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

Monday, October 5th, 2026
	Public invited to share comments, see plans, at Centennial Bridge meeting The Illinois and Iowa Departments of Transportation invite the public to attend an open house for the U.S. 67 (Centennial Bridge) corridor study from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Holiday Inn Rock Island-Quad Cities, 226 17th St., Rock Island. After extensive analysis and public input, a preferred alternative has been identified to improve [...]
	Davenport Speedway plans to double down on action at end of 2026 season Davenport Speedway is set to double down as it closes out the 2026 season. The two-night Davenport Dirt Stars event will be held Oct. 9-10. Racing on both nights will be highlighted by the Karl Chevrolet Premier Late Models, competing for $1,500-to-win. Late Models will have a $75 entry fee. Also racing on both Friday [...]
	Ayad Akhtar's 'The Radiance' addresses provocative subjects head-on Like his previous work, including Homeland Elegies, The Radiance exposes the fissures of American racial, political and economic identity.
	Refocus Film Festival gets ‘bigger and bolder’ for 5th year The Refocus Film Festival is ringing in its fifth year, and this time it’s “bigger and bolder” than ever. From Oscar contenders to special guests, see what’s in store during the four-day festival hosted by FilmScene in Iowa City Oct. 22-25.
	Drones buzz overhead, troops hunker underground in Ukraine's hellish Kill Zone The frontline in the Russia-Ukraine war stretches more than 700 miles and has barely moved in four years. Yet straddling this line is the Kill Zone, dominated by constantly evolving drone technology.
	FBI arrests a woman accused of spying on Taiwan leader's family for China The FBI and U.S. prosecutors say Wanying Zhang, also know as Heather, surveilled the Taiwanese president's son and his family.
	Blackhawk Bank & Trust to acquire Liberty Trust & Savings Bank The combined institution is expected to have approximately $2.2 billion in total assets and 20 banking offices.
	Candle Witch Company to celebrate grand opening in downtown Moline Candle Witch Company is inviting the community to stop by and tour the new shop and will offer a special gift to early customers.
	Imran Khan supporters march in Pakistan to demand his release after talks failed Talks between Khan's party and the government failed two days ago. Besides Khan's release, protesters demand his transfer to a hospital and family visits.
	BBQ Chris opens CC&B Kitchen, new 24/7 baseball & softball facility, and more Quad-Cities business news BBQ Chris opens CC&B Kitchen, new 24/7 baseball & softball facility, and more Quad-Cities business news.
	Amhof Trucking named “Best of Class” Fleet Safety Award winner Amhof Trucking, Inc. recognized as the safest carrier in the state of Iowa.
	Rock Island County real estate transactions for October 4, 2026 Here are homes sales and property sales in Rock Island County.
	Augustana chooses first assistant vice president for impact learning Augustana College, Rock Island, has selected Quad Cities strategic leader and 2002 alumna Angela Snyder to serve as its first assistant vice president for impact learning, a new role designed to connect every Augustana student more intentionally with hands-on learning, career preparation and meaningful work in the community, a news release says. Snyder will join [...]
	More amazing weather coming After a great weekend, the weather for the week ahead looks just as nice. It'll be mostly a dry week with only a limited chance of rain. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	Two Rehabilitated Bald Eagles Return to the Wild in Fulton Two bald eagles rescued from injury and illness were released in Fulton after months of rehabilitation by Hog Capitol Wildlife Rescue and Rehab.
	Nobel medicine prize goes to 3 scientists for research into brain activity The Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded Monday to three scientists working on the mechanisms the brain uses to switch on, or off, the activity of individual nerve cells.
	Former Prince Andrew files legal action to quash warrants that led to residence searches A judicial spokesperson confirmed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had filed a claim with the High Court in London and a hearing would take place Thursday.
	The Killer Bridge This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Animals who kill people are often shot. Humans who do so are tried in court. But what does one do with an inanimate…
	Spain's prime minister calls early elections as pressure mounts over housing crisis Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced early elections Monday after his government suffered a bruising legislative defeat last week on emergency measures related to the country's housing crisis.
	From floating saunas to clinical trials: How heat might help mental health While scientists have a decent understanding of how sauna and other forms of heat exposure exercises our cardiovascular system, they know relatively little about its impact on mental health.
	Super El Niño is here. What's so super about it? This year, federal forecasters say the planet could see the strongest El Niño event on record. Here's what you need to know.
	Pennsylvania is running out of power. Washington is part of the problem. All too often these days, constructing a major energy infrastructure project in Pennsylvania involves years of court fights and permitting delays. The PennEast Pipeline spent seven years in federal review and legal challenge only to be cancelled by its sponsors. Review for the Tioga Pathway Project, which broke ground this summer after a three-year approval process, was considered fast by current standards. In a state that is one of the world’s leading natural gas producers, this should not be the benchmark for efficiency. Time and again, Pennsylvanians have seen gigawatts of desperately needed energy infrastructure and electrical generation capacity lost to legal settlements rather than placed into service. Gov. Josh Shapiro has done his part in recent years to fix these issues at the state level. Now it is time for similar reforms federally. Over the past several months, that dynamic has come into sharp focus. Since March 2026, the Trump Administration has reached agreements with several offshore wind developers to cancel their federal leases in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar reimbursement of the original lease amount. Six companies have collectively reallocated over $4 billion in planned wind capacity to redeploy into oil, gas, and LNG infrastructure. The terms of those agreements have drawn criticism and legal scrutiny. Opponents have been quick to dismiss the deals as taxpayer-funded giveaways to the President’s allies at the expense of clean energy. Yet while the Trump Administration offers ample reason for ethical scrutiny, these reimbursements are neither a misuse of taxpayer money nor is it the first time the energy industry has battled executive whiplash. The reality is, unless Washington advances durable, bipartisan permitting reform, this broken cycle will keep repeating. What’s most notable about the lease buy-back is the investment conditions that led the developers to walk away. Each of these companies acquired a lease through a competitive federal process and spent a significant amount of time and money working through established regulatory channels. They abandoned their projects for the same reason that the PennEast Pipeline folded and the Tioga Pathway Project barely skirted by: the policy environment is so uncertain that investors would rather cancel outright than gamble billions on developments in such an uncertain regulatory environment. Unfortunately, these settlements also do nothing to address the conditions that produced them, nor do they resolve underlying concerns about grid reliability. The offshore wind cancellations are a visible and expensive illustration of what permitting dysfunction produces at scale. But the issues they faced are not unique are just one of many the obstacles developers of new electrical generation capacity face. PJM’s interconnection queue currently holds more than 90 gigawatts of generation capacity from a variety of energy sources waiting for a connection to the grid that the current permitting system cannot deliver on a predictable timeline. That backlog represents hundreds of billions in stranded investment. At the same time peak electricity demand is projected to grow by more than 30 gigawatts by 2030. The grid needs that capacity but the system tasked with approving it was not built for this moment. The National Environmental Policy Act – which requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts of major infrastructure projects before issuing a decision – is a big driver of these delays. The law served a legitimate purpose when it passed in 1970, but it has since enabled unworkable regulatory dysfunction. Average review timelines stretch past four years, environmental impact statements run hundreds of pages, and the constant threat of litigation means that projects completing federal review are simply entering the next phase of delay rather than the construction phase. Pennsylvania’s diverse energy economy depends on infrastructure that can be permitted and built within a timeframe that makes investment viable and leaves it uniquely exposed to this dysfunction. When that framework breaks down, it is the residents and business owners in the Commonwealth who absorb the consequences. Reforming the permitting process does not require gutting environmental reviews. It means setting timelines that agencies are required to meet, reducing the redundancy that builds up when multiple agencies analyze the same project in sequence, and providing enough legal predictability that investors can make long-term commitments without pricing in years of litigation risk. Pennsylvania’s grid is under real pressure. What the Commonwealth needs now is Washington to follow the lead of Governor Shapiro and usher in a permitting system that allows new generation, of every kind, to reach the grid before the shortfall arrives. T.J. Rooney previously served as chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and is a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Courtesy of Pennsylvania Capital-Star
	Retired Deere employee still comes to work as tour guide at Iowa facility There's more to the story of John Deere ... and a longtime employee at the plant in Ankeny, Iowa, is there to share it with visitors. Roger Riley has the story of Gary Eubank, the retired tour guide who spent nearly 50 years working for Deere. Eubank loves to talk about the process of making [...]
	Illinois provides safe haven for wild mustangs from out West Seven new wild mustangs have found a safe haven in Alhambra, Illinois after being rounded up in Nevada. Photographer Wade Smith went to the mustang sanctuary to rescue and find new homes for these incredible animals. A peaceful stretch of countryside providing a safe haven for wild mustangs removed from public lands in the West. [...]
Sunday, October 4th, 2026
	Is this what conservatism has come to? Kayakers on the Apalachicola River, via the Apalachicola Riverkeeper.Conservatives used to want to conserve. They wanted to conserve nature, wilderness, wildlife. They wanted to conserve art, historical sites, historical buildings, history itself. They valued American democracy, American traditions, and democratic institutions. Now they just want to destroy. The current administration leads this rage to destroy, tearing down the East Wing of the White House, threatening the Kennedy Center with demolition, attacking museums, national parks and monuments — Trump has decimated Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, removing 90% of land owned by the American people, opening it to mining and other commercial interests — and accelerating the climate crisis by repealing greenhouse gas standards and rolling back Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards. The rule of law is under siege, with the administration ignoring court orders, flouting federal statutes, undermining the two other branches of government, and gleefully violating the Constitution. Florida under Ron DeSantis is no different. His administration refuses to protect historic buildings, natural treasures, and free thought, banning books, riding roughshod over civil rights, and doing their damnedest to impose right-wing juntas in our universities. In 2024, the state bought The Gladstone, a Victorian house in Tallahassee. Some of us were naive enough to hope they might restore the place or sell it to a group who could move it and save it. The place was a fine example of the sharp-gabled, lacy woodwork style of the 1890s, the last of its kind along the capital’s main drag. It was pretty rickety, but not, according to historic preservationists, hopeless. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.But the DeSantis administration bulldozed it, claiming that because the property abutted the Governor’s Mansion grounds, it was a “security risk” and must be destroyed to expand the mansion’s perimeter and put in an all-important parking lot. You’d almost think the state looks at anything beautiful, anything special, anything that contributes to our quality of life, and looks for a way to ruin it. ‘Golden era’? DeSantis once boasted his first term was “a golden era for conservation,” vowing to eradicate the blue-green algae choking the life out of our lakes and rivers and setting up an initiative to save our reefs. The reefs are breeding grounds and nurseries for 500 marine species and may be a source for new medicines. They protect coastal communities from beach erosion and storm surges and generate billions in recreation dollars. Our waterways are still slimed with toxic algae and this year DeSantis cut all the funding from Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative. Why? Why not? The environment is clearly “woke.” Remember when the governor insisted the now closed Alligator Alcatraz would do no damage to the Everglades? That would be funny (almost) if it weren’t so false. The facility’s 200 diesel generators belched out benzene and formaldehyde day and night, violating the Clean Air Act; its bright stadium lights, disrupting panther habitat, messing with the birds and amphibians who live in the ’glades, could be seen 18 miles away; its overflowing fuel trucks and port-a-potties leaked filth into the aquifer on which South Florida depends for drinking water. The injuries inflicted weren’t only environmental. Detainees were forced to live in unspeakably dirty conditions, denied food and medical care, denied access to lawyers, and were often placed in 4-foot by 4-foot outdoor metal cages, described by detention center staff as “calming areas” where inmates could have some “alone time,” and by Amnesty International as “torture.” You know things were bad there when even the Department of Homeland Security, not known for its adherence to human rights, found the facility in violation of every possible standard. Ron DeSantis blew the whole thing off. He didn’t know; the state wasn’t responsible; and what’s the big deal? It’s not like detainees are real people. ICE predations Conservatives used to claim individual rights as an essential part of their philosophy. But here in Florida, rights only apply to state-approved citizens. You can be locked up just because you don’t look sufficiently “American.” Sometimes ICE rounds up undocumented people who have no right to be here. Sometimes it detains people with pending citizenship applications or asylum claims, never mind they are in the country legally. Sometimes it arrests American citizens. This is hardly surprising in a country where ICE agents shoot protesters with impunity, where the highest court has gutted the Civil Rights Act, and the Trump administration threatens the coming elections. What’s that old saying about the fish rotting from the head down? Dredge we must The putrefaction from Washington has run downhill to Florida, where the Army Corps of Engineers wants to dredge the Apalachicola River. Again. In case you need reminding, this would be the same Corps responsible for the levees that collapsed in Hurricane Katrina, exacerbating death and destruction in New Orleans, and those disastrous discharges from Lake Okeechobee, polluting the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries and killing Everglades flora and fauna. The Corps is, of course, ultimately ruled by the geniuses at the Pentagon. The Apalachicola River is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, supporting hundreds of rare species of birds, fish, amphibians, and plants found almost nowhere else. Nevertheless, the Corps is hell-bent on scraping out a navigational channel that its own reports show isn’t economically significant. They’ll dig out the river bottom, endangered mollusks be damned, stacking the spoils in sand mounds which, in turn, choke the sloughs feeding the river, starving the floodplain forest and screwing up the delicate balance of salt and fresh water. Thanks to DeSantis and the Legislature, local governments can no longer manage growth or protect water quality or sensitive lands or levy impact fees on developers to help with the cost of expanded infrastructure. In 2025, the governor signed a law giving developers carte blanche. Bulldoze those trees? Pollute that lake? Progress! Citizens of Seminole and Orange County voted to preserve “rural boundaries,” designed to slow out-of-control growth and preserve habitat and forests. Florida legislators objected, squawking about “private property rights.” If a developer objects to local tree ordinances or wetlands protections or impact fees or restrictions on the ungodly sprawl crawling across the state like kudzu on steroids, he is likely to prevail over the people who actually live in the place. By now, you know the Trump administration and its DeSantis Mini-Me government want to tear down, chop down, and befoul. It seems to be in their DNA. But some Democrats have caught the destruction disease as well. Here in Tallahassee, run almost entirely by Democrats, the city allows — even encourages — what they call “growth” and many of those of us who live here call “unsustainable sprawl.” When some rapacious developer cuts a bunch of old trees — the kind that take a century or more to mature — without permission, he gets a slap on the wrist from city or county government, maybe a small fine. The rapacious developer shrugs: It’s the cost of doing business. ‘Paused’ Welaunee, 6,600 acres in northeast Leon County, is slated to become one of those “master-planned communities” of the sort defacing Florida south of the Suwannee River. The development has been “paused,” supposedly so citizens can express concerns and ask questions, but if anyone thinks it can be stopped altogether, well, they don’t realize Florida’s most important relationship is not with democracy or nature, it’s with money. The company wants to build 6,591 houses and create 425,000 square feet of “retail space” (probably called “shoppes”) and multi-lane roads. One section has already been completed, a “community” called Canopy — though it has no canopy, barely any trees — largely rows of beige houses that could be anywhere: the Atlanta suburbs, the outskirts of Orlando, the gated cookie-cutter villages along I-75. If Canopy is anything to go by, Welaunee will be an abomination. The wetlands, the cherished green spaces, the old-growth oaks, the lakes and streams, the wildlife habitat, the peace and quiet, the beauty we should cherish — and conserve — all gone. It will be a miracle if in 10 years the whole state isn’t one big expanse of concrete and asphalt, an endless subdivision punctuated here and there by data centers, Wawas, and strip malls. Courtesy of Florida Phoenix
	5 hábitos para fortalecer la inmunidad durante la temporada de gripe y resfriados (Feature Impact) Su sistema inmunol gico es su mejor aliado durante la temporada de gripe y resfriados, ayud ndole a mantenerse saludable cuando comienza a escuchar esas toses y estornudos inconfundibles a su alrededor. Ayude a su cuerpo a cumplir bien su funci n adoptando algunos h bitos sencillos que apoyan naturalmente su capacidad para combatir los g rmenes o recuperarse m s r pido. Hable con su proveedor de atenci n m dica para obtener asesoramiento personalizado y procure incorporar estos h bitos como parte de la rutina normal de su hogar. Haga ejercicio con regularidad El ejercicio es como un medicamento milagroso que puede mejorar casi todos los aspectos de la salud y el bienestar. La actividad f sica aumenta el flujo sangu neo, reduce la inflamaci n a largo plazo, ayuda a que las c lulas inmunitarias circulen por el cuerpo para protegerlo contra invasores y hasta puede eliminar bacterias de sus pulmones y v as respiratorias. Planifique incorporar al menos 150 minutos de ejercicio moderado a la semana, como andar en bicicleta, caminar a paso r pido, tomar una clase de yoga o hacer un entrenamiento en video bajo demanda. Consuma alimentos que fortalezcan la salud inmunol gica Para mantener su sistema inmunol gico bien abastecido, los expertos recomiendan llevar una dieta variada con abundantes frutas, verduras, nueces, semillas, granos integrales y grasas saludables como el aceite de oliva. Considere incorporar uvas frescas a su dieta para aprovechar los beneficios de sus compuestos vegetales naturales. La protecci n del organismo comienza a nivel celular, y las uvas contienen poderosos polifenoles que favorecen la salud y el funcionamiento de las c lulas. Los estudios indican que ciertos compuestos de las uvas, como el resveratrol y los flavonoides, apoyan la funci n del sistema inmunol gico, as como la salud del cerebro, la piel, el sistema digestivo y el coraz n. Estas peque as frutas son f ciles de incorporar a su alimentaci n, ya sea que disfrute de los racimos de las dulces y jugosas Uvas de California por s solas o las ponga en la licuadora para preparar esta receta de Jugo de Bienestar con Uvas de California. Apoye m ltiples aspectos de su bienestar con la poderosa combinaci n de frutas y verduras de esta bebida, que aporta una variedad de vitaminas, minerales y antioxidantes que fortalecen el sistema inmunol gico. Mant ngase hidratado Beber suficiente agua ayuda a limpiar su sistema linf tico, que es responsable de producir ciertos gl bulos blancos que combaten los g rmenes. Tambi n mantiene h medas las membranas de la nariz y la boca, lo que reduce el riesgo de infecci n. Si le cuesta beber suficiente agua, consumir alimentos ricos en agua, como las uvas, tambi n contribuye a mejorar su hidrataci n. Practique buenos h bitos de higiene para evitar g rmenes Para aumentar sus posibilidades de mantenerse saludable durante la temporada de mayor contagio, vuelva al consejo de higiene de toda la vida y verdadero que sus padres quiz s le inculcaron desde ni o. L vese las manos con frecuencia con agua tibia y jab n, evite tocarse la cara cuando est fuera de casa, mantenga la distancia de las personas con s ntomas y desinfecte las superficies de uso frecuente, como las manijas de las puertas, cuando alguien en el hogar o la oficina est enfermo. Duerma m s, menos estr s Antes de que empiece a estresarse por no dormir lo suficiente, tenga la tranquilidad de que hay cambios sencillos que puede hacer para mejorar su bienestar en ambos aspectos. Intente cambiar su rutina nocturna para que gire menos en torno a las pantallas y m s en torno a actividades relajantes que realmente le ayuden a desconectarse, como el yoga, la meditaci n o la lectura. Descubra m s informaci n de salud y recetas en GrapesFromCalifornia.com. Jugo de Bienestar de Uva de California Porciones: 3 (1 taza cada una) 5 tazas de uvas negras o rojas Uvas de California 1/2 taza de rodajas de remolacha cruda pelada 3/4 taza de jugo de naranja 1/4 taza de jugo de lim n amarillo 1 zanahoria peque a, pelada y en rodajas 1 trozo de c rcuma fresca (de 1 pulgada), pelada y en rodajas, o 1 cucharadita de c rcuma molida En una licuadora de alta velocidad, haga un pur con las uvas, las rodajas de remolacha, el jugo de naranja, el jugo de lim n, la zanahoria y la c rcuma hasta obtener una mezcla homog nea. Cuele a trav s de un colador de malla fina, revolviendo para extraer la mayor cantidad de jugo posible, aproximadamente 3 tazas. Detenga el proceso cuando la mezcla comience a espesarse. Disfrute de inmediato o tape y refrigere hasta el momento de servir. Notas: Este jugo tambi n se puede agregar a t helado o agua con gas. Informaci n nutricional por porci n: 230 calor as; 3 g de prote na; 58 g de carbohidratos; 0.5 g de grasa (2 % de las calor as provenientes de la grasa); 0 g de grasa saturada (0 % de las calor as provenientes de la grasa saturada); 0 mg de colesterol; 35 mg de sodio; 0 g de fibra.
	Build a Winning Game-Day Spread with Big Flavor and Less Mess (Feature Impact) Game day is about more than the big plays, touchdown-saving tackles and final score. Whether you're gathering in the stadium parking lot or hosting friends for an at-home watch party, a memorable experience begins long before kickoff. Start your pregame festivities with an MVP-worthy spread that's simple to serve, easy to eat and keeps fans full through the final whistle. For example, the flavor of Buffalo is a game-day staple, but wings aren't the only way to enjoy it. For less mess, Buffalo Chicken Caesar and Celery Wraps pair convenience with the cool crunch of Dandy Celery, a year-round superstar ingredient for many of your favorite football-inspired dishes. It's packed with flavor and low in calories, making it a smart choice for snacking. The contrasting tastes and textures offer a satisfying bite, whether you slice the wraps into smaller portions for appetizer-style serving or leave them whole for fans with hearty appetites. Nervous nibblers during the game's most tense moments may prefer a lighter bite, and that's where a dependable dip can come through in the clutch. This Buffalo Hummus recipe puts a tailgate-spin on the familiar favorite, combining creamy texture with a little heat. Serve it alongside crackers, chips or crisp vegetables like Dandy celery dippers, fresh-cut celery sticks that are pre-washed and ready to eat at your convenience - a true time-saver when the clock is ticking. Design your own winning game plan by finding more tailgating recipes at DudaFresh.com. Buffalo Chicken Caesar and Celery Wraps Servings: 4 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce 2 cups Dandy romaine hearts, chopped 1 cup Dandy celery, chopped (about 4 ribs) 1/3 cup Caesar dressing 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 4 large flour tortillas (10 inches) In bowl, toss shredded chicken with Buffalo sauce. Set aside. To make salad: In separate bowl, combine romaine, celery, Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Mix well. To assemble wraps: Spoon about 1/4 cup Buffalo chicken along center of each tortilla, leaving small border at each end; top with Caesar salad. Fold up bottom of tortilla over filling then fold in sides and roll up tightly. Slice in half diagonally. Buffalo Hummus Prep time: 5 minutes Servings: 8 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1/4 cup tahini 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 lemon, juice only 2 cloves garlic 2-3 tablespoons ice water dairy-free blue cheese, for garnish (optional) chopped chives, for garnish (optional) paprika, for garnish (optional) olive oil, for garnish (optional) Dandy Celery Dippers pita chips In food processor, puree drained chickpeas, tahini, Buffalo sauce, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Add water through lid until desired consistency is achieved. Spread hummus onto serving plate or bowl. Garnish, if desired, with dairy-free blue cheese, chopped chives, paprika and drizzle of olive oil. Serve with celery dippers and pita chips.
	Preparing the Next Generation for Economic Mobility in an AI-Driven World (Feature Impact) Within only a few years, AI has already changed many things about the world and workforce. Entry-level jobs, particularly the ones relying on routine and predictable tasks, are increasingly disappearing to automation, leaving young people wondering how to launch their careers and futures. Access to economic mobility - the ability to change your income or wealth - doesn't just rely on technical knowledge and skills but on leaning into humanity. Being able to think outside the box, collaborate, solve problems and grow as a person can open doors in life and at work. AI may be changing the world, but in change lies opportunity. The students who can adapt quickly are more likely to prosper as the economy continues to reshape itself. To learn what preparing students for the future may look like in practice, consider these tips from the economic and career experts at Junior Achievement. Build the Kinds of Skills AI Can't Replace Young people facing AI as their competition can get a boost from cultivating the uniquely human skills technology can't replicate. Educators, parents and other adults in kids' lives can help them develop increasingly important soft skills like critical thinking, communication, teamwork and leadership, which can translate to many different careers. Hands-on skills can fit into this category as well, like the kinds required in entrepreneurship and the trades. Provide Real-World Experiences When young people have the chance to test themselves in a real-world setting, it lets them hone their interests, skills and confidence before the time comes to make major decisions about their futures. As early as elementary school, experiential learning activities like Junior Achievement's Biztown allow students to operate businesses, work with others, manage finances and solve problems, combining in-class learning with hands-on simulations. As kids grow up, other options can include job shadowing, internships and entrepreneurship experiments - all ways to build durable social and professional skills that can help them succeed. Teach Foundational Financial Literacy Earning money is only part of the equation for a healthy financial future; equally important is understanding how to manage it. As kids prepare to earn their first sources of income, make sure they're also equipped with practical financial skills like budgeting, saving, investing, using credit wisely and planning for future goals. Giving them these tools early helps them make informed decisions about their long-term economic advancement. Connect Students with Employers and Opportunities Sometimes, all a student needs to succeed is someone who's willing to give them a chance. Young people in a position to meet business professionals in (and beyond) their communities may be able to turn those connections into future opportunities. This can happen naturally as they seek real-world experiences through apprenticeships, mentorship programs, career fairs and more. Programs like Junior Achievement's 3DE puts students in authentic business challenges, connecting them with educators, business partners and volunteers as they work in teams to complete case experiences. This not only gives young people the opportunity to meet potential employers or mentors, it also lets them demonstrate critical thinking, social skills and real-world competence. Visit jausa.ja.org for more ideas to help young people gain the confidence and connections needed to achieve economic mobility in a changing world. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
	Type 2 Diabetes Doesn't Have to Be Your Future: Medicare Has a Benefit That Can Help (Feature Impact) Nearly 1 in 2 people age 65 and older has prediabetes - a condition where blood sugar (glucose) levels run higher than normal. Left unchecked, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes. However, with the right support, prediabetes can often be managed or even reversed. If you have Medicare, you may qualify for a Medicare-covered program that can help you lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes - at no cost to you. The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program is a covered Medicare benefit that gives you practical tools, personalized support, and proven strategies to make healthy lifestyle changes. Learn how to eat better, exercise more, and build healthy habits that stick while guided by a certified coach who helps you every step of the way. Research shows the program works. People with prediabetes who complete the program result in weight loss, which ultimately leads to reduced risk of type 2 diabetes onset. What can you expect? Prevention does not mean you have to make big changes all at once. This program helps you take small, realistic steps that can add up to lasting results. It includes 16 core sessions where you can learn how to reduce your diabetes risk by making healthier meals, moving more, and building healthy habits. The core sessions are followed by six months of monthly maintenance sessions to help you keep your momentum. You can choose the class format that works for you You can enroll in these services from approved Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program suppliers and participate in the way most convenient for you: In-Person: Attend sessions in a community location. Live-Distance Learning: Join interactive group sessions from home. Self-Paced Online: This new option allows you to access online content and learn on your own schedule. Visit www.medicare.gov/PreventDiabetes to find a class that's right for you. Who is eligible? You may qualify if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and meet these criteria: Have had one of the following test results within the past 12 months: Hemoglobin A1c between 5.7% and 6.4% Fasting plasma glucose between 110 and 125 mg/dL Two-hour plasma glucose between 140 and 199 mg/dL after an oral glucose tolerance test Have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (or 23 or higher if you self-report as Asian descent). Have never been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). What does it cost? If you have Medicare Part B and qualify for the program, you pay nothing to participate. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may have to go to an in-network provider to get these services. Contact your plan for more information. Ready to get started on your healthier future? Take control of your health on your own terms, schedule, and pace that fits into your life. Check with your doctor to find out if you have prediabetes or are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you're eligible for the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, your doctor can refer you, or you can enroll on your own. If you're ready to get started today, find the class that's right for you at: www.medicare.gov/PreventDiabetes. Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
	'Give Like a Kid Again' for Real-World Impact This Halloween (Feature Impact) Costumes. Candy. Jack-o-lanterns glowing on porches. Halloween is filled with moments that spark children's imaginations. This Halloween, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is inviting children and families to "Give Like a Kid Again," turning imagination into kindness and helping children around the world. For eight decades, the campaign has shown children that even the smallest act of kindness can travel farther than any front porch and shine brighter than any jack-o-lantern. As the longest-running youth engagement campaign in the United States, it has inspired generations of children to discover that when kids help kids, one Halloween tradition can turn into a lifetime of impact. What started with just $17 in 1950, when a small group of children filled milk cartons with spare change to help children recovering from World War II, has grown into one of America's most beloved Halloween traditions, raising nearly $200 million to help the organization deliver lifesaving support for children around the world. Today, the iconic orange collection box reminds families that small acts of generosity can create lasting change. "Each Halloween, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF reminds us that even the smallest acts of generosity can grow into something extraordinary," said Shelley Diamond, chief marketing officer, UNICEF USA. "For more than 75 years, this campaign has shown generations of children that you are never too young to make a difference and 'Give Like a Kid Again' is about passing that belief on to the next generation." Beyond supporting programs in more than 190 countries and territories, donations strengthen the organization's global humanitarian supply network, delivering emergency essentials like therapeutic food, medicine, blankets and safe water to children impacted by conflict, disasters and disease. Be a mermaid and help make waves for clean water. Help provide safe water for a child for a year for $5. Be a vampire and help scare away preventable diseases. World Polio Day, just a week before Halloween, provides an opportunity to protect 200 children under age 5 from polio with a $43 donation. Be a scientist and help uncover lifesaving answers. Provide 25 malaria diagnostic tests for just $8, helping children receive timely treatment. Be a teacher and help children write their next chapter. Provide 1,000 pencils to help children put their ideas, lessons and dreams on paper for $30. Be a chef and help cook up a healthier future. Over a two-month period, $10 can treat 15 children by providing 450 packets of micronutrient powder. Be an astronaut and help a girl reach for the stars. To help six girls feel confident in school, $36 can provide reusable menstrual pads. Be a snowman and help bundle up a child against the cold. A donation of $50 could provide a child in an emergency setting with winter clothing, including a jacket, hat, scarf, mittens, socks, winter boots, a warm sweater and warm puffball trousers. Be a soccer player (or referee) and help kick off playtime. Provide up to four packages of soccer balls for a child-friendly space for $25 to help kids just be kids again. This October, everyone can "Give Like a Kid Again" through the iconic orange collection box, online fundraising and family-friendly activities. Visit unicefusa.org/TOT2026 to join the tradition and help make a difference for children around the world.
	5 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Community (Feature Impact) Communities are strengthened every day by local organizations working to address challenges close to home, whether that's helping families access food, supporting students, expanding opportunity or providing essential resources to those who need them most. Often operating with limited resources, these organizations are finding practical solutions that make a meaningful difference in neighborhoods and communities across the country. Many of these efforts happen quietly, powered by people who volunteer their time, share their expertise, donate resources or simply help spread awareness of causes they care about. For individuals looking to make a difference where they live, community involvement doesn't have to start with a large commitment. Consider these five options to get involved. Give Your Time Giving your time is one of the most direct ways to support organizations serving your community. Whether it's packing meals, mentoring young people or participating in neighborhood cleanups, volunteering allows people to contribute directly while gaining a deeper understanding of local needs. Share Your Skills Nonprofits often need specialized skills in addition to hands-on volunteer support. Communications support, technology expertise, event planning, photography, financial guidance and other professional skills can help organizations expand their reach and strengthen their operations. Contributing the skills you've developed can often be just as valuable as donating time or resources. Tap Into Your Workplace Many employers offer opportunities to support causes that matter to their employees, such as volunteer programs, community grants or other charitable opportunities. In communities across the country, local nonprofits can receive support through programs like the PepsiCo Foundation's Community Impact Awards, where employees can nominate nonprofit organizations in their local communities for grant funding. Since 2022, the program has invested more than $3.7 million into organizations working on issues ranging from food access to education and community development. "Across North America, there are organizations showing up every day for their communities, often without recognition and with limited resources," said Monica Bauer, SVP of social impact, PepsiCo and president of the PepsiCo Foundation. "The Community Impact Awards help shine a light on organizations that are creating opportunities, solving local challenges and making a real difference in people's lives. What makes this program special is that the recognition comes from PepsiCo associates who know these organizations firsthand and have seen their impact up close." This year, 100 organizations across the U.S. and Canada received $500,000 total in grants and teamed up with their respective nominating employees for volunteer activities supporting their missions, giving employees another opportunity to engage directly. Give What You Can Financial contributions are a valuable way to give back, but they aren't the only option. Many organizations need non-monetary donations such as school supplies, canned goods, clothing, toys and technology. Before collecting items, check with organizations to learn what is most needed and how contributions can make the greatest impact. Use Your Voice One person can make a difference. When that person gets a friend or family member involved, more people can discover and support organizations doing important work. Sharing a nonprofit's mission on social media, inviting others to volunteer or connecting people with causes you care about can help organizations reach new supporters and expand their impact. Making a difference doesn't require doing everything at once. Whether you contribute your time, skills, resources or advocacy, small actions can help make a big impact over time. Across the U.S., nonprofit organizations are helping improve lives, create opportunities and respond to community needs every day. Their work is a reminder that meaningful change often starts locally with people willing to get involved. Learn more about how individuals and organizations can help address some of the most pressing needs in their communities by visiting PepsiCo.com/about/social-impact.
	5 comidas fáciles en bandeja para horno con uvas de California (Feature Impact) Cocinar en una bandeja para horno hace que las comidas entre semana sean mucho m s f ciles, y las uvas frescas les dan un toque especial e inesperado. Asadas junto al pollo, las verduras, el gnocchi y m s, las uvas se vuelven c lidas y jugosas, a adiendo un toque de dulzura que complementa los sabores salados y hace que los platos sencillos se sientan un poco m s especiales. Desde cenas y acompa amientos deliciosos hasta un postre que encantar a todos, estas recetas aportan algo inesperado al cocinar todo en una sola bandeja para hornear, sin complicaciones adicionales. Encuentre m s ideas de recetas familiares visitando GrapesFromCalifornia.com. Pollo con uvas de California y salvia - Esta sencilla cena preparada en una bandeja para horno combina pollo sazonado con salvia y uvas de California, calabaza butternut, cebolla morada y ajo. A medida que todo se asa junto, las uvas se vuelven c lidas y jugosas, mientras que el vinagre de sidra de manzana a ade un contraste brillante y cido. Es una comida f cil y colorida que ofrece mucho sabor, con una limpieza m nima. Camotes y uvas de California asados - Los camotes y las uvas de California forman una deliciosa combinaci n en este colorido acompa amiento que es f cil de preparar. Asar las uvas realza su dulzura natural, mientras que el vinagre bals mico, la cebolla y la albahaca fresca a aden notas saladas y cidas para equilibrar. S rvalo junto con su prote na favorita o agr guelo a un taz n de granos para una manera sencilla de incorporar m s frutas y vegetales al plato. Gnocchi y uvas de California asados - El tierno gnocchi ( oquis), las jugosas uvas de California asadas, el broccolini y la cebolla morada se combinan en esta deliciosa comida preparada en una sola bandeja. El tomillo fresco, el queso feta y la ralladura de lim n equilibran la dulzura de las uvas con sabores salados, ligeramente cidos y frescos. Con solo 25 minutos en el horno, es una manera f cil de convertir ingredientes cotidianos en una deliciosa cena sin carne. Pollo con uvas de California asadas, zanahorias y chiriv as - El comino y la c rcuma con sus aromas c lidos y especiados le dan mucho sabor a esta contundente cena de pollo preparada en una bandeja, mientras que las zanahorias, las chiriv as, las cebollas y las uvas de California completan la comida. Las uvas a aden un toque de dulzor y jugosidad que complementan las verduras de ra z terrosas y las especias saladas. Todo se cocina junto en una sola bandeja para una cena colorida y satisfactoria con una limpieza f cil. Tarta de manzana y uvas de California en bandeja para horno - Las manzanas cidas y las jugosas uvas negras de California le dan un delicioso giro al cl sico pie de manzana en este postre preparado en una bandeja para horno, ideal para grupos. Las frutas se hornean bajo una corteza dorada de masa enrejada, mientras que las uvas a aden color, dulzura y una textura jugosa a cada rebanada. Dise ado para servir a 16 personas, es un postre atractivo para disfrutar en d as festivos, fiestas y otras celebraciones.
	Over $6,790 stolen in fake phone scam, West Burlington police say More than $6,790 was stolen from a Walmart kiosk in a fake phone scam, police said.
	Second Chance Takes Flight: Two Rehabilitated Bald Eagles Return to the Wild in Fulton Two bald eagles rescued from injury and illness were released in Fulton after months of rehabilitation, marking a first-ever double release for Hog Capital Wildlife.
	Your Child’s Future is Unpredictable: These 5 Steps Can Help You Prepare Anyway (BPT) - Today's children may pursue careers and education pathways that look very different from the ones their parents knew. These five practical steps can help families keep more possibilities within reach.Key takeawaysFamilies do not need to know a child's future career to begin preparing for it.A flexible approach can support a range of education and training pathways.Small, consistent steps can make future choices feel more manageable.Ask a young child what they want to be when they grow up, and the answer may change by the week. Even older students are exploring a rapidly evolving mix of careers, credentials and training options. For parents, that uncertainty can make planning feel intimidating. How do you prepare when you cannot know whether your child will choose a university, a technical program, an apprenticeship or a career that does not exist yet?The good news is that families do not need a perfect prediction. They need a practical plan that can grow and adapt along with their child. These five steps can help parents focus less on choosing a path today and more on creating options for tomorrow.1. Start with possibilities, not one destination Instead of building a plan around a single school or career, think broadly about the kinds of learning your child may need after high school. That could include a two-year or four-year degree, career and technical education, industry credentials or another eligible training program. A broader mindset can reduce the pressure to have every detail figured out now.2. Turn a big goal into a repeatable habitFuture education costs can feel overwhelming when viewed as one large number. A more approachable strategy is to choose a contribution into a savings vehicle such as a 529 Investment Plan that fits your current budget and make it consistent. Consider automating deposits after payday, redirecting part of a tax refund or adding a portion of a raise. The amount can change as your circumstances change. The habit is what creates momentum. The elementary school years can be an especially valuable time to begin because families often have more years to save, allowing small contributions to accumulate over time.3. Give family and friends an easy way to help Birthdays, holidays and milestones often bring more toys and gifts than a child can use. Let grandparents, relatives and close friends know that contributing toward future education is another meaningful option. Even occasional gifts can complement what parents are already saving and help loved ones feel connected to a child's long-term goals.4. Check your plan once a yearChoose one annual reminder, such as your child's birthday or the start of a new school year, to review your progress. Ask whether the contribution still fits your budget, update family information and consider whether your goals have changed. A short yearly check-in can help keep the plan current without making it another monthly task.5. Choose tools that leave room for changeWhen comparing education savings options, look beyond the name of the account. Ask where the funds may be used, what expenses may qualify, whether the beneficiary can be changed and what happens if plans shift. Understanding those choices from the start can help families select an approach that supports multiple routes after high school.For Miami parent Ann Fonts, opening an education savings account wasn't about having all the answers. It was about getting started. "Like a lot of parents, I thought I had more time," Fonts said. "Then one day I was registering my son for kindergarten and wondering where the years had gone. We didn't start with a large amount. We just started with what we could afford and made it part of our routine. For me, the biggest lesson was that you don't have to be perfect. You just have to start."As children grow, their interests and ambitions will change. A flexible plan gives families room to respond without waiting for certainty before they begin.The most important first step is not choosing the perfect path or saving the perfect amount. It is starting with what is realistic, building a routine and revisiting the plan over time. Those actions can help turn an unpredictable future into one filled with more opportunity. Whether today's dream is becoming a teacher, welder, nurse, entrepreneur, engineer or a career that hasn't been invented yet, parents don't need to know exactly where their child is headed to help them prepare. Starting early and taking manageable steps today can help keep more opportunities within reach tomorrow.To explore education savings options and build a plan around your family's goals and budget, visit MyFloridaPrepaid.com/plans/build-your-plan.
	Muscatine open house brings families and first responders together Muscatine families learned fire safety, practiced CPR and met first responders at a city open house aimed at building community connections after a difficult summer.
	Inside Iowa Politics: the five-day flurry that led to $1.5 billion taxpayer commitment for proposed $15 billion Iowa steel plant The five days that led to $1.5 billion commitment by Iowa taxpayers for new steel plant in Lee County.
	The Third Place QC plans move to Rock Island’s Abbey Station The Third Place QC drop-in center at 2000 3rd Ave., Rock Island, celebrated its first anniversary Oct. 1, 2026, and plans to move and grow by Dec. 1, to the vacant Abbey Station, 3031 5th Ave.
	Brazil's presidential race heads to Lula–Bolsonaro run-off as right gains ground Now there are two: Brazil heads into a runoff after a first round that failed to fully energize voters, setting the stage for a more polarized contest that Washington is watching very closely.
	Enjoy Halloween fun at Witches Night Out Enjoy a witchy night out in Downtown Moline! According to a release, Moline Centre is hosting its first-ever Witches Night Out October 30. The event brings Halloween fun, shopping, food, drinks and activities to participating downtown businesses. Witches Night Out is open for ages 21 and older. Participants can purchase a Witches Night Out ticket [...]
	Traffic Alert: I-74 West at Woodhull to close overnight The interstate will close overnight at the Woodhull/Illinois 17 interchange, exit 32, on Monday, according to a media release.
	Eastern Iowa Community Colleges to receive more than $800K to expand workforce training Eastern Iowa Community Colleges are set to receive more than $800,000 in federal grant money to expand short-term workforce training programs.
	2 suspects face charges in connection with fake cell-phone scam at Iowa Walmart One man has been arrested and a warrant has been issued for the arrest of another after a scam that occurred at a Walmart in West Burlington earlier this year, according to a news release from the West Burlington Police Department. On May 26, the release says West Burlington police were made aware of a [...]
	Monmouth water main rupture closes intersection, prompts boil order The intersection of North 6th Street and Highway 34 is closed for a ruptured 12-inch water main under the highway, according to a media release.
	Two Burlington men arrested for using fake cellphones to scam Walmart Two Burlington men have been arrested for using fake cellphones to scam a local Walmart.
	Hog Capital Wildlife Rescue release two bald eagles after rehabilitation Hog Capital Wildlife Rescue and Rehab released two bald eagles Sunday after they were returned to health.
	Muscatine firefighters open their doors to help families stay safe at home At Muscatine's annual Public Safety Open House, the goal is to get children involved in fire safety lessons.
	Eastern Iowa Community Colleges to receive $817K workforce training grant The funding will help launch or enhance 11 training programs expected to serve 362 students.
	Illinois, Iowa DOTs to reveal plan for future Centennial Bridge The open house is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Holiday Inn Rock Island-Quad Cities on 17th Street.
	Two Burlington men accused of selling cardboard phones to Walmart EcoATM kiosk Police say two Burlington men used cardboard phones to trick a Walmart EcoATM kiosk into paying cash, leading to felony charges.
	Water main rupture causes Monmouth road closure It's an Our Quad Cities News traffic alert. A road closure is in effect for the intersection of N. 6th St. and Highway 34 in Monmouth. According to a release from the City of Monmouth, the closure is due to a 12-inch water main that has ruptured underneath the highway. Due to the size and [...]
	The Black Vote: From suppression to the battle for ballot access The cast discusses the journey of the Black vote in America, from post-civil war suppression to the fight for true ballot access.
	Five years in: What the ‘Home Illinois’ plan reveals about the state of homelessness Five years after Gov. JB Pritzker launched the Home Illinois Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, the Illinois Department of Human Services released a report meant to serve as a roadmap of action from fiscal year 2027 to 2029.
	Pleasant Valley School District resignations, hirings from Sept. 28 school board agenda The following personnel items are from the Sept. 28 meeting of the Pleasant Valley School District. The School Board met at the Belmont Administration Center.
	Trump names national intelligence chief Jay Clayton as new AI czar Trump said Clayton will lead the White House's new "Super Intelligence Force," which will coordinate government engagement with artificial intelligence.
	Judge accepts Donahue teen's plea agreement in child sex abuse materials case Scott County Judge accepts plea agreement of Tristen Johnson, 18, who used his 16-year-old girlfriend to make child sex abuse materials.
	Davenport man sentenced to 10 years in prison for attacking two people with his vehicle Davenport man who tried to run over two people with his vehicle sentenced to 10 years in prison.
	Trinity Health Foundation to host free community nursing education event Prior to the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a cocktail hour and book signing with keynote speaker Amie Archibald-Varley.
	First Central's Grilling for Charity to benefit OHL Proceeds collected will benefit the OHL Strong Foundation, a group dedicated to support those affected by pancreatic cancer.
	Augustana names alum Angela Snyder as its first vice president for impact learning Augustana alumnus Angela Snyder, the former chief strategy officer at United Way Quad Cities, has been named the school's first vice president for impact learning.
	Cornell president calls gang rape allegations 'deeply disturbing' Cornell president Michael I. Kotlikoff said his university "must do better" in a video statement. "This is a defining moment in Cornell's history," he added.
	Scott County Supervisor candidates debate budget, solar, and rural electricity plant Six candidates for Scott County supervisor drew contrasts on how to manage the county's budget, land-use for wind and solar, and a proposed electrical plant in rural Scott County.
	U.S. Marine arrested for alleged murder of a woman in Okinawa, Japan Japanese police arrested a U.S. Marine in the alleged robbery and murder of a woman on Okinawa, officials said Sunday.
	Iowa Down Ballot podcast: Special legislative session, 4th District debate Iowa Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, spoke in opposition to legislation passed by the Iowa Legislature in a special session Oct. 2, 2026 making changes to a state economic development program to provide more tax incentive for a steel mill project in southeast Iowa. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 10/4/26 by Iowa Writers Collaborative A super busy Friday so we recorded Saturday. Get caught up on state lawmakers passing $1.5B in steel plant incentives through a special legislative session. Laura, Kathie, and Eric are all here! Read on Substack The Iowa Legislature’s one-day special session on Friday left a lot to discuss — including the political ramifications of the estimated $1.4 billion in incentives lawmakers approved for an out-of-state company that plans to locate a steel mill in southeast Iowa. Eric Woolson is back this week with Dave Price, Laura Belin and Kathie Obradovich, for discussion that also included the recent debate between Iowa’s 4th Congressional District candidates. Listen or watch here. The Iowa Down Ballot Podcast with Dave Price is a production of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Please consider a paid subscription today to help us cover production costs, or moving up to the benefactor level — or sending a gift subscription to a friend — if you’re already a paid subscriber. And please spread the word to friends who might enjoy the podcast. Thanks! Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Inmates moving to new Rapid City women’s prison, but dilapidated unit in Pierre remains in use Vehicles fill the parking lot of South Dakota's Rapid City Correctional Facility, a women's prison, on Oct. 1, 2026. The complex includes multiple additional structures behind the main building. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)South Dakota’s recently opened women’s prison in Rapid City held 79 women at the end of September, the first month the state began to move them there from the women’s prison campus in Pierre. Overcrowding in the buildings at the older women’s prison spurred the construction of the $87 million Rapid City complex. For years, the state has paid Hughes County to house some female state prison inmates at the jail in Pierre and held hundreds of women in a minimum security unit that state engineers have deemed unfit for human habitation. The new women’s prison on the state’s western side has 288 beds. In addition to standard housing units, the campus has facilities for chemical dependency treatment and for a mother-baby program that lets qualifying women live in a home-like environment with their newborn children. Department of Corrections spokesperson Michael Winder said its population of 79 will grow as its operations ramp up. On July 10, the date of a ribbon cutting for the prison, Winder told South Dakota Searchlight that inmates would start to move in “beginning next month,” but the first inmates didn’t arrive until September. As of Thursday, 466 women remained in prison custody in secure facilities Pierre, Winder said in an email. There were 64 held off-site at the Hughes County Jail and 208 in the minimum security unit, with the remaining people in secure detention housed in the main prison unit. Beyond the women in secure facilities, the total population of women in state prison custody includes some who live in community facilities, such as halfway houses. Corrections Secretary Nick Lamb told lawmakers in February that the minimum unit is “not suited for occupancy,” according to multiple assessments across multiple years, and has “structural deficiencies.” Lamb’s remarks came in support of a bill to set aside $682,825 to demolish the building, which lawmakers passed and Gov. Larry Rhoden signed into law. All maintenance work on the building ceased once lawmakers approved funding for the new Rapid City prison in 2023, Lamb said in February, and the demolition would be needed because the building will “continue to degrade and pose life safety concerns.” The women in the minimum unit would be transferred to Rapid City “later this summer,” Lamb told lawmakers. Winder told South Dakota Searchlight that “there have been no substantial maintenance projects” at the minimum unit since Lamb said that. The number of South Dakotans in prison systemwide has risen by hundreds since spring. A policy change announced this spring by Gov. Larry Rhoden makes it easier to bring paroled inmates back to prison for breaking the rules of their supervision agreements after early release. The number of parolees in custody spiked shortly after the announcement. Inmates are also being denied early release at a higher rate. In February, the total inmate population was 3,720. Of those, 580 were women. At the end of August — the most recent population count available when this story was published — there were 4,049 inmates in custody. Of those, 632 were women. There were eight more women in the minimum unit on Aug. 31 than there are today. In response to a question about whether the minimum unit in Pierre would remain in service now that the Rapid City facility is open, Winder said the Department of Corrections intends to demolish the building in accordance with the Legislature’s decision. The timeline for removal is not set, however, and will take place when the unit “is no longer needed,” Winder said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of South Dakota Searchlight
	How the Cornell case is affecting women who have experienced sexual assault The rape allegations that have emerged from a Cornell University frat house are leading many women to remember their own experiences — and call for a wider reckoning over sexual violence.
	Wood banks prep for long winter months This story by Liberty Darr and Patrick Bilow was first published in the News & Citizen on Sept. 17, 2026. One in three Vermonters will heat their homes with wood this winter, but as the cost and difficulty of sourcing wood increases for some, a handful of local organizations are providing free cords to those in need. Recently volunteers donned safety gloves and earmuffs for an annual firewood workday in Morristown with United Way of Lamoille County. Wood splitters of various shapes and sizes fired on all cylinders as volunteers chucked chunks of wood into trucks for home deliveries. The United Way’s firewood program is one of multiple wood banks in the Lamoille County area that provide free firewood to local seniors, veterans and income-eligible families to help keep their homes warm throughout the winter. According to the most recent statistics from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, as of 2019, just over a third of Vermont households use cordwood as a heating source — a statistic that is largely unchanged from reported usage in the 2014-2015 heating season and similar to usage in the 1990s. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of Vermont households using cordwood rely on it as their primary source of heat, while just over one-third use it for supplemental heat, according to the department’s 2019 Residential Fuel Assessment. The survey also indicates that Vermont households burned more than 400,000 estimated cords of wood during the 2018-2019 heating season — 18% higher than the estimated total number burned during the 2014-2015 season and higher than any previously reported estimate since 1986. As reliance on wood as a heat source increased marginally in Vermont as of 2019, the price of a cord skyrocketed to around $500, according to those familiar with the industry. Meanwhile, recent increases in oil prices anecdotally pushed some Vermonters back to burning wood. While financial assistance is often provided for oil burners, less is available for wood burners. According to information from the state’s Department for Children and Families from 2023, just under 2,000 households that heat with wood and pellets were issued benefits. That’s where wood banks are stepping up. Keeping neighbors warm Not only can burning wood be cost intensive, but it’s also labor intensive, creating a relatively substantial barrier to the heat source, especially for older demographics. “If you’re elderly but you have a wood stove and can’t afford to replace it, then you’re going to end up needing firewood, and it can be really cumbersome or impossible for folks to process their own wood,” said Clarissa French, executive director of United Way of Lamoille County. In any given year, the organization gives away between 40 and 65 cords, based on demand, which some providers say is increasing. Most of the wood is harvested on state land and donated by the state of Vermont through its Wood Warms program. Stephanie Ferro, a United Way board member, and her husband, Bryan, operate their own wood bank in Stowe called Vermont Warm Hearts, which he launched as a high school student in Woodstock. Between Lamoille and Windsor counties, the organization delivered emergency wood to nearly 20 families last year. They are often contacted during emergency situations when a family is almost out of wood in the dead of winter. The small, family-run operation — their daughter Sophia is involved — tries to fulfill those deliveries within 24 hours. “The demand is going up,” Stephanie Ferro said, adding that there is a substantial group of people in need that are just above the income threshold the state utilizes for determining eligibility for fuel assistance. They are often left to choose between feeding their families or heating their homes, she said. A wider reach Another wood provider, Wood4Good, is expanding its influence in Lamoille County. Since launching in 2019, the nonprofit has donated and delivered approximately 50 cords of wood each year to towns across Vermont. Eric Axelrod started Wood4Good with his son after a pile of firewood in their yard had grown too large to continue storing. They gave a few cords away and have been chasing that feeling ever since. “We gave that wood away, and the family we gave it to said to us, ‘This is the first winter we’re going to be OK,’” Axelrod said. “Then we found another family that was burning furniture to keep their home warm.” After years of increased reliance on its service, Wood4Good recently expanded its influence in Lamoille County. The nonprofit processes firewood with automated splitters in Jericho but has storage facilities throughout the state, including in Johnson. The Wolcott Selectboard is also mulling whether to allow Wood4Good to clear trees in the town’s newly established forest as it expands municipal wastewater services and expands trail networks on the land. Several towns in Chittenden County, including Hinesburg and Shelburne, allocate funds for the nonprofit. No towns in Lamoille County have yet to follow suit. As winter sets in and households scramble for firewood, Axelrod agreed with other wood banks that need is increasing and recently spiked. Just this year, he received 50 new applications for firewood next winter. Recently he also received a letter from an elderly customer who said she and her dog almost froze to death last winter huddling under an electric blanket. “That’s the story of a lot of Vermont. That story is very, very real,” Axelrod said. One for all These three wood banks — United Way, Vermont Warm Hearts and Wood4Good — do not operate in silos. To create the greatest impact, French from United Way said, local wood banks are trying to network more and regularly attend collaborative meetings with state officials. “There’s not enough wood bank activity in the state, but there are little wood banks trying to make an impact all over the place,” she said. For example, Stephanie Ferro does a lot of coordinating between her family’s organization and United Way. If the call is one that doesn’t fit the bill for Vermont Warm Hearts, they may relay the request to another organization. Her and her husband’s organization provides emergency support, whereas United Way doesn’t typically. “When we moved here, and I heard what United Way was doing, I said to my husband, ‘I want to get involved and let’s see if we can work together so that we can share resources, share brain power and share energy,’ and I think it’s definitely working for us,” she said. Read the story on VTDigger here: Wood banks prep for long winter months. Courtesy of VT Digger
	Weird Halloween-themed food you can try at home Hidden Valley and Cup Noodles are officially taking home the award for the weirdest Halloween drops of 2026.
	After a costly dry spell, a wetter outlook People walk along the beach at St. Albans Bay in September 2025. The 2025 drought brought water levels on Lake Champlain to near record lows. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger Droughts like the one that cost Vermont farmers nearly $16 million last year might be becoming less common, a new Dartmouth College study suggests, as increased rainfall makes dry spells less frequent and less intense across the Northeast. But farmers shouldn’t pack up their irrigation equipment just yet. “What this study does not tell you is that there will not be drought in the Northeast,” said lead author Jonathan Winter. “That is not the case. We have always had drought, and we will continue to have drought.” The study, published Thursday in the Journal of Hydrometeorology, found that drought in the Northeast has been 59% less frequent and 19% less intense since the mid-1980s compared with the entire period from 1901 to 1983. Winter and his team used more than a century of weather station records to calculate a drought index for the region. The findings could help Vermont decide how to prepare for drought alongside other weather threats. Relatively little peer-reviewed research has examined these regional drought trends, which means this study can contribute to a greater understanding of them, Winter said. Last year’s agricultural losses illustrate how damaging an individual drought can be despite the long-term regional decline. Vermont farmers lost nearly $16 million in drought-related damage last year. The Vermont Economic Development Authority, which assists businesses affected by disasters, offered loans to those affected. Lawmakers also passed Act 78, establishing a permanent fund for farmers and foresters facing financial losses from weather events. Supply and demand The study’s relatively simple drought metric helps describe broad trends, but Vermont State climatologist Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux said drought and its effects are more complicated. She has studied drought and extreme weather in Vermont since the late 1990s. Drought, in the simplest terms, is a shortage of precipitation. But, its intensity and impact can be affected by many factors, including geography, season, temperature and the type of precipitation. “As long as you have a greater demand (on water) than you have supply, you’re in a drought,” she said. “This is exacerbated by how ‘thirsty’ the air or ground is at the time.” A ‘thirsty’ atmosphere, for example, can evaporate moisture from the ground and worsen drought conditions. Dupigny-Giroux said new types of drought have emerged in the past decade. These include flash droughts, which intensify quickly, and ecological droughts, the effects of which can actually alter ecosystems. Vermont was more drought-prone but began getting wetter around the 1970s, Dupigny-Giroux said. That’s about a decade before the shift identified in Winter’s regional research. She attributed Vermont’s change to a combination of factors, including a warmer atmosphere and a shift in storm tracks over the region. In fact, drought conditions preceded some of Vermont’s worst floods, Dupigny-Giroux said. She pointed to the drought and flood of 1927 and a short period of drought conditions before Irene hit in 2011. There was also a drought in the spring and early summer in 2023 leading up to the historic floods in July, she said. “By always keeping an eye on history is what allows you to say Vermont is a state that goes from droughts to floods in the blink of an eye,” Dupigny-Giroux said. The Northeast’s drought decline contrasts with conditions elsewhere in the country. More than half of the U.S. experienced drought conditions this past spring, while the West has endured a prolonged megadrought described in research published in Nature Climate Change as the driest conditions in at least 1,200 years. Weather disasters strain state and local resources, complicating decisions about which risks to prepare for and how to spend limited funds. Winter said he hopes the findings can help guide those decisions. “To the extent that we can deploy awareness of, as well as preparedness and adaptation strategies to cope with droughts, these would help move us towards a more resilient place than waiting for droughts to occur and reacting to them,” Dupigny-Giroux said. Read the story on VTDigger here: After a costly dry spell, a wetter outlook. Courtesy of VT Digger
	MARK-TO-MARKET: Iowa just landed a major addition to the US steel industry The project is expected to create 6,000 construction jobs and 1,700 permanent jobs upon completion.
	BBB Scam Alert: Fall home repairs: Protecting seniors from contractor scams BBB and the FTC point to several tactics worth recognizing.
	Resignations, hirings, athletic assignments, and other Moline School District personnel news from Sept. 28 See the personnel items from the Sept. 28 agenda of the Moline-Coal Valley School District. The board met at the Moline Education Center.
	Everyday People: Film brings monsters and a first date to Davenport A provocative new film is playing at The Last Picture House, and Tom Loewy discovered it was the perfect place for a first date.
	A Story Not Worth Telling This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.The following story about the Mississippi River is not worth telling. Unlike those river events that make the six…
	She died covering war for Fox News. Her parents blame the network — and a star reporter The family members of two Fox News journalists killed while covering the war in Ukraine are suing the network, saying it put getting the story ahead of its people.
	Latter-day Saints women turn away from scandal-plagued Republican candidate in Arizona Arizona Republican candidate for Congress Mark Lamb has been accused of sexual misconduct while sheriff. His controversy is turning many voters away as Democrats see an opportunity in the red seat.
	Iowa GOP Senator: Gov. Reynolds negotiated bad deal for proposed $15 billion steel plant State Sen. Dan Dawson criticized Gov. Kim Reynolds for the deal she negotiated with company for steel plant proposal.
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
	Boating incident kills two people on Mississippi River near Dubuque The Department of Natural Resources is investigating after a boating incident killed two people on the Mississippi River near Dubuque.
	Former Wonder Bread plant in Davenport set for demolition, future of site in question As the former Wonder Bread plant in Davenport is set for demolition, Alderman John Blunk says the future of the site could be up in the air.
	Free heart health screenings offered at Trinity in Rock Island Heart to Heart Day at UnityPoint Trinity in Rock Island offered free heart health screenings Saturday, reminding the community about prevention and regular checkups.
	Illinois social media and prediction market taxes bring lawsuits Proposed taxes are bringing new lawsuits, and Illinois Republicans are calling on the Gov. Pritzker to hold off in their implementation. Senate Bill 3019 enacts new taxes and fees on social media platforms and prediction markets. A top concern is whether the taxes are legal and if the state is setting itself up to lose [...]
	How your kids can write to Jack Skellington for Halloween We all know to send letters to Santa at Christmastime, but did you know you can write to the Pumpkin King at Halloween? Tulare Parks & Recreation in California is making sure letters get to Jack Skellington for Halloween! One of the area's favorite Halloween activities returns. According to a Facebook post: Mr. Jack Skellington [...]
	Former Wonder Bread factory building in Davenport set for demolition According to Davenport Alderman John Blunk, the former Wonder Bread bakery on East River Drive is slated for demolition.
	Two killed in Mississippi River accident near Dubuque Two people were killed in a boating accident on the Mississippi River near Dubuque on Saturday.
	Two dead after boating accident on Mississippi River The DNR said it received a report of a boat hitting a floating object in the river.
	Crews knock down garage fire in Silvis No injuries were reported Saturday as firefighters responded to flames in a garage in Silvis.
	Bettendorf house fire causes thousands in damage Nobody was injured following a fire early Saturday morning in Bettendorf.
	Crews respond to overnight residential fire in Bettendorf Crews responded to a residential fire in Bettendorf early Saturday.
	Former Wonder Bread factory building in Davenport slated for demolition The former Wonder Bread factory building in Davenport is slated for demolition, according to Alderman John Blunk.
	Mattresses sold on Amazon recalled over fire hazards: CPSC All of the impacted mattresses were sold on Amazon between December 2024 and May 2026, according to the CPSC.
	College GameDay returns to Iowa City for first time since 2006 ESPN's College GameDay returned to Iowa City for the first time since 2006, drawing thousands of fans to the Pentacrest ahead of the Hawkeyes' matchup against Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium.
	Crews respond to residential fire in Silvis Firefighters quickly knocked down a residential fire in Silvis on Saturday.
	NC legislative leaders call for special session on high gas, diesel prices Gas prices in late September were $4.19 a gallon for regular unleaded and over $6 a gallon for diesel fuel in Raleigh, North Carolina. A sticker affixed to the gas pump blames President Donald Trump for the high prices. (Photo: Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline)North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, and Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, announced Saturday they’ve agreed to call the legislature into a special session to provide relief from high gas and diesel prices. The leaders did not announce a date for the special session or details on what measures they plan to consider. With only a month left until Nov. 3, it’s unclear whether they can or will call Republican lawmakers off the campaign trail before what’s expected to be a tough election for the GOP. “Rising fuel costs are squeezing North Carolina families’ pocketbooks and creating challenges for farmers across the state,” Hall said in a social media post announcing the special session. “North Carolinians can’t afford to wait.” Berger shared a similar message on social media, calling for “real relief” for families. The announcement comes three days after Gov. Josh Stein directed the state Department of Revenue to suspend penalties through the end of 2026 to allow farmers to use red-dyed diesel fuel on highways. Red-dyed diesel is exempt from state and federal fuel taxes and is intended for off-road agricultural equipment. Using it in vehicles that drive on public roads is generally illegal. Stein said North Carolina farmers have been strained by crop losses, drought and higher diesel costs. “I urge the federal government to join me in providing the same relief to North Carolina farmers and families,” he said. North Carolina’s gas tax is currently 41 cents per gallon. Lawmakers could consider suspending part or all of the tax during the special session, though leaders have not yet said what relief they propose. Other states have enacted similar measures. The move comes as poll numbers in N.C. show declining approval numbers for President Donald Trump and the generic Republican ballot. Friday, the Senate Leadership Fund decided to pull ad buys for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley. Republican super PAC pauses spending in North Carolina’s key US Senate race House Democratic Leader Robert Reives, D-Chatham, criticized the announcement. He said Republicans are attempting to distract voters from their record on affordability ahead of the midterm election. “After sixteen years with nearly complete control of the state, Legislative Republicans have done nothing to make life more affordable for North Carolinians,” he said. “ In fact, they have made life harder and much more expensive for almost everyone.” Courtesy of NC Newsline
	No injuries in early-morning residential fire in Bettendorf Authorities say a residential fire in Bettendorf early Saturday caused approximately $40,000 in damage.
	Heart to Heart Day at Unity Point Trinity offers community free screenings Unity Point Trinity offered free heart health screenings as part of Heart to Heart Day.
	Coast Guard finds debris from medical plane carrying 6 people Flight data shows the jet dropped at least 9,000 feet over two minutes, then leveled off for several more minutes, before disappearing.
	Crimson Tide makes short work of previously unbeaten Bulldogs and a hobbled Kamario Taylor Audio articles are automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story; however, this audio has not been reviewed for accuracy and may contain errors. Read more about how we use AI to increase access to our reporting. STARKVILLE — Kamario Taylor has had far better days this season and even last year as a freshman. He will have many much better days in the future. As has been written in this column several times, the gifted quarterback will win many, many big games at Mississippi State. Rick Cleveland But this sunny, humid Saturday at Scott Field was a reminder of two important facts: One, for all his remarkable ability and his accomplishments to date, Taylor is 19 years young and will not turn 20 until February. Saturday was only his sixth college start. As good as he is, he’s far from as good as he will become. He made mistakes that cost State dearly. Two, Alabama is still Alabama, which is elite. And we could add a third important factor: Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell, like Taylor only a sophomore, seems a lock to be the next in line of so many splendid Crimson Tide quarterbacks (think Starr, Namath, McCarron, Hurts, Tagovailoa, Young and so many more). Russell, strong-armed and so uncommonly quick, passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as No. 7 Alabama raced past No. 16 Mississippi State 56-23 to remain undefeated and unceremoniously knock the Bulldogs from the ranks of unbeaten. Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby looks at the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/James Pugh If you saw Russell play in in Alabama’s first two games and then saw him again against State, you can be excused for thinking you were watching two different quarterbacks. In a month’s time, the Duncanville, Texas, native has become much more efficient, much more confident and sure of himself, much quicker with his decisions. Saturday, he completed 16 of 22 throws for 275 yards and used his quickness and speed to escape State defenders, buy himself some time, and make accurate throws down the field. Some of Russell’s throws, particularly a couple of perfect back-shoulder tosses, almost didn’t seem fair. State defensive backs seemed in perfect position, running step for step with the receiver, and then the receiver stopped, turned around and snagged a perfectly timed pass. State defensive back Isaac Smith, one of the Bulldogs’ veteran leaders, offered no excuses. “Russell is a really good player, but we shot ourselves in the foot,” Smith said. “That’s on us, the players. It’s not on the coaches, not on the crowd. I apologize to our fans. I’ll take the blame. I’m the leader on the back end, and we just didn’t do our job.” There were excuses that could have been made. Taylor came into the game hobbled with a lower leg injury, didn’t play the fourth quarter and limped off the field with his foot in a protective boot. Said State coach Jeff Lebby, “Kamario wasn’t able to do anything with his legs.” As anyone who has watched Taylor play knows, his long legs – and his foot speed – are so much of what make him who he is. Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) looks downfield against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/James Pugh Taylor did manage to throw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, but he suffered two interceptions, one a pick-6, and he lost a fumble. All three mistakes led to Alabama touchdowns. The fumble actually led to Alabama’s first score when Taylor seemed to pump fake a pass, but the ball tumbled out of his hands. Bama recovered. Officials reviewed the play and the call on the field, a fumble, stood. Alabama quickly scored. Some day, perhaps, someone will explain that rule to me in a way I can understand it. Taylor’s arm was moving forward, the ball went forward and I’ve seen that ruled an incomplete pass as often as not. Maybe you have to be a mind reader to officiate that call. If so, clearly some refs read minds differently than others. On State’s next possession, Taylor simply threw a bad pass, nowhere near the intended receiver, which Alabama cornerback Dijon Lee snatched out of the air and returned 30 yards for a second touchdown. That was two touchdowns in 71 seconds, no way to start a game against anybody, much less against Alabama. Lebby praised Taylor for his courage and grit, but at the same time also stated the obvious, that Taylor has to be more careful with the ball. State’s other valid excuse was that the Dogs’ best back by far, Fluff Bothwell, was banged up coming into the game and carried only one time for 1 yard before retiring to the sidelines. His absence was glaring. But then, when Alabama loses a great back, the Tide just plugs in another, and they all run behind mammoth, yet mobile, offensive linemen who look as if they just walked off an NFL bus. Bama won the line of scrimmage on both sides as it usually does in this lopsided series which the Bulldogs have won only 17 of 109 meetings. At times, this writer felt as if I was watching a rerun of a bad movie I’ve seen maybe 25 or 30 times before. Indeed, Alabama has now won 17 straight games over State by an average of 26 points per game. Maybe a healthy Kamario Taylor is the quarterback who can finally snap that streak. State will have to improve greatly across both lines and play much more efficiently, Taylor included, to do so. Until then, the Tide will keep on rolling. Mississippi State wide receiver Zion Ragins (7) scores a touchdown against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/James Pugh Courtesy of Mississippi Today
	Frozen berries recalled in Iowa and Illinois amid possible E. coli contamination Great Value's frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend, Organic Blueberries 10 OZ, and Trader Joe’s frozen Organic Mixed Berry Blend were recalled.
	Fire damages home at Bettendorf Trailer Park early Saturday A trailer home in the Parkview Trailer Park in Bettendorf was damaged by fire early Saturday. No injuries were reported.
	No injures reported following early morning Bettendorf fire No injuries to occupants or firefighters were reported following a Bettendorf fire. According to a release from the City of Bettendorf, the Bettendorf Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a fire in the 1300 block of Devils Glen Rd. on October 3 at 1:39 a.m. Upon arrival, crews found smoke and fire conditions [...]

Monday, October 5th, 2026

Sunday, October 4th, 2026

Saturday, October 3rd, 2026