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

Friday, October 2nd, 2026
	Heavy rainfall causes wastewater backups, runoff across Iowa IOWA -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said it has received several reports of wastewater entering waterways statewide. After multiple days of heavy rainfall, many communities across the state are experiencing flooding impacts. One such impact, the DNR said, is wastewater collection systems becoming overloaded and causing sewage water to back up into basements, [...]
	Things drying out after a lot of rain! After the past couple of days of non-stop rain in the Quad Cities, a lot of us are looking forward to a dry period. The Quad Cities from Wednesday and Thursday received around 3-5" of rain which led us to be more than double the average rain for September, and already halfway through the average [...]
	Public 'read-out' of banned, challenged books scheduled for Rock Island The Rock Island Public Library and Midwest Writing Center will partner to celebrate the freedom to read, with a public “read-out” of banned or challenged books during Banned Books Week Oct. 4-10. The 2026 Banned Books Read Out will begin with a social time at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at the Rock Island Public [...]
	The U.S. added only 29,000 jobs in September as job market lacks spark U.S. employers added 29,000 jobs in September as the unemployment rate inched up to 4.2%. Job gains for July and August were revised down by a total of 60,000 jobs, extending a lackluster run for the job market.
	Police: Man shot at vehicle several times near football stadium The shooting happened Thursday night.
	September weather was warmer and wetter than normal; record for Oct. 1 rainfall set September was warmer and wetter than normal. Gorgeous forecast for the weekend and next week.
	Complaint alleges Scott County Supervisor used public facilities to film campaign videos Iowa ethics officials are investigating a complaint filed that alleges John Maxwell filmed campaign videos using government property.
	Fall parade of homes begins Saturday Learn more about this year's annual fall real estate event that runs on specific dates from Oct. 3 to 11.
	Congressman Sorensen highlights rising grocery costs at supermarket Illinois Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen visited an East Moline supermarket to talk grocery inflation amid nationwide affordability concerns.
	Augustana's event seeks to foster student-community engagement “We really fully believe that Augustana is not just located in Rock Island, but we are a part of the community."
	San Francisco's car crime has plunged. How much credit does Flock deserve? San Francisco leaders say AI-powered cameras helped drive a dramatic decline in car crime. We examine the evidence — and whether the city can keep its high-tech dragnet without sacrificing civil liberties.
	Failed 'torturous' execution attempt on Christa Pike reignites death penalty debate The botched execution in Tennessee of Christa Pike – who survived despite being subject to two doses of lethal injection on Wednesday – has reignited furious debate about the death penalty in the U.S.
	The Reverend Delk This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island."Timing is everything," as Reverend James L. Delk could tell you after a summer of revival meetings in the city of Rock…
	Discursive Verses: when pulling rank goes wrong NPR Music culture critic and reporter Rodney Carmichael ruminates on the latest in rap culture. This week: a hip-hop divorce, an OutKast lawsuit and the state of rap music on the charts.
	Who uttered the phrase 'the ideological clowns are out' this week? The quiz knows Plus, how well do you know your pandas and fat bears?
	10 books we are looking forward to this fall Move over, beach reads. With the fall equinox behind us, we can now curl up with cozy autumn books. There are new titles coming from Barbara Kingsolver, Chad Harbach, Jasmine Guillory and more.
	He was banned by betting sites, and filed for bankruptcy. Then he relapsed on Kalshi The dark side of the prediction market boom is becoming more clear: Experts say the sites have become go-to outlets for gambling addicts to relapse as the companies avoid state consumer protections.
	Walmart recalls 4.4 million grill brushes, CPSC says Walmart announced the recall of more than 4.4 million Expert Grill brushes due to an ingestion hazard, according to a Thursday alert from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
	Flood Warning until FRI 1:00 PM CDT Flooding Continues in East Central Iowa and Northwestern Illinois Until 1 PM CDT
	Trump midterm rally draws thousands of supporters to Oklahoma town President Donald Trump waves during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)President Donald Trump on Thursday told an adoring and boisterous crowd to vote like he was on the ballot. Trump launched what is expected to be a month-long campaign blitz in Oklahoma in hopes of energizing Republicans going into the midterms. “We do great when I’m on the ballot,” Trump told thousands packed into the Choctaw Event Center, which is located about 2.5 hours southeast of Oklahoma City. Many supporters waited hours in the rain to see Trump. Trump said more were still waiting outside the event center after it reached capacity. “When I’m not on the ballot, people don’t go and vote so much,” Trump said. “Pretend I’m running please, because I’m on the ballot.” President Donald Trump gestures as he exits the stage during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)President Donald Trump dances during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)U.S. Sen. James Lankford waves during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)President Donald Trump kisses Margo Martin, one of his communication staffers, during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei waves during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)An event attendee who was interviewed earlier in the day was brought on stage by Donald Trump during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Two event attendees who were interviewed earlier in the day are brought on stage by Donald Trump during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Blake Marnell, also known as Brick Suit, is recognized by Donald Trump during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd is recognized by Donald Trump during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Former NBA players Dennis Rodman and Enes Kanter Freedom are recognized during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Event attendees cheer while Donald Trump speaks during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)An event attendee laughs during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Donald Trump walks onto the stage during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin walks onto the stage during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei and U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern hug during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Continental Resources founder Harold Hamm speaks during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)T.W. Shannon, who is running for Oklahoma's lieutenant governor, speaks during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Brandon Beach, the treasurer of the United States, shows the new Trump coin during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Honor guard presents the flags during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Donald Knopes attends a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice)Oklahoma Congressman Josh Brecheen speaks during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice) Trump is serving his final term, and said he hopes Republicans will maintain control of Congress to help his agenda. He acknowledged that maintaining control of the U.S. House and Senate hinges on the outcomes of about two dozen races. Oklahoma, he said, was not one of those battlegrounds. Trump’s favorability rating has declined significantly nationwide as the war with Iran has increased gasoline prices and inflation and tariffs have hit pocketbooks. Trump, though, spoke about what he viewed as his administration’s economic successes, which he said have gone unreported by the media, and the benefits of the war in Iran. Trump said it is important that Iran never has a nuclear weapon, adding that other presidents should have dealt with the country’s nuclear aspirations a long time ago. Trump reminded voters he won all 77 Oklahoma counties the three times that he appeared on the ballot. He touted his policies for reducing crime, lowering taxes and prescription drug prices and securing the border. He took several swipes at Democrats, blaming them for high inflation, soaring energy prices and a huge trade deficit. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress. Trump also accused Democrats of supporting socialists and communists. He said the country is experiencing a “golden age” and will go back to the dark age under Democrats. “If the Republicans win the House and the Senate, I am going to give all adult citizens of the United States a check for $5,000,” Trump said. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget warned last month that Trump’s plan would cost about $1.2 trillion, and “explode” the nation’s deficit. Trump mentioned his plan to build a massive aluminum smelter Inola, which has become an issue in the Oklahoma gubernatorial campaign. Local residents in the town of about 2,000 located about 25 miles east of Tulsa have pushed back against the project, which supporters say will create over 1,000 jobs. They’ve extended a moratorium blocking the project until local residents can vote on its fate in April. The smelter, which would produce about 600,000 tons of aluminum, is part of Trump’s $200 billion deal with the United Arab Emirates. Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Mazzei, who spoke at the rally and has been endorsed by Trump, supports it. “You are going to build the largest aluminum factory, perhaps in the world, and you’re going to make a fortune with it,” Trump said. Trump said tariffs that he has imposed have generated trillions in revenue and created jobs. Several notable politicians were in the crowd, including Gov. Kevin Stitt, members of Congress and the Oklahoma Legislature. Several spoke, including U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a former Republican U.S. senator from Oklahoma. Donald Trump walks onto the stage during a midterm election rally at the Choctaw Event Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/For Oklahoma Voice) They encouraged rally attendees to vote Republican on Nov. 3. Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, arrived hours before Trump’s speech, saying it is a big deal when the President comes to Oklahoma. “I am a big President Trump fan and I wanted to come and see him,” Hamilton said. Thousands were on hand to hear Trump, who began his speech about two hours late and spoke for a little over an hour. Some wore T-shirts that read “Don’t tread on me,” and “God, Guns and Trump.” One man wore a flag that said “Trump is my president.” Some brought school-aged children while others pushed friends and family members in wheelchairs. While waiting for Trump, they chanted “USA. USA. USA.” Donald Knopes, a veteran from Durant, said he supports Trump despite the economy, saying no man is perfect. “He is the less than all the evils that are out there,” said Knopes, who arrived at noon to hear Trump, who began speaking shortly before 8 p.m. Beth Mills, of Shawnee, said she came to enjoy the patriotic feeling of seeing the president. “I think he is doing what he can,” she said. “I think he has been crippled by the Congress not taking action and getting some of the agenda things done. I think that hurts him.” Mills said she believes in Trump’s agenda. Trump is expected to travel to Alabama on Friday, to Ohio over the weekend and Nebraska on Monday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Oklahoma Voice
Thursday, October 1st, 2026
	Davenport North defeats Clinton 21-14 Davenport North football defeated Clinton 21-14 Thursday night at Roger Craig Stadium.
	Moline on three game win streak after starting season 0-3 After an 0-3 start, the Maroons have rebounded to even their record at 3-3 overall and 3-1 in Western Big 6 play.
	US House candidates disagree on tariffs, but find common ground on opposition to Trump beef imports Democratic U.S. House of Representatives candidate Nikki Gronli, left, and Republican candidate Marty Jackley participate in a debate at the Sioux Falls studios of South Dakota Public Broadcasting on Oct. 1, 2026. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)SIOUX FALLS — During a Thursday night debate, the Republican candidate in the race for South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives joined a chorus of his party’s members in criticizing President Donald Trump’s approach on beef imports. Republican Attorney General Marty Jackley faces Democrat Nikki Gronli in the Nov. 3 general election. Gronli is a small-business owner, and was South Dakota’s director of rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture under President Joe Biden. The two sparred in Sioux Falls during a debate co-hosted by South Dakota Public Broadcasting and South Dakota News Watch. Jackley said he largely agrees with Trump on tariffs, which are taxes paid by companies importing foreign goods. But Jackley said Trump’s push to import Argentinian beef to ease high consumer prices earlier this year was the wrong approach. South Dakota’s US House candidates clash over Trump’s mail-in voting restrictions “If you do away with tariffs, that doesn’t protect our beef anymore,” Jackley said. “That opens the flood market for foreign beef.” Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden said during a debate with his Democratic opponent last month that he disagrees with Trump’s beef import plan. Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, who ran unsuccessfully in June for the Republican nomination for governor, has also criticized it, as have South Dakota’s Republican U.S. senators, John Thune and Mike Rounds. Tariffs on Chinese goods, Jackley said, are important tools for balancing what the Republican candidate described as that country’s unfair trade practices. “We need to make sure, with respect to targeted tariffs, that we’re doing everything we can to promote American jobs and to get our products a fair deal and a fair trade,” said Jackley. Gronli repeatedly lambasted Trump’s approach to tariffs. She said Trump’s tariffs and tariff threats have created a chaotic environment for the state’s farmers and have cost families dearly. “All Americans are suffering under the tariffs,” Gronli said, pointing specifically to tariffs on Canada, South Dakota’s top trading partner. “The next Congress needs to take this on,” Gronli said. “They need to be a check on the executive branch and take back their power.” Gas prices, energy Gronli also pointed to the war in Iran, which has disrupted global oil shipments, as a Trump administration policy that’s done damage to South Dakota’s farms, families and small businesses. Diesel prices have climbed higher than $6 a gallon. Farmers “can’t plan right now,” Gronli said. “They had high input costs in the spring, and now they’re dealing with high, high diesel costs this fall. They’re wondering if they’re going to break even when they take their crops out.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Jackley said he believes the war in Iran “needs to wind down” now that the U.S. has “addressed the nuclear capabilities” of that country. But high prices at the pump and at the grocery store had more to do with the slowdown of fossil fuel development during President Biden’s time in office, Jackley said, calling the price spikes from the Iran war a “short-term” factor. “Under President Biden, he shut down refineries day one,” Jackley said. “He closed oil pipelines. He stopped leases and exploration on federal land. We have to have energy independence.” Healthcare The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 put $50 billion toward rural healthcare in the coming years, while cutting federal funding for healthcare through work requirements for Medicaid recipients, among other changes. Trump championed the bill, and all three members of South Dakota’s congressional delegation voted for it. South Dakota has been given $189 million so far for rural health transformation, and the state is in the process of deciding what to do with the money. Democrat for US House unveils proposals to lower tariffs, stabilize Social Security Debate moderator Jackie Hendry asked both candidates if they felt the rural health funding would do enough to address the needs of South Dakotans. Jackley said sending money to the states to upgrade health infrastructure is the right approach. “What the Big Beautiful Bill did was put dollars in the hands of the state, who knows best where those dollars need to go,” he said. Jackley said the solution to healthcare affordability is to incentivize competition in the private sector, rather than support what he described as government-funded “socialized medicine.” He also said tightening restrictions on benefits will make sure tax money is spent where it’s needed and not used for fraudulent purposes. Gronli argued that the changes to programs like Medicaid, a state-federal health insurance program for the elderly, children and people with disabilities, will blunt the impact of the rural health grants. “People aren’t going to have access to health insurance,” said Gronli. “It doesn’t really do much good to invest in technology and things in hospitals if people can’t actually access healthcare.” Agreement, disagreement on tribal issues Gronli and Jackley both decried the federal government’s failure to adequately fund services for members of the state’s nine tribal nations. Jackley said the Department of Interior has failed to adequately fund law enforcement, and pointed to his office’s efforts to offer law enforcement training to tribal officers as proof that he understands the issue and is prepared to take steps to address it in Congress. Gronli said a 16-year-old girl in Fort Thompson, a community on the Crow Creek Reservation, told her she waited two hours for a law enforcement response after calling 911 about “some scary people” outside her home. “That’s unacceptable,” Gronli said. “We shouldn’t have this poor girl by herself and scared. So public safety is a critical need.” [Voter Guide: 2026 general election Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.] The candidates disagreed on restarting a Biden-era program to continue studying the long-term impact of Native American boarding schools. For decades, students were taken from their homes, forced to cut their hair, abandon their language and culture, and assimilate to non-Native society. Gronli said that “wasn’t very long ago,” noting that she’s 53 and grew up alongside Native Americans who were among the first members of their family for several generations to have grown up outside the boarding school system. In 2025, moderator Hendry noted, the National Congress of American Indians passed a resolution condemning the Trump administration for rescinding grants to continue research into the boarding school era. Gronli said the funding should be restored. “Generational trauma is real, and our tribal members are still living it,” said Gronli. Jackley, however, said federal money is better spent on addressing immediate issues in tribal areas through consultation with tribal leaders. “We should have these conversations, and we should move forward instead of just spending dollars researching it and accomplishing nothing for our Native American tribes,” Jackley said. Video of the Oct. 1, 2026, U.S. House debate between Republican Marty Jackley and Democrat Nikki Gronli. (Courtesy of SDPB) Courtesy of South Dakota Searchlight
	More than 100 people line up in Iowa City for release of Caitlin Clark's signature shoe More than 100 people lined up on Iowa Avenue in Iowa City for a chance to purchase Caitlin Clark's new signature shoes with Nike: The Caitlin 1s. Nike and Clark collaborated for a pop-up stand and basketball court right in the middle of downtown. It's got many people excited for the shoes and adds to [...]
	Child on bike hit by vehicle in Eldridge Police say the juvenile suffered minor injuries.
	Davenport police respond to scene at gas station A News 8 photojournalist saw multiple police vehicles responding to Breeze Market on Thursday night.
	Davenport police respond to gas station A News 8 photojournalist saw multiple police vehicles responding to Breeze Market on Thursday night.
	Duck Creek rises more than 6 feet amid prolonged rain throughout the metro The Quad Cities NWS expects Duck Creek to continue rising overnight into Friday, but levels should be helped by dry weather in the upcoming forecast.
	Man injured in Davenport stabbing Davenport police responded to the 7500 block of Northwest Boulevard in reference to a disturbance where they found one person suffering stab wounds to their neck.
	Teen arrested in connection with Davenport shots fired incident A Davenport teen has been arrested in connection with a shots fired incident that occurred at a Brady Street gasoline station.
	Iowa DNR biologist honored for career in wildlife conservation Todd Bogenschutz has spent the last 30 years working to preserve the populations and habitats of Iowa's wildlife game birds. He was surprised with a national honor.
	Last Picture House to welcome filmmaker, 'BUZZ' documentary The Last Picture House will welcome prolific filmmaker Mark Pellington on Monday, Oct. 5, with a screening of the documentary "This is BUZZ," which explores the radical impact and lasting relevance of “BUZZ,” an avant-garde, genre-less MTV magazine series from the 1990s. Pellington is one of the music video industry’s most accomplished filmmakers, having directed [...]
	$Davenport man accused of hitting person with wooden board, causing fractures$ Davenport man accused of hitting person with wooden board, causing fractures A Davenport man is facing charges after allegedly hitting another man with a wooden board, causing fractures and a large hematoma, police say.
	Our QC Crime Watch: Jamison Fisher drops change of venue motion: Episode 83 Watch crime reporters Linda Cook and Sharon Wren talk about crime and courts in the latest episode of the Our Quad Cities Crime Watch Podcast. In this episode, Linda and Sharon provide updates about: Jamison Fisher, suspect in Trudy Appleby's homicide, drops his change of venue motion Investigation continues after Rock Island woman is shot [...]
	Gov. Armstrong presents Rough Rider Awards to Bismarck wrestling legends Troy Steiner speaks to event attendees after he and his twin brother, Terry Steiner, received the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award at the Capitol on Oct. 1, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)Gov. Kelly Armstrong presented Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Awards Thursday to two of North Dakota’s most acclaimed wrestlers and coaches. Terry and Troy Steiner, twin brothers born and raised in Bismarck, received the awards for their individual wrestling achievements and their work as coaches and ambassadors for the sport over the past 40 years, according to the Governor’s Office. “Troy and Terry have carved a place for themselves in the pantheon of wrestling greatness,” Armstrong said during a ceremony at the Capitol. “As coaches and ambassadors, their impact and influence on the sport of wrestling cannot be measured. They have inspired countless men and women to pursue the sport of wrestling.” The brothers competed for Bismarck Century High School with Troy Steiner winning three individual state titles across three different weight classes from 1986 to 1988. Terry Steiner won back-to-back state titles in 1987 and 1988 in two weight classes. Upon graduation, the brothers attended the University of Iowa, where Troy Steiner was honored as a four-year All-American while Terry Steiner was awarded the same honor for three years. Each brother won an individual NCAA wrestling championship, Troy Steiner in 1992 and Terry in 1993, according to Armstrong’s office. Terry Steiner, right, and his twin brother, Troy Steiner, center-right, view their official portrait before receiving the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award at the Capitol on Oct. 1, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Both went on to be part of the U.S. National Team with Troy Steiner placing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1992 and 1996. “North Dakota didn’t teach us how to work hard, North Dakotans did,” said Troy Steiner during his acceptance speech to more than 300 attendees in Memorial Hall. He said it was farmers, ranchers, teachers, coaches, and moms and dads raising families who taught them to show up, care for their neighbors and how to respond when things get hard. “Eventually, those examples become part of you,” Troy Steiner said. Scheel recognized for joy, vision, success through North Dakota Rough Rider Award After their days of competition concluded, both men went on to historic coaching careers, Armstrong’s office said. Troy Steiner coached wrestling at multiple Division I schools: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon State and Fresno State, and is the head coach of the Gopher Wrestling Club in Minneapolis. Terry Steiner became head coach of the women’s U.S. National Wrestling Team in 2002 and led the organization to become one of the fastest growing female sports in the country, the governor’s office said. Troy Steiner said before his father died he told the brothers to “pay it forward.” During his acceptance speech, he announced the establishment of the Steiner Rough Rider Foundation. “We want to help create those same kinds of opportunities for another generation of young North Dakotans,” Troy Steiner said. He added the mission will be to help under-resourced young people in the state “move forward through sport.” Terry Steiner thanked his family and friends, but also the community that shaped himself and his brother. “We are grateful for your confidence in us and for allowing us to join a group of North Dakotans whose accomplishments have brought pride and distinction to our great state,” Terry Steiner said. “No matter where our careers have taken us, North Dakota has always been home.” First North Dakotan to fly in space awarded state’s top honor Armstrong said he didn’t believe anyone in the United States had done more for the growth of women’s wrestling across the country than Terry Steiner. The Steiner brothers were the 51st and 52nd recipients of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award since it was established in 1961. The award recognizes present and former North Dakotans who achieve national recognition in their fields. “I would go to the mat every day, and twice on Sundays, to defend this selection for the Rough Rider Award,” Armstrong said. “Because without question, Terry and Troy have brought distinction and recognition to their home state, their country and indeed the world.” North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at machterling@northdakotamonitor.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of North Dakota Monitor
	Maryland officials say changes to electric grid governance aren’t enough Maryland Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard and Montgomery) speaks during a July rally calling for changes to management of PJM, the multistate electric grid operator, outside the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Photo by Mayah Nachman/Maryland Matters)Democratic leaders in Maryland and around the region have long called for PJM Interconnection, which administers the regional electric grid, to give more weight to state voices in its decision-making. But at the conclusion of PJM’s process to reevaluate its governance structure Wednesday, the lawmakers leading the charge were dissatisfied with the result. Critics said that while PJM members would give states some additional say, they kept most of the decision-making authority for themselves. “The fact that companies that benefit from the current rules get to write and approve their own reform highlights the broken system Marylanders are footing the bill for,” Gov. Wes Moore (D) said a statement released by his office. “FERC [the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] gave clear direction to PJM and its members to give states a real voice, but PJM’s members responded with a term sheet that stifles the states by handing those same members a veto over any proposal the states bring forward,” Moore’s statement said. “Maryland strongly rejects this move, and the PJM Board and FERC should too.” PJM was reevaluating its governance structure at the direction of the FERC, after Chair Laura Swett in July urged PJM to make “meaningful” reforms amid mounting pressure from states, including a leading state in Pennsylvania, and the White House. Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-Montgomery) and Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard and Montgomery) joined other lawmakers at a May rally in Baltimore.(Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters) “I want you all to hear this plainly: If the stakeholders cannot reach a set of credible, meaningful reforms or an agreement in principle by the end of September, then this commission is not going to hesitate to use the full extent of our legal authority to implement reforms necessary to restore confidence in PJM’s governance,” Swett said at the time. The governance decision, announced Wednesday, was “PJM’s opportunity to show that it heard Chairwoman Swett’s warning,” said Pennsylvania State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, part of the collaborative of Democratic legislators pushing for change at PJM. Instead, PJM members, including transmission owners and generators, gave themselves “veto power over the very decisions at issue,” Friel Otten said in a statement Thursday. The proposal advanced by PJM members, if approved by FERC, would let the state’s executive branches participate for the first time in the Organization of PJM States, or OPSI. It is currently made up of state utility regulators — in Maryland’s case, the Public Service Commission. But PJM’s member committee would still get to make the final decision on the filing of key documentation before FERC, under Section 205 of the Federal Power Act. And two-thirds of members would need to support a proposal from OPSI for it to move forward. PJM members also voted Wednesday to add one state seat to their nominating committee, which decides PJM’s board members. At least one competing proposal, from PJM staff, would have added two seats for states on the nominating board, plus the opportunity for an additional independent appointee. Maryland Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard and Montgomery) said the governance plan offered by PJM members made states “spectators” to the process. “PJM’s decisions shape what families pay for electricity, whether our grid is reliable, and whether states can carry out the energy policies their residents elected them to pursue,” said Hester. “States cannot be treated as spectators in a system whose decisions have such enormous consequences for our constituents.” Hester has been among the Maryland legislators and climate groups criticizing PJM for slowing the arrival of clean energy to the grid and inadequately managing a data center boom, which has placed immense strain on the regional grid. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) speaks at the PJM Interconnection annual meeting in Baltimore on May 11, 2026. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters) Jeff Shields, a spokesman for PJM wrote that Wednesday’s vote represents “an important step in the governance reform process and reflects substantial work by PJM members and stakeholders over the past several weeks.” “At the same time, we recognize that differences remain, particularly regarding the appropriate role of states in PJM’s governance and stakeholder processes,” Shields wrote in a statement. “PJM will continue working with its Board, FERC, and stakeholders towards meaningful governance reforms that improve decision-making, preserve PJM’s independence, and appropriately consider the perspectives of states, members, consumers, and other stakeholders,” Shields said. For several Maryland legislators, Wednesday’s decisions from PJM were not enough. “We have known for a long time that PJM is controlled by the for-profit energy and transmission companies that profit by slow-walking the clean energy transition and keeping consumer prices high,” said Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-Montgomery). “Today’s vote by those same members made it clear that these members are willing to vote to protect their profits, even in the face of FERC directing them to reform the system.” Climate group the Chesapeake Climate Action Network agreed. “PJM proved once again that its governance is broken, and FERC needs to step in and force drastic governance changes within PJM,” said Jamie DeMarco, Maryland Climate Change Commissioner. “You cannot ask a broken system whether it wants change. Change must be forced upon it.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Maryland Matters
	Major police presence near Brady Street Stadium There is a major police presence in the area around Brady Street Stadium in Davenport. Our Quad Cities News was on the scene October 1 after 7:00 p.m. and saw the crime scene unit pull up to the scene. The incident looks to be blocking traffic in the area. Our Quad Cities News will update [...]
	Police investigating reports of gunfire near gas station in Davenport KWQC is working to learn more information.
	Flood Warning from THU 7:08 PM CDT until FRI 1:00 PM CDT Flood Warning in Effect Until 1 PM CDT Friday
	Families invited to free 'Noogiefest' at MercyOne Genesis West, Davenport Cancer Support Community Iowa and Northwest Illinois at Gilda's Club will present Noogiefest from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at MercyOne Genesis West, 1351 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport. Children must be accompanied by an adult at this indoor event. No pets except service animals will be permitted. The free event will feature trick-or-treat stations, [...]
	Hispanic Heritage Month: Preserving heritage through language In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, one local educator is using her own story to inspire and empower the next generation.
	Iowa vs Ohio State football forecast still looking great After some HEAVY rain Wednesday and Thursday we're still looking really good in Iowa City on Saturday...and that's great news for the Ohio State vs Iowa game at Kinnick. Temps will be in the 60s with a lot of sunshine. If you're tailgating it will be a little cool early in the day.
	The Heart of the Story: Right on target Our Quad Cities News is partnering with award-winning journalist Gary Metivier for The Heart of the Story. Each week, Gary showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff, enjoying their hobbies, and living life to the fullest. Stories that feature the best of the human condition. Online sales may seem like the wave of [...]
	Getting to Know Michelle Solis Russell Chief Meteorologist Andy McCray talks with familiar faces around the Quad Cities in the Getting to Know Podcast. Learn more about important people around our area and have a good time doing it. Each week will feature a new guest from restaurant owners, to area leaders, to Our Quad Cities News Staff. In this episode [...]
	ImpactLife presents check for $4,000-plus to River Bend Food Bank Thanks to contributions from blood donors, ImpactLife presented a check for $4,380 to leaders of River Bend Food Bank on Thursday, Oct. 1, a news release says. Funds are provided through the blood center's Good Giving program, which gives donors have the opportunity to redeem a voucher for their choice of an electronic gift card, [...]
	High grocery prices hitting shoppers and sellers in the Quad Cities Saul Hernandez, owner of Supermercado Monarca in East Moline, said wholesale prices and utility bills are up, and customers also have less to spend.
	Iowa ag secretary candidates debate diesel relief for farmers The two candidates running for Iowa secretary of agriculture discussed plans to lower diesel prices during a debate on Iowa PBS.
	Playcrafters’ ‘Real Women Have Curves’ draws support amid online controversy The Moline production deals with topics of immigration, gender, family and dignity. Despite online backlash, the cast and crew say the community is standing by them.
	Quad Cities shoppers and sellers hit by high grocery prices Saul Hernandez, owner of Supermercado Monarca in East Moline, said wholesale prices and utility bills are up, and customers also have less to spend.
	ImpactLife blood donors make double the impact with River Bend Food Bank donation ImpactLife donors chose to give back the gift cards they earned through the nonprofit's Good Giving program. Those gift cards were turned into a $4,380 donation.
	Impact Life blood donations earn $4,300 in gift card donations for River Bend Food Bank Gift cards earned through Impact Life blood donations were given back to help River Bend Food Bank.
	Rhythm City Casino adds to concert lineup Elite Casino Resorts adds to its 2026 entertainment lineup to end with a bang, a news release says. Featuring a mix of national touring artists and popular regional acts taking place across Elite’s seven casino resorts, guests have even more opportunities to see their favorite artists and discover new performers — all close to home. [...]
	What happened at the end of the Revolutionary War? Here’s how Americans set up a brand-new country once the fighting ended Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. What really happened at the end of the Revolutionary War? – Veda, age 11, Crystal Lake, Illinois In the autumn of 1781, a tired Continental Army of American and French soldiers pushed the British army through the Carolinas to the coast of Virginia. For three weeks, the Continental Army trapped the British against the sea while the French navy fought the British navy. Surrounded, the British surrendered on Oct. 19, 1781, at the Battle of Yorktown, the last major military fight of the American Revolution. America had won the war. No one had expected that a handful of colonies could defeat the mighty British Empire. Once news of the American victory reached London, peace talks began in 1782, with the Treaty of Paris finally signed in 1783. In the immediate aftermath of the American Revolution, the economy was in shambles, 25,000 Americans had died, and chaos erupted as over 60,000 Loyalists who had stayed devoted to Great Britain and George III, including more than 15,000 formerly enslaved people who had joined the British army, left the United States. The question then became: “What’s next?” Building a nation was very different from fighting a war. And it didn’t happen overnight. Setting up a new country During the Revolutionary War’s six years of fighting, individual states wrote their own constitutions, which set up how their governments would work. Early on, in 1777, the newly named United States embraced the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. These laid out the first system that organized all the states under one umbrella in order to create a unified front of Americans during the Revolution. They were not a constitution because they didn’t create a formal government. The Articles of Confederation set up a framework that was OK during wartime but too weak for building a new nation. They didn’t call for a president to lead, and they didn’t set up a court system to hear cases when laws were broken. They provided no way to establish foreign policy and didn’t say how states should trade with other countries or how to impose taxes on things Americans bought from abroad. The new country fell into economic crisis, highlighting the weaknesses of the government. Before the American Revolution, white American colonists enjoyed one of the highest standards of living in the Western world. But war debts, inflation and a temporary stop to profitable trade with the enormous British Empire left Americans scrambling to get by in the 1780s. Attendees at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 drew up the documents that remain the foundation of the U.S. government today. GraphicaArtis via Getty Images via The Conversation So, representatives from each state gathered at Independence Hall in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787 to discuss how to improve the national government. They agreed on a government that would rely on checks and balances, with power spread out among different branches. They called for a legislative branch with two houses – the House of Representatives and the Senate – to make laws. There would also be an executive branch with an elected president and vice president. And there would be a judicial branch with a Supreme Court of nine justices committed to upholding the newly written Constitution. They laid everything out in the United States Constitution, which went into effect in 1789. Right away, the House of Representatives began drafting amendments outlining individual freedoms and protected rights for citizens, a hearkening back to the Declaration of Independence that had announced the colonies were breaking free of Great Britain back in 1776. The Bill of Rights was approved in 1791, guaranteeing American citizens free speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, individual privacy and property, and the right to a public, speedy trial with a jury of peers, among other protections. These rights are still the law of the land today. Limitations of liberty The Constitution called for a president to be elected, but who voted? You could vote in 1789 only if you were male, white, a landowner, over the age of 21, and not a Quaker, Jew or Catholic. These requirements excluded the majority of people in the new United States. The Naturalization Act of 1790 explicitly limited national citizenship to only white people. What about everyone else? Using the language and promises of the Declaration of Independence, various groups advocated for rights after the American Revolution. African Americans petitioned for freedom in the northern states, with varying success. States geographically above Maryland began the process of immediately or gradually abolishing slavery, beginning with Vermont in 1777 and culminating with New York, the longest holdout, in 1799. Black men were guaranteed the right to vote in 1869 by the 15th Amendment, but in some places it was impossible for them to actually cast their ballots until later in the 20th century. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images via The Conversation It was not until the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1865 that slavery ended, quickly followed by the 14th Amendment in 1868 that gave citizenship to “all people born or naturalized” in the United States. The 15th Amendment in 1870 extended the vote to all American men, regardless of race, but women were still left out. Women had served in the American Revolution in a variety of ways: nursing, spying, organizing boycotts, following the camps to provide domestic support, as well as staying behind to maintain farms, businesses and homes. Although white women were considered citizens and received expanded educational opportunities after the Revolution, women of color were excluded. Women were not guaranteed the right to vote until 1920 with the 19th Amendment. Native Americans faced enormous obstacles during and after the American Revolution. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 that formally ended the war extended the boundary of the United States to the Mississippi River and to Canada. That expansion meant Native Americans in those areas quickly lost lands and experienced extreme violence as American settlers flooded into the newly opened areas. Delegations of Native Americans petitioned the federal government in Washington, D.C. Bettmann via Getty Images via The Conversation Individual tribes negotiated with the United States with little success. It was not until 1924, with the passage of the Snyder Act, that all Native Americans became recognized citizens of the United States. Relying on the hopes outlined in the Declaration of Independence, Americans fought and continue to fight for freedom and representation. Promises made in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights reflect an ever-evolving America, always with the hope of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live. And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you’re wondering, too. We won’t be able to answer every question, but we will do our best. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Sandra Slater, College of Charleston Read more: How did Uncle Sam become a symbol for the United States? What happened to Confederate money after the Civil War? During the American Revolution, Brits weren’t just facing off against white Protestant Christians − US patriots are diverse and have been since Day 1 Sandra Slater does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
	City of Rock Island invites families to open house The City of Rock Island will hold its third annual open house from 10 a.m-noon Saturday, Oct. 3 for members of the public to explore city vehicles and the mobile library, learn more about city services, programs, and watch live K-9, drone and fire hose demonstrations, a news release says. It will be held in [...]
	Bettendorf to host annual Public Safety Open House on Oct. 17 Area residents will have the opportunity to explore police and fire department facilities and equipment at the second annual event.
	Fillmore Elementary students get spooky with edible blood science lab Fillmore Elementary fourth graders in Davenport were rewarded for outstanding attendance with a Halloween-themed science lab where they made edible blood.
	Playcrafters Barn Theatre putting on final performances of 'Real Women Have Curves' this weekend! The production has garnered some controversy, but cast and crew say that's all the more reason to bring it to the stage.
	Project NOW opens annual LIHEAP applications to help families in need Applications are now open for certain households for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Officials said demand is high for assistance this year.
	Funeral procession for former Davenport Fire Chief Mark Frese travels through city he served Former Davenport Fire Chief Mark Frese was laid to rest Thursday after a funeral procession through the city.
	Blackhawk Bancorporation, Liberty Trust, announce merger Blackhawk Bancorporation, Inc. (“Blackhawk Bancorporation”) the parent company of Blackhawk Bank & Trust (“Blackhawk Bank”) and Liberty Bancorporation (“Liberty Bancorporation”), the parent company of Liberty Trust & Savings Bank (“Liberty Trust,) have announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Liberty Bancorporation will merge with Blackhawk Bancorporation. Upon completion of the [...]
	Funeral held for former Davenport Fire Chief Frese Members of the public lined the route to pay their respects to Frese’s 37 years of service.
	Iowa DNR biologist surprised with award from National Fish and Wildlife Agency Iowa DNR Upland Game Biologist Todd Bogenschutz received special recognition for his work to improve game bird populations and habitats.
	Crime Stoppers: Bettendorf police seek suspect after concession stand theft Bettendorf police seek public help identifying a suspect who broke into the Isle Marina concession stand and stole alcohol and snacks.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted by Iowa DOC High Risk Unit for Escape Iowa DOC High Risk Unit seeks escaped burglary convict Domingo Monge, 30; Crime Stoppers offers cash reward for anonymous tips.
	Crime Stoppers: Rock Island Co. Sheriff searches for wanted fugitive on meth charge Rock Island County Sheriff seeks wanted fugitive Kyler Pickett-Williams on felony methamphetamine charges; cash reward for tips.
	Help make a meaningful difference for QCA kids and families at Champion a Child Gala You can enjoy a night out in style and help make a meaningful difference for children and families across the QCA. Christina McNamara joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Champion a Child Gala. For more information, click here.
	Realtors offer advice as mortgage rates near 7% Mortgage rates are back near 7%, but Realtors say there are still options for those who want to purchase a home.
	Quad Cities nonprofit providing necessities to foster children receives 'Angels in Adoption' award Liz Estilow founded My G.E.A.R Outreach so that children entering foster care can have their own toys, clothes and necessities, easing the transition.
	Citizen watchdog reminds Ameren customers of prices set to drop in days are still higher than last year Ameren Illinois customers will see a new electricity supply price, lower than the summer price, but still higher than the same time last year.
	Sand completes second 99-county town hall tour of gubernatorial campaign Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand called for supporters to keep momentum up and bring “divided government once again” to Iowa.
	Zach Lahn expects Iowans to reap benefits of proposed steel mill for decades Zach Lahn called a $15 billion steel mill project planned for Iowa a “once-in-a-lifetime project.”
	Rock Falls Township High School cancels homecoming parade Rock Falls Township High School’s homecoming parade was cancelled Thursday.
	Man arrested after stabbing at Davenport convenience store Davenport police responded to the 7500 block of Northwest Boulevard in reference to a disturbance where they found one person suffering stab wounds to their neck.
	Cedar County farmer receives free Hy-Vee groceries for one year Hy-Vee and Farm Rescue partnered to surprise Darin Axline and his family at their farm near Lowden with $5,200 in Hy-Vee gift cards.
	Blackhawk Bank & Trust merging with Liberty Trust & Savings Blackhawk Bank & Trust and Liberty Trust announced they have entered a merger agreement.
	The family of Renee Good files lawsuits over her death during Minneapolis ICE raids The fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent last January in Minneapolis set off a firestorm of protests around the U.S. Her family is speaking out for the first time.
	Flood Warning until THU 8:15 PM CDT Flood Warning in Effect Until 8:15 PM CDT for Scott County, Iowa
	Insights, served: What data from wearables reveals about how tennis affects heart health, recovery, and more Tennis is often celebrated as a heart-healthy workout—a high-stakes game of fast sprints, powerful serves, and quick directional changes. But how does an hour on the court actually impact your cardiovascular system during play, and what happens to your body once you step off the court?To find out, Oura’s data science team analyzed de-identified and aggregate data from adult members across 11 global markets over a one-month period (July 17 – August 17, 2026). The analysis examined heart rate intensity, long-term Cardiovascular Age (CVA), and post-match overnight recovery metrics like Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Resting Heart Rate (RHR).Below, find out what Oura data reveals about the physiological effects of tennis.1. On-Court Impact: Varied Average Heart Rate and Heart Rate ZonesWhile tennis feels like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) due to short bursts of rallying followed by rest, the heart rate time-series data tells a slightly different story for most recreational players.Our analysis found little evidence that most recreational players spend meaningful time in high-intensity heart rate zones (Zone 4 or Zone 5). While players experience short spikes in heart rate, average workout intensity remains predominantly aerobic.Across all global markets, the median average heart rate during a tagged tennis session generally sits in Zone 2 (an aerobic, steady-state intensity zone).Median peak heart rates reached Zones 3 and 4 across most member segments.Max heart rates routinely hit the upper edge of Zone 4 for older age groups, as well as members in warmer environments such as Mexico, parts of the United States, and the UAE.Members who logged more than 12 sessions during the one-month window reached higher peak heart rates than casual players. 2. Longer Term Heart-Health BenefitsWhile individual matches may operate primarily in aerobic zones, the cumulative impact of playing tennis regularly shows a positive trend in long-term cardiovascular health.Across every single market analyzed, tennis players demonstrated a larger positive gap between their chronological age and their Cardiovascular Age compared to non-tennis-playing members during the time period analyzed.3. Post-Match Recovery: What Happens While You Sleep?The physical demands of a tennis session don’t end when the match point is scored. To understand post-match recovery, we compared post-workout sleep metrics against each member’s personal 14-day pre-workout baseline.Members experienced noticeable overnight Heart Rate Variability suppression following a tennis workout, indicating that the nervous system was actively recovering from sympathetic stress.Overnight Resting Heart Rate remained slightly elevated compared to baseline.Across all regions, the lowest overnight heart rate occurred approximately three to four hours after sleep onset.MethodologyPopulation: Oura members aged 18–69 across 11 target markets (United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom, and Germany).Time Period: Data collected over a one-month window from July 17 to August 17, 2026.Baselines & Metrics: Post-match overnight HRV and lowest RHR were compared against each member’s individual 14-day pre-workout sleep baseline. Workout HR metrics utilized a stratified sample across country and playing frequency tiers to manage high-density timeseries data.Sample Size Thresholds: Segment breakouts required a minimum sample size of 100 members. CVA comparisons required at least 100 tennis and 100 non-tennis members with active CVA metrics in each segment.This story was produced by Oura and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	New developments in breast cancer surgery October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. and while we often talk about the importance of early detection or prevention, it’s also good to know your options when it comes to treatment.
	Healey asks Trump administration to speed up review of planned gas expansion in latest sign of shifting energy politics HERE’S SOMETHING you probably didn’t have on your bingo card: The Democratic governor of Massachusetts asking President Trump’s administration to move faster in approving a gas expansion project. That’s exactly what Gov. Maura Healey did on Thursday, imploring Energy Secretary Chris Wright in a letter to move with a “sense of urgency” in issuing required permits for the project to quickly move forward. Healey, citing her “all of the above” approach to energy issues, previously expressed support for the proposal, a relatively small expansion of 73,500 dekatherms per day of an existing gas pipeline owned by Canadian energy company Enbridge. State regulators approved contracts earlier this year for Eversource to purchase the additional gas from the expansion project, known as the Reliable Affordable Resilient Enhancement, or RARE. But now, as Healey hunts for ways to bring down soaring gas and electric costs and campaigns for reelection in a race defined by the affordability crisis gripping the state, the governor sees an opportunity to appeal to the fossil fuel-friendly Trump administration to bring more natural gas into the state to both power and heat homes and businesses. What’s more, Healey said that she and Wright have “on several occasions” discussed their “mutual desire” to bring more gas into New England. “I ask that you work across the Administration to ensure that the federal reviews and permits needed for RARE move without delay; that agencies establish clear schedules and coordinate their work wherever legally permissible; and that sufficient staff and resources are dedicated to completing the required reviews in time to preserve the project’s planned 2028 in-service date,” Healey wrote to Wright. The overture from Healey is noteworthy, too, because of how critical she has been of the Trump administration for raising energy costs by canceling new offshore wind projects and launching hostilities in the Middle East that have sent oil prices surging. In this case, Healey is backing the RARE project citing expectations that it would deliver real savings to customers, though the expansion isn’t planned to be ready until 2028. The Department of Public Utilities found that RARE would save about 600,000 Eversource customers roughly $40 million per year over the course of a decade by displacing reliance on more expensive, foreign liquefied natural gas delivered through the Everett Marine Terminal. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission began its review this past February. “While we anticipate significant cost and reliability benefits for our natural gas customers from this precedent agreement, by no means will it solve our region’s energy affordability challenge alone,” William Hinkle, an Eversource spokesperson, said in a statement. “As we continue working to advance the Commonwealth’s decarbonization and electrification goals, it’s our responsibility to evaluate any and all solutions that will improve reliability and affordability for our customers, including additional natural gas supply.” High energy costs have emerged as the top household concern in Massachusetts, with electricity prices reaching double the national average, though Bay State voters by and large hold Trump — not Healey — as primarily responsible for that dynamic, according to a recent CommonWealth Beacon poll. Natural gas remains the backbone of New England’s electric grid, accounting for roughly half of all electric generation in the region, as power demand is projected to rise. Healey’s championing of RARE, though, is likely to ignite the ire of environmental advocates concerned that locking in more natural gas runs counter to the state’s commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Just two years ago, dozens of green groups demanded that Northeast governors oppose a different major pipeline expansion proposal that ultimately fizzled. Environmental nonprofit Acadia Center found that despite a sharp increase in the use of natural gas for power and heating in New England since the start of the century, energy prices have only gone up, too. Gas capacity in the region rose by about a third between 2010 and 2024, but prices nevertheless increased, according to the analysis. Caitlin Peale Sloan, vice president for climate and energy at Conservation Law Foundation, said in a statement that “this letter unwittingly adopts the false narrative that expansion of gas infrastructure will lower heating costs.” And Amy Boyd Rabin, vice president of policy and regulatory affairs at Environmental League of Massachusetts, said that “more natural gas supply is not the answer to Massachusetts’s rising energy costs.” Healey’s letter didn’t stop at advocating for RARE. She cracked open the door to a much larger and potentially more controversial pipeline expansion that Enbridge is actively considering known as Project Beacon. That proposal, about four times larger than RARE, would increase gas supply by as much as 10 percent on the Algonquin pipeline system and potentially start operations in 2030. Enbridge executives said on an earnings call over the summer that interest from energy producers and suppliers in purchasing the additional gas “exceeded our initial expectations.” Getting RARE quickly approved, Healey said, could be the start of a new paradigm — and a sign that “all of the above” really could mean much more additional gas. “There may be,” she wrote to Wright, “more opportunities ahead.” Courtesy of Commonwealth Beacon
	A new California law bans child marriage. What's the global outlook on the practice? The governor of California has signed into law a ban on child marriage. What is the status of other efforts to ban the practice? And do bans prove effective?
	After settlement, CT mom pushes Congress to take up online safety Tammy Rodriguez was taking a step back from her front-facing role of advocating for federal online protections for children when she got a call from the Connecticut attorney general’s office in late August. She was asked to attend a press conference the following day but received only vague details. Rodriguez has worked on the issue of online safety since the death of her 11-year-old daughter, Selena, in 2021. When she traveled from Windsor to Hartford for the announcement on Aug. 26, Rodriguez learned in “real time” about the multistate landmark settlement with Meta, the parent company that owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. It was an emotional culmination of the work she and others did to seek accountability amid a mental health crisis among minors that many believe is exacerbated by social media. The settlement will pay out millions of dollars to most states, including Connecticut, to address social media harms and push Meta-owned platforms to implement certain guardrails. She sees it as major progress, but Rodriguez hopes it continues to spur action at the federal level, even with the window for Congress to take up such legislation closing at the end of the year. “It was just wonderful to hear people are listening to the parents’ and kids’ stories, believing us finally,” Rodriguez said, later adding that federal action is still needed. “I really think legislation needs to be passed to make this across-the-board for all these companies,” she said. “We need the legislation because [the companies] don’t do these things on their own or unless they’re forced to do it.” Rodriguez and advocacy groups like ParentsSOS and Parents Together have been calling on Congress for years to take up the Kids Online Safety Act, specifically the Senate version of KOSA co-authored by Connecticut’s Richard Blumenthal and Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn. The bill has gone through several iterations and overwhelmingly passed the Senate in 2024. But it ultimately stalled in that session and could face similar prospects again. Blumenthal made a last-ditch effort Wednesday night to pass KOSA in the Senate before the chamber breaks for the midterm elections. But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., objected. It only takes one senator to block a unanimous consent request. “Sen. Blackburn and I will fight as long and hard as necessary to pass this bill,” Blumenthal said from the Senate floor Wednesday night, urging Congress to pass the bill “as soon as we return.” The Senate version of KOSA aims to put in place stricter settings by allowing children and parents to disable addictive features like infinite scroll and autoplay of videos, enable privacy settings and opt out of algorithmic recommendations. There’s also a “duty of care” section to hold platforms legally responsible for mitigating certain harms to minors, which has come under scrutiny and was taken out of the House version. But for Rodriguez, the duty of care provision is a critical part — one she believes would adequately hold companies accountable and enforce the rules. The coalition of survivor parents seeking change at the federal level spans the ideological spectrum and has members with varying levels of advocacy experience in politics. For Rodriguez, getting involved in this way was uncharted territory. “Before, I was quiet. I was in the background,” Rodriguez said. “I’d say that Selena left me her spice, because this was not me.” “I went to do a direct action at the Apple store in Grand Central Station” in 2024, she said. “If you ever told me that’s what I would be doing, walking through, telling Selena’s story in a microphone for everybody to hear, I would have told you you were crazy.” Tammy Rodriguez keeps a posterboard of photos of her daughter Selena, which was on display at her funeral, at her home in Windsor on Thursday, June 25. After losing her 11-year-old daughter to suicide in 2021, Rodriguez was one of the first plaintiffs to join a lawsuit against social media companies. Credit: Sarah Gordon / CT Mirror Selena’s story Rodriguez described her daughter as kind, compassionate and full of life. She enjoyed dancing and took up running as part of a group aiming to empower kids about mental health. But she never got to run the 5K at the end of the program because of COVID. The pandemic was a turning point in Selena’s life and demeanor. She was in 5th grade when lockdown took effect, with no more in-person activities and the introduction of devices. “After COVID started and everybody lost everything, she lost her dance class, she was just in the house,” Rodriguez said. “She just changed from there.” Rodriguez said she had closely monitored her daughter’s social media usage. She was allowed to use Snapchat in certain circumstances: she couldn’t post and could only save photos to her phone. Eventually, Rodriguez found out she was using much more. She recalled Selena’s behavior rapidly changing, becoming increasingly violent and reliant on devices. Rodriquez said her daughter facing bullying and body image issues, using filters on the apps to alter her face. That led to an inpatient stay because she stopped eating. On top of that, she was dealing with the grief over losing her uncle that had lived with the family and was “kind of her father figure.” “She went from being that bright ray of sunshine to being locked in the room and just always angry,” Rodriguez said. “Our life in those last few months was like chaos. There’s no other way that I could put it. I never knew what I’d come home to.” Rodriguez eventually learned what Selena was viewing on social media and the types of encounters she was having. Selena died by suicide in 2021. Rodriguez attributes her child’s death to the addictive nature of social media and the harms her daughter confronted on those platforms. Rodriguez said she didn’t make the connection surrounding social media harms and addiction until after Selena’s death and came across a Facebook ad about it through the law firm she now uses. Tammy Rodriguez poses for a portrait with a posterboard of photos of her daughter Selena, that was on display at her funeral, at her home in Windsor on Thursday, June 25. After losing her 11-year-old daughter to suicide in 2021 Rodriguez was one of the first plaintiffs to join a lawsuit against social media companies. Credit: Sarah Gordon / CT Mirror “Like they say, hindsight’s 20/20, but seeing where those addictive traits were coming out and how you wouldn’t have even thought that way,” she said. “Until they connected the two when I had gotten involved in this, [I] never would have put the two together.” Rodriguez filed a lawsuit against social media companies like Meta and Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, in January 2022. She was the first person to file with the Social Media Victims Law Center. Her federal case is pending. Shortly after, Rodriguez ramped up her involvement in these advocacy circles. She first traveled to Washington, D.C., in 2022 to meet with members of Congress. And she was one of the mothers holding up photos of their children as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified at an online safety hearing in 2024 and apologized to the families. When reached for comment about Rodriguez’s lawsuit and KOSA, Snap reiterated its support for the federal legislation. Meta did not respond to a request for comment. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., joined advocates at a May 12, 2026, rally to push for action on his version of the Kids Online Safety Act. Credit: Lisa Hagen / CT Mirror Will there be a last-minute breakthrough on KOSA? The overall issue of online safety, particularly regarding minors, is one of the few issues that defies traditional political ideologies. But even with an issue that’s garnered significant bipartisan support, Congress has still struggled to tackle it in recent years. One of the biggest points of contention that’s divided the two chambers is over the “duty of care.” It would require companies to “exercise reasonable care” when designing a platform to mitigate a defined list of potential harms to minors, including certain mental health disorders, substance use disorders and physical and sexual abuse. The duty of care section has undergone multiple revisions throughout years of negotiations. Critics of the Senate legislation have voiced concerns around free speech. Criticism has also stemmed from some LGBTQ+ advocates who argue it could ultimately limit access to critical services for vulnerable children and communities. (Other LGBTQ+ groups have dropped their opposition after a past revision to address concerns.) Groups such as the Center for Democracy and Technology and Electronic Frontier Foundation argue the Senate’s KOSA would incentivize age verification systems and say Congress should instead pursue legislation more focused on things like data privacy and consumer protection. “Legislative proposals that would enact meaningful data minimization restrictions and other data privacy protections either for everyone or, at a minimum, beginning with enhancing protections for children would help to address some of the root causes animating the concerns for kids’ safety online,” the Center for Democracy and Technology wrote in a letter ahead of the August hearing during which KOSA was up for consideration. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation ultimately approved KOSA through a unanimous voice vote at its Aug. 5 markup. The House passed its own version over the summer as part of the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, which strips out the duty of care language. Supporters of the House bill cite potential First Amendment and censorship concerns. Blumenthal vehemently opposes to the House’s efforts, noting that KOSA is focused on design and is “content neutral.” Some tech companies have rallied behind KOSA. Snap, the parent company that owns Snapchat, led the pack along with X, formerly known as Twitter, and Microsoft. But NetChoice, a tech trade association representing members like Meta and Snap, has lobbied against both the Senate and House versions of kids online safety legislation, arguing they threaten free expression and innovation. A few hours after Blumenthal’s unanimous consent request to quickly pass KOSA, the Senate departed for a month-long recess, meaning no business will happen until after the Nov. 3 elections. Lawmakers will try again in the lame-duck session to see if they can get it done on an accelerated timeline. Supporters made a similar push in the lame duck session at the end of 2024 but ultimately fell short. Blumenthal hopes to see action on KOSA in the lame-duck session. He said they got a “general commitment” but not a specific date for a vote. And while differences remain between the House and Senate, he said they’re speaking with tech companies to garner support for their version over the House’s KIDS Act. “I’m feeling very hopeful because the focus on AI is building the momentum for the Kids Online Safety Act,” Blumenthal said in an interview from the Capitol earlier this week. “I think there will be a real push for it.” When Congress returns post-election, they’ll have about a month to finish up any remaining work, which includes government funding, the annual defense policy bill and a slate of priorities that got pushed off until the final weeks. It remains to be seen how much can get done before a new session in January restarts the clock. “If they can’t get this done, what does that say about our Congress? That says to me it’s pretty dysfunctional. They need to get it together. They should be able to pass a strong bill,” said Deb Schmill, another parent advocate whose 18-year-old daughter Becca died in 2020 after taking fentanyl-laced drugs purchased on social media. Schmill said her daughter suffered for years as a victim of revenge porn and sexual assault. Parents, including Deb Schmill (left), advocate for the Kids Online Safety Act at a Mother’s Day rally held in D.C. on May 12, 2026. Credit: Lisa Hagen / CT Mirror Focus on the courts Even with the slim odds of getting it all done by the end of the year, advocates say they are seeing movement in the courts. In a case this spring, a jury in California found Meta and YouTube liable in a social media addiction case. Around the same time, a jury in New Mexico found that Meta misled people about the safety of its apps. Months later, Meta settled with Attorney General William Tong and dozens of other state attorneys general who had filed a multistate lawsuit against the company. As its piece of the settlement, Connecticut will get up to $265 million that will go to reducing youth harms on social media as well as programs like mental health and crisis intervention, after-school and summer school programming, and phone-free school zones. On top of that, Meta, which did not admit to wrongdoing, will need to implement safety features for minors for at least the next five years including time limits with pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use of the apps, restrictions on access between midnight and 6 a.m. and limits on weekdays during the school year. Rodriguez got to privately speak with Tong the day of the settlement’s announcement and was told advocates and parents like her would get a chance to give input and suggestions about how to allocate the funds. She said she’d like to see some of it go toward groups focused on mental health and education for teachers and staff on the signs to look out for. Bracelets on Tammy Rodriguez’s arm remember children who took their lives as she talks at her home in Windsor on Thursday, June 25. After losing her 11-year-old daughter to suicide in 2021 Rodriguez was one of the first plaintiffs to join a lawsuit against social media companies. Credit: Sarah Gordon / CT Mirror States may get more money through the settlement, but it’s contingent on whether other social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok agree to settle and implement the guardrails. Meta called on others like YouTube and TikTok to adopt similar parameters for their platforms. “But this framework will only work if all our peers join us,” Meta’s Chief Legal Officer J. Mahoney said in a video following news of the settlement. “Because teens move fluidly across dozens of apps, we need an industry-wide solution.” Tong had a similar message for Meta’s counterparts. “This is the largest settlement in American history with a single defendant, reflecting the magnitude of Meta’s misconduct and the unprecedented wealth they amassed from it,” Tong said in a statement. “But this has never been about money.” “This settlement charts a new course for online safety, enforcing sweeping reforms to fundamentally alter the experience for kids on Instagram and Facebook,” he continued. “To TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat — our expectations are clear. You’re next.” But Rodriguez is taking it one moment at a time. She feels like the resolutions in courts and the growing network of support signals to parents like her that people are “believing us, finally.” That propels them not to give up hope about passing legislation even if it remains unresolved heading into the next session of Congress. “We’ve had so many new parents join this fight and join the parent networks. They have that beginning fire,” Rodriguez said. “Their fight is helping reignite our fight. So to us, it’s like we can’t stop because we now need to keep doing it for their kids.” Courtesy of CT Mirror
	Field of Dreams movie site music festival to return on Labor Day weekend in 2027 This year, the festival featured three days of concerts from Creed, Carrie Underwood and Shinedown.
	Myth vs. reality: 13 student loan misconceptions Student loans can be confusing, especially with all the misinformation floating around. Recent changes to federal student loans, including new repayment plans and borrowing limits, have only made things more complicated. Some advice you come across might be outdated, while other advice is just completely inaccurate. College Ave shares common myths around student loans to help you separate fact from fiction and make more informed choices about your student debt.Myth 1: You can’t get a student loan if you have bad creditHaving bad credit doesn’t have to prevent you from getting a student loan. Most federal student loans don’t require a credit check at all. As long as you’re eligible for federal student aid, you can access student loans by submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).Private student loans do involve a credit check, which is why most undergraduate students (96%) and many graduate students (73%) apply with a cosigner. A cosigner is a parent or other trusted adult who shares responsibility for the loan.Some private lenders offer no-cosigner student loans that rely less heavily on credit and more on alternative factors, like your school and major. These no-cosigner loans could be useful if you have weak credit and are applying on your own, but they may have higher interest rates.Myth 2: You shouldn’t pay off student loans while you’re in schoolFederal student loans and most private student loans let you postpone payments while you’re enrolled at least half-time in school and for six months or so after you graduate. This grace period is helpful for students who are focusing on their studies and not yet earning an income.However, unsubsidized federal student loans and private student loans start accruing interest from the date of disbursement. This means your balance is quietly growing while you’re working toward your degree.If you want to cut down on interest and reduce your borrowing costs, you could choose to make partial or full payments while you’re in school. Many private lenders offer the option of interest-only, $25-per-month, or full payments to student borrowers.Myth 3: You have to pay a fee for paying off your student loans earlyThere’s no penalty for paying off federal or private student loans ahead of schedule. Even if you have a 10-year, 20-year, or longer term, you can always make extra payments to get out of debt faster.Making extra payments can also save you money on interest. You may need to instruct your loan servicer to apply the payment toward your loan balance rather than saving it for a future bill.Myth 4: Graduate students can no longer borrow federal student loansGraduate students can still borrow federal student loans, but their options are more limited as of July 1, 2026. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) eliminated the Grad PLUS program and adjusted borrowing limits for Direct unsubsidized loans for graduate students.If you’re a new graduate borrower after July 1, your options are:Up to $20,500 per year with a $100,000 aggregate limit for graduate programsUp to $50,000 per year with a $200,000 aggregate limit for professional programsNo more Grad PLUS loans, which previously let you borrow up to your school’s cost of attendance, minus other financial aid receivedIf you’re already in graduate school and borrowed before July 1, you’re considered a legacy borrower. That means you can keep borrowing Direct unsubsidized loans and Grad PLUS loans under the old rules for three more years or until your program ends, whichever comes first.Myth 5: New federal student loan borrowers have lots of repayment plans to choose fromJuly 1 also brought major changes for student loan repayment plans. New borrowers after July 1 now only have two repayment plans to choose from.The new tiered Standard Plan spans 10 to 25 years, depending on how much you borrowed.The repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) spans up to 30 years and calculates your payments as a percentage of your adjusted gross income.If you borrowed before July 1 though, you have more options. You can use the new plans or keep accessing the old repayment plans, including the old standard plan, extended repayment, graduated repayment, and three income-driven repayment plans. Note that the SAVE plan is no longer available, and two other income-driven options, PAYE and Income-Contingent Repayment, will be eliminated by July 2028.Myth 6: Parents can borrow Parent PLUS loans up to their child’s full cost of attendanceIn previous years, parents could take out Parent PLUS loans up to their child’s cost of attendance, minus other financial aid received. As of July 1, Parent PLUS loans have a new annual limit of $20,000 per student and a lifetime limit of $65,000 per student.Parent borrowers who took out loans before July 1, 2026, can stick to the old rules for three more years or until their child leaves school, whichever comes first.Myth 7: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is going awayWhile there have been major changes to the federal student loan system, the PSLF program has not been affected. The program still offers federal student loan forgiveness after 10 years of eligible public service and 120 on-time payments on a qualifying repayment plan.There have been changes to income-driven repayment plans, though, so if you’re working toward PSLF, review your repayment plan to make sure your payments qualify.Myth 8: Private student loans always have higher interest rates than federal loansPrivate lenders offer a range of fixed and variable rates on private student loans, with some starting lower than the rates on federal student loans. For instance, creditworthy borrowers may access rates as low as about 2% on a private student loan, whereas federal loan rates are currently fixed at 6.52% and higher.Plus, many private student loans don’t charge origination fees, whereas federal loans come with fees of 1.057% or 4.228% of your loan amount, depending on the type of loan. At the same time, private student loans don’t typically offer as many protections as federal loans, so it’s usually wise to borrow federal loans before turning to private loans.Private student loans also don’t qualify for federal loan forgiveness programs. But if your priority is getting the lowest interest rate possible, it’s worth shopping around and comparing your options.Myth 9: Private student loans require immediate payments while you’re in schoolMost private lenders let students postpone payments while they’re enrolled at least half-time in school and for several months afterward. Undergraduate students usually get a six-month grace period after they graduate, whereas certain graduate students may get nine months, 12 months, or longer.A common exception is private loans for parents, which often require interest-only or full payments right away after the loan has disbursed.Myth 10: There’s no way to release your cosigner from your loanMany students apply for private student loans with a cosigner to get approved and access better interest rates. A cosigner is equally responsible for the loan, and their credit can be impacted by how the loan is repaid (on-time payments can build credit, while late payments can drag it down).But the cosigner doesn’t have to stay on the loan forever, as many private lenders offer cosigner release to qualifying borrowers. You can often apply for cosigner release after you’ve made a certain number of payments or a specific period of time has gone by.You’ll also have to pass a credit check and meet other credit requirements. Besides cosigner release, another option for removing a cosigner is refinancing the loan in your own name.Myth 11: Consolidating and refinancing student loans are the same thingWhile the terms consolidating and refinancing are sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to two distinct processes:Consolidation: Consolidation is a federal process that involves replacing one or more of your federal student loans with a Direct Consolidation Loan. Consolidation can simplify repayment, but it won’t lower your interest rate. Your new rate is simply the weighted average of your previous rates, rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of a percent. Federal loan consolidation is also one way to get student loans out of default.Refinancing: Refinancing involves replacing one or more of your student loans (federal or private) with a new loan from a private lender. The main goal is to lower your interest rate, but you can also restructure your debt with new terms and simplify repayment by combining several loans into one. You’ll need to meet a lender’s requirements for credit and income to qualify for student loan refinance.Consolidation keeps your loans in the federal system, whereas refinancing gets you a new private student loan. If you refinance any federal loans, you’ll lose access to federal benefits like income-driven repayment and forgiveness programs.Myth 12: It costs money to consolidate or refinance student loansThere’s no fee to consolidate or refinance student loans. You can apply for consolidation for free on the Federal Student Aid website or for refinancing directly with private lenders. If someone charges you a fee to consolidate or refinance, you may be paying for something you can do on your own for free or dealing with a student loan scam.Myth 13: Refinancing student loans is always a good ideaRefinancing student loans can be beneficial for some borrowers, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re relying on a federal repayment plan, forgiveness program, or other benefit, it wouldn’t be a good idea to refinance your federal student loans.This is because refinancing federal loans means losing access to federal plans and programs, and the process is not reversible. Make sure you’re comfortable with this tradeoff before refinancing any federal student loans.On the other hand, it could make sense if you don’t need federal benefits and can qualify for a lower interest rate. It may also be worth considering if you have high-rate private student loans and can get a better rate and terms.Make sure you understand the pros and cons of refinancing student loans before you apply.Understanding your student loansThe federal student loan system recently underwent a major overhaul, and advice that was accurate prior to July 1, 2026, may no longer apply today, especially for new borrowers. Before you take out a loan, refinance existing loans, or pick a repayment plan, make sure you understand your options and how the latest changes might affect you. By learning about student loans and staying up-to-date on federal policies, you can avoid common misconceptions and make informed decisions about paying for your education.This story was produced by College Ave and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rain causes flooding throughout the Quad Cities, River Drive closed Flood warnings are in effect for Rock Island, Muscatine, Louisa, and portions of Mercer, Henry (Ill.) and Whiteside counties in Illinois through Thursday evening.
	Independent candidate Michael Bridgford files FEC complaint over debate exclusion Michael Bridgford, the independent candidate for Iowa's First Congressional District, said he filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission over his exclusion from an upcoming debate.
	Flood Warning from THU 2:10 PM CDT until THU 8:15 PM CDT Flood Warning: Expect Urban and Small Stream Flooding in Scott County Until 8:15 PM CDT
	Pay It Forward: Sheffield woman runs free store for people in need Erin Rosenthal opened "The Store" four years ago to help people get what they need at no cost. She is this week's recipient of our Pay It Forward award.
	Are you overpaying for utilities? A state-by-state cost breakdown Utility costs are often cited as a major source of financial stress for homeowners already struggling to balance their mortgage, maintenance and property tax costs. But is it burdening some homeowners more than others?For this article, Hometap analyzed data from doxo's 2025 Utilities Insights Report and the U.S. Energy Information Administration to break down average monthly utility costs across all 50 states and identify the factors that most affect what homeowners pay.Utility costs are one of the most variable and most often underestimated expenses in homeownership. Monthly bills for electricity, gas, water and other services can differ by hundreds of dollars depending on where a home is located, how large it is, and how it's built.Understanding average utility costs and the factors that drive them can help homeowners budget more accurately and spot when their bills are running higher than they should.What Drives Utility CostsUtilities are the essential services that keep a home functional and comfortable, and they make up a significant share of monthly homeownership costs. According to the doxo report, the average American household pays $489 per month for utilities, or $5,868 annually.That figure varies dramatically depending on a range of factors, from climate to home age to household habits.Common Utility TypesUtilities typically refer to six primary services:Electricity, typically the largest utility expense for most householdsNatural gas, commonly used for heating, water heaters, stoves and dryers, and often a more economical alternative to electric heatingWater and sewer, which many municipalities bill togetherTrash and recyclingInternet serviceCable or streaming servicesAverage utility costs vary significantly depending on which of these services a home requires and how much of each is used.Key Factors That Affect Utility CostsHome Size and TypeA home's square footage directly affects its utility consumption. A 1,000-square-foot apartment requires far less energy to heat and cool than a 3,000-square-foot single-family home. According to residential energy consumption data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, larger homes typically use 50% to 75% more electricity and gas than smaller residences.Home type also matters. Single-family homes generally have higher utility costs than townhomes or condominiums, which benefit from shared walls that provide natural insulation. Apartments often have the lowest utility costs due to their compact size and shared building infrastructure.Geographic Location and ClimateRegional climate plays a major role in determining utility bills. Homeowners in hotter climates face higher cooling costs, while those in colder regions contend with higher heating expenses. States with extreme temperatures on either end of the spectrum typically see higher overall energy consumption.Regional utility rate differences also affect costs independent of climate. Electricity rates in Hawaii, for example, are more than three times higher than those in Louisiana, even when consumption is comparable.Seasonal FluctuationsUtility bills change throughout the year. Summer months often bring higher electricity bills due to air conditioning use, while winter can raise natural gas or heating oil costs. Some utility companies offer budget billing programs that average annual costs into equal monthly payments to smooth out these seasonal spikes.Energy Efficiency and Home AgeOlder homes often have higher utility costs due to outdated insulation, single-pane windows and less efficient heating and cooling systems. A home built in the 1970s might use 30% to 50% more energy than a newly constructed home built to modern efficiency standards.Energy-efficient upgrades, such as LED lighting, programmable thermostats, ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and improved insulation, can reduce monthly utility expenses.Average Utility Costs Across the United StatesNational averages mask significant regional differences. The doxo report put the national average monthly utility cost at $489, but state-level averages range from about $370 to more than $650 per month. Those differences reflect variation in climate, population density, infrastructure age and state-level energy policy.Average Monthly and Annual Utility Costs by StateThe following figures reflect average combined utility costs by state, according to the doxo report. Hometap How to Estimate Monthly Utility CostsHomeowners and prospective buyers can get a realistic estimate of utility costs using several methods:Request historical utility data from the current homeowner or landlord. Sellers in many states are required to disclose this information, and it provides an accurate baseline for future costs.Contact local utility providers directly. Many companies can supply average costs for homes of similar size and type in the area, based on their customer data.Use online utility calculators that estimate costs based on a home's square footage, number of occupants and location.Review current bills when moving within the same area. Existing usage provides a helpful reference point, though it should be adjusted for differences in home size and efficiency.Account for lifestyle factors, such as working from home or preferred indoor temperatures, which can meaningfully affect actual costs.A state's average utility price is a useful benchmark, but individual circumstances ultimately determine a household's cost profile.Comparing Utility Bills to Local AveragesOnce homeowners understand their utility costs, comparing them to local averages can help identify problems or opportunities for savings.Gather 12 months of utility bills to account for seasonal variation, since a single month's bill doesn't tell the full story.Calculate monthly and annual totals for each utility type, as well as the combined figure, to create clear numbers for comparison.Research local averages through a utility provider's website, which often publishes neighborhood comparison data, or use state averages as a starting point.Adjust for home size by calculating cost per square foot, dividing total utility costs by square footage for a more apples-to-apples comparison.Consider home type and age. Older single-family homes typically cost more to run than newer townhomes, even in the same neighborhood.Factor in household size, since more occupants generally means higher water usage and energy consumption.Utility costs that run 20% or more above local averages, after accounting for these factors, are typically worth investigating further.What to Do When Utility Costs Are Higher Than AverageHomeowners whose utility bills exceed local norms have several options for reducing costs:Schedule a home energy audit. Many utility companies offer free or low-cost audits that identify where a home is wasting energy, using specialized equipment to detect air leaks, insufficient insulation and inefficient appliances.Prioritize improvements with the biggest impact first, such as sealing air leaks, adding insulation and installing a programmable or smart thermostat.Replace inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR-certified models. The higher upfront cost is often offset by long-term utility savings.Adjust usage habits. Washing clothes in cold water, moderating thermostat settings, taking shorter showers and unplugging unused devices can reduce costs by 10% to 15% without any investment.Explore alternative rate structures, such as time-of-use plans that charge less for electricity used during off-peak hours.Consider renewable energy options. Solar panels require significant upfront investment but can reduce or eliminate electricity costs over time, and many states offer incentives or financing that lower the barrier to entry.Look into utility assistance programs offered by states and utility companies, particularly for seniors and households on fixed incomes.Investigate water-saving fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and high-efficiency toilets, which can reduce water and sewer costs with minimal impact on daily comfort.Reducing utility costs can lower a household's environmental footprint as well as its monthly expenses.Utilities Within the Broader Cost of HomeownershipUtilities represent only one piece of the homeownership expense picture. Between mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities and unexpected repairs, the total cost of owning a home often exceeds what many buyers initially budget for.Understanding the full range of ongoing homeownership costs, not just utilities, is an important part of long-term financial planning for both prospective and current homeowners.This story was produced by Hometap and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What is an OBS truck? For those new to classic trucks, OBS is the abbreviated enthusiast term for “old body style.” Its roots date back to when Ford moved to its 10th-generation F-150 body style in 1997, while retaining the existing body style on its F-250/F-350 platforms in the same year. The unsubstantiated rumor of the term’s origin is that when Ford changed the body style in 1997, F-250 HD gas and diesel versions remained OBS, while F-250 configurations adopted the new body style (NBS), and OBS was used by dealers and mechanics to differentiate the split. While the term OBS may have its origins in Blue Oval lore, many enthusiasts have accepted that 1992-1996 F-150 and 1992-1997 F-250 and F-350 ninth-generation Ford and Chevy/GMC GMT400 trucks fall within the definition of an OBS truck.Thanks to the passionate brand loyalty within the truck enthusiast community, there is much debate about what years, makes and models are considered OBS trucks. While these debates will no doubt continue to rage on in the form of (mostly) friendly rivalries among enthusiasts, this article from RealTruck.com breaks down the eight most popular OBS trucks from Ford and Chevy/GMC, and gives mention to popular OBS-era trucks from Dodge, Nissan and Toyota.Which Ford Trucks are OBS?Ford OBS trucks are classified as 1992-1996 F-150 trucks, and the “Aeronose” 1992-1997 Ford F-250 and F-350 pickups. This is when Ford transitioned from its ninth- to 10th-generation truck platforms, when the F-150 received the new body style (NBS), while the F-250 HD and F-350 retained the old body style for another year.Which Chevy/GMC Trucks are OBS?Chevy/GMC OBS trucks are from the GMT400 C/K platforms, which were produced from 1988-1998, with the exception of the C3500HD Crew Cab, which continued production until 2002 on the same platform. Bowtie enthusiasts generally agree that the GMT800s produced from 1999-2009 and the pre-OBS Chevy/GMC squarebody trucks produced from 1973-1987 do not fall into the category of old body style Chevy trucks.Are Dodge Trucks Considered OBS?While the term OBS is synonymous with Ford and Chevy/GMC trucks, the second-generation Dodge Ram/D-Series pickups that were produced from 1994-2001 have been referred to by some enthusiasts as OBS Dodge trucks. Generally, though, Dodge enthusiasts refer to the Ram series of pickups by generations.Are Nissan Hardbodies and Pre-Tacoma Toyotas Old Body Style Trucks?Midway through 1986, Nissan released the D21 pickup, which quickly earned a reputation for its durability and an enthusiast following in both off-road and mini truck culture. It was blocky and aggressive-looking, and featured a double-walled bed that led to the Hardbody nickname. This generation of Nissan pickups continued until 1997.Pre-Tacoma Toyota pickups, especially the 1979–1995 U.S.-market trucks, created a cult following in the mini truck movement and among off-road enthusiasts. The off-road version, made popular in the classic movie “Back to the Future,” was a 1985 Xtracab so desirable that a tribute version of it sold for $110,000 in 2021.While these trucks share the same degree of passion amongst their enthusiast followings as their domestic counterparts, they are technically not OBS trucks.Ranked: The 8 Most Popular OBS Ford and OBS Chevy/GMC TrucksRealTruck.com researched enthusiast demand and applied it to 50% of the scoring, factored in collectability based on prices and applied it to 25% of the scoring, and looked at search interest and factored it into 15% of the scoring. For the last 10%, RealTruck.com took into account parts availability and modification support.Based on these criteria, the following Ford OBS Trucks and Chevy/GMC OBS Trucks rank as follows: RealTruck.com FAQsWhy are OBS Trucks Popular Again?OBS trucks are popular again through a combination of proven durability, classic truck styling, and, recently, increasing value as a collectible truck platform. The engineering of OBS trucks combines the best of old truck looks and reliability with modern systems like fuel injection and creature comforts, only without the system complexity found in modern trucks.What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning an OBS Truck?Pros: Old body style trucks are more modern than their carbureted predecessors, with fuel-injected engines, power windows, digital stereo systems, and air conditioning. Most engines in OBS trucks are renowned for their reliability, and most parts are inexpensive and readily available, making repairs relatively easy.Cons: OBS trucks require maintenance because they are approximately three decades old. General mechanical issues due to aged components and cosmetic wear are common with OBS trucks.What are the Main Differences between OBS and NBS Trucks?The main differences between OBS trucks and NBS trucks are that they represent a major change in platforms and/or generational models. Old-body-style trucks appeal to enthusiasts because they retain much of a manufacturer’s older styling, simpler feel and overall character, where new-body-style trucks ushered in the beginning of an era of major and continuous refinement of body, suspension and engines in the truck segment.This story was produced by RealTruck.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	3 iconic animals show the value of the US Endangered Species Act – and the harm in stripping it away It used to be considered against the law in America to starve a member of an endangered species to death or harm it by destroying its home. That’s changing as the federal government chips away at the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Under the Trump administration’s new interpretations of the law, as long as the animal isn’t directly targeted, there is no violation. The new interpretations, if they hold up to court challenges, could leave a vast number of endangered species at higher risk. Many of the country’s shipping, logging, mining and development practices are influenced by the Endangered Species Act’s protections. In some cases, entire species could face extinction if their habitats are no longer protected. A Coast Guard cutter assists NOAA Fisheries and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission members in an attempt to free a North Atlantic right whale that became entangled in fishing gear. Fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes are two of the biggest threats to these endangered whales. Alicia Windham-Reid As an environmental conservation scientist, I have been following these and other changes affecting endangered species. To understand what they mean, let’s take a look at the potential impact on three very different species that are at risk: the Florida panther, the North Atlantic right whale and the monarch butterfly. What’s changing in how the law is carried out First, here’s what’s changing. On Sept. 14, 2026, a Trump administration rule change went into effect that redefines harm under the Endangered Species Act to mean only directly injuring or killing a member of an endangered species. The new definition removes an interpretation that had been used for half a century, and upheld by the Supreme Court, that harming an endangered species includes eliminating that species’ habitat. A monarch butterfly caterpillar crawls on a milkweed pod. Monarchs rely on milkweed for food and lay their eggs on the plants, but milkweed is also an aggressive weed in the Midwest. Ron Singer/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service That move alone could gut the law’s ability to protect many species that face their biggest threat from losing habitat they rely on. But that isn’t all. The director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrote a memo to the services’ leadership team dated Sept. 14, 2026, further reinterpreting the law by arguing that it applies only to intentionally injuring or killing an endangered species. So, if you didn’t target that animal, that would be OK. If your ship strikes a whale, or you kill endangered animals while building a new data center, that would no longer be a problem under this interpretation of the law unless you meant to kill the animal. The administration also recently finalized its removal of what’s known as the Blanket 4(d) Rule. That rule provided automatic protections for species listed as “threatened,” one step before they become “endangered,” and for their critical habitat. As a result of these changes, species are still listed on paper as endangered but are largely unprotected. Florida panther: Territory loss and fragmentation The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is a majestic big cat that stalks the state’s southwestern pine forest and swamplands, including the Everglades. Its population crashed in the 1900s from overhunting, in part to protect livestock, and from habitat loss. The Florida panther was close to extinction when the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, the predecessor of the Endangered Species Act, was passed and led to changes that began to help stabilize the population. The state’s wildlife agencies believe the number of adult panthers today to be between 120 and 230. Florida panthers are losing territory to development and face risks from road traffic. Only 120 to 230 of them remain. Connie Bransilver/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, CC BY These top predators require large home ranges to live and hunt in, about 200 square miles (518 square kilometers) for males and 75 square miles (194 square kilometers) for females, so space is a scarce resource. And that’s where the challenge lies. The public conservation areas are not capable of fully supporting the panther population. Roughly one-third of the panther’s main habitat is on private ranches and timberlands that are frequently targeted for suburban development in southwestern Florida. Under the new Endangered Species Act interpretations, it would not be considered a federal offense to clear private palmetto flatwoods or cypress domes. Yet ecology research indicates that fragmenting habitat by breaking it up with roads and development results in panther deaths. The majority of panther deaths that aren’t natural are due to collisions with vehicles as they attempt to cross busy roads. The revised rule also allows landowners to clear areas that had been preserved as wildlife corridors on their land without being liable for harming the panthers. That could accelerate habitat loss in southwest Florida’s Caloosahatchee River basin and undermine many years of effort put into the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a connected network of public and private lands that allow the Florida panther and other species to roam. North Atlantic right whale: Noisy, dangerous seas In the ocean, habitat is influenced not only by the water but also by sounds that travel through it. That’s particularly true for whale habitat. The North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is one of the most endangered whale species, with an estimated population of about 380 animals and only around 70 breeding females remaining, primarily along the North American Atlantic coast. North Atlantic right whales rely on sound traveling long distances through water to communicate. That communication gets harder as the ocean becomes noisier. NOAA Right whales communicate with low-frequency sounds that help them navigate, locate food and connect with their calves. The noise caused by ships, seismic surveys used in oil exploration, and pile-driving associated with offshore energy projects results in background noise that can disrupt these signals. In addition to sound interference, whales face physical risks from being struck by boats and becoming entangled in fishing gear. The new interpretations of the Endangered Species Act remove some of the legal basis for enforcing rules for noisy seismic surveys, speed limits on vessels and restrictions on shipping routes designed to help protect the whales from harm. Monarch butterfly: Living in a regulatory limbo The eastern migratory monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), a delicate orange-and-black butterfly that was once plentiful across North America’s prairies in summer, is an example of a species that would benefit from the Blanket 4(d) Rule. The butterfly’s population has fallen by about 80% over the past decade, largely due to habitat loss. In the U.S., that includes the loss of milkweed, which the butterflies rely on for food and laying eggs as they travel through the Midwest, but that can compete with crops. A monarch butterfly on a milkweed flower. Monarchs are considered threatened, and changes to rules around the Endangered Species Act mean they may wait much longer for protective actions. Jim Hudgins/USFWS In the past, whenever a species was listed as threatened – a step below endangered, and the status being recommended for the monarch butterfly – it automatically received protections under the Blanket 4(d) Rule. Without that rule, threatened species no longer get automatic protections and instead rely on agencies drawing up species-specific rules for each one, a process that can take years. Losing proactive protection The reinterpretations of the Endangered Species Act change the law from one that is proactive to one that takes action only after there has been immediate and intentional physical harm. A North American right whale sticks its rostrum – its jaw and snout – above the water. Moira Brown/New England Aquarium Hunting is not the primary threat today to the Florida panther, the North Atlantic right whale or the monarch butterfly. Their survival instead relies on the pine flatwoods being in good health, the ocean remaining quiet, and milkweed corridors existing across the continent. Since nature does not abide by the legal boundaries between species and their habitats, damaging the habitat can result in the loss of the species. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Timothy Randhir, UMass Amherst Read more: How redefining one word strips the Endangered Species Act’s ability to protect vital habitat Why Trump’s move to gut the Endangered Species Act likely won’t hold up in court Trump’s ‘God Squad’ pits energy vs. endangered species, but it’s a false choice – protecting wildlife can be good for business Timothy Randhir does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
	Find autumn fun at Aledo Fall Fest, Mercer County Art Gala Aledo is ready for autumn with fall festivals that have fun for everyone. "Downtown Aledo is a defining feature of our community, and autumn brings a special warmth to our streets and local businesses," said Chris Hagloch, Mayor of Aledo. "Whether you are coming to catch live music, shop our unique boutiques, or enjoy farm-fresh [...]
	Rain causes flooding throughout the Quad Cities Flood warnings are in effect for Rock Island, Muscatine, Luisa, and portions of Mercer, Henry (Ill.) and Whiteside counties in Illinois through Thursday evening.
	Google launches Project Suncatcher, a step towards AI data centers in space The fridge-size satellite with AI chips on board is part of Project Suncatcher, the company's moonshot effort to put AI data centers in space and harness solar energy.
	North Scott student sustains minor injuries following Thursday morning accident A North Scott student sustained minor injuries Thursday morning after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of West Valley Drive and South 5th Street. According to a press release sent by the Eldridge Police Department, the incident happened at approximately 7:36 a.m. Thursday. The juvenile was evaluated at the scene by emergency medical personnel and returned home. The accident remains under investigation by the Eldridge Police Department, although no further information will be released at this time regarding the juvenile due to age and privacy concerns. The Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Office and Medic EMS assisted at the scene. Meanwhile, the North Scott School District sent out a message to families regarding the incident. The message, which was signed by superintendent Joe Stutting, junior high principal Chad Jones, and Ed White principal Stephanie Fahrenkrog, said classes at Ed White were slightly delayed Thursday morning to “prioritize our students’ emotional well-being.” School counselors and other staff support will be available to students. The district also sent out a reminder of safety procedures, including: Discuss at home: Please take time today to talk with your student(s) about emergency services. Remind them that first responders are here to help and that giving them space to assess situations safely is vital for everyone's well-being. Use Designated Crosswalks: Pedestrians should only cross the lane at designated crosswalks and where staff members are present to assist. Stay Alert and Unplugged: Drivers and pedestrians alike are asked to keep eyes up and put away mobile devices while in the parking lot and drop-off areas. Maintain Low Speeds: Please drive strictly at walking speed (under 5–10 mph) once on school grounds. Pull All the Way Forward: Drive as far forward along the curb as traffic allows before letting your child out of the vehicle on the curbside only. Follow Staff Directions: Please respect and follow the instructions of our morning duty staff and traffic monitors—they are there to keep your children safe.
	Dixon police sound alarm on phone scam Dixon police are warning people about a phone scam involving financial institutions.
	Federal judge orders reinstatement of Bureau of Prisons' collective bargaining agreement A federal court order has reinstated the collective bargaining agreement that covers law enforcement officers working with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), including staff at FCI Thomson in Thomson, Ill. that was canceled last year. A news release from AFGE 4070, which represents BOP officers, said on Sept. 29, a U.S. District judge granted [...]
	How GLP-1s are rewiring the doctor-patient relationship You book a doctor's appointment and pick up a GLP-1 prescription expecting your healthcare routine to get simpler. Take the shots, lose some weight, move on.What happens in the months that follow, though, is a different story.Key takeawaysZocdoc patients who book an initial GLP-1 visit are 21% more likely to book follow-up medical care compared to average users.Booking a GLP-1 visit is linked to visits for nutrition, mental health, and other care.Rather than a "set-it-and-forget-it" approach, GLP-1 prescriptions demand ongoing care to manage side effects, adjust existing medications, and build healthy lifestyle habits.According to Zocdoc data, patients who book an initial GLP-1 consultation are 21% more likely to book additional medical care on the platform over the following 12 months compared to general Zocdoc users. Engaging in a GLP-1 consultation may act like a butterfly effect, prompting people to re-engage with their overall care in ways they hadn't initially considered."GLP-1s have finally given people real, tangible success," Amy Sheer, MD, MPH, an obesity medicine specialist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida, told Zocdoc. "I’ve seen people completely change their health and their life in ways we weren't seeing before."Rather than avoiding the doctor — a common pattern for patients who have felt judged or dismissed in medical settings — GLP-1 users are actively returning to care. They have practical questions about managing medication side effects, protecting muscle strength, and adjusting medications for chronic conditions as their bodies change.“It really was a life-changing drug for me,” says Elissa Drassinower, who has taken a GLP-1 for four years and lost more than 50 pounds while improving her cholesterol and blood pressure. "It totally changed my health, but it also changed my relationship with my care. I’ve never seen doctors more than I have through this process."Anchoring in primary careWhen patients who previously booked GLP-1 consultation book follow-up visits, they first return to primary care.According to Zocdoc data, 42.6% of patients who initially booked a GLP-1 visit also booked a primary care appointment over the following year, more than double the rate of typical platform users"A GLP-1 is not a static, ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ prescription," Dr. Sheer explains. "Prescribing these medications requires active, ongoing medical monitoring. You’re tailoring doses, managing side effects, and continually adjusting care to the individual patient."Because GLP-1s slow down digestion, gastrointestinal issues (such as nausea, acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhea) can be common at first. Physicians may prescribe secondary medications, like anti-nausea or reflux drugs, to keep discomfort manageable while patients adjust, Dr. Sheer says.Among patients starting GLP-1s who had no prior history of taking symptom-relief drugs, nearly 43% ended up needing a secondary prescription to manage these early side effects, Australian researchers reported earlier this year. Crucially, those extra prescriptions didn't lead to higher ER visits or hospitalizations. Doctors were able to treat side effects within standard outpatient visits.For many patients and providers, managing these early symptoms helps form the foundation of a collaborative “onboarding” process, in which providers use routine check-ins every few weeks to fine-tune treatment."If they have side effects, we have to manage those side effects," says Jonathan Bonnet, MD, Chief Medical Officer at the Ardmore Institute of Health and Associate Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. "We have to figure out: Is this something we treat symptomatically? Do we need to adjust the dose or stop the medication?"When people lose 10, 15, or 20% of their body weight, their blood pressure drops, their glycemic control improves, and suddenly medications they’ve been taking for years need to be adjusted, he told Zocdoc. "This is where proactive clinical management is critical. We have to actively deprescribe to prevent over-medication."For Joe Coe, who has been taking a GLP-1 for almost a year, losing weight was the trigger to pay more attention to other areas of his health. “I took migraine more seriously after I lost weight,” he says. Headache and other symptoms were affecting his ability to exercise. “If I want to maintain a level of activity to keep the weight off, I need to be healthy in these other aspects of my life.'"Beyond the scaleZocdoc booking data reveals something telling about patient expectations. When patients explicitly search for a weight loss visit, dietitians and nutritionists are their primary starting point, with primary care coming in second. But when patients search specifically for a GLP-1 appointment, 93% book directly with a primary care or internal medicine provider.This makes sense: GLP-1s require a prescription, so visits center on a medical provider whose focus is on prescribing and monitoring. But, depending on the scope of initial care, this can leave many patients to navigate nutrition, fitness, and behavioral support separately."Lifestyle medicine does not equal weight loss. They are two different things," Dr. Sheer told Zocdoc.Because patients on a GLP-1 can lose significant weight from both fat and lean muscle mass, Dr. Sheer's team connects them with registered dietitians, physical therapy, and fitness programs to prioritize resistance training and high-protein nutrition. Elissa’s primary care doctor emphasized eating more protein to protect her muscle mass, which prompted her to also see a nutritionist.Dr. Bonnet emphasizes that GLP-1s create an opportune clinical window where patients feel empowered to make major lifestyle changes, including managing mental health, nutrition, and more."Ironically, when you're taking one of these, you actually have to eat better than when you're not," Dr. Bonnet says, pointing out that smaller meal volumes make meeting protein, fiber, and micronutrient needs far more challenging. "It’s actually harder to do it optimally."Dr. Sheer screens for mood and body image changes, noting that rapid physical transformation often benefits from mental health support. That multidisciplinary approach aligns with how patients re-engage on Zocdoc. Platform data shows that after an initial GLP-1 consultation, patients who return for additional care are more likely than average users to book additional weight management visits, as well as appointments for mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD.Care for the long haulAs GLP-1s continue to reshape weight loss and ongoing care, clinicians hope both patients and providers keep partnering on sustained, long-term healthcare engagement.For providers, Dr. Sheer emphasizes that writing GLP-1 prescriptions requires resources to handle patient concerns about everything from GI symptoms to hair loss to accessing nutrition and mental health services. "You're going to get questions and you're going to have to know how to respond," Dr. Sheer says, noting that her practice relies on a dedicated triage nurse to respond to the constant stream of patient check-ins and messages."I'm lucky that my doctor is very accessible to me through the portal," says Elissa. "To be able to get my questions answered quickly, it has definitely brought me closer to my doctor in a way."For patients, Dr. Bonnet notes that the biggest misconception is viewing the medication as a temporary fix. Because data shows weight returns when treatment stops, starting a GLP-1 is typically an ongoing commitment — one that transforms episodic doctor visits into an ongoing partnership.“These drugs can empower patients to take control of their health,” Dr. Bonnet told Zocdoc. “If that inspires lifestyle changes that go beyond just weight to improve overall quality of life, then that is a really good thing.""You have to look at [a GLP-1] as a tool to get healthy, not just something you do to lose weight rapidly," echoes Joe. "And if you want to get healthy, there are probably other segments of your life that you have to address. What I like about my care is that they look at me and treat me as a whole person.”This story was produced by Zocdoc and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Three Things to Know: Oct. 1, 2026 Walk in Her Shoes in Moline, CornCon Cybersecurity Conference and a quick look at the weather.
	Micah Hyde picked as Honorary Captain at Iowa-Ohio State game Former Hawkeye and NFL player Micah Hyde will return to Kinnick on Saturday as the team’s Honorary Captain.

Friday, October 2nd, 2026

Thursday, October 1st, 2026