.And the impact extends well beyond the calendar. It affects staffing, inventory, fulfillment, and the broader economics of seasonality.Six distinct trends are shaping the 2026 holiday season:Holiday shopping keeps starting earlier.Customer expectations are still rising.International demand is driving growth.Inventory and fulfillment strategies are evolving.AI is changing holiday e-commerce.Tariffs, customs, and conflict are rewriting the rulebook.Passport takes a closer look at each one.1. Holiday Shopping Starts EarlierAs the holiday shopping season begins earlier, businesses need to prepare earlier, too.Cash-strapped consumers are starting their holiday shopping sooner as they plan purchases and look for deals ahead of the traditional schedule.Economic uncertainty and concerns about rising prices are encouraging shoppers to be more deliberate about when and where they spend, extending the buying period and shifting demand forward.As consumers become more selective about how they allocate their budgets, many are taking advantage of early deals rather than waiting for holiday sales. Demand that was once clustered around Black Friday and Cyber Monday is now building much earlier.For businesses, this changes the timing of peak season preparation. Inventory, fulfillment capacity, promotions, and customer support need to be ready long before the conventional rush begins. Waiting until Q4 to prepare is no longer a viable option.However, an extended shopping window can also be an operational advantage. A more gradual, sustained increase in demand may be easier to manage than a concentrated spike. But that benefit depends on having the infrastructure and operational flexibility to support customers consistently throughout a longer season.The holiday season is becoming less about preparing for a few high-volume weeks and more about managing elevated demand over several months.2. Customer Expectations Are RisingWhile consumers are becoming more budget-conscious toward gift and shipping prices, their expectations are only rising.Shoppers are paying closer attention to the value they receive with every purchase while still expecting a convenient experience across checkout, delivery, and returns.Competitive pricing can help appeal to customers who are carefully considering what they get for their money.Clear pricing also extends beyond the product itself. Customers want transparency around shipping costs, taxes, and other charges that affect the final price. As shoppers plan their purchases more carefully, surprise costs can quickly lead to abandoned carts.A convenient checkout experience is also key to maximizing conversions during peak season. Limited payment options or a time-consuming checkout process can drive customers away, particularly when they’re already comparing options across multiple sites.Delivery also remains critical to customer satisfaction. Fast, reliable, and predictable shipping is particularly challenging—yet essential—during the holidays, when customers are often purchasing gifts on a deadline. Unclear or unreliable delivery promises introduce unnecessary friction.The same goes for returns. Straightforward return processes can reduce uncertainty and give customers greater confidence when purchasing, particularly when buying gifts or size-specific products.3. International Demand Is Driving GrowthAs domestic demand becomes less predictable and international order fulfillment gains accessibility, e-commerce brands are looking across borders for new sources of peak-season revenue.Expanding into new markets diversifies a brand’s customer base, shopping cycles, and sources of demand. It also opens the door to more regional shopping events throughout the year.The timing of international demand can vary, but that can be an advantage for brands equipped to manage it. Different countries have different holiday calendars, creating opportunities beyond the traditional Western holiday season.A global approach can extend the window in which e-commerce brands capture seasonal demand. Brands that do this effectively can benefit from regional peaks throughout the year.International expansion can also provide stability if domestic demand falters. Rather than relying on a single market to drive peak season growth, e-commerce brands can use global markets to offset regional downturns.But international expansion is no small undertaking. To create a localized experience, brands should consider:Shipping terms and landed costsCurrencies and payment methodsTranslations, cultural sensitivities, and customer preferencesCross-border selling can also be a practical way to test international demand before making larger investments in a new market. Even a month’s worth of data on order volume, customer behavior, shipping economics, and other performance metrics can reveal whether further investment is justified.As more retail moves online and shoppers become increasingly comfortable with international transactions, cross-border sales offer new levers for growth and a layer of insulation against economic volatility.4. Fulfillment Strategies Are EvolvingAs shopping trends continue to shift, it’s more important than ever for e-commerce operations to have flexibility built in. Leaders are looking for ways to make delivery faster and more reliable while managing higher transit costs and global supply chain disruptions.These pressures are prompting e-commerce brands to reconsider where they position inventory. While centralized inventory has traditionally been the go-to solution for operational simplicity, distributed inventory can offer greater flexibility in uncertain times.In-country fulfillment, for example, significantly reduces the distance products travel to reach international customers, lowering transit times and, at scale, overall costs. This model can make it easier to provide faster, more reliable delivery while allowing brands to import inventory in bulk rather than shipping each order across borders individually. Strategically positioning inventory may help reduce certain transportation and fulfillment costs.Brands don’t necessarily need to build extensive international infrastructure themselves. The prevalence of flexible third-party logistics (3PL) services has lowered the upfront investment needed to get started and scale quickly.Distributed inventory can help brands balance shipping speed, reliability, transportation economics, and flexibility in the face of uncertainty. That balance is increasingly important as peak season becomes less predictable.Fulfillment models designed for a short holiday surge may be less effective during a longer season of elevated demand.5. AI Is Changing Holiday CommerceAI is playing an increasingly important role in both the customer-facing and operational sides of holiday shopping.As consumer habits diverge from historical trends, e-commerce brands are turning to AI to inform projections, improve productivity, and respond more efficiently to rapid market shifts.On the customer side, AI is changing how people discover and evaluate products, reshaping the shopping journey itself.At the same time, brands can use AI tools to analyze demand and identify market shifts. Real-time analysis supports faster decision-making as brands prepare for fluctuating demand during the 2026 peak season.More responsive forecasting can inform decisions around inventory, fulfillment capacity, and customer support, helping teams adjust as conditions change rather than relying solely on historical patterns.AI is helping brands analyze trends across markets and identify risks and opportunities more quickly. For e-commerce companies becoming more geographically distributed, the ability to analyze real-time performance at scale is critical.AI can support the omnichannel experiences consumers increasingly expect, helping brands manage more complex shopping journeys and customer interactions across channels.For e-commerce leaders, AI is another tool for navigating the uncertainty and variability of peak season commerce. Its value lies less in replacing existing planning processes and more in helping teams make faster, better-informed decisions.6. Tariffs, Customs, and Global Uncertainty Are Reshaping StrategyPeak season in 2026 is unfolding against a backdrop of trade wars, evolving customs frameworks, and geopolitical instability. Together, these forces are influencing how brands approach the holidays.Import data reveals that U.S. businesses are stocking up earlier to reduce their exposure to potential tariffs, with surges starting as early as May rather than the usual late-summer rush.Tariff changes directly affect import costs, pricing decisions, and product contribution margins. For brands selling across borders, shifts in trade policy can alter the economics of a market and require adjustments to pricing or sourcing strategies.Evolving customs regulations add another layer of complexity, especially for sellers with low-cost products that previously benefited from de minimis exemptions.E-commerce brands around the world are updating their compliance procedures in response to changes in U.S. and EU customs regulations.Fluctuating fuel prices add another variable, potentially changing the economics of existing shipping and fulfillment strategies.Geopolitical conflict and broader global instability create additional uncertainty throughout transportation networks and supply chains.These conditions make cost visibility on every order more important than ever. In a volatile environment, costs and margins can change quickly.Beyond shipping, storage, and order fulfillment, these trends may influence where brands source materials, which markets they prioritize, and how they structure pricing and promotions.For that reason, e-commerce strategies for peak season 2026 need to account for volatility. An offer that works under today’s conditions may require a different approach as transportation costs or customs requirements change.The brands best positioned to navigate peak season will be those that can adjust to rapidly changing economic, regulatory, and geopolitical conditions. Flexibility is now an essential part of international planning rather than simply a contingency plan.Key Takeaways: The New Peak Season PlaybookThough the rules are being rewritten, several consistent trends can help guide e-commerce brands through these unpredictable conditions. Consider the following priorities as you prepare for peak season:Start preparing earlier – Consumer demand is spreading across a longer holiday shopping window, requiring earlier planning for operations, staffing, and inventory. (There's no time like the present.)Protect the customer experience – Transparent pricing, reliable delivery, and easy returns are increasingly essential for conversion and retention.Think globally – International demand is more accessible than ever. Expanding beyond your home market can diversify your customer base and help stabilize revenue during regional downturns.Build flexibility into fulfillment: Brands need infrastructure that can adapt to changing economic conditions at a moment’s notice. Distributed inventory can help improve delivery speed while keeping fulfillment more cost-effective.Use AI strategically: Better forecasting and faster decision-making can help brands navigate real-time changes. When historical trends fall short, AI-powered analysis can help close the gap.Plan for regulatory uncertainty: Tariffs, customs, transportation costs, and geopolitical events should be factored into risk management and contingency plans. Brands should also explore opportunities to position inventory for more favorable tax and tariff treatment.Taken together, these trends point to a 2026 peak retail season that is longer and less predictable. Brands that prepare for the unexpected will be better equipped to adapt as conditions change.This story was produced by Passport and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

What $4,000 rent gets you in New York City’s most popular neighborhoods

What $4,000 rent gets you in New York City’s most popular neighborhoodsWhen searching for an apartment in New York, renters know they're going to pay a premium. New York consistently logs the highest rents in the country, and prices can range by thousands of dollars depending on where you look.From a solo three-bedroom in parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx to a small studio in some sought-after Manhattan neighborhoods, location has a major impact on how far your money goes.So, what can you get in New York with a $4,000 budget, just 5% below the city’s average rent, and where can renters find the most space for their budget? Apartments.com breaks it down.Key TakeawaysWith New York's average rent of $4,196/month, more than half of the city's most-searched neighborhoods are possibilities, but Manhattan's priciest areas may be out of reach.Briarwood offers the most square footage per dollar of any popular neighborhood in the city.The Upper West Side and Long Island City sit within $40 of each other in average one-bedroom rent, despite being on opposite sides of the city.A Breakdown of Rent Across 19 NYC Neighborhoods Apartments.com Here’s what renters can expect in 19 neighborhoods across New York. Apartments.com NYC’s Most Affordable NeighborhoodsDespite New York’s high rents and cost of living, renters can find pockets of affordability throughout the city. Queens, the Bronx, and parts of Brooklyn are great places to start if you’re looking to live alone without breaking the bank. In several neighborhoods, renters with a $4,000 rent budget could rent a two- or three-bedroom apartment on their own.Belmont, the BronxAverage one-bedroom rent in Belmont: $1,417/monthAverage one-bedroom size in Belmont: 425 sq ftAverage three-bedroom rent in Belmont: $2,666/monthBelmont stands out for the variety of things to do nearby. Arthur Avenue anchors the neighborhood with Italian restaurants, bakeries, markets, and specialty shops, while the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden put major green spaces and attractions close by.A $4,000 rent budget is well over Belmont’s average rent for a three-bedroom apartment, giving renters plenty of options here. A renter shopping with $4,000 could get a three-bedroom apartment, while still coming in under budget.Jerome Park, the BronxAverage one-bedroom rent in Jerome Park: $1,487/monthAverage one-bedroom size in Jerome Park: 418 sq ftAverage three-bedroom rent in Jerome Park: $2,065/monthRenters who value parks and transit access can find a great balance in Jerome Park. The neighborhood is centered around the Jerome Park Reservoir, and Van Cortlandt Park and the New York Botanical Garden are both nearby. Lehman College adds another local anchor, and multiple bus and subway options make it a great spot for commuters.With three-bedroom apartments in Jerome Park averaging $2,065 per month, a $4,000 rent budget can go far. A renter could get a renovated 881-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment right across from Jerome Park Reservoir.East New York, BrooklynAverage one-bedroom rent in East New York: $1,841/monthAverage one-bedroom size in East New York: 565 sq ftAverage three-bedroom rent in East New York: $2,056/monthEast New York gives renters room to spread out while still offering strong connections to the rest of the city. Multiple subway and bus lines make commuting practical, while neighborhood shopping and everyday services are spread throughout the area. Renters also have access to outdoor space, including nearby Shirley Chisholm State Park, which adds trails, waterfront views, and recreation to the mix.In East New York, a $4,000 rent budget could get a renter a 1,000-square-foot three-bedroom apartment all to themselves or split a similar floor plan with a roommate to save money without sacrificing privacy.Briarwood, QueensAverage one-bedroom rent in Briarwood: $1,842/monthAverage one-bedroom size in Briarwood: 689 sq ftAverage three-bedroom rent in Briarwood: $3,430/monthBriarwood offers a quieter, more residential setting without giving up convenient access to the rest of the city. The E and F subway lines provide a direct link to Midtown Manhattan, but there’s plenty to do at home as well. Jamaica Center and several parks are within easy reach, giving renters access to shopping and community spaces.Most of the rental inventory in Briarwood is managed by independent landlords, and renters have their pick of three-bedroom apartments or townhomes under $4,000.NYC’s Most Expensive NeighborhoodsIn many parts of the city, $4,000 is just enough to buy access to a convenient location. Renters searching in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn may have to compromise on amenities and building modernity to buy a private living space or share an apartment with a roommate to get more square footage.Nolita, ManhattanAverage one-bedroom rent in Nolita: $4,538/monthAverage one-bedroom size in Nolita: 450 sq ftAverage two-bedroom size in Nolita: $5,146/month ($2,573/person)A renter with a $4,000 budget is working with significantly less than Nolita’s average one-bedroom rent, so the search is likely to lean toward shared apartments. Two-bedrooms would fall within a $4,000 budget when split with a roommate.Nolita’s prices make more sense when viewed through its location; the neighborhood puts renters amid a dense mix of restaurants, boutiques, nightlife, and Lower Manhattan destinations, with SoHo and other downtown neighborhoods close by.Financial District, ManhattanAverage one-bedroom rent in Financial District: $5,190/monthAverage one-bedroom size in Financial District: 596 sq ftAverage studio rent in Financial District: $3,989/monthThe Financial District offers one of the most convenient downtown lifestyles in Manhattan. Renters are surrounded by major subway lines, waterfront paths, restaurants, offices, and landmarks like Battery Park and the World Trade Center, making it easy to get around without a car. The neighborhood also mixes historic streets with newer high-rise apartment buildings, so renters can find a more modern residential experience in one of the city’s oldest districts.Studio rents in the Financial District run close to the $4,000 budget because of the prime location, but renters could still find luxury studios for around $4,000.Chelsea, ManhattanAverage one-bedroom rent in Chelsea: $5,390/monthAverage one-bedroom size in Chelsea: 599 sq ftAverage studio rent in Chelsea: $3,986/monthChelsea stands out for its mix of culture, dining, nightlife, shopping, and public space. The High Line runs through the neighborhood, Chelsea Market adds food and retail options, and the area’s galleries and performance venues give renters plenty to do close to home. Transit is also a major strength, with several subway lines and easy access to other parts of Manhattan.While a $4,000 budget may not go as far in Chelsea as in Queens or Brooklyn, a renter could get a furnished studio within walking distance of Madison Square Garden.Hudson Yards, ManhattanAverage one-bedroom rent in Hudson Yards: $5,710/monthAverage one-bedroom size in Hudson Yards: 582 sq ftAverage studio rent in Hudson Yards: $4,323/monthHudson Yards offers a newer, more polished version of Manhattan living. The neighborhood is filled with modern high-rises, restaurants, shopping, public plazas, and easy access to the High Line and Bella Abzug Park. The 7 train connects the neighborhood to Midtown and Queens, while Penn Station is also nearby for additional subway and commuter rail options.While the average studio rent in Hudson Yards exceeds the $4,000 budget, renters may be able to find a hidden gem.Ready to Find Your Home in NYC?A $4,000 budget opens up plenty of possibilities in New York, but what you get for that money varies dramatically by neighborhood. Renters prioritizing space can stretch their dollars further in neighborhoods like East New York, Briarwood, and Flatbush, while those set on some of Manhattan’s most popular areas may need to trade square footage or amenities for location. Even neighborhoods with nearly identical rents, like the Upper West Side and Long Island City, can offer noticeably different amounts of living space.Ultimately, the right neighborhood depends on what you want your money to buy, whether that’s extra room, convenient transit, or nearby restaurants and nightlife. Compare neighborhoods to find the NYC apartment that best fits your budget and priorities.MethodologyRent and cost of living data were sourced from the Apartments.com Rent Trends pages, Area Guides, and Cost of Living Calculator in August 2026. What $4,000 can afford renters was determined based on the floor plan that offers the most privacy without exceeding $4,000.FAQsWhat’s the average rent in New York City?The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $4,196 per month, as of August 2026.This story was produced by Apartments.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Gift of Giving - August 2026 - Rescued

Gift of Giving - August 2026 - Rescued

How to decide between a p-card and a credit card for business spending

How to decide between a p-card and a credit card for business spendingA purchasing card, known as a p-card, is a company-issued charge card built for routine procurement, paid in full each cycle, with pre-spend controls that block out-of-policy purchases at the register. A business credit card is a revolving line of credit built for flexibility, with rewards and broader controls that the finance team reviews after the fact. The two products enforce policy in opposite ways: P-cards prevent, credit cards detect.Most mid-market teams end up running both, or a single modern corporate card program that combines attributes of both cards. This guide from Ramp covers the six differences that help decide the choice, when each card fits, and how the two are starting to overlap in 2026.What is a p-card?A purchasing card or p-card is a company-issued commercial charge card used for routine business procurement. It replaces the traditional purchase order chain (requisition, manager approval, PO issuance, invoice matching, three-way match, payment) with a card that carries the approval logic.The employee swipes or enters the card at an approved vendor for an approved category and within an approved amount, and the transaction clears. Anything outside those parameters gets declined at the point of sale. Because the controls sit in front of the purchase, most of the traditional accounts payable paperwork goes away.There are two design details that define a p-card:Balance paid in full each cycle: P-cards work like charge cards, not credit cards. There's no rolling balance, no interest accrual, and no minimum payment.Granular, vendor-level controls: The issuer or your admin team can block specific merchant category codes (MCCs), cap individual transactions at a dollar amount, restrict use to a single vendor, or expire the card after a specific window.P-cards are common in mid-market and enterprise procurement functions, government agencies, and universities. They're most useful for recurring low-value spend like office supplies, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), small tools, and subscription renewals, where the cost of running a full PO cycle outweighs the value of the purchase itself.What is a business credit card?A business credit card is a revolving line of credit issued in the company's name. Unlike a p-card, you can carry a balance from cycle to cycle, pay a portion, or pay in full, with interest accruing on any unpaid balance.The controls for business credit cards are broader. You typically get one credit limit for the account (or per cardholder), a set of merchant categories that can be blocked but usually aren't, and monthly spend visibility through a statement or a linked expense platform. Enforcement is post-purchase: The transaction clears first, then someone in finance reviews it for policy compliance and coding.Business credit cards are also designed to be flexible. They fund travel and entertainment, emergency purchases, marketing spend, one-off vendor payments that fall outside a formal procurement process, and any other expense where the specific vendor and amount are hard to predict in advance. Most come with rewards like cash back, points, or travel benefits, which p-cards typically don't.P-cards vs credit cards: 6 main differences Ramp Payment termsP-cards require that the balance be paid in full every billing cycle. There's no revolving credit and no interest.Business credit cards let you either pay in full or carry a balance. Carrying a balance triggers APR, which on business cards can reach the high 20s. If your team has cash-flow gaps, that flexibility is valuable.Spending controlsP-cards run on pre-spend controls. The card is preconfigured to block whole categories of merchants, cap the transaction size, or restrict users to a specific vendor. A cardholder trying to buy something outside those bounds is declined at the register.Business credit cards mostly run on post-spend controls. The transaction clears first, and your finance team catches out-of-policy spend during the monthly review, which is usually weeks after the purchase.Use casesP-cards are built for known, recurring, low-value procurement like office supplies, safety equipment, ongoing subscriptions, and small operational expenses where the same category and same vendor come up month after month.Business credit cards are more flexible for whatever needs to be paid. This includes travel bookings, client dinners, marketing campaigns, one-off consultant fees, and other general company expenses.Rewards and cash flowP-cards focus on administrative cost reduction instead of rewards. The value comes from cutting the PO cycle for low-value purchases, not from a rewards program.Business credit cards focus more on cashback, points, and travel benefits, and they can materially offset spend at scale.Credit reporting and liabilitySome business credit cards report to the business owner's personal credit, require a personal guarantee, or both. Most p-cards and most true corporate cards from modern issuers don't. If protecting personal credit is a priority, ask specifically about reporting and guarantee terms before you commit.Setup and administrationP-card programs require more setup work because someone has to define which cardholders exist, which categories each card can hit, what per-transaction caps apply, and how the transactions map to your general ledger. That work pays for itself once the program runs.Business credit cards are lighter to stand up. You apply, get approved, hand out cards, and start reviewing statements. The trade-off is more manual policy enforcement downstream.When should I use a p-card?A p-card is the right tool when:The spend category is predictable and recurringThe individual purchases are low-value and high-volumeYou need the compliance controls upstream of the purchase, not downstreamCommon p-card use cases include:Facilities and maintenance teams buying parts, cleaning supplies, or toolsField employees buying materials from hardware storesAdmins renewing subscriptions or handling small vendor paymentsMarketing teams buying event supplies within a pre-approved categoryDepartments running consumables spendWhen should I use a credit card?A business credit card is the right tool when the spend is flexible, hard to predict, or wraps around travel and hospitality:Employee travelClient entertainment and business mealsMarketing spend that varies month over monthEmergency purchasesAny recurring vendor payment where you want rewards on the spendBusiness credit cards work best when policy enforcement is achievable through monthly review. For example, you can either configure a rule that alerts on high-dollar airfare (post-purchase) or you can trust cardholders and audit at close (also post-purchase).Rewards value scales with spend. If your travel and vendor spend runs into six or seven figures a year, a rewards-oriented business credit card is meaningful revenue back.Where p-cards and credit cards overlap in 2026The traditional split, p-card for procurement and credit card for everything else, was a real constraint 10 years ago because most issuers built the two products separately. But now, that's changing.Modern corporate card platforms let you configure a single card program that combines the benefits of both cards:Pre-spend controls at the card level: You can issue a physical or virtual card that only works at specific merchants, only clears transactions under a specific dollar amount, and expires on a specific date. That's p-card behavior on a corporate card.Category-level policies: You can enforce different policies without needing an entirely separate card. The system declines out-of-policy transactions at the register (or flags them post-purchase for line-item review, depending on the category).Vendor-specific virtual cards for recurring spend: Issue a virtual card for a single vendor with a fixed dollar cap, and the card auto-declines any charge above the contracted amountRewards on all spend: Because it's one program instead of two, rewards accrue across every transaction, whether it's a p-card-style procurement purchase or a business credit card-style travel booking.Teams under 500 employees might consider a single corporate card platform that combines attributes of p-cards and credit cards, with controls configured per employee, per department, or per vendor, rather than two separate programs.So, what card should I pick?Choosing between a p-card and a credit card for your business isn’t a binary decision anymore. The controls that used to require a separate p-card program, like category blocks, per-transaction caps, vendor-specific spend, and virtual cards, now live inside modern corporate card platforms as configurable features.The practical question is which combination of controls you need for which spend category, and whether you'd rather run one program with those controls layered in or two separate programs.This story was produced by Ramp and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

How to prepare your car for storage

How to prepare your car for storageIf you’re planning to leave your vehicle idle for an extended period of time—whether exiting the country or overwintering your ride in a Northern climate—the process isn’t as simple as parking it in the garage, lowering the door, and forgetting about it. Failing to complete the proper prep can introduce a laundry list of issues when you return, especially if the car won’t be driven for six months or more.​Ideally, you’ll have the time to thoroughly prepare the vehicle before you leave, ensuring minimal labor is required to return it to road-ready condition once you’re back. From the services that should be completed before parking to the condition you should leave the vehicle in, this guide from Husky Liners covers how to prepare your car for storage—the right way.Can You Store a Car in a Storage Unit?Yes, and you should.​Storing your vehicle indoors is almost always the better option compared to parking outside. Doing so subjects your car to less environmental and weather-related wear and tear, as well as fewer pests and vandals. That said, not everyone has access to indoor storage, like a garage, a shop, or even a covered driveway—so what are the alternatives?​One of the most popular options for long-term storage is a storage unit, namely one specifically designed for automobiles. This is often a worthwhile investment if you’re leaving for an extended period—ideally, for six months to a year. If you’ll leave your vehicle for a shorter or longer period, there are other options.Storing a Car Inside vs. OutsideStoring a vehicle inside vs. outside is a common consideration. On one hand, storing a vehicle indoors offers greater elemental protection—however, if you don’t have access to free storage space, you’ll have to pay to rent a unit large enough for your vehicle.​Alternatively, storing a vehicle outdoors is often inexpensive, if not free, so long as you have a place to park it, such as your own driveway, a friend's or relative's house, or a long-term parking lot. Both storage methods have upsides and downsides. Check out the chart below for a quick comparison: Husky Liners Is Long-Term Storage Right for You?Long-term storage isn’t right for everyone. In some cases, such as leaving the state or country for an extended period, some vehicle owners may find it more convenient or cost-effective to go another route. Alternatives include:​Loaning the vehicle to friends or familyTaking the vehicle with youSelling the vehicleIf you’re still weighing the benefits of long-term storage vs. other options, consider the following factors.How Long Will You Be Gone?There’s a sweet spot for the duration of long-term storage. Anything shorter than six months may warrant loaning the vehicle to a friend or family member, allowing them to drive it occasionally and keep the drivetrain lubricated and the tires from flat-spotting.​Anything over 12 months may be pricey, especially if your vehicle's value is low. In these instances, selling your vehicle may outweigh the cost of long-term storage.​Six to 12 months seems to be the sweet spot, where the cost of long-term storage isn’t outlandish, but your period of absence warrants a well-thought-out storage solution.​Long-Term Storage Price JustificationIf your absence falls within the six- to 12-month period, it’s time to shop around for storage locations. Compare prices at self-storage centers near you. Qualifiers for storage units will depend on your application. However, the general requirements include:​OutdoorFirst floorDrive-up accessRoll-up doorLarge sizing (10 feet x 20–30 feet)How Much Does Car Storage Cost?Storage pricing will vary by location, but average pricing is likely to fall in the $250-$500/month range. Calculate the total cost by multiplying the monthly cost by the number of months you’ll be gone, and determine whether or not you can justify the price. If the total exceeds the value of your vehicle, selling may be the better option.How to Store a Car Long TermIf you’ve settled on storing your vehicle, here are a few tips and tricks to keep it in tip-top shape by the time you return.Wash the Vehicle Inside and OutBefore loading the vehicle into its storage facility, you’ll want to give it a thorough wash inside and out. Not only is this courteous to the facility, but it can also help protect the car during hibernation by removing salt, road grime, and other contaminants.​Thoroughly cleaning the interior is also crucial, as failing to remove food items or packaging could entice insects or rodents.​Fill the Fuel Tank​While it may seem counterintuitive to fill the fuel tank before dropping your vehicle off at storage, it is a crucial preparatory step. The presence of fuel in the fuel tank prevents moisture from building up, which can corrode metal tanks from the inside out. Skip this step, and you can end up with nasty fuel-system-clogging varnish and rust in the fuel tank.​Use a Fuel Stabilizer​Believe it or not, fuel has a remarkably short shelf life. For pure gasoline, shelf life is approximately six months. Ethanol-based fuels, including ethanol mixtures like E10, can begin degrading in as little as one to three months. When storing your vehicle for more than three months, add fuel stabilizer to the tank to prevent the fuel from oxidizing.​Change the Oil​Before parking your vehicle for storage, it’s a good idea to change the oil. Used oil has a shorter lifespan than fresh oil and lubricates worse. Additionally, fresh oil will cling to mechanical parts better, helping prevent internal corrosion.​Top Off Fluids​As with the fuel system, topping off fluids in a vehicle’s other systems before storage will help prevent corrosion in brake lines, cooling systems, power steering components, and more.​Tend (to) the Battery​Keeping the battery charged isn’t just convenient for when you go to pull your car out of storage—it’s also good for electrical systems and computer modules. These systems are designed to maintain a constant flow of power—if cut off for extended periods, you may encounter electrical issues when you attempt to power the vehicle for the first time in months.​To prevent these issues, either hook up a low-voltage Battery Tender, also called a trickle charger, or start the vehicle every two to four weeks to keep the battery charged.​Pest Prevention​Especially during the winter months, as temperatures drop, pests like mice and rats love to nest in seemingly abandoned (or long-term stored) vehicles. Before storing your vehicle, it’s best to pest-proof it using over-the-counter methods like peppermint oil (sprayed onto cotton balls and placed under seats), vacuuming any food debris, and filling voids (fire wall holes, exhaust pipes) with steel wool.​Other popular, though not scientifically backed, methods include placing bars of Irish Spring soap or mothballs throughout the vehicle.​Moisture Prevention​Especially if you’re planning to store the car in a damp or humid area, you’ll need to prep the car to prevent mold or mildew. Popular solutions for excessive humidity include purchasing a dehumidifier (for a storage unit or garage with power) or placing silica gel desiccants (dry packs) inside the vehicle to absorb moisture during storage.Disengage the Parking BrakeWhile this point may seem counterintuitive, using a parking brake on a vehicle in storage typically isn’t advised. Engaging the parking brake, especially when parked outside, can lead the parking brake shoes or mechanism to seize. Instead, utilize wheel chocks if parked on the ground. ​Elevate Vehicle​Lastly, consider elevating the vehicle off the tires using jack stands. Doing so does two main things—it prevents the tires from flat-spotting and helps to prevent pests from accessing the vehicle.How to Store an Electric Car Long TermElectric vehicles require some specific considerations when storing long term. While many of the same rules apply, such as washing the vehicle and preventing moisture and pests, other, more unique recommendations include: Plugging in the vehicleMaintaining the high-voltage battery at approximately 50% chargeDisconnecting the 12-volt battery supply What to Do When You Get BackWhen you return to your vehicle, don’t just hop in and go. After sitting for several months, it’s best to start slowly, thoroughly inspect the vehicle, and be mindful of any issues that may have arisen during storage. Before driving:​Remove any pest repellants or desiccants.Check tire pressure and fluid levels.Inspect the vehicle for any new damage or signs of pests.Allow the vehicle to build oil pressure.Warm up the vehicle to operating temperature.FAQsQ: Is it better to store a car with a full tank of gas or empty?A: Storing a vehicle with a full tank of gas (with fuel stabilizer) is ideal, since the high fuel level in the tank helps to prevent moisture from accumulating and causing corrosion.Q: Should you change your oil before storing a car?A: Yes, you should. Changing the oil before storing a car ensures the engine has maximum lubricity, prolongs its service life, and allows the oil to cling better to the internals, preventing corrosion.Q: How often should you start a car in storage?A: Starting a car occasionally while in storage is a good way to keep gaskets and mechanical parts lubricated. When dry for excessive periods, gaskets and rubber components can shrink and crack, and mechanical parts can develop mild corrosion and pitting.Q: Do I need insurance if my car is in storage?A: While you have no legal obligation to insure a vehicle that isn’t being driven, maintaining comprehensive coverage is recommended, as it protects the driver from vandalism, fire, or weather damage.This story was produced by Husky Liners and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

TikTok’s fake GLP-1 market preys on women trying to lose weight

TikTok’s fake GLP-1 market preys on women trying to lose weightVictoria Schmidt was scrolling through TikTok last July when the advertisement first appeared: a video of a woman promoting patches purporting to contain GLP-1 medication.The woman described herself as a busy working mom — just like Schmidt. She seemed relatable.“It was a great video. It just had a great hook to it,” Schmidt told The 19th. “It drew you in because it was like, ‘Have you been trying to lose weight? Are you low in energy?’”Schmidt had been struggling with her weight loss and energy. “Let me hear her out,” she thought.Schmidt was nearing 50, and years of dieting and exercise had not helped her reach her weight loss goals. She had wanted to take a traditional GLP-1 medication after a friend raved about her own use, but Schmidt was unsure if it would be right for her. She has one functioning kidney, and while most known kidney-related side effects from GLP-1s are mild, she still worries about long-term impacts.Schmidt researched GLP-1 patches and concluded they might have fewer risks. Those patches, which are not FDA approved, don’t contain GLP-1 medications but are often marketed around weight loss. She went back on TikTok and searched for related videos. Accounts quickly popped up showing people — many of them women — pushing products available on TikTok Shop, the app’s shopping portal. Vendors were promoting a monthly subscription of patches for about $40. Schmidt grabbed her credit card and bought a smaller one-time pack through TikTok Shop for about $4 — she wanted to try it out first.A month later, a package arrived at Schmidt’s home in Texas. She was initially excited, but then felt something was off. The brand she received was different from the one she had ordered. The ingredients didn’t match those on the original product she purchased.She decided not to try the patches.“I honestly felt really stupid,” Schmidt recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh, I just got scammed.’”Schmidt’s experience highlights a pattern of deceptive marketing on TikTok that appears to be fueling a gray market for GLP-1 medications — including “research grade” drugs that are often in powder form. Content about such weight loss drugs on TikTok primarily targets women through sexualized images and videos, according to a new report from UltraViolet, the gender equality organization.GLP-1 medications — best known by brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy — have become increasingly popular in recent years to treat conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. Women, who have higher rates of chronic health conditions, are more likely than men to say they are currently taking GLP-1 drugs.But access has been difficult for a variety of reasons, including cost. In the United States, the average monthly list price of a GLP-1 is between $936 and $1,023, and just some large employer health insurance plans cover the drugs for weight loss. When their popularity caused a shortage in 2022, the FDA allowed compounding pharmacies — which prepare customized medications — to sell ready-mixed GLP-1 drugs. The federal government later walked back that approval after shortages ended, reducing access for many more people.These conditions have allowed the gray market for GLP-1s to flourish online. That visibility, said UltraViolet’s campaign director, Jenna Sherman, is putting pressure on vulnerable women and girls.“Unfortunately, it is not a niche phenomenon,” she said in a statement announcing the report. “If you are a woman on TikTok, especially if you’re middle-aged, it’s likely you have seen this kind of content.”The group analyzed more than 200 TikTok accounts, in two phases between mid-2025 and early 2026, that promoted the unregulated sale of GLP-1 drugs. All the content was easily findable, including through the platform’s “Discover” feature and hashtags.The report warns that a gray market and a black market — the former defined generally as the sale of approved drugs through unauthorized channels, the latter involving the illegal sale of unapproved drugs — are indistinguishable here, since at least some of the GLP-1s being promoted on TikTok are untested versions of the medication. They are distributed in powder form and need to be prepared into another dosage.That all leaves room for error and harm. The report highlights the case of an Australian woman who was hospitalized this year for acute liver failure after taking an unregulated GLP-1 product that she learned about on TikTok and Instagram.UltraViolet reported 202 accounts to TikTok that appeared to violate parts of the platform’s community guidelines — which don’t allow the trade, marketing or promotion of regulated, prohibited or high-risk goods and services. (The report notes that TikTok rolled back sections of its guidelines in September 2025 that had explicitly prohibited black and gray markets and discouraged redirection to offsite locations and direct messaging.) According to UltraViolet, TikTok later removed only about 30% of the accounts that were flagged. The group said it cannot be sure why the accounts went dark.Many of the analyzed TikTok accounts purported to be med spas — facilities that offer medical-grade cosmetic treatments — but were instead fake and preyed on women who are not able to access GLP-1s because of barriers to insurance coverage or cost. Consumers who order these drugs after connecting via private message or WhatsApp often never receive them, or they receive a fake product instead.“The pressure that women feel is absolutely real, and that’s part of the reason why GLP-1s are in such high demand,” said Nicole Regalado, vice president of campaigns for UltraViolet.The report found gendered promotion. Sixty-five percent of all the accounts reported had women in their profile pictures, including some that appeared to be AI-generated. Videos showed women in bikinis or revealing outfits, including in “before and after” photos promoting the alleged use of gray market GLP-1s. Some videos were paired with makeup and “get ready with me” content. Some GLP-1 content presented claims about improving fertility and postpartum health.“To us, it really reflects on where women sit right now in their lives, in this culture, in this political climate,” Regalado said. “They’re really caught between two powerful forces. It’s this broken healthcare system where there are millions of women who are underinsured or uninsured — that in itself can make it very difficult to access medicine, to access healthcare — and then also a culture that is relentlessly telling us that our health and value are tied to the size of our bodies.”Regalado said UltraViolet — which in the past also tried to pressure TikTok to remove ads promoting the use of GPS trackers for stalking, disproportionately targeting women — sent its findings to TikTok but did not receive a response. TikTok did not respond to a request for comment from The 19th about UltraViolet’s findings.After Schmidt realized she had been scammed, she posted a video on TikTok about her experience. She also reached out to TikTok. According to Schmidt, the company immediately gave her a refund with store credit. Schmidt decided to search again for GLP-1 patches. She took more time to research the products before buying again.Schmidt clicked on a video of a man promoting a sale. But finding the actual sale was confusing, and she ended up spending a little more than her first purchase — about $10. Once again, she went through TikTok Shop and purchased some patches. Once again, she received a package in the mail with the wrong product.Schmidt contacted TikTok again. They did not give her credit back that time.It was just $10, but for Schmidt, every penny counts: She’s paying for her daughter’s college education. She thought about the people out there making repeat small purchases through TikTok who might not be closely checking the products arriving at their home.“I’m not going to fight over $10,” she said. But, Schmidt added: “I wanted people to know that you really need to pay attention to what products you buy. I felt like TikTok should have made sure that the products that they are allowing to be sold on here are real products.”UltraViolet’s report seeks more accountability from TikTok, with recommendations that include better enforcement of TikTok’s existing policies so that accounts that violate them are suspended and removed. The group also wants the platform to halt search suggestions and hashtags that drive users to gray market content. The report also highlighted that TikTok features tutorial videos on how to prepare drugs in powder form to inject at home. Most traditional GLP-1s that are properly prescribed come pre-filled with auto-injectable pens.“We’re calling on TikTok company leadership to take urgent action: Stop the GLP-1 gray market, protect women users, and hold accountable dangerous bad actors. TikTok users deserve a social media platform that supports their health, safety, and autonomy — not one that exploits their vulnerabilities and health for profit,” Sherman said.Regalado said UltraViolet is tapping its membership to mount pressure on the company. She encouraged TikTok users to report troubling or predatory content.“We’re going to keep going. We’re going to keep trying because these ads are scams that are specifically targeted toward women,” she said. “These are predatory scams, and our community won’t stand for that.”A year after her experience, the vendors that Schmidt bought from no longer have active shops. She doesn’t know if they’re truly closed or if they’ve started new accounts.Schmidt later bought patches online from a company that advertises itself as selling wellness products. She has lost some weight, but she attributes that more to lifestyle changes. She stopped using her patches about two months ago. She has no plans to buy more GLP-1s through TikTok — even though she is still getting advertisements featuring happy women talking excitedly about their successful weight loss journeys.Whatever Schmidt does next, she knows this: She plans to go to her doctor first.This story was produced by The 19th and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

How technology is helping pharmacies find better prices

How technology is helping pharmacies find better pricesPrescription costs have become one of the hardest parts of treatment for many patients, and researchers who studied prescription spending found that 1 in 5 people who filled a prescription in 2025 rationed their medicine because of cost. Some split doses, while others put off refills rather than pay the full price at the counter.Public debate usually follows the companies closest to that final price, especially drug manufacturers and the pharmacy benefit managers that negotiate drug coverage for insurers. And insurers draw similar scrutiny, yet the cost of a prescription starts taking shape before any of them determine what a patient pays.Part of that cost is set well before the medicine reaches the pharmacy counter, at the point when the pharmacy buys it from a wholesaler. The amount paid may differ from one wholesaler to the next, leaving buyers to find the lowest available price before placing an order.PrimeRx examined how smarter technology now lets pharmacy buyers compare wholesaler prices before they order, bringing new attention to a part of drug affordability most patients never see.Where a Drug's Price Actually Comes FromIndustry researchers often describe prescription pricing as a chain rather than a single price, since every medication moves through several hands before it reaches the pharmacy counter.The Center for American Progress analysis of prescription drug financing notes that the process begins with the manufacturer, moves through a wholesaler, and reaches the pharmacy before the prescription is ever dispensed to a patient.Along the way, the manufacturer sets a published sticker price known as the wholesale acquisition cost, while the pharmacy's acquisition cost reflects what the store actually paid after buying the medication. And the financial side of the prescription does not end there.Once the medication is dispensed, the health plan reimburses the pharmacy, and the difference between that reimbursement and the pharmacy's acquisition cost helps cover the cost of operating the business.Industry experts have pointed out that pharmacies often purchase medications without seeing every available market price, leaving some stores paying more before reimbursement is ever determined. When a pharmacy pays too much at the start, less money remains after reimbursement to cover the work of filling the prescription.Why the Same Drug Can Cost a Pharmacy Different AmountsOne of the stranger truths of drug buying is that the very same medication can cost a pharmacy different amounts depending on which wholesaler fills the order. No single set price applies at the point a pharmacy buys it, since private contracts give each store its own purchasing terms.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services National Average Drug Acquisition Cost data offers one of the few public views into what pharmacies actually pay, and researchers at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy have used it to show how widely invoice costs differ from one store to another. One wholesaler contract may produce a lower price than another, even when the medication itself is unchanged.The generic market is where this hits hardest, since the Association for Accessible Medicines reports generics fill 90% of prescriptions dispensed nationwide. Prices also move more often across that part of the market, leaving pharmacy buyers making repeated decisions on drugs that cross the counter every day.Paying even a few cents more on each order adds up quickly when the same medication is purchased again and again.How Real-Time Price Comparison Technology WorksTraditional ordering often leaves pharmacy staff checking one wholesaler at a time, with each search showing only part of the available market. But real-time comparison technology replaces that separate search with live pricing from multiple wholesalers on one screen, allowing the buyer to review current cost and stock before placing an order.Forbes has reported that pharmaceutical e-commerce gives healthcare buyers a way to compare changing prices and product availability before placing an order, and pharmacy purchasing now follows the same basic model.The software starts by bringing updated wholesaler prices into one system through electronic cost files. Once those prices are in place, supplier connections add the stock each wholesaler has available, and automated buy lists sort the offers for the buyer.Marketplace platforms then place the lowest current price beside the quantity on hand, giving the buyer one clear view before committing to an order. With that comparison completed before the purchase is made, staff spend less time moving between supplier sites, and fewer orders go through before a better offer is seen.The Independent Pharmacy SqueezeIndependent pharmacies operate with less room to absorb a bad month than the national chains they compete against. And researchers at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy have pointed to federal data showing how national chains often secure lower wholesaler prices, an advantage smaller stores do not share.Reimbursement pressure makes the difference harder to absorb, and Joe Mohamed, president of the Mississippi Independent Pharmacies Association, has named unsustainable reimbursement from pharmacy benefit managers as the biggest problem his members face, while Mississippi has lost 55 independent pharmacies since 2021.A pharmacy can only take those losses for so long before staying open becomes harder. Research published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found that closures reduce medication access and add more work for nearby pharmacies.Smarter purchasing gives independent owners more control over what they pay, which may help a pharmacy make it through a tight month before the town loses a store its residents depend on.When Better Purchasing Reaches the Patient and When It Doesn'tThe point where a lower pharmacy purchase price reaches the patient depends on how the prescription is paid for.HealthCare.gov defines a copayment as a fixed amount set by the insurance plan, so an insured patient may pay the same amount even after the pharmacy buys the medication for less. Under that arrangement, the savings more often help the pharmacy cover the cost of filling the prescription.Cash-paying patients sit closer to the pharmacy’s purchase price. Stacey Swartz, co-owner of Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray in Alexandria, Virginia, told Drug Topics that she would rather offer a comparable cash price directly when her pharmacy can come close to a discount-card offer.Healthcare attorney Jesse Dresser also noted to Drug Topics that discount cards may reduce pharmacy payment while adding transaction fees. Better purchasing gives pharmacies more room to lower a cash price, though insurance rules and card fees still influence what the patient pays.What Comes Next: Transparency and Data in Pharmacy PricingPharmacy pricing is moving toward a market where sellers will face more pressure to explain what they charge.Researchers at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy have already shown how federal acquisition-cost data exposed wide differences between what pharmacies pay, giving buyers and policymakers a clearer view of prices that once stayed hidden inside private contracts.Better visibility also feeds newer purchasing systems more reliable information to work from. Pharmacy Practice News has reported on artificial intelligence tools that use current network rates to find lower-cost dispensing options.Similar systems may soon study a pharmacy's past orders before advising when to buy, letting predictive purchasing help a store prepare for demand without the manual guesswork that has guided orders for years.More pharmacies using those tools will make price visibility part of ordinary purchasing rather than an advantage held by a smaller group. Wider use will still leave much of the affordability problem outside any one pharmacy's control, since policy and insurance design continue to influence what patients pay.But stronger supply-chain transparency gives pharmacies a real chance to catch an avoidable cost before the order goes out. And every dollar caught that early leaves a little more room to keep medication within reach of the person waiting at the counter.This story was produced by PrimeRx and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

PAYE and SAVE are being replaced: What new and existing borrowers need to know

PAYE and SAVE are being replaced: What new and existing borrowers need to knowAs of July 1, 2026, federal student loan plans like Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) are being replaced by two new options: the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) and the Tiered Standard Plan.Picking between RAP or Tiered Standard isn’t just a loan decision. Whatever you commit to now affects how much you can save, how fast you can build credit, and when you can afford the next big milestone, like a car or your first apartment on your own.Intuit TurboTax explains how a simple plan and a clear picture of your numbers make repayment far more manageable.First, what’s changedAnyone borrowing federal student loans after July 1, 2026, is entering repayment under the biggest change to federal student aid in decades. Two new repayment plans have replaced older options like SAVE, PAYE and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR):The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP): Your payments are based on your income.The Tiered Standard Plan: Your payments are fixed and predictable.A note for existing borrowersIf you’re on SAVE, you have 90 days from July 1, 2026, to choose your new plan. If you’re on PAYE or ICR, you have until July 1, 2028. And, if you miss your window, you’ll be automatically moved to the Tiered Standard Plan.You can choose from RAP, the Tiered Standard Plan, or the Income-Based Repayment (IBR).Note that IBR is the only legacy income-driven repayment plan that’s available, but only to existing borrowers. However, if you take out any new federal loan on or after July 1, 2026, say, for grad school, RAP becomes the only income-driven option for all your loans, old and new combined.Your two real choicesWhether RAP and Tiered Standard are your only choices as a new borrower, or you’re weighing them against IBR as an existing borrower, here’s how each option works.Option 1: The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)RAP sets your payment as a percentage of your income. That percentage goes up as you earn more. Here’s what it looks like in real numbers for a new grad earning $40,000-$55,000 a year, with no dependents: Intuit TurboTax What makes RAP different from older income-based plans (like IBR)There’s a $10 per month minimum for everyone now. You can no longer pay $0.If your payment doesn’t cover your monthly interest, the government waives the rest, so your balance won’t grow.If your on-time payment doesn’t cover at least $50 toward principal, the government contributes up to $50 to guarantee your principal balance drops every month.Any remaining debt is forgiven after 30 years, up from 20–25 years under old plans.If you work in government or for a nonprofit, you may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) after 10 years.Forgiven RAP debt counts as taxable income, unless it’s forgiven through PSLF. Keep that in mind for your long-term planning.Option 2: The Tiered Standard PlanThis plan gives you a fixed monthly payment based on what you owe, with your repayment term set by your loan balance. If you have a higher loan balance, you’ll have a lower monthly payment for a longer period: Intuit TurboTax The Tiered Standard Plan has higher monthly payments but saves you money over the life of the loan. This option allows you to pay off your loan in full, so there’s no forgiveness component.The real questionThere’s no universally “best” plan. Choose the one that fits your budget today while supporting your long-term goals.A bigger loan payment today can mean less going into savings or retirement. Those early years matter more than people expect, because money saved in your 20s has decades to grow before you need it.It also affects your cushion. A repayment plan that barely fits your budget today leaves nothing for a car repair, a medical bill, or a slow month at work. That’s often what turns a manageable loan into a missed payment. It’s not the loan itself but having zero buffer.None of this means one plan is right and the other is wrong. The loan decision doesn’t stay contained to the loan but touches everything else you’re trying to build at the same time.Ask yourself: Can I genuinely fit the Tiered Standard payment into my current budget?Let’s say you earn $45,000 a year and you owe $30,000.The Tiered Standard plan would run you about $261 per month. RAP at that income would run about $150 per month. That’s a $111 difference every month.If you can swing $261 a month, take it. You’ll pay less interest and be done with paying your loan faster.If $261 a month feels impossible alongside rent, utilities, and groceries, then choose RAP. See RAP as a tool. Use it deliberately while you grow into higher income. Then, revisit your plan annually as your earnings increase.Build the payments into your budgetStudent loan payments only become manageable once you treat them like any other essential monthly expense. Once you’ve chosen a plan, treat your loan payment like rent or groceries: a fixed, nonnegotiable line item in your monthly budget.Here’s a simple structure to start:Set up autopay. Most servicers offer a 0.25% interest rate reduction for automatic payments. That’s free savings.Build a small emergency fund before you pay extra on your loan. Even setting aside $1,000–$2,000 prevents a single unexpected bill from derailing your repayment. Resources like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offer free budgeting guidance.Don’t overthink it. In your first year, just making the payments matters more than the perfect payoff strategy. You are learning to manage these responsibilities. Make the payment and build the habit.Your first stepIf you haven’t already, log in to StudentAid.gov, the official U.S. Department of Education portal. Look up your loan balance, your servicer’s name, and your current repayment status.From there, you’ll have the information you need to choose a repayment plan that works with your new paycheck, not against it. Once you understand your options and build a plan that fits your budget, those numbers start to feel much less intimidating.This story was produced by Intuit TurboTax and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Crime may be falling, but American homes have never felt less safe

Crime may be falling, but American homes have never felt less safeA new survey by Tri-State Gate reveals a paradox. When asked whether crime in their neighborhood has gotten worse, almost 7 in 10 Americans say no. Yet ask the same people whether they feel genuinely safe inside their own homes, and only 28% say yes. If most Americans believe crime hasn’t gotten worse, and the federal data backs it up, why are so many still fearful? The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, conducted in August 2026, explores where that leftover fear went and how it’s affecting people’s daily lives. The national picture the survey sits inside is unusually calm. The FBI's preliminary 2025 figures show property crime fell an estimated 12.4% in a single year, and the U.S. burglary rate now sits at its lowest point since federal tracking began. Gallup's October 2025 crime poll found just 30% of Americans believed crime rose in their area, down 19 points from the year before.Which is what makes the survey's first result so odd.The country is calm on paper but alert after darkWhile a little over a quarter of Americans feel genuinely safe in their homes, that is a minority by a wide margin. The most common answer by respondents was “mostly safe, but I stay alert” at 64%. Along with the smaller groups that report more unease, a total of 72% of Americans don’t feel fully safe in their homes. Combined with other studies, this doesn’t register as panic. The Gallup poll found that only a little over 1 in 10 Americans call crime in their local area an extremely or very serious problem. The two surveys suggest that homeowners are more watchful instead. While the danger receded, the habit of looking out for it didn’t. What Americans fear most almost never happens Tri-State Gate The single most selected fear in the survey is a break-in when the family is home, which was chosen by 3 in 10 respondents. However, the share of households that actually experienced a break-in or an attempted break-in over the last two years was less than 1 in 10. The Bureau of Justice Statistics victimization data shows that roughly three-quarters of household burglary cases happen when no one is home. So the scenario that frightens Americans most is rare in cases that are already at a record low. Meanwhile, the instances that do happen barely register on the worry scale. Nearly a quarter of households have dealt with a suspicious person on their property, and another quarter have had a package stolen. While frustrating, only roughly 1 in 5 Americans rank package theft as their top fear. That fear is rewriting routines Tri-State Gate More than 7 in 10 Americans have taken at least one action specifically because of security anxiety, and almost none if it involves the house itself. Four in 10 Americans leave lights or the TV on to simulate occupancy. One group (38%) keeps travel plans off social media, while another (38%) asks a neighbor to keep an eye on things (respondents could pick more than one answer). A smaller group (15%) stopped having packages delivered to their house, a choice that rose to 22% among higher-earning households. Many respondents invested in security cameras, with nearly 7 in 10 in possession of one. Yet these devices have created a monitoring habit instead of peace of mind. Among camera owners, about a third check them multiple times a day while nearly half check them at least daily. Combined with those who check whenever their cameras alert them, over 4 in 5 Americans are checking cameras daily or on demand. With concealment, routine, and surveillance covered, who’s investing in physical protection? Most are waiting for crime to happen first Tri-State Gate More than half of Americans said they need an incident to happen first before seriously investing in physical protection: a break-in at their own home (16%), one at a neighbor's (17%), or a visible pattern of local crime (23%). Less than 1 in 10 say they've already made that investment. Yet the demand is there. Exactly half of respondents would pay above market for a home in a gated community or with a controlled entrance, with nearly a third saying they would pay at least 6% above asking price.  Tri-State Gate Parents with children under 18 lead the group, with over 2 in 5 saying they would pay a premium. Housing research from the American Real Estate Society has already shown that homes in gated communities are priced $30,000 more than nongated, so the market has already taken what buyers want into account. All in all, over two-thirds of Americans say they’d pay to live behind a barrier, but most are waiting for a break-in to justify one, a trigger that federal data says may never happen. About the dataThe survey was fielded through Pollfish in August 2026 and polled 1,000 American adults on their fears, their experiences with property crime, their camera habits and what they'd pay for physical protection. Responses were broken out by demographic group. The study was commissioned by Tri-State Gate, a New York company that sells automated gate and access control systems, so its findings on gated housing should be read with that sponsorship in mind.This story was produced by Tri-State Gate and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

‘Boston Miracle’ strategy cut murders. Can it work on crimes tied to homelessness?

‘Boston Miracle’ strategy cut murders. Can it work on crimes tied to homelessness?The dramatic drop in homicides and shootings of Boston’s young people in the late 1990s became known as the “Boston Miracle.” While those who worked on the effort say many factors contribute to long-term reductions in violence, a focused deterrence strategy across city government, nonprofit service-providers, trusted community leaders and police is central to Boston’s story. The strategy to reduce violence caught on beyond Boston, often with federal funding, in cities like Baltimore, Maryland and Oakland, California. Now, cities like Tucson, Arizona are turning to focused deterrence for a very different kind of crime — low-level offenses often associated with homelessness, The Marshall Project reports.Focused deterrence usually identifies a group of people most associated with a specific type of crime, and communicates the certainty of criminal justice consequences, while offering support to change patterns of involvement with those crimes. In Boston, police and probation officers met with gang members, made unexpected home visits, and flooded areas that had intergang violence and arrested those driving the conflict. At the same time, social service workers offered services and jobs. This combination of clear warnings, swift enforcement and robust services intends to change not just the behavior of the targeted group, but also their broader network.In July, Tucson began a pilot focused deterrence program aimed at quality-of-life misdemeanors, such as trespassing, loitering, solicitation and standing in a street’s median. These offenses can cause some business owners and residents to demand a response from the city, but are difficult to avoid for those living on the streets.The Tucson Police Department has made a list of 50 people frequently involved in these offenses in the city’s downtown and areas to its north and west. Every week, representatives of a team composed of police, city court workers and a city health and wellness department will contact two people from this list to offer them services such as substance-use or mental health treatment and shelter, and warn them of possible harsher consequences with future arrests. Police Chief Monica Prieto told the city council that these consequences could include police encouraging city court to not dismiss future charges or to order substance-use treatment. The pilot will last about six months and could expand to other parts of the city.Austin, Texas also launched a program where four police officers are each assigned 25 people with frequent arrests, emergency room visits and behavioral health incidents. The officers are tasked with connecting people with services from partner organizations.While success of some focused deterrence approaches has encouraged adoption across the U.S., police have also ended programs after public outcry or civil rights lawsuits.A Tampa Bay Times investigation in 2020 found that a Pasco County, Florida, program harassed people who appeared on the sheriff’s algorithmically generated list of likely lawbreakers, as well as their family members. In some cases, deputies overwhelmed them with citations for code violations or arrests. A former deputy said the initiative intended to “make their lives miserable until they move or sue.” In 2024, while settling a lawsuit from those targeted, the sheriff ended the program.In 2019, Chicago quietly spun down its Strategic Subject List of people the department said were likely to be shooters or victims of gun violence. Critics said the list was too expansive, and the department was not fully forthcoming about how it used the names in enforcement. Furthermore, the list raised constitutional questions and some argued the overrepresentation of young Black and Latino men on the list may have violated state civil rights laws.The use of focused deterrence to reduce gun homicides is well-studied. However, even when cities base their strategies on research, they can struggle to find success. Baltimore failed to reduce gun violence with strategies that included focused deterrence before its third attempt, known as the Group Violence Reduction Strategy, helped reduce homicides and shootings to the lowest levels in years.There is little evidence for applying focused deterrence to quality-of-life misdemeanors, said Ben Struhl, executive director of the Crime and Justice Policy Lab at the University of Pennsylvania. Struhl, who led the lab’s design and support of the Baltimore strategy, said, in theory, the fundamentals of focused deterrence could be applied to a broad range of problems.Cities should focus on problems that the community defines as most urgent, and ones where the strategy can not only shape someone’s decision in a moment, but also the conditions that lead them to repeatedly make a decision. For example, it may be more difficult to shape the decisions of a person with opioid use disorder focused on avoiding painful withdrawal, Struhl said. They must also keep their eyes on a “triple bottom line”: reducing crime, reducing people’s exposure to the justice system, and improving the relationship between the city government and residents.It’s also important for cities using these strategies to provide certainty, not only in increased enforcement or stiffer penalties, but also in the availability of services. “A city can't just say they're doing the services and not follow through,” Struhl said. “Every time I've seen a city do that, their overall strategy won't work.”In Tucson, police introduced its focused deterrence pilot after the city shelved a proposed ordinance that would have created a new drug-related loitering offense. The ordinance would have required police to first warn people to leave public places if they had prior drug-related convictions, or if they appeared to have used drugs or were likely to do so. Subsequent encounters could result in arrest, and a second arrest would carry a mandatory five days in jail. However, Nikki Lee, the city council member who introduced the ordinance, said its enforcement would burden city court and that the police department would propose other measures to address public drug use.In New Hampshire, the American Civil Liberties Union has sued over the constitutionality of a state loitering law, one of only a few such state laws in effect. The suit alleges that the law is overly vague and gives police broad license to stop and search unhoused people.The most recent figures show a decrease in U.S. homelessness from 2024 to 2025. However, the number of unhoused people has risen substantially since the mid-2010s. Larger numbers of people living on the street have led to increased pressure on cities from residents, and conservative think tanks, to turn to the criminal justice system as a response to homelessness. A little over a year ago, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to prioritize grants to jurisdictions that enforced laws against open drug use, camping and loitering. A few months later, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) put this order into practice when it dramatically shifted the way the federal government funded local responses to homelessness. The new funding formula incentivized enforcement and it shifted money away from permanent housing and toward transitional housing with requirements to participate in treatment, services or work.Tucson, along with other cities and nonprofits, sued to halt the funding changes for the 2025 fiscal year, and again over the latest funding. In both lawsuits, a federal judge blocked the new HUD grant priorities. Her latest ruling said the agency did not follow a required process for public notice and comment.State lawmakers have also compelled enforcement of offenses related to homelessness or enacted camping bans. In 2024, Arizona voters approved a ballot measure introduced by Republicans that allows property owners to request a tax refund for costs they attribute to the nonenforcement of offenses like illegal camping, using drugs or defecating in public. The Goldwater Institute, an Arizona think tank, championed the proposition as well as similar laws in Georgia and Oklahoma. Another think tank, the Cicero Institute, has successfully pushed for statewide camping bans in recent years, including one in Tennessee that makes public camping a felony.Caroline Isaacs, executive director of Just Communities Arizona, which promotes community safety models outside of the criminal justice system, questions Tucson’s reliance on policing when the city has identified gaps in services for unhoused people. “The things that make us safe are not talked about in terms of public safety, and that is a serious problem,” Isaacs said. “Safety is housing. Safety is no-barrier drug treatment on demand that is free.”This story was produced by The Marshall Project and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Companies keep spending on AI despite roadblocks on returns

Companies keep spending on AI despite roadblocks on returnsAccording to new data from autonomous AI knowledge platform Teradata, a persistent tension remains in enterprise agentic AI adoption. Despite continuous and aggressive investment, many organizations are failing to move from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption.Based on a survey of 1,000 senior technology and data leaders, Teradata’s 2026 report, Arrested Automation: Why Agentic AI Stalls at the Enterprise Level, identifies misaligned data and measurement structures as a root cause of this ROI gap and offers guidance for enterprises to shift their strategy to maximize returns on their AI investments.Enterprise AI investment doesn’t automatically lead to enterprise-wide ROIThe report found that although 90% of senior technology leaders expect to increase agentic AI investments over the next 12 months, only 37% of organizations report measurable business impact. Sixty-three percent say they have seen no more than a small or emerging positive return on their AI investments to date.To show where organizations are on this journey, the report categorizes them into an agentic AI maturity index. About a quarter of organizations (28%) are in the experimenting stage, exploring localized pilot projects that often lead to personal productivity gains. The 40% of enterprises in the developing stage have some successful models and automations but haven’t figured out how to connect knowledge outside of individual team silos. Another quarter of companies are in the building stage. These companies have deployed basic structured governance and workflows but haven’t addressed the data foundations to scale autonomous decision-making across the enterprise.There are only 7% of organizations in the operationalizing stage. They have implemented dynamic governance and safety rules and harmonized and enriched data to the point where AI can confidently execute multi-step workflows. It’s at this stage that organizations make a meaningful shift to “autonomous knowledge,” a data foundation that stays current, contextually rich, and governed over time without constant manual intervention. According to the report, this shift is what organizations need to begin to make ROI possible.A key difference in personal AI vs. enterprise AIThe key reason 68% of companies remain in the experimenting or developing stages is that they’re trying to achieve enterprise-level impact with infrastructure designed for personal AI work. The data and measurement layers they’re building with are misaligned with the business outcomes they need.This misalignment stems from context fragmentation. This is when companies try to move from systems designed for humans separated into business units to an interconnected, context-rich foundation that agents can understand and operate effectively within and across.When organizations build highly successful, localized proofs of concept using clean, sampled datasets, they still rely on humans to provide additional context to make it work well. The moment engineering attempts to push those models into live, automated, enterprise-scale production, the AI begins to struggle. Each dataset has its own structure and rules, and usually lacks essential context and shared meaning for agents to understand across systems where real enterprise-scale can occur.In the report, 77% of leaders state that only 20% or less of their enterprise data and knowledge is ready for AI agents to act on reliably, and 78% report difficulty creating the connected data foundation that is crucial for enterprise-wide agentic AI success. Additionally, more than half of the leaders surveyed explicitly cite accuracy and reliability of outputs as a significant deployment barrier.Forty percent of tech leaders report that more than 40% of their AI pilot projects pause before production because their infrastructure is not ready for autonomy. The data infrastructure they are built on was never designed for agent understanding. It isn’t structured to enable autonomous systems operating at scale.The report suggests a solution: Change the order of operations by focusing on the data foundation before the software layer. When an organization identifies the critical systems to unify and enrich with the context, lineage, and governance for agents to act on reliably, the company is better positioned to scale its pilots and achieve real ROI.Ultimately, a foundation of autonomous knowledge with enough context, lineage, and governance that agents can act on reliably, across functions, and on behalf of the whole organization can tip the scales from individual productivity to enterprise-wide ROI.MethodologyThe report, Arrested Automation: Why Agentic AI Stalls at the Enterprise Level, was conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Teradata. The study surveyed 1,000 senior technology and data leaders at the vice president level or above, at companies with a minimum of 500 employees, across the United States (500), the United Kingdom (100), France (100), Germany (100), Japan (100), and Saudi Arabia (100). Fieldwork was conducted between March 23 and April 5, 2026.This story was produced by Teradata and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Australian social media users to be offered choice to opt out of algorithms

A government statement said on Tuesday social media platforms would be required to send a notification to new and existing users offering them a choice over their default feed.

U.K. bans goods from occupied West Bank as Israel and U.S. warn of repercussions

Britain announces a ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, prompting warnings of US repercussions and an angry response from Israel.

U.K. accuses Israeli settlers of 'ethnic cleansing' in West Bank and bans their goods

Britain announces a ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, prompting warnings of US repercussions and an angry response from Israel.

Rooted In Culture And Service: How One Red Cross Employee Went From Advocate To Patient

(NAPSI)­—For Alexis González, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross, her job gives her the opportunity to serve and work alongside her community every day.“My work wouldn’t be possible without the support and trust of the people I serve, especially the Latino community,” she says.“I am the daughter of Mexican parents and was born in Los Angeles. I grew up in a Hispanic community, speaking both Spanish and English and experiencing firsthand what it means to be Latina in the United States. That’s why it’s important to me that people know we are here for everyone,” Alexis says. From Donor Advocate To PatientLast year, Alexis, who spends much of her time raising awareness about the importance of blood donation and is herself a regular donor, faced a medical emergency that required an emergency blood transfusion.“I was experiencing severe stomach pain. I couldn’t even sit down and was curled up in a fetal position,” Alexis recalls.“My doctors told me I had three blood clots in the veins connected to my liver, severe anemia, and that I would need two units of blood.I had never been hospitalized before. I felt overwhelmed and scared. That’s when it hit me that every day, I encourage people to donate blood, and I donate every 56 days myself. But now I was experiencing it from the other side firsthand.”“Before receiving the blood, I felt awful. I was dizzy and extremely weak. After the transfusion, the color came back to my face, and I no longer felt that weak.”During her recovery, Alexis told her nurse that she worked for the Red Cross and asked if there was any way to find out where the blood had come from. Two remarkable connections emerged: the nurse’s son was a Red Cross volunteer whom Alexis had met during a training session just two weeks earlier, and the blood she received had been supplied by the American Red Cross.“I felt like everything had come full circle. I realized that the work I had done with the Red Cross had impacted me personally, and I can now say from experience that every donation truly reaches someone who needs it.The two units of blood I received came from two people who took the time to donate, and those donations saved my life.I know many people in the Latino community are hesitant to donate blood. But I can tell them that their blood is their superpower. By donating blood, they have the power to give life to someone else,” Alexis says. Back In The Donor ChairA few weeks ago, fully recovered, Alexis returned to donate blood and reached an important milestone: her first gallon donated.“I feel proud and honored to be able to help someone in need, because we need each other.” This Hispanic Heritage Month, the Red Cross thanks the more than 195,000 Latino blood donors who gave blood last year. Their generosity helped save lives and strengthen communities across the country. To support our lifesaving mission, schedule an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or visit RedCrossBlood.org to find a donation center near you.Make your appointment today to donate blood, platelets, or AB Elite plasma. As a special thank you, donors will receive a $15 e-gift card to the merchant of their choice.YouTube video Vimeo videoWord Count: 545

13 spooky spaces in New England not to miss, according to Two Girls One Ghost podcasters

13 spooky spaces in New England not to miss, according to Two Girls One Ghost podcastersWith its foggy coastlines, dark winters, and deep Colonial roots, New England lays claim to some of the scariest ghost stories and hauntings ever recorded.“There’s an energy there unlike any other place that we’ve been,” says Sabrina Deana-Roga, co-host of Two Girls One Ghost. “It’s full of places predicated on moments of bloodshed, tragedy, love, and resilience. You can feel it immediately upon stepping into some of these towns.”"And you'd be hard pressed to find a New Englander that doesn't have a ghost story of their own,” says co-host Corinne Vien. We're a haunted group of people and know exactly where to direct anyone looking to become acquainted with the dead."This northeast territory definitely holds tight to its fated memories. Those seeking to discover more about the ghostly realm can explore eerie nooks for lore and afterlife activity. Here, Deana-Roga and Vien recount 13 of the spookiest spaces in New England.Massachusetts1. Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast Museum You’ve probably sung the macabre nursery rhyme inspired by the sordid tale of Lizzie Borden and her parents’ grisly killing. But would you ever commit to staying overnight at the haunted family home? Marking 30 years as a B&B, the spooky Fall River site of the 1892 unsolved murder (Lizzie was acquitted) greets its guests with potential supernatural weeping, whispers, footsteps, and wandering apparitions in Victorian-era clothing. Take a day tour or settle in for the night in the actual room where stepmom Abby Borden met her demise.Lizzie’s isn’t the only story the home wants to share. Pre-dating the infamous murders, another devastating crime took place in the house’s basement — the deaths of Eliza Borden and her two young children. During their visit, Deana-Roga and Vien remember heartwarming moments on the third floor with the children’s spirits. “They wanted us to play with them and didn't want us to leave, which broke our hearts,” says Deana-Roga.But there’s also mischief at play. The collective tragedies left behind a palpable negative energy that the house staff nicknamed Carl. “Don't be fooled by his cheeky nickname,” she continues. “He will follow you around the house and call you ‘slut.’”2. Spider Gates CemeteryGetting to this 1740 Quaker cemetery near the Kettle Brook Reservoir isn’t easy. But with local lore claiming it’s the gateway to another dimension (namely, the Eighth Gate to Hell), that might not be a bad thing. Set back a third of a mile from the main road at the end of an unmarked path (on some maps it’s Earle St.), walk through the iron gate to experience ghostly sightings, strange noises, and evidence of satanic rituals conducted on the stone “altar.” There’s also a tale of a mysterious “disappearing” second cemetery, and some believe the nearby stream is the mouth of the River Styx, the separation between Hades and the human world. Local tip: Leave coins on Marmaduke Earle’s gravesite, walk around it 10 times, and you might have bought a conversation with the departed.3. Omni Parker Hotel BostonThis iconic Boston hotel is full of opulent Old World décor, historical firsts (namely, the Boston cream pie), and tales that deliver a haunted side of Boston. Among the hotel's most famous spirits is founder Harvey Parker, who is said to keep watch over his beloved property by haunting the 10th floor. Other unexplained happenings center around the third floor, where elevators are rumored to stop on their own, perhaps thanks to the ghost of actress Charlotte Cushman, who died there in 1876. Guests have also reported misty apparitions, unseen rocking chair creaks, and whispered conversations drifting through empty hallways.4. Freetown-Fall River State ForestNicknamed "The Cursed Forest of Massachusetts," this 5,000-acre forest is known for hiking, horseback riding, and walking trails, but also a chilling reputation. Over the decades, the forest has been linked to a disturbing history of documented crimes and tragedies, alleged Satanic cults, and countless reports of the unexplained. This strange place is part of the famous Bridgewater Triangle, a roughly 200-square mile "vortex" of activity south of Boston that paranormal experts have dubbed one of America's strangest supernatural zones. “Not only is it known to be haunted, but it's also a hot spot for Bigfoot sightings,” adds Vien.5. The entire town of Salem The specter-savvy would call any haunted list incomplete without this seaside town north of Boston. Home to a hysteria heard ‘round the world and 19 innocent deaths linked to potential witchcraft, the entire place has a collective grasp on the ghoulish. It’s also celebrating its 400 anniversary this year.“Once a place where fear silenced the misunderstood, Salem has become a place where witches come to reclaim their power. It’s a place where history, grief, and magic continue to meet,” explains Deana-Roga.There are plenty of places around Salem to hear echoes from a haunted past — the Old Burying Point Cemetery (one of the state’s oldest burial grounds), Gallows Hill (the historic execution site of the Witch Trials), the Henry Derby House (now available as an Airbnb rental), St. Mary’s Cemetery, and the Joshua Ward House, considered one of America’s most haunted buildings with paranormal claims including the sensation of being choked by invisible hands, unexplained cold scratches, and apparitions. No matter the season, this town holds onto its witchy reputation. Despite the tragic past, it carries it with pride now through plenty of haunted houses that run throughout the fall months.New Hampshire6. Isle of Shoals These nine islands between New Hampshire and Maine anchor dark maritime legends. On Smuttynose Island, it’s said the ghost of Blackbeard’s abandoned wife eternally paces the rocky shores, guarding buried treasure he left behind in 1717. The island’s tragic history deepens with the brutal 1873 axe murders of Norwegian immigrant women Karen and Anethe Christensen. Visitors report seeing the two apparitions at dusk as they stroll the shoreline, their sorrowful faces frozen in eternal sadness. Nearby Star Island is awash with the muffled wails of Betty Moody’s crying baby, who was accidentally suffocated by the settler woman as they hid from raiders. Nathaniel Hawthorne famously noted this particular legend, cementing it in New England folklore.7. Omni Mount Washington Resort at Mount Washington For a truly memorable experience, spend the night at the Omni Mount Washington Resort, a 1902 Gilded Age hotel with an impressive ghost story collection of its own. With sweeping views of Mt. Washington, one of the planet's oldest mountain ranges and part of the Appalachian Mountain Range, this is allegedly one of New England's most spirited overnight stays. The elegant apparition of Carolyn Stickney, the original owner’s wife, is known to stroll the lobby or ballroom in Victorian dress. At the epicenter of her activity is the “Princess Room.” Guests of Room 314 sleep on Stickney’s actual custom-carved four-poster oak bed and might awake to find her sitting at the edge, calmly brushing her hair. Others report hearing piano music sans musician, mysterious perfume scents, and flickering lights.Deana-Roga warns, "The Appalachia Mountain Range is incredibly haunted,” adding that "this area also boasts stories of alien abductions, such as the infamous Betty and Barney Hill abduction."Connecticut8. Captain Grant's 1754 For more than 270 years, this Colonial inn has welcomed both temporary travelers and a few permanent specters. It's considered one of Connecticut's most haunted buildings, with reports of phantom footsteps, attic stomping, children's laughter, and unexplained cold spots. The inn's best-known spirit is Mercy Adelaide Avery, who is said to appear to overnight guests as she waits for her husband, lost at sea. Visitors have also reported hearing the voice of Deborah Adams, a five-year-old girl buried in the neighboring Poquetanuck Cemetery who now roams the hallways and graveyard softly whispering "mom.” Spend the night and see who you encounter.9. DudleytownDeclared by famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as "demonically possessed,” Dudleytown is one of New England's most legendary ghost towns. Founded in the 1740s and hidden within the Dark Entry Forest, the now-abandoned settlement is steeped in folklore surrounding a supposed curse on its landowners. Linked to the 1510 execution of English nobleman Edmund Dudley, the curse was that all of his descendants would be surrounded by horror. Over the years that curse carried madness, as visitors note the woods to be plagued by an eerie silence, shadowy figures, and unsettling darkness. Of note: Dudleytown is closed to the public, and trespassing is strictly prohibited.Rhode Island10. The Conjuring HouseMade famous as the inspiration for 2013 horror film The Conjuring,” the Conjuring House is one of those really incredible places that embodies Haunted New England,” says Deana-Roga of the first location she and Vien investigated together before speaking with former resident, Andrea Perron.Built in 1736 in Burrillville, its spooky reputation began in the ‘70s due to the alleged haunting of the Perron family. But its paranormal past runs far deeper. “The land has seen war, bloodshed, supposed witchcraft, and plenty of family drama,” she continues. The activity stretches as far back as the 1700s, when the spirits of native tribes latched onto the land. Perron herself has described the home as “a portal cleverly disguised as a farmhouse.” To experience something paranormal first hand, spend a night in the house, but be warned — you might end up with an attachment. “A ghost followed Corinne home and has been known to throw dirt at her,” says Deana-Roga.Maine11. Wood Island Lighthouse Lighthouses and ghost stories make spooky bedfellows, and Wood Island Lighthouse has earned a reputation as one of Maine's most haunted. Standing watch over Saco Bay since 1808, the isolated beacon is tied to a notorious 1896 murder-suicide of Howard Hobbs and Frederick W. Milliken that many believe sparked its paranormal legend. Visitors and former caretakers have reported mysterious footsteps, shadowy apparitions, disembodied voices, and objects unexpectedly rearranged.Vermont12. Emily's BridgeConsider this a beautiful stop over a quaint brook…that is, if you’re female. “I grew up next to Emily's Bridge and all I have to say is Emily does not like men,” warns Vien of the legend that haunts the last remaining howe truss bridge along the Golf Brook in Stowe. Legend has it that between 1849 and 1949, a young woman was jilted by her lover and took her own life on the bridge (her method is up for debate — was it jumping, hanging, driving her car over the edge?). In popular parlance, she haunts it to this day between midnight and 3 a.m. “I know multiple men who have been scratched by an unseen force when attempting to cross this old wooden bridge,” Vien says of the legend so embraced by locals it prompted an annual reenactment of Emily's tragic end in the town’s haunted forest.13. Glastonbury MountainThis southern Vermont area is best known as the center of the infamous Bennington Triangle, part of Appalachia that is linked to unexplained disappearances, eerie folklore, and paranormal legends. When people hike or visit today, they typically describe an unsettling sense of isolation, as they pass relics swallowed by nature (think crumbling stone foundations and charcoal kilns covered in brush). Visitors often mention an abrupt drop in forest sounds, with birds and insects seemingly vanishing and leaving behind an oppressive paranoid silence. Campers at the nearby Goddard Shelter frequently document overwhelming odors of sulfur or rotting wood, faint glowing lights, and the uncanny feeling of being watched.This story was produced by Two Girls One Ghost and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

What if we never built another new building?

What if we never built another new building?Instead of asking what should be built, Barbara Buser asks what can be saved.Swiss architect Barbara Buser has spent decades proving that the greenest building is often the one already standing.When one unscrews a section of the bright red sheet metal façade from K.118, a former carpentry factory in Winterthur, Switzerland, the interior reveals something few people expect to find inside an award-winning contemporary building. Behind a gypsum fiberboard panel sit tightly compressed straw bales, packed as neatly as if they had come straight from a farmer’s field. Local clay coats the interior walls. The steel staircase once belonged to an office building in Zurich. Massive beams that now support the structure previously carried the roof of a supermarket distribution center in Basel. Eighty windows were salvaged from another building slated for demolition.Most importantly, the project cut embodied carbon emissions by nearly two-thirds compared with conventional construction, according to researchers at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. In 2021, it received the prestigious Holcim Global Gold Award, one of the world’s highest honors for sustainable construction.For Buser, the problem is that projects like K.118 remain the exception, reports Reasons to Be Cheerful.At 72, the Swiss architect still bicycles through her hometown, Basel, visiting her many projects on two wheels. Belying her unpretentious appearance — dressed in all black, no makeup, her gray hair loosely tied in a ponytail — she has become one of Europe’s most influential architects by refusing to build new construction. Instead, she has saved several of Switzerland’s signature abandoned factories and transformed them into lively neighborhood hubs, all by promoting circular construction: the practice of reusing buildings and their materials rather than demolishing them.For decades, the professional organization of Swiss architects didn’t even accept her as a member because her work is hard to classify, but now her colleagues acknowledge she was just way ahead of their time: She also recently won the 2026 Jane Drew Prize for elevating the profile of women in architecture.Instead of asking what should be built, Buser asks what can be saved. “I’ve reached the point where I say we shouldn’t demolish anything anymore,” she says in her friendly, warm Swiss dialect. “Because of climate change, demolition simply no longer makes sense.”The construction sector is one of the world’s largest sources of greenhouse-gas emissions and waste, accounting for up to 12% of greenhouse gas emissions and over 35% of the total waste generated in Europe. The European Commission estimates that more efficient use of materials could cut those emissions by 80%.For decades, architects have celebrated the next iconic building, the highest skyline, the shiniest billion-dollar development. But as cities around the world confront housing shortages, rising construction costs and the accelerating climate crisis, Buser’s work suggests that the materials needed to build a more sustainable future may already be here. The greenest building, she argues, may be the one we choose not to tear down. Martin Zeller If she were in charge, “I would stop every project,” she says emphatically, “then review them all through the lens of sustainability. If a project cannot meet strict carbon targets, it shouldn’t be built.” Instead of measuring success in Swiss francs, she argues, “the currency should be CO₂.”Buser is much more than an architect. Together with her longtime collaborator Eric Honegger, she has launched more than 20 companies devoted to circular construction, adaptive reuse and community-centered development. They range from her architecture practice to a consultancy for climate-conscious building, a nonprofit urban think tank, a company that refurbishes historic high-end steel kitchens, and organizations that match salvaged building components with new projects.Cooperating with foundations and other partners, she often buys the projects she builds so she can fully implement her vision and keep rents low. Instead of aiming for maximum profit, she plans for “the social value:” “Humankind perishes with this profit system that justifies everything,” she says. “We’re not trying to achieve the highest possible return. We’re trying to achieve the best return for the city.”Rather than beginning with a master plan, Buser allowed future tenants to shape the redevelopment. “We plan together with the people who will use the buildings,” she explains. If a carpenter needs an inexpensive workshop, the space remains rough. If a lawyer requires a representative office, it is finished to a different standard. Instead of forcing tenants to fit a preconceived vision, the buildings evolve around actual needs.Now, children race through a large indoor playground while parents meet in cafés. A theater stages performances in former workshops. Climbers scale a wall in an indoor climbing gym. Physiotherapists, artists, nonprofits and small businesses rent affordable spaces. The rent hovers around 10% below market rate because transforming the factory was cheaper than building new. On warm evenings, tango dancers gather in the courtyard beneath strings of lights while teenagers linger beside a small pond. “It was always one of our principles,” she says, “that people should be able to come here without immediately having to buy something.”The same approach rescued Basel’s historic Markthalle. Built in 1929, the domed market hall had fallen into disrepair and faced an uncertain future. For more than a decade, Buser worked to convince investors and philanthropic organizations that preserving the building made more sense than replacing it.Her projects consistently reject the idea that historic preservation means freezing buildings in time. Instead, she transforms them into platforms for new uses. An abandoned bank becomes one of the city’s most popular cafés. A former hospital provides more than 100 apartments. Industrial buildings fill with startup incubators.In Buser’s hands, architecture is less about designing status symbols or squeezing out maximum profit than creating conditions in which communities can flourish.Buser’s perspective has been shaped by 10 years in development work. After graduating in architecture from the renowned ETH Zurich, she spent nearly a decade in Tanzania and South Sudan, building wells, schools and homes with local materials.“In Tanzania there was no such thing as waste,” she recalls. A piece of sheet metal discarded by one person became roofing for another family. Old timber became furniture.Returning to Switzerland in the late 1980s was a profound culture shock. “The overabundance — and above all the wastefulness — really disturbed me.” As a mother and grandmother, “I want my daughter and grandkid to be able to continue to live on this planet and not have to emigrate to the moon.” Martin Zeller She traces that conviction back to reading The Limits to Growth, the landmark 1972 report from the Club of Rome. “We live on a planet that isn’t getting any bigger,” she says. “The population keeps growing. We’ve known for 50 years that we cannot continue our wasteful ways and yet we continue as if we had another planet in reserve.”Soon after Buser’s return to Switzerland, a bakery owner commissioned her to remove a commercial kitchen that was only four years old. Rather than send it to landfill, she decided to rescue it.That decision eventually grew into Switzerland’s first-of-its-kind building material exchange. Founded in 1996, the Basel Bauteilbörse has become a marketplace for reusable construction components: windows, doors, structural steel, sinks, kitchens and flooring salvaged before demolition. It now operates in 16 cities. A full-time “material parts hunter,” a young woman, crosses Switzerland and neighboring countries for construction material that fits the current projects.Buser distinguishes sharply between recycling and reuse. Recycling, she says, often means crushing, melting and remanufacturing materials using energy-intensive industrial processes. Reuse preserves far more of the value that already exists. It also requires architects to relinquish total control.Most architects begin with a design and then order the materials required to realize it. Buser reverses the process. Her team first inventories available reclaimed components — windows, steel beams, façade panels — and then designs the building around them.Markthalle has become one of Switzerland’s liveliest food markets. Credit: Martin ZellerIf the available window is slightly larger than planned, her team adjusts the opening. “If you’re looking for a window that’s exactly 1.10 meters by 2.20 meters,” she says with a laugh, “you’ll never find one. But if you say, ‘roughly this size,’ then you can adapt the building.”The method demands more flexibility and, she estimates, about 20% more time, but dramatically reduces waste. She argues that complexity should not be confused with impossibility.That shift challenges an industry whose business model frequently depends on demolition, redevelopment and rising land values. Buser believes those incentives have distorted cities.She still lives with her long-time partner in the house her great-grandfather bought, a modest row house in Basel built in 1875 with an idyllic backyard and pond. She was only 18 when her uncle decided to sell the house and the entire row of houses was slated for demolition, yet Buser successfully mounted an effort to keep it in the family and preserve it. The experience motivated her to study architecture, not to construct new things but to learn how to preserve buildings.Her daughter Anne, who swore she would never follow in her mother’s footsteps, first studied social anthropology, but now oversees sustainability at one of the country’s largest construction firms. “That’s like the second rocket stage,” Buser says with a laugh, visibly proud that Anne wants to keep the historic home in the family, too. “I was the first stage of the rocket; the second stage can go much faster.”These days, Buser is attempting to slow down. Nourishing her love of water, she continues to pilot the historic ferry across the Rhine every Tuesday evening, a wooden barge without an engine, just carried by the current. Buser was the first woman in the city’s history to become a licensed ferryperson. The simplicity appeals to her. “Why make something complicated,” she asks, “when nature already provides the solution?”That question captures Barbara Buser’s life’s work.As she moves towards retirement, she has transferred most of her companies into a cooperation. Yet there’s so much to do. She’s currently collecting windows; she has sent over 10,000 to Ukraine to help make houses habitable again. She also founded a foundation that carefully restores the heritage of homeowners without heirs and remodels the homes for low-income residents.And she couldn’t say no when her most ambitious project yet presented itself: the Franck Areal, a 12,000-square-meter former Nestlé food factory on the edge of Basel.Eventually the former factory will include affordable housing built largely with reclaimed materials, workshops, restaurants, artists’ studios, gardens, a dance center, businesses devoted to the circular economy and housing for people with disabilities under unusually secure long-term leases.Walking through the site, as she does in the new documentary Barbara Buser, Pioneer of Sustainability, feels like visiting an enormous materials library. Shelves hold salvaged doors, railings, electrical cabinets and office furniture awaiting their next life. Marble from a former bank lobby has become restroom walls. Temporary fencing is assembled from discarded steel tubing. Concrete ceiling slabs have been cut into stair treads. A lending library rents household equipment, guest mattresses and cargo bikes to residents.Buser laughs when asked whether she collects too much. “I can’t really throw anything away.”For her, every discarded object represents future possibility. Proudly, Buser points to the double-glazed windows in the former Nestlé factory. They were rescued from a demolition project in Bremen, Germany. “What a waste if they had thrown that out!”This story was produced by Reasons to be Cheerful and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Kewanee Paint & Supply opens in downtown Kewanee with Benjamin Moore products

The new paint store carries an assortment of Benjamin Moore paint and products and is accessible to Goods Furniture.

Robert Duvall's best movie wasn't 'Apocalypse Now' — here are his top 10, ranked

Before he became one of Hollywood's most respected character actors, Robert Duvall was a California-born Navy brat who studied drama at Principia College. After serving in the U.S. Army, Duvall moved to New York in 1955 to study at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre under Sanford Meisner. There, he shared an apartment with a struggling young actor named Dustin Hoffman and befriended another future star, Gene Hackman.Though Duvall appeared in more than 140 films across seven decades, he was never the typical leading man. At average height with craggy features and a receding hairline, he didn't fit Hollywood's matinee idol mold. Yet there was something magnetic about his presence—an authenticity that made him impossible to ignore. His performances were marked by technical precision and a chameleon-like ability to disappear into roles, earning him the nickname "the American Olivier" from critic Vincent Canby in 1980.Duvall's breakthrough came with his portrayal of the reclusive Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962), a role that required him to convey volumes with minimal dialogue. From there, he became Francis Ford Coppola's go-to actor, appearing in "The Rain People," both "Godfather" films, "The Conversation," and "Apocalypse Now." His Oscar-nominated turn as consigliere Tom Hagen in "The Godfather" established him as one of cinema's most reliable character actors, while his unforgettable Lt. Col. Kilgore in "Apocalypse Now" gave the world the immortal line: "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."Duvall won Best Actor in 1984 for “Tender Mercies”, playing a down-and-out country singer with remarkable restraint. He earned six additional Oscar nominations throughout his career, including for "The Apostle" (1997), which he also wrote and directed. On television, he won an Emmy for the Western miniseries "Broken Trail" (2006) and earned nominations for "Lonesome Dove" (1989), "Stalin" (1992), and "The Man Who Captured Eichmann" (1996).Robert Duvall passed away peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on February 15, 2026, at age 95. His wife, Luciana, announced his death, calling him "simply everything." President Jimmy Carter posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980—wait, that was John Wayne. Duvall's legacy needs no such honors; his body of work speaks for itself.Stacker ranked Robert Duvall's 10 best movies from lowest to highest according to IMDb ratings as of February 2026, with ties broken by votes and Metascores. This ranking spans his entire career, from his 1962 debut to his final performance.Read on to find out if your favorite made the cut.#10. Network (1976) IMDB Director: Sidney LumetIMDb user rating: 8.1Metascore: 83Runtime: 121 minutesIn Sidney Lumet's prescient satire about television news, Duvall plays Frank Hackett, a ruthless network executive who embodies corporate greed and moral bankruptcy. While Peter Finch's unhinged anchorman Howard Beale gets the famous "I'm mad as hell!" speech, Duvall's cold-blooded performance provides the film's chilling reality: entertainment has replaced journalism, and ratings trump truth. His scenes crackle with menace, particularly when he clashes with William Holden's principled news producer. Duvall's ability to make villainy feel banal and bureaucratic makes "Network" even more disturbing—and relevant—50 years later.#9. Tender Mercies (1983) IMDB Director: Bruce BeresfordIMDb user rating: 7.3Metascore: 76Runtime: 92 minutesDuvall won his only Best Actor Oscar for his understated portrayal of Mac Sledge, a washed-up country singer who finds redemption through love and faith. What makes the performance remarkable is what Duvall doesn't do—there are no big emotional outbursts or scenery-chewing moments. Instead, he conveys Mac's pain and gradual healing through subtle gestures and quiet dignity. Duvall even performed his own vocals, lending authenticity to the character's musical past. Written by Horton Foote (who also wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird"), "Tender Mercies" is a gentle, deeply moving film about second chances.#8. The Conversation (1974) IMDB Director: Francis Ford CoppolaIMDb user rating: 7.7Metascore: 88Runtime: 113 minutesSandwiched between the two "Godfather" films, Coppola's paranoid thriller features Duvall in a small but crucial role as "The Director," a mysterious corporate figure at the center of a surveillance conspiracy. Though Gene Hackman carries the film as obsessive wiretapper Harry Caul, Duvall's brief appearances radiate menace and power. His character's final confrontation with Caul is chilling in its casual cruelty. Released the same year as "The Godfather Part II," "The Conversation" showcased Duvall's range and his ability to make an impact with limited screen time.#7. The Great Santini (1979) IMDB Director: Lewis John CarlinoIMDb user rating: 7.2Metascore: 68Runtime: 115 minutesDuvall earned his third Oscar nomination playing Bull Meechum, a domineering Marine pilot who terrorizes his family with the same intensity he brings to combat. It's a fearless performance that refuses to soften the character's cruelty—particularly in the infamous basketball scene where Bull humiliates his teenage son. Yet Duvall also finds the wounded warrior beneath the bully, a man whose only language is aggression. The film explores toxic masculinity decades before the term existed, and Duvall's commitment to the character's complexity makes "The Great Santini" both difficult to watch and impossible to forget.#6. The Apostle (1997) IMDB Director: Robert DuvallIMDb user rating: 7.2Metascore: 80Runtime: 134 minutesDuvall wrote, directed, produced, and starred in this passion project about Sonny Dewey, a Pentecostal preacher who flees to Louisiana after committing a violent crime and reinvents himself as "The Apostle E.F." It's one of Duvall's most personal films, and his performance is electric—literally, as Sonny conducts revival meetings with genuine fervor. Duvall, who attended church regularly as a child, brings authenticity to the character's faith without condescension or mockery. The film earned him his fifth Oscar nomination and stands as proof that Duvall was as talented behind the camera as in front of it.#5. Lonesome Dove (1989) Netflix Directors: Simon WincerIMDb user rating: 8.7Metascore: Data not availableRuntime: 384 minutes (miniseries)Okay, okay. We know this isn't a movie, but we couldn't create a list of Duvall's greatest works and not include the television miniseries, "Lonesome Dove," for Duvall's magnificent portrayal of Augustus "Gus" McCrae, a retired Texas Ranger who embarks on an epic cattle drive from Texas to Montana. Alongside Tommy Lee Jones as his taciturn partner Woodrow Call, Duvall brings warmth, humor, and heartbreak to Larry McMurtry's sprawling Western epic. Gus is a romantic and a philosopher, equally comfortable quoting poetry and facing down danger. The role earned Duvall an Emmy nomination and remains one of his most beloved performances. For many fans, he'll always be Gus McCrae.#4. Apocalypse Now (1979) IMDB Director: Francis Ford CoppolaIMDb user rating: 8.4Metascore: 94Runtime: 147 minutes"I love the smell of napalm in the morning." With that single line, Duvall created one of cinema's most iconic characters: Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore, the surfing-obsessed cavalry commander who bombs a Vietnamese village so his men can catch waves. Kilgore is both terrifying and absurd, a warrior-poet who plays Wagner during helicopter attacks and mourns the end of the war because it means no more surfing. Duvall's performance is pitch-perfect, finding the madness in military logic. His second Oscar nomination was well-deserved, and the character has been endlessly quoted and parodied—the ultimate testament to Duvall's impact.#3. The Godfather Part II (1974) IMDB Directors: Francis Ford CoppolaIMDb user rating: 9.0Metascore: 90Runtime: 202 minutesDuvall reprised his role as Tom Hagen, the Corleone family's adopted son and consigliere, in Coppola's epic sequel. While Robert De Niro and Al Pacino dominate the screen, Duvall's quiet authority anchors the film's present-day storyline. Tom is the voice of reason in a world descending into chaos, and Duvall conveys his character's growing disillusionment with Michael Corleone's increasingly ruthless leadership. Notably, Duvall did not appear in "The Godfather Part III" because the studio refused to match Al Pacino's $5 million salary—a decision that deprived fans of seeing Tom Hagen's story reach its conclusion.#2. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) IMDB Director: Robert MulliganIMDb user rating: 8.2Metascore: 88Runtime: 129 minutesDuvall's film debut remains one of his most memorable performances, despite having almost no dialogue. As Boo Radley, the reclusive neighbor who haunts Scout and Jem's imagination, Duvall appears only in the film's final sequence. Standing in the shadows of Scout's bedroom, pale and trembling, he conveys an entire lifetime of isolation and loneliness with his eyes alone. It was playwright Horton Foote who recommended Duvall for the role after seeing him in the one-act play "The Midnight Caller." That recommendation launched one of the greatest careers in American cinema.#1. The Godfather (1972) IMDB Director: Francis Ford CoppolaIMDb user rating: 9.2Metascore: 100Runtime: 175 minutesDuvall's portrayal of Tom Hagen, the Corleone family's German-Irish consigliere, earned him his first Oscar nomination and remains his most iconic role The Godfather (1972) - IMDb. Tom is the calm center of a violent storm, the lawyer who negotiates with studio heads and senators while bodies pile up around him. Duvall brings intelligence and integrity to the character, making Tom both complicit in the family's crimes and somehow separate from them. His scenes with Marlon Brando crackle with unspoken history, while his interactions with Al Pacino's Michael show a man watching his surrogate brother transform into something monstrous. "The Godfather" is ranked #2 on IMDb's Top 250 films, and Duvall's performance is a major reason why.

The Lounge Hair & Beard opens in Davenport

The salon offers quality haircuts, beard trims, and full grooming services in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Brick and Motor Boutique expands into Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen locations

Shoppers can grab a drink, food, and shop Brick & Motor at both Vibrant locations.

Rock Island County real estate transactions for September 6, 2026

Here are homes sales and property sales in Rock Island County.

Much-needed rain follows Tuesday's heat

After a very nice Labor Day in the Quad Cities, today will be another hot and humid one. However, the heat won't develop into another heat wave. Showers and storms are likely tonight and Wednesday. Some of the storms could become severe. Here's your complete 7-day forecast.

Has the economy gone C-shaped?

A K means the rich and poor are pulling apart. A C supposedly means they're coming back together. We hear the case for both. Which letter you see may depend on what you choose to pay attention to.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia ignite fires at oil facilities and wound 73 people

The attacks come after weeks of escalating clashes between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen, which shattered a four-year truce in the country's civil war.

60 years later, 'Star Trek' continues to 'live long and prosper'

The television series, Star Trek, turns 60 on Tuesday. The original show aired for only three seasons, but it spawned prequels and sequels (on TV and in theaters) and still has a cult following.

The 2026 midterm general election season is upon us. Here's what to watch

The week of Labor Day marks the unofficial kickoff of the general election season. President Trump's unpopularity and Democratic enthusiasm means control of Congress is on the ballot.

Muscatine City Council plans special session on golf course improvements

The Muscatine City Council will convene for a special in‑depth session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, at the Muscatine Municipal Golf Course clubhouse. Because of the off‑site location, video coverage will not be available. The meeting will focus on potential improvement projects at the golf course, including proposed clubhouse renovations. Community members and [...]

What to know about Canada's escalating trade war with the U.S.

Canada struck back at U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday with tariffs on about $20 billion worth of U.S. goods. The outcome could resonate far beyond Canada.

King Charles III clarifies status of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan

King Charles III has reiterated that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, remain non-working members of the royal family following their return to the United Kingdom.

Russia and North Korea open the first road across their shared border

Relations between Russia and North Korea have been flourishing, with North Korea supplying ammunition and troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine in return for economic and military assistance.

American Protective Association

This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Safe in the Vatican, Pope Leo the Thirteenth was probably not aware in the spring of 1887 that a stack of lumber in…

Youth Tobacco Use Is at Historic Lows. Adult Smokers Still Need Better Choices.

(Dr. Matthew Holman) - There is a piece of good public health news that deserves more attention: youth tobacco use in the United States has fallen to historically low levels. That progress did not happen by accident. It reflects years of prevention work, stronger age restrictions, public education, and a broad consensus that tobacco and nicotine products should not be used by anyone under the legal age.That progress is worth saying plainly, especially at a time when public discussion often leaves people with the impression that youth tobacco use is only moving in the wrong direction. The data tell a more encouraging story. But encouraging does not mean solved. Any youth use is unacceptable, and prevention must remain central to how nicotine products are marketed, sold, monitored, and regulated.The public health challenge now is to protect that hard-won progress while confronting a different, persistent problem: cigarettes. According to the CDC, cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Millions of adults continue to smoke despite decades of warnings, restrictions, taxes, and cessation campaigns. Complete cessation is always the best choice for health. But for adults who would otherwise continue smoking, access to accurate information about scientifically substantiated smoke-free nicotine alternatives matters.That is why FDA's recent action on ZYN nicotine pouches is significant. After scientific review, the agency issued modified risk orders for 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products, allowing them to be marketed with a specific FDA-authorized claim: "using ZYN instead of cigarettes puts adults at lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis." FDA did not say these products are safe. It did not say people who do not use nicotine should start. It authorized a claim to help adults who smoke better understand relative risk.That distinction is important. Nicotine products are addictive and not risk-free. They are not substitutes for quitting tobacco and nicotine altogether, and they are not intended as nicotine replacement therapies (e.g., patches, gums, etc.). But science-based policy should recognize meaningful differences in risk between cigarettes and smoke-free nicotine products for adults who switch completely.The latest youth tobacco data show these goals are not mutually exclusive. According to FDA's analysis of the 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey, current use of tobacco products, combustible tobacco products, and e-cigarettes declined between 2022 and 2025. FDA also reported that youth use of nicotine pouches remained low and stable, with 1.7 percent of students reporting current nicotine pouch use in 2025, compared with 1.8 percent in 2024.Those numbers should give policymakers confidence, not complacency. They show that historically low youth tobacco use can coexist with a marketplace that includes FDA-authorized smoke-free alternatives for adults. Keeping youth use low requires continued discipline from regulators, retailers, manufacturers, parents, educators, and public health leaders.PMI U.S. has been clear that smoke-free nicotine products are for current nicotine consumers who are 21 and older—not youth, not non-users, and not people who are trying to quit nicotine altogether. The company's responsible marketing practices reflect that commitment. Advertising features only individuals aged 35 or older. Branded websites require independent online age verification for visitors 21 and older. PMI U.S. limits its social media presence to platforms that allow age-restricted controls. It does not pay social media influencers to endorse its products and does not engage in product placement in movies or television programs.Those practices are part of a broader 10-point approach to underage prevention that includes responsible marketing, retail support programs, real-world monitoring, and a call for collective action. The approach includes age-gated website access, monitoring of underage-use data, responsible marketing standards, retail technology advancement, responsible social media policies, FDA regulation, continued innovation for age restriction, support for enforcement against illicit products, responsible retail practices, and support for compliance checks such as mystery shopping by FDA.No single company, regulator, or public health organization can do this alone. The right framework is practical and evidence-based: keep nicotine products away from anyone under 21, enforce minimum age of purchase laws, address illicit products, maintain clear product standards, and require responsible marketing.The United States has made extraordinary progress reducing youth tobacco use. That is worth saying plainly, and it is worth protecting. The next step is to bring the same seriousness to the adults who still smoke. A mature tobacco policy should be able to do both: prevent young people from starting and help adults who continue to smoke move to better alternatives. Those goals belong together.Dr. Matthew R. Holman is the vice president and chief science and regulatory strategy officer for PMI U.S. Holman is the former chief scientist at the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products. 

How Discord and Gaming Help Friends Stay Connected Across Distance

(NewsUSA) - September marks the beginning of a new school year, and for many students, it also marks the first time they will live away from home. College students are packing up, heading to campuses in other cities and states, and beginning new chapters of their lives. For the friends they leave behind, that can mean suddenly being hundreds of miles—and sometimes a time zone—apart.Distance can make maintaining close friendships more difficult. But technology is giving friends new ways to stay connected, and communication platforms built for gaming such as Discord are increasingly becoming digital spaces where friends can continue to spend time together, talk and socialize even when they can no longer meet in person.“When I had to move to college in another county, I didn't have proper communication channels set up for when I wanted to talk to my friends back home,” said Zen Dailo from Bakersfield, California. “Discord helps me stay in touch with some of my closest friends from home that I probably wouldn't have kept in touch with.”Discord Gives Friends a Place to Hang OutFor many users, Discord is more than a messaging app for gaming. It can function as a virtual gathering place where friends can talk, share experiences and spend time together whether or not they are playing a game.More than 90 million people use Discord every day to text, talk and video chat before, during and after playing games. The platform is free to join and is designed around conversations in smaller communities rather than algorithm-driven feeds or viral content.That difference can make online interaction feel more personal. Friends can use voice chat, video calls and high-quality streaming across devices, creating an experience that can feel less like sending messages and more like hanging out in the same room.For college students who have suddenly moved away from their hometowns, that kind of always-available social space can make maintaining friendships easier.Why Gaming Can Strengthen FriendshipsGaming is also helping friends stay connected because it gives them something active to do together rather than simply exchanging messages.Research published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships examined how friendships develop and found that the amount of time people spend together is not the only factor. The type of interaction matters as well. Shared activities, including playing games together, were found to be meaningful predictors of friendship.The popularity of gaming also means that friends do not have to live in the same place to participate in the same activity. The Entertainment Software Association reports that 67 percent of Americans ages 5 to 90 play video games for at least an hour each week, while 49 percent say games help them stay connected with friends and family.That makes gaming different from many traditional social activities. Going to a movie, joining a local sports league or meeting for dinner generally requires people to be in the same location. Online gaming allows friends to participate together even when they are separated by hundreds or thousands of miles.The result is an activity that can turn a simple online conversation into shared time.Keeping an Entire Friend Group ConnectedMaintaining one friendship across distance can be difficult. Keeping an entire friend group together can be even harder.Schedules change after high school. Some friends leave for college, others start working, and people may move to different cities or states. Over time, coordinating a group gathering can become increasingly difficult.Discord is designed for both individual conversations and larger communities. Friends can create Group Direct Messages or establish private Servers—invite-based spaces organized around a friend group, game or shared interest.These communities give friends a place to return to even when their schedules do not line up perfectly. Users can see which friends are online, join an ongoing conversation or start a gaming session without having to organize a formal gathering every time.For Logan Iacobo of Pomona, California, Discord has helped preserve a large friend group that might otherwise have become harder to maintain.“Once I was out of high school, I accumulated a very large friend group, so it was hard to always talk to everyone,” he said. “Discord has enabled us to stay connected. When I moved across the country, I could still talk to everyone, and we’ve stayed close to this day – it’s been a real blessing.”How to Use Discord to Stay Connected With FriendsGetting started with Discord is relatively simple. The platform is available for mobile devices, consoles and desktop computers, and an account can be created in just a few minutes.Friends can start a one-on-one Direct Message or Group Direct Message with people they already know. They can also create a private Server specifically for their friend group or join an existing community based on a favorite game or shared interest.Joining a Server can be as simple as clicking an invitation link from a friend. Users can also browse Discord's directory to discover communities based on games, hobbies and other interests.For friends separated by college, work or a move to another part of the country, these features can make it easier to maintain a regular connection without requiring everyone to be available at the same time.Distance Doesn't Have to Mean DisconnectionMoving away from home can change friendships, but it does not necessarily have to end them. Gaming gives friends a shared activity, while Discord provides a persistent place where they can talk, stream, play and spend time together.For college students starting a new chapter, staying connected may be as simple as logging on and finding familiar friends waiting in the same digital space.Today, distance doesn't have to mean disconnection. With Discord, the hangout can always be with you.

A Mirror on America

(John M. Bridgeland) - On September 11, America marks the 25th anniversary of the day 19 terrorists hijacked four airliners and turned them into weapons against our country. It was among the darkest days in our history. Yet from that darkness came a remarkable display of light.I remember every hour.As Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, I was meeting with EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman when word came that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. Seventeen minutes later, a second plane hit the South Tower. America was under attack.A terrible succession of events followed: the strike on the Pentagon, the evacuation of the White House, reports of another incoming plane, meetings in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, the grounding of civilian aircraft and the emergency response to New York, the Pentagon and, soon, Shanksville.In an instant, the domestic agenda was eclipsed by the protection of the nation.But something else happened that deserves equal remembrance.Americans responded not only with resolve, but with generosity and compassion. President Bush later reflected that after America was attacked, “it was as if our entire country looked into a mirror and saw our better selves.”I saw it firsthand. The White House was flooded with offers of help. Restaurant owners from Seattle loaded their van with supplies and drove 3,000 miles to New York to feed exhausted workers at Ground Zero.They were hardly alone. Blood banks overflowed. Houses of worship opened. Volunteers appeared everywhere. At Ground Zero, people moved toward the disaster rather than away from it.President Bush believed this civic awakening should become more than a passing emotion. He called Americans to build on the “millions of acts of kindness and decency and service” revealed after September 11. He expanded national service opportunities—in the Peace Corps, VISTA, Conservation Corps, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and new disaster response corps—to their highest levels then and since. Volunteering swelled with new opportunities to help neighbor and nation. Democracy, he understood, depends on what citizens willingly do for one another.He also knew that unity required moral courage. Six days after the attacks, he visited the Islamic Center of Washington and declared: “The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. Islam is peace.” Fear would not be permitted to become prejudice.Other moments of unity now seem unimaginable. Before President Bush addressed Congress, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle embraced him. Some things stood above politics. That memory is more poignant today.Our public life rewards the performance of contempt, and treats the search for common ground as a kind of surrender. Yet democracy depends on habits of character: humility, courage, reconciliation and service.This anniversary should be more than remembrance. It should be an examination of conscience. The terrorists sought to make fear our future. Instead, for a season, courage became contagious. Compassion outran hatred. Service overwhelmed despair. Strangers became neighbors.The mirror President Bush described still waits for us.  Perhaps the most fitting memorial to those we lost would be to become, once again, the country reflected in it.

Quad Cities dogs cool off at Bettendorf's annual 'Doggy Splash'

The event raises money for the Crow Creek Dog Park.

2-year-old dies after falling into pool in Scott County

The Scott County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the incident.

Bettendorf man sentenced after gunfire at motel in 2025: Court documents

A 57-year-old Bettendorf man was placed on two years of supervised probation after gunfire at a motel in 2025, according to a Scott County Court order of disposition. Tommie Valentine Jr. had pleaded guilty to charges of dominion/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon, affidavits say. On Sept. 4, Valentine appeared with his attorney [...]

Iowa union members rally for workers’ rights at Des Moines Labor Day parade

Iowa union members and supporters filled downtown Des Moines for the Labor Day parade, turning the rainy event into a rally for workers’ rights two months ahead of the midterm election.

Cost of living and voter turnout take center stage at 57th Salute to Labor picnic

Working families and local leaders gathered at the 57th annual Salute to Labor picnic to address inflation and encourage voters to make a plan for November.

Update: 2-year-old dies after falling into pool at Scott County residence

The Scott County Sheriff's Office provided an update Monday on the unresponsive toddler who was airlifted to Iowa City on Sunday.

Crews on scene after car crashes into Moline home

Crews are on the scene after a car crashed into the front porch of a house in Moline. Our Quad Cities News was told the accident happened a little after 6:00 p.m. at the intersection of 3rd St. and 19th Ave. near City Line Plaza. According to reports, the car hit the curb, flipped around [...]

Update: 2-year-old child dies after being found in Scott Co. pool

A 2-year-old toddler has died after being found unresponsive in an outdoor pool on Maysville Road in Scott County, officials said.

Illinois Gov. Pritzker, leading Democrats energize party faithful at Salute to Labor

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was the main speaker Sept. 7 at the 57th-annual Salute to Labor Picnic at the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council’s Quad Cities site in East Moline.

Duckworth attends roundtable in the Quad Cities on Labor Day

Duckworth spoke to social service groups in our region.

Illinois voted best state for pumpkin patches

A new report reviewed pumpkin patches nationally and found Illinois has the best! Illinois is the biggest pumpkin-producing state across the U.S., and Goebbert's Farm in Pingree Grove was rated as the best patch in the state. From corn mazes to spooky haunted trails and attractions to explore, farms and pumpkin patches were also judged [...]

Rock Island County Democrats hold annual Salute to Labor picnic

Gov. JB Pritzker, Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Eric Sorensen were among the speakers.

Sen. Duckworth addressing rising cost of living, voting during QCA visit

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth visited Rock Island on Labor Day to hear directly from Quad City residents about rising costs of living and economic worries.

Labor Day picnic: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says he's working 'day and night' to reopen Joslin plant

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was among the speakers at the Rock Island County Democrats’ Salute to Labor picnic on Monday.

Low River Levels cause lack of Labor Day boating

Low river levels cause a lack of boaters out on the Mississippi River on Labor Day