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

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026
	Visit Quad Cities says residents show strong support for tourism growth, according to survey Visit Quad Cities in partnership with Longwoods International shared the results of its most recent “Residential Sentiment Survey.”
	Illinois fishing licenses now on sale for 2026 season Illinois fishing licenses are now on sale through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the 2026 season. Fishing licenses can be purchased online or over-the-counter from DNR DIRECT license/permit vendors. A standard resident fishing license costs $15 dollars. Licenses for the 2025 season remain valid through March 31. Anglers 16 and older must [...]
	“Up Close with Blueprint,” March 15 Delivering an intimate evening of expressive musical beauty, four gifted members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra join forces on March 15 for Up Close with Blueprint, the Figge Art Museum event boasting the talents of violinists Naha Greenholtz and Emily Nash, viola player Bruno Vaz Da Silva, and cellist Hannah Holman.
	Colona Police Department K-9 dies after battle with lymphoma The Colona Police Department said one of its own, K-9 Parker, died last month.
	Pippi & Daniel Music, March 15 On March 15, a lauded singer/songwriter and gifted pianist/composer will combine their talents at Davenport's Redstone Room when Pippi Ardennia and Daniel Leahy perform as featured guests in Polyrhythms' Third Sunday Jazz Series, their Pippi & Daniel Music jazz project delivering electrifying, emotionally-charged performances that fuse jazz, soul blues, gospel, and R&B into one unforgettable sound.
	The One Time at Band Camp Bash, March 19 An evening of hard rock, alt-metal, hip-hop, and even standup comedy is on the March 19 docket at East Moline venue the Rust Belt, with the venue's The One Time at Band Camp Bash featuring an exhilarating night with Scotty Austin (former lead singer of Saving Abel), Danny Boone (founding member and frontman of Rehab), and Tim King (founding member and bass player for Soil), the event hosted by comedian, singer, and frequent Adam Sandler collaborator Peter Dante.
	A view of the United States, from Germany More than ever, I affirm, and we in our American society and in our mutual exchange, remain committed to the cherished and reliable America, to its nature and culture, and last but not least, to our friends and friendships “over there.” There are so many dear people across the Atlantic who, in all the current upheaval caused by the present U.S. administration, are worth continuing to share our partnership with. To share this – that is what needs to be said. Although trust in the USA is dwindling and optimism in the transatlantic partnership is fading, we are committed to a lasting, trusting relationship, characterized by human rights, diversity, the U.S. Constitution, and our common sense. When dissenting voices are defamed, ridiculed, or even silenced by “fascist” politicians, and when hatred is deliberately infiltrated everywhere, targeting people from different backgrounds and those with differing opinions with violence, then we stand up against xenophobia and exclusion. Trust-building approaches are essential, and a lack of sensitivity must be condemned, both on the other side of the Atlantic. We too must not allow ourselves to be ruled by our emotions. We should beware of trench warfare and social Darwinism. Does the 47th president even understand that? — His vice president stigmatizes compassion as our greatest weakness! Regarding the self-enriching “gang of robbers” in the government apparatus “over there,” I have included the following comment, hopefully objective and comprehensible: As the Munich-based newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung put it regarding the bogeyman of FIFA’s “Peace Prize”: “It’s about power, it’s about (deal) money, so any embarrassment is acceptable.” Everyone else present in the Oval Office becomes mere “set dressing.” There’s even a World Cup-winning presidential ticket in square meters size; the president “is always right.” He “wants his name all over Washington” (NYT), like a dog at every streetlamp. This foreshadows what follows: Dealing sounds like stealing: this affects state economic relations, including tech companies; it affects culture with the loss of objective historiography; it affects the entire education system with its current American thinning out, coupled with journalistic censorship; it affects the breadth of individual sciences with the denigration of medicine and public health; and it consistently involves the loss of a trust-building partnership. Egomania and fantasies of omnipotence dominate a unilateral hegemony, foster fascism, and betray humane (reciprocal) relationships. This is disguised for Europe, for Germany, and for North Frisia by the mendacious rhetoric of “civilizational annihilation” on our side — by us. Yes, one can hardly believe one’s eyes. A leaden desire is being nurtured: one can simply take what doesn’t belong to one. Such geopolitical egocentrism amounts to neo-colonialism. Divided among global players, it seems to be a foreboding notion: the U.S. hemisphere, Soviet-Russian ambitions for hegemony, Chinese striving for dominance. And Europe? Europe cannot afford to stand on the sidelines and merely raise a finger. But then what? And we are practicing the “Nevertheless!” of an enlightened and historically informed partnership with the oppressed, for example, “over there.” At the same time, we need to discuss this amongst ourselves! The understandable current resolution of “No desire to travel to the USA!” needs to be reconsidered – CO2 neutral, of course. Views and perspectives on the major topic of “homesickness for home” I’m not looking to reclaim a childhood or upbringing homeland, nor to find some cozy, tranquil self-discovery in other places, with measurable successes measured by consumerism and reputation rankings. Nor am I looking to sit idly by, bury my face in my own skin, and retreat into my inner world. No, I don’t mean that kind of self-absorption into the private sphere — a kind that already exists. Rather, my search for home is driven by a longing for the utterly different, the place that seems to be present in everyone’s childhood, yet where no one has ever been (German philosopher Ernst Bloch’s final sentence in his three-volume “The Principle of Hope”). The French author Corine Pelluchon explores the question of finding home, of hope in times of climate catastrophe, and invites us to “cross the impossible” (as her book title from 2023 already stated). She encourages us not to lose heart or let our shoulders slump. We stand for a new beginning of a friendly partnership. Tertium non datur, there is no other way! Internal migration and escapism are not worthwhile goals. Let us stand together! In our search for meaning, in our striving for hope in our time of current crisis (complexity) and climate catastrophe, we are once again close to the issue of the disintegration of our transatlantic commonwealth. We must not turn away and are obliged to dream the properly understood European-American dream of a worldview that reveres humanity, to favor a global sense of belonging and close connection to people, and to strive for “being human” through a fundamentally renewed way of perceiving ourselves. I, simply incorrigible in the “we.” We should increasingly uphold the simple virtue of humility. It is necessary to rein in narcissism with humility and to condemn boasting and arrogance. The Jewish philosopher Martin Buber already wrote in our book of wisdom that we can only be ourselves in the other. (Do the leaders in Washington know this too? “I and Thou” is the title of the slim family book of every civilization. That would also apply to “white Christians” in the vastness of the United States!) Corine Pelluchon writes against the neglect of one’s homeland, she writes out of the “depths of powerlessness” for a new dawn – albeit somewhat delayed by adverse circumstances. German writer Dirk Gieselmann, in “The Time of Her Life,” articulates for our times the necessity of navigating by sight and imagining belonging as a journey: “We will never be fully redeemed, only ever for an hour, a night. Then a new dawn will come.” We are on a journey, as crazy, egocentric beings, “reverently” leading ourselves to the reconciling destiny. As God wills, and we’ll live. In the long run, then, so the promise goes. – The entire American Dream rests on the promise of a future. Despite all the acquiescence to a paradise on earth, it remains an “object of longing,” thus oriented toward a future promise. If you will, the hamster wheel of a successful life keeps turning. The materialist is in danger of repeatedly overreaching or indulging in delusions of golden ages (with a golden Oval Office, trophies, medals, and even a golden palace). A heavenly homeland cannot exist (alone) on Earth. Anyway! Certainly, many people feel on the verge of (societal) exhaustion, constantly whipped into a frenzy by an irresponsible culture of outrage. Let’s keep the sense of community alive! One thing we mustn’t do – with all due respect – is to withdraw (self-satisfied) because of the perceived atmosphere of aggression and consumerism. Let’s live through the crises of isolating disconnection and keep the sense of “we” alive, among ourselves, in our society, and with people of goodwill across the border. There are more than enough issues to discuss anyway. Perhaps the incorrigible pastor in me is showing. But even in sober, pragmatic thinking, the simple virtue of forgiving encouragement can be found; indeed, it gives us space and sustains and stands for hope towards a shared future. Perhaps, in our discussions about America, vicarious embarrassment (a ward off our own treasonous arrogance) might also be helpful, knowing that by no means ‘all Americans’ are gripped and afflicted by an ostentatious narrow-mindedness. America is older than the “five-year-old DT revival.” The United States will soon be celebrating its 250th birthday! We will all be there. No substantial greeting will escape us! Unity breeds truth and a sense of partnership. Dr. Helmut Edelmann is a Lutheran pastor, lecturer and a scholar with a particular interest in the emigration of German Lutherans to the United States. He has visited the Scott County area on numerous occasions, most recently in 2012, and is a friend to the German American/Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society, based in Walcott. He is also a member of the Deutsch-Amerikanische Gesellschaft (German-American Society), with close ties to Scott County. More information can be found at www.dag-husum.de/about-us. This column was translated from German.
	Carriers, March 19 Touring in support of their sophomore release Every Time I Feel Afraid that The Luna Collective called "an incredibly relatable album" that "covers topics of dream chasing, doubts, optimism, and pushing through," the indie rockers of Carriers headline a March 19 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, Cincinnati City Beat adding that "Every Time I Feel Afraid can’t afford to have any lackluster tracks, and it doesn’t. Each song fits perfectly into place, despite their often varied sound."
	We’re all human. We all need teaching of the humanities. The University of Northern Iowa won, for now, a big one. No, it was not a three-point shot at the buzzer by the women’s basketball team or a two-point conversion on a trick play to secure a victory by the football team. This is bigger than all of those by far. UNI just received a $2.4 million grant to launch an effort to enhance the teaching of the humanities. Humanities, you say? But our current political leadership, both state and federal, believes the focus of our universities should be only on a job-ready education. Going even further, higher education should be accomplished in three years, not four. There is no time nor need to instruct in the humanities, matters like history, magic, art, and even poetry. Colleges are no longer places to get an education and, more importantly, to learn to think. Thinking for us now can be done by our governments, if properly and conservatively controlled. Even here at home, Iowa’s Legislature has been working on micromanaging school course standards, particularly in history and social studies (see House File 2286); and House File 2324 prohibiting school libraries from forming any type of relationship with the local town libraries. Maybe one of the saddest parts of this is that our public universities have gone along with these mandates because to raise objections would result in funding reductions or elimination, and even tenure has been threatened. The nation’s public schools, from kindergarten to grad school, all have features of public funding. Thus, without objection, politicians are placing their education agendas upon us, with guardrails dictating what we can learn and what we are asked to believe. For example, students easily could form the impression Black Africans came to our country as free volunteer labor and were treated fairly. Or that only white, male Christian soldiers won World War II. Yes, these developments in education roll over the American society and embrace us without resistance. STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math) might tell us what we are, but it is the humanities (literature, music, art) that tell us, and others, who we are and what is in our souls. I notice, with considerable disappointment, that the tech side of the colleges are almost entirely silent on this development. Maybe it is the favorite son syndrome: When the gods are favoring you, it is clear you are the chosen son or daughter. Maybe our science and math teachers think a slight sacrifice yields entry into the promised land of academic existence. All that is required is silence, which must be the reasoning of administrators, staff, and professors while we watch the academic world be reduced by half. I think, however, to the contrary. Are we richer if we don’t know who Plato was, or fail to read the poems of the Roman poet Virgil? While we may still listen to Beethoven, can we understand the meaning of the music? Who will chronicle our time like Steinbeck, Hemingway, and Irving enlightened us about theirs? Where is Betsy Ross to sew our flag? It really is time for the academic community, the humanities side, to sharpen their pencils, freshen their paint brushes, and tighten the strings on their violin. They can even ask their tech colleges to come out of Plato’s cave and join the fray. Don’t tell me that people refuse to march to music, fail to read signs and banners, understand what writers write, and feel the poet’s lines. I am reminded so much of England during World War II, alone and surrounded, facing Hitler’s wrath with a song written and sung that inspired a nation. It served as the emotional underpinning of their survival and hope for a future. It was called “(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover.” “There’ll be bluebirds over The White Cliffs of Dover Tomorrow Just you wait and see … There will be love and laughter And peace ever after Tomorrow When the world is free. …” This happens only when we realize that the simple little step by the University of Northern Iowa, promoting teaching of culture, contrary to the goals of the Project 2025 crowd, was an act of courage and a statement of who we in Iowa really are. For us, UNI just won one. Dave Nagle, of Cedar Falls, is a former Iowa Democratic Party state chairman and three-term U.S. congressman from Iowa.
	Bills to fight human trafficking Human trafficking might not be a crime you think of every day, but it’s happening all around the state from small towns to the big cities. Without help from across the state, many of these victims never receive justice. The House Judiciary Committee worked on two key pieces of legislation to catch the traffickers and help victims. HF 2565 creates a special team, known as the Iowa Human Trafficking Task Force, within the Department of Public Safety. This group will be the main point of contact for all issues related to human trafficking in Iowa. The task force is made up of law enforcement officers, investigators with expertise in human trafficking and white-collar crimes, specialists in cybercrime, as well as victim advocates and emergency dispatchers. To make sure the entire state is covered, the team is divided geographically, with each region receiving its own investigators and support personnel. The task force will have the authority to make arrests and will work closely with other law enforcement agencies in the state. Because human trafficking is such a serious issue, the teams will run a 24/7 office and call centers so there is always someone available, even on weekends and holidays, to respond quickly to tips or emergencies. On top of investigating cases, the task force will be responsible for collecting data, developing strategies, and coordinating training programs for other agencies so they can better spot and help victims. Every year, the team will report their results and recommendations to the Iowa legislature. The second part of the bill strengthens prosecution. It requires the Attorney General’s Office to set up a special unit for prosecuting human trafficking-related crimes. Four assistant attorneys general, each representing a different part of the state, will focus solely on taking these cases to court. The team will collaborate with the task force, ensuring that investigations and prosecutions are tightly connected. In addition to HF 2565, the committee also advanced HF 2696. This bill will allow victims of human trafficking to petition the courts to expunge their criminal history related to their human trafficking. Unfortunately, victims of human trafficking can be forced to commit crimes, and sometimes they are charged and convicted, even though they are also victims. This bill allows those individuals to ask for a clean slate to start their lives over. Human trafficking may not always be noticeable but with the right groups and training it can be stopped. HF 2565 and HF 2696 are great steps towards ending this despicable crime and saving the victims. This column was abridged.
	Talks on taxes, nuclear ahead As we conclude Week 7 of the Iowa legislative session, we reflect on a week rich with discussions and debates surrounding legislation that has survived the first funnel of session. Our legislative body has discussed all thoroughly, addressing key issues that impact our communities and state. As we transition into the second half of the session, there will be an uptick in our debate schedule, ensuring that our legislative works receive the attention they deserve. One significant area of focus will be property tax reform, which will take center stage in our Ways and Means Committee discussions, I am honored to serve on this committee. This important discussion aims to address concerns from constituents and explore effective solutions that promote fairness and transparency in our Iowa property tax system. Nuclear energy task force to meet This week, the Nuclear Energy Taskforce held its first meeting. This group was required by Executive Order 17 to make recommendations by July on the development and advancement of nuclear energy technologies and infrastructure in the state. Dr. Mark Nutt, the Director of Nuclear Energy Programs at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is the chair of the taskforce. Dr. Nutt is a graduate of Iowa State University’s Nuclear Engineering program. The taskforce membership includes utilities, NextEra Energy, a county supervisor, Iowa State University, the Iowa Utilities Commission and members of the legislature. As many Iowans know, NextEra Energy is in the process of restarting the Duane Arnold Nuclear Power Plan by the end of 2029. This 600-MW, single unit power plan near Cedar Rapids closed in 2020. NextEra expects to spend $50 million to $100 million this year to recommission Duane Arnold, according to FERC. NextEra presented that there would be a $9.1 billion economic impact across Iowa during construction and operations, 1,640 jobs throughout construction, 393 direct jobs during operations and $1 million annually to Linn County in Generation Tax. This column was abridged.
	Chained Up Alice: Alice in Chains Tribute, March 14 Composed of vocalist/acoustic guitarist Emily Cooper, vocalist/guitarist Dan Spannraft, bass player Natalee Algozino, and drummer Jason DesBiens, the rockers of Chained Up Alice: Alice in Chains Tribute headline a March 14 engagement at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the Chicago musicians dedicated to performing songs from both eras of Alice in Chains' career, delivering hits, classic fan favorites, and deep cuts in a high-energy, unforgettable live performance.
	State will boost backfill for TIF This week at the Capitol, the House continued work on school funding, economic development, higher education, and health policy. Below is an update on several bills and budget issues that moved forward as we head deeper into the session. Backfilling TIF Continues to Grow As the Legislature debates school funding, questions continue about how much the state is paying to replace lost school property tax revenue due to local tax incentives such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF allows cities or counties to divert property tax revenue from designated urban renewal areas to fund local improvement projects. School districts do not vote on these TIF districts, but schools are held harmless through the state school finance formula, meaning the state replaces the diverted revenue using General Fund dollars. When TIF began in 1992, the backfill cost was $5.2 million. In Fiscal Year 2026, the state is backfilling $98 million in school property taxes diverted into TIF districts, with $65 million coming from the twelve most populous counties. In addition to TIF, the state also covers property tax abatements and the Property Tax Replacement Program (PTRP). PTRP will total $137.3 million in FY 2026 and rise to $146 million in FY 2027. Altogether, the state is expected to cover over $300 million in school funding that would otherwise be paid by property taxpayers in FY 2027. Higher education priorities pass House The House passed four higher education priorities this week. HF 2246 ensures continuing education requirements for licensed professionals relate directly to their field of practice and removes unrelated mandates. HF 2488 makes private colleges with DEI offices ineligible for Iowa Tuition Grants. HF 2226 requires 70% of students admitted to the University of Iowa’s nursing program to be Iowa residents. HF 2242 freezes tuition and mandatory fees for resident undergraduate students at Regent universities for five years. Supporters say these bills focus on affordability, workforce needs, and professional licensing standards. Screen time limited in K-5 legislation House File 2451 is a bipartisan bill limiting digital instruction for K–5 students to 60 minutes per school day, excluding IEP-required technology, specialized instruction, and mandated testing. The bill aims to balance the benefits of technology with concerns about excessive screen time among young students. Research cited during debate notes links between extended screen time and lower academic performance, attention challenges, and behavioral concerns. Supporters argue the 60-minute limit promotes healthier learning environments while still allowing appropriate educational technology use.
	Iowa women’s basketball players receive Big Ten recognition The Big Ten Conference announced six Iowa women’s basketball players received All-Big Ten recognition Tuesday.
	Pritzker denies traveling on Epstein’s plane after Bill Clinton’s since-recanted testimony Former President Bill Clinton recently mentioned Gov. JB Pritzker in a deposition to Congress regarding sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, saying he thought he might have traveled on Epstein’s plane with Pritzker and his wife.
	State House focuses on conspiracy over science According to Genesis 2:15: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Sadly, it seems Iowa House Environmental Protection GOP committee members missed this Bible study class. This is my fourth year on the committee and I’ve never been more disappointed by the lack of meaningful progress to “keep,” must less restore, our Garden of Eden. Halfway through the session the committee has advanced only one bill for consideration by the full House. It’s a ban on so-called “chemtrails.” And it’s based on the belief that someone, somehow for some reason is dropping some chemical or biological agent on us with nefarious intent. Scientific organizations, atmospheric scientists and government agencies have consistently debunked the theory. They report the white, long-lasting clouds seen behind aircraft are merely condensation. Why would they lie? But, okay, if it makes someone feel better to ban imagined threats; so be it. But, can’t we also find time to address actual, verifiable environmental concerns? For instance, coal ash is leaking toxic metals and harmful pollutants into Iowa’s groundwater. HF2313 would strengthen protections. And, HF151 would require pollutant buffers along Iowa waterways. HF723 would even mandate wastewater testing for cancer-causing PFAS. Among other bills, I proposed a total ban on PFAS and a mechanism to reduce plastic shopping bags in our landfills. But unfortunately, there was no time to even consider bills addressing known environmental degradation and links to skyrocketing cancer rates. What a shame.
	Librarians: "Let us not now erect barriers" We write in firm and solemn opposition to House File 2324, now before the Iowa General Assembly. This measure forbids school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from entering into partnership with their public libraries, denies students the use of their school-issued identification to obtain books and learning materials, and closes the schoolhouse door to the humble bookmobile. Historically, these arrangements have been neither radical nor reckless. They are the ordinary, time-tested instruments by which communities enlarge opportunity and nourish the minds of our young. To abolish them is not to strengthen education but to diminish it. In this matter, let us proceed with clarity. Parents possess the first and rightful authority over the upbringing of their children. They may consent. They may decline. That power rests with them. This bill removes that discretion and substitutes for it a broad and inflexible command of the state. The government should not displace the judgment of families in order to narrow access to books and the common storehouse of knowledge. We are compelled also to observe the uncertainty of the legal ground upon which such efforts stand. Portions of Iowa Senate File 496 have been restrained by the federal courts for failing to meet constitutional measures. Standards described as “age-appropriate” remain unsettled and contested. Yet this proposal would extend similar undefined expectations to public libraries which are institutions long governed by established Iowa law and guided by professional standards that respect both parental rights and constitutional liberty. The fundamental right to read broadly and without governmental scrutiny is no recent nor distant contrivance. It is Iowa’s inheritance. In 1938, in Des Moines, Library Director Forrest Spaulding set forth the principles that would become the Library Bill of Rights which has been adopted by professional associations concerned with librarianship, information science, and the First Amendment. Iowans have long affirmed that access to information is indispensable to a free people. From the largest city to the smallest rural crossroads, libraries and the bookmobiles that carry them across open miles have stood as quiet assurances that no child’s prospects shall be limited by distance, poverty, or happenstance of birth. House File 2324 would sever trusted partnerships, place public servants in legal uncertainty, risk costly lawsuits to Iowa’s community, and retreat from our state’s long tradition of local cooperation and civic trust. It would exchange discretion for prohibition and partnership for separation. We urge the members of the General Assembly to reject this measure. Let us preserve parental choice. Let us honor constitutional restraint. Let us sustain the freedom to read. Let us celebrate liberty and the robust use of our libraries. Let us support each other as we engage and encourage the next generation of leaders to be readers bravely taking on the world of ideas and philosophies. Iowa’s story has long been one of building schools with libraries, communities with outreach, and rights with responsibilities. Let us not now erect barriers where bridges have long stood. Cathy Zimmerman Executive Director, Association of Bookmobile & Outreach Services Former Bookmobile Librarian Eldridge Sam Helmick President, American Library Association Past President, Iowa Library Association Past Chair, Iowa Governor’s Commission on Libraries Bookmobile Librarian Iowa City
	“Are You Ready for It? A Taylor Experience,” March 14 An award-nominated production featuring show-stopping costume changes, dynamic choreography, a live band, immersive multimedia, and unforgettable sing-along moments spanning every era, Are You Ready for It? A Taylor Experience will re-create the magic of Taylor Swift at Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on March 14, performing all the hits, in a proudly G-rated production, from albums ranging from her self-titled debut to The Life of a Showgirl.
	Cruelty to companion animals should be a felony Iowa is the only state in the country that does not recognize the torture of a dog or cat—companion animals—as a first offense felony. Earlier in this Iowa legislative session, both chambers passed bills out of their respective judiciary committees, both with unanimous bipartisan support, moving SF2099 and HF2348 toward discussion, debate and vote before the full Senate and House. Last Thursday, Feb. 26, the Iowa Senate was poised to take the first step; SF2099 was on the docket for discussion. Shortly before the bill was to be debated, it was pulled from the agenda without explanation. Iowa Code Chapter 717b clearly defines a companion animal as a dog or a cat. SF2099 and its companion bill in the House clearly state “a person is guilty of animal torture if the person intentionally or knowingly crushes, burns, drowns, suffocates, impales or otherwise subjects an animal to serious injury or death, or causes, directs or provides anything of value to another person to do the same.” Gruesome stuff; enough that law enforcement and mental health professionals alike have identified a troubling connection between animal abuse and violence towards humans. This link has been well-documented, to the point of the creation of the National Link Coalition. The coalition involves professionals across a wide spectrum including law enforcement, veterinary medicine, domestic violence, child protection and adult protection areas, all working to halt the perpetrators of animal abuse crimes before they move on to violent behavior towards humans. The National Sheriffs Association has been vocal about the link, listing resources and providing training for law enforcement professionals on the issue. The FBI has also published bulletins on the link between animal cruelty and human violence. Professionals in the practice of psychology and psychiatry also highlight this link between animal abuse and domestic violence. Psychology Today lists a number of articles written. Yet in Iowa, leadership in the Senate appears to be blind to this situation, stopped SF2099 from advancing and as a result, has placed the safety and well-being of Iowans at risk. The legislative session has not concluded; there is still time for SF2099 and HF2348 to be considered by the full Senate and House. Senators can be reached by calling the Senate switchboard at (515) 281-3116 or (515) 281-3371; House members can be contacted through the House switchboard at (515) 281-3221. Request SF2099 and HF2348 be brought before the full Senate and House for proper debate and vote. Iowa should not remain the only state in the country that does not recognize the torture of a dog or cat—companion animals—as a first offense felony. Tracey Kuehl Davenport
	They're wagging the dog “Wag the Dog” is a political tactic where leaders try to distract people from serious problems, often by starting military actions. The phrase means that something small, like the tail, ends up controlling something bigger, like the dog. Politicians often use this strategy during scandals or when their approval ratings drop, hoping to draw attention away from real issues. Trump’s approval ratings on issues like the Epstein Papers, immigration, the economy, trade, and inflation are now at their lowest point. These numbers are especially worrying for February in an election year. Back in 2012 and 2013, Trump often warned that Barack Obama might attack Iran to look strong or distract from his own political problems. He told Republicans not to let Obama “play the Iran card.” Trump and his team have said that Iran has restarted its nuclear program, has enough material to build a bomb in days, and is working on long-range missiles that could reach the U.S. These claims are either unproven or false. After bombing attacks in Iran last year, Trump said U.S. strikes had “obliterated” nuclear sites. Many Republicans now see the Iran threat differently than the White House does. In the next few days, topics like Trump’s connection to the Epstein case, Trump’s low approval ratings, rising prices, inflation, and ICE abuses will probably get less attention as the country focuses on Trump’s actions toward Iran. Once again, the tail is wagging the dog. James Turley Eldridge
	'Redeem yourself. Impeach Trump now.' Saturday morning, I woke up to the news that the U.S. bombed Iran. Trump calls it a war, but never consulted Congress. Trump has been broadcasting his intentions to bomb Iran. Yet, the Congress didn’t issue a pre-emptive warning to the raving lunatic that if he bombs Iran, they will impeach him. Are we sitting on the threshold of World War III? Sure feels like that. I am seething with rage at the Republican majority in Congress for the mess we’re in. What a despicable, appalling, contemptible, shameful, disgraceful bunch of cowards. Republicans, Redeem Yourself. Impeach Trump now. Mary Orr Eldridge
	Virtual Illinois Libraries Present: “Beyond the Page with Percival Everett,” March 19 With the event's subject a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner whose 2001 novel Erasure was adapted into Cord Jefferson's Oscar-winning 2023 comedy American Fiction, Beyond the Page with Percival Everett will enjoy a virtual March 19 presentation in an event hosted by Illinois Libraries Present, the author's prize-winning James from 2024 hailed by the New York Times as "Everett's most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."
	State should not allow eminent domain for pipelines Bills SF2067 and HF2104 allow eminent domain to be sought for hazardous liquid pipelines. Contract law allows me to confidentially contract with whomever, provided it adheres to ordinances. Eminent domain and condemnation for a public use projects are not confidential. Both bills try to shoehorn private, right to contract with the transparent act of government eminent domain. The bills describe thirteen points of contact between the company and landowners, with some interactions requiring the IUC be notified. I would argue that the company sharing information with the IUC concerning their discussion with the landowner is unlawful. The bill has the IUC approving the valuation methodology. How is it lawful to have the government involved in my contract negotiation with a private company? Each bill provides the landowner with no definition of what constitutes a diligent effort to acquire a voluntary lease or the definition of what deems the efforts unsuccessful. One bullet that triggers eminent domain reads, “Economic infeasibility of the pipeline due to excessive easement acquisition costs for alternative routes to avoid the eminent domain. For the purposes of this subparagraph, economic infeasibility shall be shown by clear and convincing evidence”. This is TOTALLY subjective. Whose standard? The bill is trying to blend a private negotiated contract process with a state eminent domain process. It does not work. A person’s right to contract is as confidential as the two parties agree to. The bills state that the landowners that agree to an easement contract have their terms protected in 5.(e), free from disclosure via government applying the protections of Chapter 22. Chapter 22 pertains to “Examination of Public Records”. How is the state able to protect a contract not acquired through eminent domain under Chapter 22, yet what is acquired through eminent domain will be public? Eminent domain should not be used for this private project. Diane Holst Eldridge
	'This is where I want to end the season' Throwing 36 games in 22 hours, North Scott’s boys had their very own state bowling bonanza. Coming back home with a big plaque and an individual medal made all those shots worth it. At the Class 2A state bowling tournaments at Cadillac XBC in Waterloo last Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb. 24 and 25), North Scott placed sixth as a team, with three Lancers also rolling in the individual competition. Senior Lucas Persson became a two-time medalist with his fifth-place individual finish, improving upon his sixth-place effort from last year. Sophomores Clayton Schroder and Caston Dhuse both made their first appearances at state in this competition as well. Team members senior Johnny Grimm, senior Jackson Moulton, junior Kale Blodig and freshman Parker Persson all had their hands in the team’s state success, and the district championship from Feb. 16. It was yet another wildly successful season for North Scott bowling. “We had a great year,” Lancer coach Marie Tharp said. “Like I said before, when you can make the elite eight, and then half of your team makes the individual cut, that’s always a positive. This was our eighth appearance with the boys, and I’m proud of that.” Pins are not friendly North Scott came into Tuesday’s team competition with high expectations. After all, the team posted the best score of all qualifiers at districts the week before. At this season’s event, the pressure cooker was turned up from the start. No longer were all eight teams guaranteed to make bracket play. This season, only the top four scoring teams after 15 baker games advanced to compete for the championship. The bottom four were bumped to consolations. The first two games the Lancers shot at state — 170 and 171 — were well below the team’s standards. “We had a rough start… bowled a couple of low games,” Lancer senior Lucas Persson said. “A lot of people were in a bad mood or out of it. Eventually, things started clicking and we threw some big games.” North Scott sat in seventh place after five games. But game No. 6 was the best of the entire night with a 265. Just when it seemed like North Scott had gotten out of its early funk, disaster struck. The Lancers threw back-to-back games of 139 and 146. Those were the two lowest scores of any baker game during the 2A competition. Even as the team tried to rebound in the back half of the competition, throwing games of 239, 222 and 224, the hole was too big to climb out of. North Scott finished the seeding round in eighth place with a total score of 2,976 (average game of 198.4). The cut line for the championship bracket was 3,152 (average game of 210.1). “Even though we didn’t do as well as we did at qualifying, we still made it to state. I’m already super happy just for that alone,” Persson said. “This year, we got to bring the full team. Spent three days in a hotel hanging out. It’s a lot more fun of an atmosphere.” Still, there were still more games to be played. In the consolation bracket, North Scott rolled against the No. 5 seed Lewis Central. The Titans were arguably the most dissatisfied of all the teams being unable to defend their team state title from last season. In the head-to-head best-of-five baker game showdown, this disappointment showed in a pair of 170 games, and the Lancers were able to take a 2-0 lead. North Scott and Lewis Central were paired on the lane all day in the seeding round, and the Lancers were ready to finally quiet the “Go Big Blue!” strike chants. But the Titans did not go quietly. They posted two narrow wins in a row, 220-208 and 194-187, to even the series. North Scott handled the moment better than the defending champions, winning game five 202-161. “It was cool to bowl against them. They were ahead of us all day. Then, to finally beat them in bracket play was relieving. We were all happy,” Persson said. With a victory in their pockets, North Scott took on Western Dubuque for fifth place. The wind in the Lancers’ sails quickly dissipated, falling in four games to the Bobcats. “It was tough this year. There are a lot of good bowlers across the state,” Tharp said. “They work so hard. To be here and represent North Scott and represent the MAC, I’m good with that. We got to come here. No matter how the pins fall, it’s nice to be back up here. This is where I want to end the season. And I want to do it next year, and the year after that.” Persson claims second medal North Scott’s tournament was still far from over. The Lancers didn’t leave the alley until after 9 p.m. Tuesday night, and the boys had to be ready for a 9 a.m. start the following morning. Persson, Dhuse and Schroder rallied to lanes 25 and 26 for the start of the individual competition. Here, 32 qualifiers get a three-game series to roll as high a score as possible. The top eight of 32 advance to bracket play, guaranteeing themselves a medal and a shot at the championship. All three boys shot great games with Schroder going for 213, Dhuse going for 232, and Persson exploding for a near-perfect 290 game. Persson hit nine pins with his first ball, and he cleaned up the last for a spare in his first frame. His next 11 shots all went for strikes. “I have never bowled a perfect game before,” Persson said. “I’ve bowled an 800 series. I’ve lost count of how many 290s I’ve had. I’ve had 12 strikes in a row between games. I’m just convinced I’m cursed that I’ll never get it. “That was, in a single game, the closest I’ve gotten because they were all great balls. The first frame was a pocket shot but didn’t quite have the right angle. After that, I made a little adjustment, and it was just right.” Any worries of lingering lulls from the previous night were gone, and Persson was in prime position to make the cut. “How I bowled in the next two games would have been different if I had gotten a lower score,” Persson said. “I know I just need to punch out with some decent 200 games, and I’ll be in the bracket just fine.” He did just that with games of 238 and 204 for a 732 series. This easily cleared the cut line of 695 (average game of 231.6). Dhuse and Schroder were keeping pace with that cut line through two games as well. Dhuse rolled a 231 in game two, and Schroder posted a 233 in his second game. Both boys fell out of contention in the third game. Dhuse scored a 181 in his final 10 frames, ending his series with a 644. Schroeder went for a 182, adding up to a 628 series. “It breaks my heart because they’re great kids,” Tharp said. “They’re going to be the leaders next year. Between Clayton, Caston and Kale, who will be a senior, they’ll be the leaders of this team. It’s going to be as strong as ever.” For Persson, this was his last rodeo, and he wanted to make the most of his final three games. He was the No. 3 seed heading into the one-game showdowns in bracket play. He continued his surge in the quarterfinals with an awesome 246 game. The only problem was that his opponent, Grant Fink from Denison-Schleswig, posted a 259. Fink’s first seven shots all went for strikes, and he had nine in total. Persson had four strikes to end his game, but Fink had clinched the match long before that point. “It’s not like I bowled a bad game. It was a high 240 game,” Persson said. “There were a few balls I could have thrown a bit better, but at the end of the day, he outshot me. “I was a little upset, but I can’t be too mad about it. I was bowling next to him last year at state, and he just missed the bracket. I was happy for him.” Persson ended his Lancer career with a pair of wins, defeating Devon Rubner of Western Dubuque in the consolation semifinals, 196-190, and Aiden Elam of Davenport West in the consolation final, 235-216. The Lancer senior ends his illustrious career as one of North Scott’s best bowlers. Persson is a two-time individual medalist in 2025 and 2026. Additionally, Persson made the first team all-state list this year for the first time. “He came on as a freshman. He was a quiet little kid with the upperclassmen. But he stayed with it,” Tharp said. “He bowls junior leagues. He’s focused when he’s doing it. He’s done great for the program and for himself. It’s sad to see your seniors go, and he’ll be missed. He’s made a name for himself at North Scott.” With a majority of this year’s team coming back, including Parker, Persson will still be around and keep tabs on the team as North Scott aims to stay one of the most consistent programs in the state. “I still have my younger brother on the team. I’ll still stop by and hang out at some practices and meets when I’m back in town,” Persson said. “I hope Caston and Clayton keep making state, and place next year. I’ll be rooting for them.”
	“The Founding Mothers of America,” March 12 A fascinating illustrated lecture focusing on the remarkable women who had a first-hand view of our nation's creation, The Founding Mothers of America will be presented at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch on March 12, with presenter and touring performer Laura Keyes sharing insightful tales of her subjects' history, bravery, and surprising legacies.
	Grow Quad Cities releases local economy report A new report from Grow Quad Cities shows the state of the local economy. The report shows an uptick in U.S. GDP during the last quarter of 2025 and a stable regional labor market. "Job postings in the Quad Cities are up from a year ago, and although employment decreased during the quarter, it was [...]
	“Five Nights at Freddy's” Pizza Party, March 16 Treating kids to an evening of video games, yummy food, and a bunch of maniacal (but somehow lovable) animatronics, the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch will, on March 16, welcome guests to the Five Nights at Freddy's Pizza Party, in which youths can enjoy free pizza while playing video games on the big screen.
	Cannon fire to be heard from Rock Island Arsenal Cannon fire will be heard from the Rock Island Arsenal this week.
	Davenport Fire Department responds to fire on East Street on Monday evening No injuries were reported and the incident is under investigation.
	Whose house? Lancers house The Lancers did not win a state championship Friday night. But did it ever look, feel and sound like they did. In front of a capacity crowd, North Scott showed Bettendorf who the true kings of the Mississippi Athletic Conference are, sending an immutable message with a 62-47 curb-stomping in the substate semifinals. It is, without parallel, the program’s most significant win in five years, not since 2020 when Ty Anderson beat the buzzer to send the Lancers to the state tournament. Now, North Scott is one win away from going back to Des Moines. “I’m happy for our kids and our community. We haven’t seen a crowd like this since we were making our runs in 2015 and 2020,” Lancer coach Shamus Budde said. “They’ve been supporting us all year long. But we still have work to do. I love our team. We’re going to play a really good Cedar Rapids Prairie team. This is just a huge win for us.” North Scott and Bettendorf matched up in the same gym for the second time in eight days. On Feb. 19, the Bulldogs won a 57-51 ballgame to clinch the outright conference title. That result did not discourage the Lancers one bit. “We knew, after that game, we knew we could beat them,” Miller Haedt said. “It took a lot of preparation. The coaching staff did a great job. Practices were awesome. We switched up the game plan a little bit, but not much. We knew we just had to come out here and play hard to beat them. That’s what it is between us and Bettendorf.” In both Lancers versus Bulldogs matchups this season, the winning team pulled away in the second half. Friday night was an all-night domination from North Scott. The Lancers had the Bulldogs doubled up in the first quarter, 16-8, at the 2:22 mark. A barrage of Bettendorf three-pointers trimmed the deficit to two by the end of the quarter, 20-18. North Scott’s offense continued to flow into the second quarter, putting up another 20-spot. The defense held Bettendorf to seven points, and the Lancers’ lead was 15 at the break. Lancer junior Josiah Harrington and sophomore Vasaun Wilmington were having their way inside, combining for 28 of the team’s 40 first-half points. This led to kick-out opportunities for open shooters. North Scott went five-for-nine on three-point attempts in the first half, with junior Zane Rus knocking down two and Haedt swishing one. “We put a lot of new stuff in the last four days. I’ll be honest with you, our guys were looking at each other, like, ‘What’s going on here?’ My staff even kind of questioned me,” Budde said. “But when you get to this point in the year, you have to be able throw some different looks. Some extra wrinkles. To be able to advance at this point, at the 4A level, you have to throw different stuff in. I’m really proud of our guys in how they executed all of that.” Even with this lead, North Scott knew the game was far from over. “We were in a good position, but both the players and coaches were saying, ‘This isn’t over. Don’t let up. We still have to finish the job,’” Harrington said. “That’s what we did out there. They made a couple runs, but we never shut down. We stayed together as a team, and that led to the win.” North Scott’s lead was as large as 16 at the 3:59 mark, after a thunderous Harrington dunk. But Bettendorf started to find some answers, and North Scott’s offense went ice cold. The Bulldogs cut their deficit to eight points with eight minutes to play. Budde called a timeout less than two minutes into the fourth quarter when his team’s lead was at six. “Coach Budde knocked us straight in the huddle like he always does,” Haedt said. “We came out a little sloppy, a couple of turnovers. But we know how to bounce back from that. We all came together and fought back.” Haedt ended his team’s six-minute scoring drought with a layup, setting the score at 53-45 with four and a half minutes to play. Bettendorf hit a pair of free throws on its next possession to get it back to six. But Harrington finished through contact again. Not only was the lead back up to eight, but with under four minutes to play, the clock became North Scott’s friend. “About the four-minute mark, I said, ‘We are three stops away. We are three stops away.’ We were able to do that,” Budde said. Bettendorf’s next three field goal attempts, all from three-point land, were off the mark. With the chance to put the game away, North Scott engineered its best offensive sequence of the entire season. Grabbing a defensive rebound at the 2:32 mark, one Lancer possession swallowed up 55 seconds of game clock. Despite heavy pressure from the Bulldogs seeking a turnover, the Lancers swung the ball around the perimeter, penetrated the paint, and kept the ball alive. The Lancers passed up open looks in favor of milking the clock with the Bulldogs not looking to foul. Tick, tick, tick. North Scott eventually found Wilmington on the left wing with five seconds on the shot clock. He fired and found nothing but the bottom of the net. “That was the dagger right there,” Budde said. “Our guys were really strong with the ball, and we made the right play. (Bettendorf) was scrambling, and Vasaun went and hit that.” After weeks of talk about ‘time and score’ following games against Central DeWitt and Davenport Central in which North Scott let large fourth-quarter leads slip away, the team’s maturity showed up in its biggest moment. “There were a number of times this year where we’re up 10 or 12, and they throw up some stuff, and we end up losing. You can tell they’re growing. It’s fun to be a part of,” Budde said. Harrington finished with a game-high 25 points. Wilmington had 15 points and seven assists, and Haedt had 12 points. Rus, who enjoyed an incredible first week back from injury, scored eight points and took two charges in the second half. North Scott turned the ball over just four times in the game, and it held Bettendorf to its third-lowest scoring output of the season. On Tuesday, North Scott traveled north to Cedar Rapids for the substate final against Prairie High School. The eighth-ranked Hawks were 14-3 in 2026 heading into this game, and finished as runners-up in the Mississippi Valley – Valley Division standings with a 12-2 mark. A full recap of the substate final will be published in next week’s edition. Rus’ return sparks offense If the two playoff games last week said anything about North Scott’s boys’ basketball team, it is that it missed Zane Rus dearly. Rus suffered a foot injury in early January and missed the last seven weeks of the season. He had his first full practice on Friday, Feb. 20. He returned to the court three days later in the substate quarterfinals against Davenport West. Not only did he post a game-high 16 points in his team’s 72-52 win, but he didn’t miss a single shot. We went four-for-four from beyond the arc and two-for-two from inside. “It feels great to be back; I was a little tired,” Rus joked. “I love being out there with my teammates. Practices, games, team dinners, I’ve built a great bond with them. To be back out there means a lot.” Rus played in the team’s first matchup with Davenport West back in December. He missed the late January rematch which took a last-second shot for North Scott to survive. He and his teammates gave the 4-17 Falcons their full attention. “We wanted to make a statement for sure,” Rus said. “They played us to one possession last time, and we had to beat them on a game-winner. West is a team you can’t take lightly. They have a bunch of little guards that pressure up and force you into turnovers. They get a lot of iso buckets, which is hard to guard. I have full respect for them as a player.” North Scott came out focused, drilling the road team by 24 points in the first half. Both teams emptied their benches in the fourth quarter for a stress-free finish. The Lancers hit 10 of their 24 three-point attempts with four from Rus and two from junior Khairi Harper. Rus led with 16 points, Harrington and Wilmington each had 15 points, and Harper had eight points. Rus, who is making 44.2 percent of his three-point attempts this season, adds a third big offensive threat to North Scott. If teams try to clog the paint to protect against the Harrington-Wilmington duo, Rus can hurt them from the outside. And that extra floor spacing will give more room for North Scott’s stars to operate inside. “Zane adds a lot to our team. He’s six-foot-six, he has a good feel for the game, and he can obviously step out and shoot it. Adding all that into it, yeah, we’re glad he’s back,” Budde said.
	Private college officials say lawmaker is threatening state-funded tuition grants Iowa private college officials say a key lawmaker is threatening funding to a state tuition grant program over their opposition to allowing community colleges to offer four-year degrees. Gary Steinke, president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, said lobbyists for the association received a call last week from Rep. Taylor Collins, chair of the Iowa House Higher Education Committee. Steinke said Collins told them certain Iowa lawmakers are thinking of withholding their support for funding for the Iowa Tuition Grant program, which provides financial aid to students in need who wish to attend one of the state’s private higher education institutions. The threat stems from anger over the private institutions’ opposition to The bill would establish a pilot program in which certain community colleges could establish up to three bachelor’s degrees in specific programs. Community colleges are supportive of the legislation while private higher education institutions say it would harm them in the effort to solve a problem they claim doesn’t exist — with lawmakers looking for a compromise that will bring them closer together. However, some lawmakers are evidently becoming increasingly frustrated with the private university stance against the legislation. Collins refused to comment on the inner workings of the caucus and did not confirm that he said lawmakers might consider cutting or eliminating the Iowa Tuition Grant. He said lawmakers are frustrated because private universities have been “totally inappropriate” in their handling of opposing the bill. He said he’s told the private institutions “from the beginning” that he’s willing to work on a compromise on the legislation, and he believes the amended bill the committee approved “balances the interests of the private colleges and the community colleges.” Steinke says the private colleges are facing retaliation for exercising their right to lobby for their interests. “When the Legislature proposes something that you don’t like, then you lobby against it, you speak against it, you work with people to share your view,” Steinke said. “That’s not illegal, that’s democracy, and because we’re exercising our democratic right to oppose something that we feel is harmful to the private colleges, you’re going to eliminate the best financial aid program in the country at the expense of Iowa students who don’t have any money, who come from from very poor socioeconomic backgrounds.” The bill was on the tentative debate list in the House last week but did not come up for consideration. The Republican caucus has been unable to confirm 51 Republican votes approving the legislation, Steinke said, which is what it would need to pass out of House debate and head to the Iowa Senate for further consideration. A number of absences from the Legislature last week was a factor in the bill not coming up for debate, Collins said, so there are still ongoing conversations on the bill. He added he is discussing with lawmakers the possibility of bringing the bill to the House floor this week, but it depends on the number of absences in the Legislature and whether they have the votes. “Ultimately, there’s a lot of southeast Iowa and southwest Iowa lawmakers that are trying to do what’s right for their district, and we’re tired of seeing constituents go to college and not come back,” Collins said. “You know, we talk about the brain drain a lot, and it’s happening in southeast and southwest Iowa, and so you have a lot of lawmakers who are very passionate about this issue.” Steinke said Collins’ call, and what it represents for potential funding cuts for Iowa students, is “very troubling.” He said he doesn’t understand the correlation between private universities opposing this legislation and the threat to “punish thousands of low-income Iowa students and their parents” through lowering or eliminating funding to the Iowa Tuition Grant program. “It is a grant to students who want to go to college who can’t afford to otherwise, and to somehow conflate not being able to pass a bill — and a bad one at that — with eliminating the Iowa Tuition Grant program completely, doesn’t make any sense, and that’s putting it mildly,” Steinke said. Emily Shields, executive director of Community Colleges for Iowa, said she doesn’t have knowledge of the bill’s current status aside from its passage out of committee, but said Iowa’s community colleges are excited to keep having conversations on the bill. Other states have launched similar programs as pilot studies, Shields said, and they have found success through them in meeting workforce needs and serving students where they are. No other state has seen negative impacts on private institutions, she said, and she doesn’t believe any other state has seen “this level of response from their private colleges.” Only 4% of private university enrollment is made up of community college transfers, she added. “I think our hope is that we can have a conversation and make decisions that are best for students,” Shields said.
	Getting a head start: How to successfully start seeds indoors As winter lingers, many gardeners are looking for ways to get their hands dirty. Starting seeds indoors gives gardeners greater control over growing conditions, resulting in healthier, more resilient transplants. “It’s fun to get a head start on the upcoming garden season by starting seedlings indoors,” said Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. To be successful, gardeners must provide the right conditions for seedlings to thrive and develop into stocky, resilient plants. Time it right Resist the urge to sow too early. Steil warns that seedlings started too soon often become lanky and transplant poorly. Check the seed packet for the recommended indoor growing period, then count backward from your frost‑free date to determine when to start. In much of Iowa, planting of frost‑tender annuals and vegetables happens from late April to early May. Cool‑season crops that tolerate light frost can be planted a bit earlier, in early to mid-April, so they can be started indoors sooner. “It's important to plan before you plant,” Steil noted. Choose the right growing medium and containers Start with a lightweight, porous and disease‑free seed‑starting mix. Steil recommends commercially prepared soilless germination mixes designed for seedlings. Sow seeds in flats, cell packs, peat pellets, soil blocks or repurposed containers. “What you use is up to you, as long as it is clean and has drainage holes,” he said. Sow like a pro Use new seeds packaged for the current season, as older seeds, especially those more than 2 or 3 years old, often germinate poorly. Seeds can be sown in rows in a flat or tray and carefully transplanted to individual containers when they develop true leaves. “This approach is good for small seeds or those with inconsistent germination rates,” said Steil. Alternatively, seeds can be sown directly into individual containers, sowing several seeds per pot and thinning them later. This approach is well-suited for larger seeds. Check the seed packet for sowing depth. Many are planted 1/4 inch deep and can be placed on the soil surface and lightly covered to ensure they are at the right depth. Small, fine seeds or those that require light to germinate are planted at a depth of 1/8 inch or less. “For these seeds, place the seeds on the surface and gently press them into the germination medium to ensure good seed to soil contact,” advised Steil. Provide the best growing conditions After sowing, water from below by submerging the container until the medium is fully wet, then let it drain. This prevents the seeds from washing or dislodging. “Warm soil temperatures promote better, faster germination,” Steil explained. “After emerging, the seedlings grow best in cooler temperatures around 65 F. This promotes stout, transplant‑ready plants.” To maintain high humidity, cover the container with a clear dome or other covering, and water lightly only if the soil surface dries out. Remove the cover as soon as seeds germinate, and ensure good ventilation and air circulation to prevent damping‑off diseases. After germination, provide 12–16 hours of bright light each day to prevent stretching or leaning. Even with a sunny window, seedlings often grow best under supplemental light. Keep them 6–12 inches above the plants and raise the grow lights as seedlings grow. Care and prepare seedlings When seedlings graduate from a germination tray to individual pots, transplant them into a well‑drained potting mix. Fertilize regularly with a 1/4‑strength water‑soluble all‑purpose fertilizer. This will help to produce stockier transplants, provided enough light is available. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, checking daily and watering thoroughly when the surface is dry to the touch. About two weeks before planting day, harden seedlings by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions. “Start by putting them outside on cloudy days or in a shaded location, then after a few days, move them into more light and exposure,” said Steil. This important step helps seedlings transition from the ideal conditions indoors to the bright sunlight, cool temperatures and windy conditions found outside.
	Tuesday’s adoptable pet: Meet Sparky Meet Sparky! A 3-year-old terrier mix who is full of energy, according to the Clinton Humane Society.
	UI Scanlan Center for School Mental Health sees interest in eating disorder support When Taylor Ford joined the University of Iowa Scanlan Center for School Mental Health more than four years ago, she came in with the hope of continuing her work addressing the needs of people experiencing eating disorders. Now, around one year since the clinic and resource center started offering eating disorder services to Iowa school districts and their families, Ford says interest is only growing. “There’s such a lack of access to specialized eating disorder treatment in Iowa that we know that there’s a need,” Ford said. “And so with limited access to outpatient providers and then lack of access to the higher levels of care for eating disorders, we are trying to be proactive in getting people treatments so that hopefully they don’t have to go to those higher levels of care.” Established in June 2021 and housed in the UI College of Education, the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health works with Iowa school districts, including students, staff and parents, to offer both virtual and in-person services in different areas of counseling, child psychiatry, evaluations, professional development and more. K-12 students can receive services during the school day through the center, Ford — assistant director of clinical services and crisis response at the center— said, which aids in lowering barriers to care, especially in rural areas. For eating disorder services, Ford said all clients — students ages 12 and up, school staff and parents — begin with a diagnostic evaluation, and if they do receive a diagnosis, the center will recommend “for an appropriate level of care for treatment.” If someone needs outpatient care, the center has individual therapy available with clinicians specializing in eating disorders as well as a list of other care providers in the state. However, if someone is found to need a higher level of care and is interested, Ford said the center will work with them to facilitate referrals to other resources. Schools cannot request an eating disorder evaluation itself, they can initiate a referral after which the center will contact the parent. “Typically, if it’s beyond a partial level of care, people have to go out of state, and so it was really important when we started these services that we provide that additional support for families, because the system is already so hard to navigate,” Ford said. As students spend most of their week at school, interacting with their peers, educators and other staff, Ford said those adults might be the first one to notice changes in behavior or symptoms of an eating disorder, like skipping lunch. An article Ford wrote for the center in early February stated that 95% of people with eating disorders are from 12 to 25 years old, and by 14 years old, 60-70% of girls are trying to lose weight. However, Ford said teachers cannot and should not be expected to diagnose, treat or counsel a student who they suspect has an eating disorder, but instead observe, report and refer when necessary. “Teachers and other educators already have enough on their plate,” Ford said. “We are not asking them to do anything more in terms of counseling, but we are hoping to educate them so that they can know what signs and symptoms to look for that might indicate an eating disorder, so that they can help to work with that family to get the student the support that they need.” Eating disorders were not an area addressed by the center early on due to capacity, Ford said, as they didn’t initially have a psychiatrist on staff. She added the topic is considered specialized in the mental health field, creating the need for additional training, and “there’s a lot of interdisciplinary work that needs to happen between the therapist, medical doctor or psychiatrist as well as a dietitian.” Despite the center offering these services for a year now, Ford said interest has been ticking up more recently — a fact she attributes to word getting out about both the center and an ever-increasing awareness of eating disorders in general. Rates of eating disorders have grown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Ford describing it as a “trigger for a lot of people.” Many saw mental health impacts of the pandemic, and the lack of structure paired with the loss of school meals could have attributed to the uptick that’s been maintained so far. While all five of the center clinicians trained in eating disorders have multiple clients working with them for that purpose, Ford said they are not yet at capacity. Ford’s passion for helping people with eating disorders, and the interest shown from center clinicians in getting trained for the specialty care, have come together to address the challenge in Iowa, she said, and she wants the center to be a resource to get people in and supported quickly. “I’m really just hoping that we can be another option for specialized treatment in Iowa,” Ford said.
	Iowa hunters can pitch rule changes The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host a series of public meetings across the state to recap the recent hunting seasons and discuss potential rule changes for hunting and trapping. DNR’s annual public meeting series follows the close of most hunting and fur-harvester seasons in the state. Hunting data for 2025 shows that Iowans bagged nearly 102,000 deer and bought close to 43,000 annual hunting licenses. The public meetings include presentations from DNR staff about the past hunting season and Todd Bishop, head of DNR’s wildlife bureau, said the staff will also collect feedback from Iowans and discuss potential rule changes. Bishop said the meetings are a great place to “ask questions and hear directly” from DNR staff. DNR officials have said comments from the meetings will be compiled and considered before the department proposes any potential rule changes to the Natural Resource Commission. According to a news release from the department, comments from Iowans at meetings in past years have resulted in changes to Canada goose hunting areas, season dates and bag limits. Public comments also influenced DNR to expand raccoon hunting and trapping and modify antlerless-deer quotas in certain areas of the state. Meeting locations and dates The meetings are free and open to the public. Local meetings include: • Burlington, March 3, 6 p.m., Burlington Public Library, 210 Court St. • Maquoketa, March 3, 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63rd Street • Iowa City, March 4, 5:30 p.m., Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy 218 South - Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Extension publishes water line management guide for swine production A new publication from the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University helps producers evaluate water quality and manage water line systems in swine barns. “Water Line System Management for Swine Production” is available for download at no cost from the ISU Extension Store. The guide outlines water line system design, water quality diagnostics, cleaning and disinfection protocols, and best practices for administering medications. Several authors contributed to this publication including Chris Rademacher, Gabi Doughan, and Locke Karriker with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, Ashley Englin, swine field specialist with Iowa State Extension and Outreach, and Becca Walthart, former master’s student with the Swine Medicine Education Center at Iowa State University. “Water is a physiological need for pigs, regulating growth, temperature control, and overall behavioral needs,” states Doughan. “Without regular cleaning and disinfection, biofilms can accumulate within water line systems and impact health, production, and water-administered medication.” Producers will find step-by-step instructions for cleaning and disinfecting water systems and water sample collection protocol within the publication. Water quality assessments should evaluate the physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics of water by testing pH, trace minerals, and coliforms at minimum and should be collected at least once per year. "In a recent survey of Midwest production sites, only 20% of farms had a water line cleaning standard operating procedure (SOP) that was regularly implemented,” said Englin. Standardized protocols can help producers reduce biofilms and ensure animals regularly have access to high quality water, leading to improved performance and better animal health. “Water lines are one of the main routes for antimicrobial and vaccine administration” states Doughan. “By improving water quality and water line maintenance, producers can more effectively treat their livestock, resulting in less days off feed and reduced production costs.” The guide also includes protocols for water medication administration and explains how water quality can affect medication efficacy. There are also instructions for how to set up and calibrate flow-activated pump, piston, and diaphragm medicators. For more information, access the publication, or contact Gabi Doughan at wilsong2@iastate.edu.
	Crews respond to Davenport structure fire Davenport firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 1400 block of W. 36th Street this afternoon. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. There are no reports on injuries or damages to the home.
	Davenport native is fighting for his life, in coma with brain damage Kendal Ritchie, a 30-year-old Davenport native, is fighting for his life, in a coma with brain damage at a Las Vegas hospital.
	Mitski comes undone She may be indie rock's queen of precisely rendered emotion, but on Mitski's latest album, Nothing's About to Happen to Me, warped perspectives, questionable motives and possible hauntings abound.
	Iowa State University ends women’s gymnastics program Iowa State University’s gymnastics program is being discontinued, Athletics Director Jamie Pollard announced Tuesday.
	Scott County school districts to vote on renewing PPEL PPEL is a voter approved property tax that helps districts pay for building maintenance, technology and transportation.
	Davenport police arrested a man after he threatened to "shoot it out," officials say Anthony Nicholson faces multiple felony charges after the standoff that occurred on East Locust Street.
	UnityPoint Health in Moline recognized in U.S. News’ inaugural report UnityPoint at Home has been named a Best Home Health agency for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report, with Moline earning the second-highest level of recognition.
	Clinton County Sheriffs Office to hold active shooter management course for emergency personnel The Clinton County Sheriff's Office will hold a three day “Advanced Active Shooter Incident Management” course at the Wild Rose Casino.
	This quiet epic is the top-grossing Japanese live action film of all time The Oscar-nominated Kokuho tells a compelling story about friendship, the weight of history and the torturous road to becoming a star in Japan's Kabuki theater.
	Police: Davenport man arrested, charged after threatening officers during standoff Police say a Davenport man threatened to "shoot it out" during an overnight standoff on East Locust Street and now faces felony charges.
	Moline alderwoman announces resignation First Ward Ald. Debbie Murphy announced her resignation.
	UnityPoint at Home named a Best Home Health agency UnityPoint at Home has been named a Best Home Health agency for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report. This is U.S. News’ first-ever ranking of home health providers, identifying the top-performing agencies in the United States. U.S. News evaluated 12,000 agencies across the country and only 17% of the agencies U.S. News received the [...]
	Orchestra Iowa brings back Brucemorchestra The popular outdoor concert event is scheduled to return this summer after a five-year hiatus caused by the high cost of production.
	The Live Nation trial could reshape the music industry. Here's what you need to know On Tuesday opening statements will begin for the federal antitrust trial against Live Nation, one of the largest entertainment companies in the world.
	A new one-a-day-pill holds promise for HIV's 'forgotten population' It's designed to take the place of complicated, multiple drug regimens that many people with HIV need to follow. And it's also beneficial because the HIV virus is always evolving.
	AI prompts that work: Mastering prompt engineering (with examples) AI prompts that work: Mastering prompt engineering (with examples)When ChatGPT first launched and went viral, some common sentiments around the tool were that it was a shortcut to doing real work. Anybody could type in a few sentences and get text back that they could use for anything under the sun. In fact, ChatGPT reached 100 million users just two months after launch — the fastest adoption rate of any consumer application in history — with users generating over 10 billion prompts per day by mid-2024.As ChatGPT and other LLMs have evolved, they’ve certainly created shortcuts, but one thing we’ve all learned is that prompting is an art form in itself. The output you get isn’t perfect … sometimes it isn’t even usable. We’ve all experienced the frustration of typing something like “give me blog ideas” only to receive generic suggestions, while watching others get brilliant, tailored content with seemingly effective prompts.There are good ways and bad ways to chat with these tools. There are heavy users who get valuable output from LLMs with a snap of their fingers and others who seem to struggle to save any time. It’s clear that AI prompt engineering is a skill that needs to be developed, WebFX reports.What is AI prompting?AI prompting is the art of crafting clear, specific instructions that effectively communicate with AI systems to produce desired outputs. It involves strategically combining creativity, context, constraints, and clarity to guide the AI toward generating the most useful, relevant, and high-quality responses.Anecdotally, people who receive weak responses from LLMs tend to be delivering poor prompts. They’ll ask for a report on a particular company but only type “Give me a report about Boeing” into their chat interface. Much like many who have grown up learning how to “speak” search engine, AI prompts require you to think about how you ask a certain question to generate the best response.LLMs are much better at natural language, but you still need to be able to properly think through a few things when prompting to receive truly high-quality responses. Here are four keys to effective AI prompts.The 4 C’s: AI prompting effective practicesCreativity: Starting with a strong, well-defined idea. The stronger and more unique the idea, the better the output. This is the human magic needed to really utilize AI to its fullest potential.Context: Providing relevant background information — explain the why in as much detail as you can.Constraints: Setting clear boundaries and requirements. How should the LLM surface information?Clarity: Using precise, unambiguous language and specific instructions about the format you want the response to be in and how it’s structured.If you’re looking to convert from metric to imperial, do you need to get this detailed? Of course not. But for more heavy-duty prompts, adding this level of detail is a big separator.Here’s an example prompt with each of the 4 C’s highlighted: WebFX The four C’s approach will get you much more helpful answers to your queries and tailor the approach to your precise needs.Good vs. bad AI prompts: Traits and examplesLet’s take a deeper look at how not to prompt and some bad habits you should aim to break if you want to get the most out of LLMs. WebFX Example transformationBad Prompt: “Tell me how to use Instagram Reels.”Good Prompt Using the 4 C’s Framework:Creativity: Create an actionable guide on using Instagram Reels to increase engagement for small e-commerce businesses selling handmade products. The guide should focus on organic growth strategies rather than paid advertising.Context: This is for a community of artisans who have basic social media knowledge but limited time and marketing budgets. Most have fewer than 1,000 followers and sell products in the $30-100 range. They’re competing against mass-produced items and need to showcase their craftsmanship effectively.Constraints:Keep strategies feasible for someone spending 3-5 hours per week on social mediaFocus only on Instagram Reels, not other platforms or featuresAvoid strategies requiring expensive equipment beyond a smartphoneInclude only tactics that have proven effective since Instagram’s 2023 algorithm updatesMust be appropriate for businesses in various creative niches (jewelry, ceramics, textiles, etc.)Clarity: Structure the guide with an introduction explaining why Reels are valuable for artisans, followed by 5-7 specific strategies with step-by-step instructions. For each strategy, include a specific example, estimated time investment, and expected outcomes. Conclude with a weekly content planning template and 3-5 content ideas tailored to handmade businesses. Use straightforward language, bullet points for actionable steps, and highlight any technical terms that beginners might not understand.The Overlooked Prompting Mistakes Costing You HoursMistake #1: The Kitchen Sink PromptTrying to get everything in one massive prompt. “Create a complete marketing strategy including SEO, PPC, social media, content calendar, budget allocation, competitive analysis, and KPI tracking for my B2B SaaS company targeting enterprise customers in the healthcare sector with a $50K monthly budget…”A better approach: Break complex tasks into steps. Start with competitive analysis, then use those insights to inform strategy, then develop the tactical plan.Mistake #2: Copy-Paste SyndromeFinding a “perfect prompt” online and using it without customization. That viral LinkedIn prompt for blog posts? It was probably created for a completely different industry, audience, and goal than yours.Mistake #3: One-and-Done PromptingAccepting the first output without iteration. AI responses are starting points, not final products. The magic happens in rounds 2-5 of refinement.Mistake #4: Ignoring Model LimitsAsking ChatGPT for real-time data or expecting Claude to analyze a 500-row spreadsheet without proper formatting. Each model has strengths and limitations so work with them, not against them.Mistake #5: Forgetting the Human ReviewTreating AI output as publish-ready. Even perfect prompts need human expertise to validate accuracy, add nuance, and ensure brand alignment.Don’t be afraid to ask AI for help with promptingOne of the most overlooked resources for improving your prompting skills is right in front of you: the AI itself. Think of it like asking a local for directions in a new city … they know the terrain better than any map.When first using AI tools, users may spend hours crafting a prompt only to receive mediocre results. One effective strategy is to ask the AI how it prefers to be prompted. It’s like asking a chef how they’d like ingredients prepared before cooking them.“How would you recommend I prompt you about website redesign strategies so you can provide me with a 3-page action plan?”The AI will often provide format suggestions, key elements to include, and even example prompts that you can modify for your specific needs.Daisy chain prompts across modelsDifferent AI models have different strengths. Google Gemini might excel at research-heavy tasks across a ton of websites, gathering comprehensive information on a topic. You can then take that research and feed it to ChatGPT or Claude to synthesize and structure it into actionable insights.This approach is like a relay race, where each runner (AI) handles the leg they’re best at. This technique can be used to analyze data in large CSV files. For example, one model can handle the heavy analysis while another runs a research report to add broader context to the findings. The result is a comprehensive analysis of the data and its surrounding context.Upload your own data for precisionGeneric prompts produce generic results. Providing your own data is like giving the AI a custom map instead of general directions.LLMs are able to process a big variety of file types nowadays, in addition to being able to read specific URLs in a lot of cases. A lot of times when prompting, users are referencing something specific, and simply adding that file or information works wonders.File upload compatibility for popular LLMs WebFX Treat AI conversations as ongoing dialoguesEffective prompting isn’t a one-shot effort, it’s an iterative process. Your first attempt might give you a rough shape, but each subsequent refinement brings you closer to your vision.This approach is valuable when brainstorming creative projects. Rather than expecting perfection immediately, each AI response can be viewed as a stepping stone. “That’s interesting, but can we explore the second point more deeply?” This conversational approach allows the AI to build on previous context rather than starting fresh each time. Courtesy of WebFX One application is using AI as a reading companion for non-fiction books. After finishing a chapter on behavioral economics, users can discuss key concepts with the AI as if in a book club. “What did you think about the author’s perspective on loss aversion? I found it interesting how it contradicted…” The AI helps highlight connections that might be missed and suggests related concepts to explore because the conversation maintains a continuous conversation rather than exchanging isolated prompts.By approaching AI prompting as a collaborative, iterative process rather than a one-time command, you’ll unlock much richer possibilities from these increasingly sophisticated tools.By mastering the 4 C’s framework — Creativity, Context, Constraints, and Clarity — you can transform your AI interactions from frustrating exchanges into productive partnerships. The difference between someone who struggles with AI tools and someone who leverages them effectively often comes down to how thoughtfully they craft their prompts.Remember that effective AI prompting isn’t about finding a perfect formula or magic words — it’s about clear communication, specific details, and an iterative approach. Start with strong ideas, provide rich context, set appropriate boundaries, and be precise in your instructions. As you practice these principles, you’ll develop an intuitive sense for what works, making each interaction more valuable than the last. A key AI tool isn’t the latest model or feature — it’s your ability to ask the right questions in the right way.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Standoff in Davenport early Tuesday ends with two arrests A man surrendered to Davenport police Tuesday morning after a multi-hour standoff.
	For filmmaker Chloé Zhao, creative life was never linear Director Chloé Zhao used meditation, somatic exercises and dance to inspire the cast and crew of this Oscar-nominated story about William Shakespeare's family.
	What is an interest checking account? What is an interest checking account?A checking account allows you to use a debit card, cash checks and access your money with an ATM. But certain checking accounts have other features, too. An interest checking account has the added perk of earning a set interest rate on your cash. Some banks offer checking accounts that help you earn interest and offer other tools and features to support your financial goals. Ally Bank shares some top considerations for whether this type of account is right for you.What is an interest checking account?These accounts give you all the usual checking account functionality like debit cards and ATM use — and allow you to earn a little interest. Compared to other types of bank accounts, checking accounts offer the most flexible access to your money and are perfect for everyday spending.Interest-bearing checking accounts work a bit like savings or money market accounts: You put money in the account, and the bank periodically pays interest on your balance according to its terms and conditions. They usually have a lower interest rate because they’re designed for everyday use rather than growing savings.How much interest does a checking account pay?Interest checking accounts aren’t known for offering extremely high interest rates, but you can still expect to earn something on the balance you maintain. Look for a checking account with competitive rates that provides a favorable annual percentage yield (APY) on your checking account balance, but keep in mind that these rates can change over time.Pros and cons of interest checking accountsIf you need standard checking features, look for an account that will allow you to freely withdraw money and make transfers as frequently as you want. Some banking institutions may impose limits and fees depending on the type of checking account, like a minimum balance requirement or limits on your debit card usage, while others won’t offset your interest earnings with any hidden charges.The drawbacks of an interest checking account are minimal, but if you’re looking for a higher interest rate, consider keeping some money (like your emergency fund) in a high-yield savings account.Is an interest checking account right for me?If you’re looking to earn interest and write checks, use your debit card, add physical cash, make withdrawals from an ATM or request cashier’s checks and wire transfers, an interest checking account could be a great choice. Other valuable features to consider include early direct deposit, budgeting tools to track spending and overdraft protection to help support your financial goals.How do interest-bearing accounts differ from other checking accounts?In most ways, an interest checking account will operate the same as any other checking account. You won’t notice a difference in terms of how you can access or use your money — you’ll just receive a little extra from your bank in the form of interest.Interested in earning interest?Whether you’re opening a checking account for the first time or researching alternatives to switch, the right spending account can help you optimize your finances.This story was produced by Ally Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	2 arrested in Davenport after threat of shootout with police Two people from Davenport are in the Scott County Jail after police said one threatened to have a shootout with police officers. The criminal complaints filed in the case said Davenport Police responded to the 300 block of E. Locust Street on Tuesday, March 3 at about 12:12 a.m. Officers determined that the defendant, identified [...]
	Kind Kids and A Clever Cat (NAPSI)—Good news for kids, cats and the people who care about them.A new book, “Nester the News Cat” by Candace Lieberman introduces Nester, a clever stray with a nose for news and a heart full of courage.Lost in a cold, snowy alley, he stumbles upon a warm newspaper shop run by kind Mr. Harrison. There, he discovers more than just a cozy spot to sleep, he finds a home, a purpose, and a friendship with Jenny, the spirited newspaper delivery girl.Filled with beautiful, full-color illustrations and timeless themes of friendship, bravery, and belonging, “Nester the News Cat” is an excellent read-aloud story for children ages 3–7. Young readers will cheer for Nester as he shows that true heroism isn’t about size or species, it’s about heart.Whether for bedtime reading or classroom story time, this book can help all young animal lovers and future heroes learn about empathy, kindness, and community.It’s available in softcover or e-book at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.Word Count: 162
	Are America’s top colleges letting in more students from low-income backgrounds? Are America’s top colleges letting in more students from low-income backgrounds?It’s hardly news that America’s elite universities are largely populated by students from America’s wealthiest families.Yet in recent years, this has drawn increasing alarm. Research has documented just how large the admissions advantage is for well-off students. Bloomberg Philanthropies has pumped tens of millions of dollars into efforts to get talented lower-income students into better colleges. The College Board, which administers the SAT, vowed to help in this effort. For some, the 2023 Supreme Court ruling banning race-based affirmative action added more urgency to the task. In the wake of the ruling, a number of schools pledged to step up recruitment and end legacy admissions.Have these efforts paid off? A look at university press releases might suggest so, Chalkbeat reports. A number of schools — including Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, and Princeton — have recently touted a record share of students who receive Pell grants, education stipends that go to students from low- and middle-income families.Most press releases did not mention a salient fact, however: The Pell qualification rules have changed in recent years, skewing comparisons over time. A careful parsing of the data suggests that America’s top colleges are still filled largely by students from advantaged backgrounds. Individual universities have seen some progress, but the aggregate changes appear to have been modest.“There are benefits to enrolling more rich kids — untold benefits — for these selective institutions,” says Paul Tough, an author who has chronicled efforts to improve college access. “And there are very few benefits to enrolling more low-income students, except that it’s the right thing to do.”This matters because enrollment at top universities has been linked to higher graduation rates and higher incomes post-college. Selective schools typically provide a better-funded education, while offering more generous financial aid. They also often open the door to institutions of power and influence.It’s important to be clear about how incremental progress in increasing economic diversity has been. If schools can get positive attention for addressing this without making substantial changes, they may feel even less pressure to undertake further reforms.Researchers have often counted students as lower-income based on whether they receive a federal Pell grant. But since eligibility expanded in 2024, Pell numbers across the country have spiked. “My suspicion is that much of the uptick in Pell representation at these selective colleges and universities is a measurement issue,” says Sarah Turner, a University of Virginia professor who studies higher education.Some universities acknowledge the changing Pell definition but say that their economic diversity has genuinely increased. To figure out whether this is the case, data from the National Student Clearinghouse, which tracks university enrollment and is broken down by the income level of students’ neighborhoods, was examined.Total enrollment at “highly selective” colleges has been going up in recent years, but the economic background of the student body has barely budged. The share of students from the two groups of lower-income neighborhoods has shifted from 13.2% in 2019 to 13.4% in 2025. In raw numbers, that’s an uptick of about 20,000 students, which is far less than the 95,000 student increase from the two highest-income neighborhoods. Thomas Wilburn // Chalkbeat Three-quarters of students at these selective schools come from those affluent areas. This is just 1 percentage point lower compared to six years earlier.Another analysis, recently published by the College Board, looked at the year after affirmative action was banned. At very elite colleges, the share of first-year students from low- and middle-income neighborhoods rose by only a “minimal” amount, researchers found.The clearinghouse income data only goes back to 2019. Would a longer time horizon change the picture? Not much. A recent analysis by James Murphy, a higher education analyst at the nonprofit Class Action, found that between 2013 and 2023, first-year Pell enrollment at highly selective private colleges increased from 16% to 18%. This uptick was a bit higher at Ivy League and elite liberal arts schools. Still, at selective public colleges, Pell shares fell by 2 points. (This was when the Pell definition was broadly consistent.)The data described is imperfect. The clearinghouse measures students’ neighborhoods, rather than their individual economic circumstances. Those are highly correlated but are not the same. The clearinghouse also includes a variety of colleges, nearly 200, under the banner of “highly selective,” not just the very elite schools. Turner of the University of Virginia says more detailed data is needed to fully understand the trends here.None of the universities touting their record Pell numbers responded with any data beyond that showing that more low-income students were enrolled.The challenge of making substantial change is epitomized by the American Talent Initiative, an organization supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies (which is also a funder of Chalkbeat). In 2016, ATI set a goal of adding 50,000 low- and middle-income students to 350 or so colleges with high graduation rates. Many of those schools joined ATI as members, but even more did not participate in the initiative. Initial reports from the group showed that its members were making progress, but non-participating schools were actually enrolling fewer and fewer lower-income students.Tania LaViolet, an ATI leader, says the original hope was to influence the broader ecosystem of top colleges by sharing best practices across institutions. “That hypothesis didn’t pan out as we had anticipated,” she says.In 2024, ATI dropped its initial goal to focus just on colleges that opted to participate in the work. Its latest report, released last month, touts an increase in lower-income students among ATI members, though the authors acknowledge it’s challenging to compare trends over time because of the changing Pell definition. The organization no longer tracks data for non-members.ATI officials note that even if the share of low-income students in selective schools hasn’t changed much, their raw numbers have increased, as overall enrollment has grown. “This increased number means thousands of lives changed for the better,” says LaViolet.This story was produced by Chalkbeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rain in the forecast: How to prevent basement flooding before storms move in Even light rain can expose hidden drainage issues. Here's what local experts say homeowners should do now to prevent basement flooding.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for March 3, 2026 Western Illinois University is hosting an event that's helping entrepreneurs start small businesses, and Bettendorf police are watching traffic on Valley Drive.
	6 ways to save money on gas 6 ways to save money on gasIf you feel like high prices for your everyday essentials are taking a toll on your savings, you’re not alone. Only around half (47%) of Americans say they have sufficient liquidity or access to funds to cover a $1,000 emergency expense, according to a recent survey from Bankrate.If you’re looking for ways to trim your spending bill, gas — which can be especially costly if you commute via car or have a profession involving driving — is a good place to start.Gas isn’t usually a cost you can cut, but it is one you can save on if you follow a few steps. Here, Current, a consumer fintech banking platform, shares six ways to save on gas, according to experts.1. Shop aroundWhen it comes to gas stations and brands, loyalty can cost you.“Without a doubt, the number one thing that folks can do to have the biggest effect is to shop around,” says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “There’s not really a golden rule when it comes to how to fill your tank up, but I think if there was to be one, it’s to always check in advance.”If you don’t have the context for what you’re paying, you don’t know if it’s a good deal or not — and gas prices can vary significantly whether you’re on the road for 50 miles or you're just going to your job 10 or 15 miles away, he says.With apps like GasBuddy, you can look at gas price maps before you hit the road to see which stations on your route offer the lowest prices. GasBuddy and AAA both offer trip cost calculators in which you can plug in your starting point, destination and your vehicle information to determine ahead of time how much gas will cost you. You can also check gas prices on Google Maps and Waze.De Haan recommends being brand agnostic, since the brands with the lowest prices will vary. He also points out that the longer you spend on the road, the more propensity there may be to overpay. But once you’ve made checking prices part of your routine, it should only take about 20 seconds, he adds.2. Use loyalty programs strategicallyDespite wanting to shop around, there are plenty of free loyalty programs that can help you save if you use them smartly. Exxon Mobil says that with its rewards program you earn at least 3 cents per gallon in points on gas and 2 cents per dollar in points on snacks, drinks, car washes and more. Shell’s Fuel Rewards advertises that you can earn up to 10 cents per gallon, and Circle K’s rewards program offers 25 cents per gallon on your first five fuel ups and 3 cents per gallon every day after that.So depending on where you live and usually pump gas, you may want to consider joining one of these programs. De Haan says to just make sure you don’t neglect shopping around and that the rewards program is actually offering you a low price: “Some people just sign up for loyalty programs and they get their price reduced by 5 to 30 cents a gallon and then they forget about it, and then they become creatures of habit.”3. Watch your speedThe way you drive can also impact your gas bill.“So many of us are in a hurry and we’re not as fuel efficient as we should be,” De Haan says. “As soon as the light turns green, people stomp on the gas. A lot of us forget that how much gas you need is really a side effect of the way you drive.”Fuel economy — or how far your car can travel on a specific amount of gas — peaks at around 50 miles per hour on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase, says Aixa Diaz, a spokesperson for AAA. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 miles per hour can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%, she adds.Slow down, don’t quickly accelerate to full speed and use your car’s technology like cruise control.“A lot of the technology that’s built into modern cars today can help you become more fuel efficient,” De Haan says.4. Turn your engine offIt can be tempting to leave your car on when you’re stopped temporarily, but you might be able to save a bit on gas if you avoid excess idling.A car engine consumes a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour when idling, but a warm engine only takes around 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart, Diaz says. Where safe to do so, shut off your engine if you will be stopped for more than a minute, she recommends.5. Stick to regular gas if recommendedWhen you’re at the gas pump, premium gas doesn’t necessarily mean better gas. Diaz says that choosing premium gas when your car doesn’t require it will cost you money and doesn’t improve fuel economy.If regular gas is what’s recommended for your car, go with that.Speaking of actually pumping gas, you’ll also want to be aware that gas stations often put a preauthorization hold when you swipe your card to pay, which will then be unavailable in your spending balance. For example, if you fill up for $30, you might have a $100 hold on your account. Once the sale is finalized, that charge will be replaced with your actual price, and the hold will be released, but be aware that the hold can possibly freeze some much-needed funds for several days, depending on your financial services provider.6. Plan your tripIf you don’t plan ahead, you may find yourself pulling over for gas and other items more than you need to. Diaz suggests mapping out your route ahead of time to avoid unnecessary stops. AAA has a free travel tool that lets you identify gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and attractions along your route. That can help you to stay on track and avoid unnecessary detours.Bring plenty of water and snacks to hold you over so you can avoid spending extra cash on fast food, Diaz adds.This story was produced by Current and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	2 charged after standoff, police say Two people are charged after police said a man refused to come out of a Davenport apartment Tuesday morning.
	Warmer temperatures and much-needed rain for the Quad Cities Our week is off to a chilly start, but still warmer than average for early March. Only widely scattered light rain has been reported, but heavier and more widespread rain is on the way to the Quad Cities. Temperatures are on the rise, too. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	The toughest jobs in the US include firefighter, cop and construction worker, poll finds The toughest jobs in the US include firefighter, cop and construction worker, poll findsThe toughest jobs in the U.S. include firefighters, construction workers, and nurses.A poll of 2,000 employed adults from Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 commissioned by Cat Footwear found 21 percent believe working in mining or oil is one of the most grueling jobs around, while 11 percent think being a doctor is a role only for the most resilient.Others feel that only the iron-willed could be a roofer (10 percent) or a teacher (8 percent).According to those polled, challenging jobs involve being on your feet all day (40 percent), working in all weather conditions (38 percent) and dealing with trauma or distressing situations (34 percent). Three-quarters (75 percent) of adults polled claimed that standing up all day can have serious repercussions for long-term health.Below, Cat Footwear examines the physical demands of America's toughest jobs and the toll they take on workers.The study found those who work in construction, manufacturing and engineering spend an average of just under seven hours a day on their feet.And people in healthcare and social services, such as nurses, will be on their feet for an average of six hours and eight minutes.These workers also do more than 6,500 steps a day, with people working in environment, agriculture and sustainability doing a staggering 7,831 a day each on average.Nearly 6 in 10 (57 percent) of all respondents went as far as to say sometimes, the single hardest part of their job is how much time they spend standing up.And while 60 percent have felt pain in their feet after excessive standing, 59 percent claimed it causes back issues, while 11 percent even feel pain in their hands.As many as 47 percent have turned down an invite or had to miss out because their body was too sore after a shift.But 36 percent of respondents fear admitting their feet hurt would make them look “weak” in front of colleagues.That includes 43 percent of men and 31 percent of women, according to the OnePoll.com data.Toughest jobs in the U.S.:Respondents were allowed to choose up to three options.Firefighter 26%Police officer 23%Construction worker 22%Miner/oil worker 21%Nurse 19%Paramedic 13%Agricultural/farm worker 11%Doctor 11%Roofer 10%Healthcare assistant/caregiver 10%This story was produced by Cat Footwear and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	‘We’re just a brick in time’: Davenport’s Chief Bladel steps down, turns toward ‘Chapter 2′ of service Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel walked out of the department for the last time Monday, ending a 31-year career with the same department once led by his father. He announced his retirement Feb. 20.
	Crews respond to mobile home fire The fire started outside a mobile home before spreading to another. Flames were visible from outside the mobile home.
	Large police presence outside Davenport apartment Officers were heard over a loudspeaker asking a person to come out of an apartment, saying they had a warrant for the person’s arrest.
	Iowa pastor submits petition to run for governor Brad Sherman, a pastor from Williamsburg, turned in signatures for his campaign for governor.
	10 new books in March offer mental vacations March is always a big one for books – this year is no different. We call out a handful of upcoming titles for readers to put on their radars — offering a good alternative to doomscrolling.
	Galesburg officials propose new way to evaluate emergency demolitions The current ordinance only allows emergency demolition if a building sustains damage of at least 75% of its assessed value. That can cause delays in emergencies.
	Cook review: Animated 'Pout-Pout Fish' will leave families smiling It's funny, sweet, and has a nice message about self-discovery. The new animated "The Pout-Pout Fish," based on a popular children's book, is set in an underwater community where Mr. Fish (voice of Nick Offerman) glumly swims through his days, constantly reminded by everyone he meets that he looks grumpy because of his frown - [...]
	Musco Sports Center draws regional crowds, sees strong interest “We continue to receive strong interest from both youth and adult sports organizations, as well as groups looking to host special events," said Nick Gow, assistant Parks and Recreation director.
	Scott County candidates can start filing paperwork to run in June 2 primary Candidates for county office can start filing their paperwork to run for the June 2 primary.
	Hoffmann Inc., based in Muscatine, launches new storage division The new Hoffmann Storage division offers a full line of products, including steel bins, engineered fabric buildings, bunker walls, hopper tanks and equipment.
	Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., talks about the war with Iran and upcoming war powers vote NPR's A Martínez asks Delaware Democrat Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, about the war with Iran.
	Here's an at-a-glance look at the cost of housing Scott County Jail's inmates in other counties Scott County spent $756,698 in six months to house inmates in other counties as overcrowding strains its jail, according to Sheriff Tim Lane.
	The candy heir vs. chocolate skimpflation The grandson of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups creator has launched a campaign against The Hershey Company, which owns the Reese's brand. He wants them to stop skimping on ingredients.
	Exotic Fish This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.In 1960, when Japanese Emperor Akihito visited Chicago, Mayor Richard J. Daley presented him with a bluegill from the…
	Scientists make a pocket-sized AI brain with help from monkey neurons A new study suggests AI systems could be a lot more efficient. Researchers were able to shrink an AI vision model to 1/1000th of its original size.
	U.S. evacuates diplomats, shuts down some embassies as war enters fourth day The United States evacuated diplomats across the Middle East and shut down some embassies as war with Iran intensified Tuesday while President Trump signaled the conflict could turn into extended war.
	North Carolina and Texas have primary elections Tuesday. Here's what you need to know The midterm elections are officially underway and contests in Texas and North Carolina will be the first major opportunity for parties to hear from voters about what's important to them in 2026.
	Kristi Noem set to face senators over DHS shutdown, immigration enforcement The focus of the hearing is likely to be on how Kristi Noem is pursuing President Trump's mass deportation efforts in his second term, after two U.S. citizens were killed by immigration officers.
	Back at Last! Crossword Puzzle: March 3, 2026 To download a PDF of the puzzle, click here.
	Melania Trump presides at UN Security Council meeting as U.S. attacks Iran U.S. first lady Melania Trump presided over a U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday focusing on children in conflict, as the United States has joined Israel in attacking Iran.
Monday, March 2nd, 2026
	911 service disrupted in Illinois Valley Region, service restored Some people in the Illinois Valley Region were having trouble reaching 911 on Monday.
	Six Questions Parents Are Asking About Online School (K12) - A few years ago, as children quickly shifted to online classrooms, parents shared one common question: How does virtual school work? At the time, many families saw it as a temporary fix in response to a global crisis. Except it didn’t fade away. If anything, attention on online schooling deepened curiosity. Questions moved from logistical to philosophical: Could online school be a better fit for my child? Would they be happier in a more flexible setting? More parents are rethinking how and where their children learn. Here are some of the top questions they ask—and a few answers that may surprise you. Where can I find online school options? An online search will show options in your state: tuition-free public and charter schools, private schools, and state-run programs serving a range of grades from kindergarten through high school. Use an online school search engine to compare options and read reviews. You’ll also want to ensure the school is accredited by a recognized body, such as Cognia. Is online school a good option for students struggling in traditional school? Absolutely. In many programs, including K12-powered online schools, classes are taught by state-certified teachers who meet one-to-one with students. Flexibility allows learners to work at their own pace, spending extra time on challenging concepts before moving on. Do online schools offer special education? Yes. Online students in special education receive required services and accommodations, often with more individualized support and one-to-one time with special education teachers. Are online schooling and homeschooling the same? They are quite different. Online schools provide structure, certified teachers, live classes, and a standard curriculum—without requiring parents to serve as instructors. How do online students make friends and socialize? Many online schools prioritize socialization and create meaningful opportunities for connection and friendship. Virtual campuses like the K12 Zone at K12-powered schools, national competitions, clubs, local meetups, and virtual field trips help students make friends and experience school spirit. How do online schools prepare students for college and careers? From career pathways, dual enrollment, and internships to honors and AP courses, game-based learning, and group projects, online students can experience a high-quality education that prepares them for the future. Online school has permanently expanded the education landscape. Because of these options, high-quality education, career preparation, and enrichment are more equitable and accessible than ever, giving families a real choice for their children—regardless of location or circumstance.
	From weather apps to radios: How to get severe weather warnings The KWQC First Alert Weather Team is covering ways you can receive warnings if severe weather threatens your area.
	Mississippi Bend AEA hosts annual teacher job fair The job fair connected aspiring educators with eight school districts on both sides of the Mississippi River.
	Galesburg officials propose new way to evaluate emergency demolitions The current ordinance only allows emergency demolition if a building sustains damage of at least 75% of its assessed value. That can cause delays in emergencies.
	Scott County Attorney's Office acknowledges delay in public records request, IPIB doc shows A Davenport resident filed a formal complaint with the Iowa Public Information Board, alleging the attorney's office did not provide records in a timely manner.
	IMEG, Rock Island, acquires Dallas-based firm IMEG has acquired KMCE, a Dallas-based firm specializing in subsurface utility engineering (SUE) and underground infrastructure services, according to a news release. The acquisition strengthens IMEG’s capabilities in utility locating, damage prevention, and risk mitigation, expanding service offerings for public- and private-sector clients, the release says. Founded in 2018, KMCE brings deep specialized expertise in [...]
	Iowa bill for drug-free homeless service centers advances An Iowa bill to establish what it calls drug-free homeless service centers passed the House last week. House File 2584 would create drug-free zones 300 feet around homeless service centers. The move would create tougher punishment against people convicted of selling controlled substances in those zones and establish penalties for employees of homeless shelters who [...]
	Iowa DNR to start annual spring burning The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will start prescribed burns on wildlife management areas this spring.
	In Vermont, small town meetings grapple with debate on big issues Typically concerned with local issues, residents at town meetings in Vermont and elsewhere increasingly use the forum to debate polarizing national and international events.
	Five occupants, dog, escape Davenport house fire No one was injured after a structure fire did significant damage to an attic in a house on the 2300 block of East Street in Davenport. Firefighters were called to the home about 8:15 p.m., when the fire apparently started on the back porch and spread to the attic. When crews arrived, the outer wall [...]
	Family displaced after Davenport house fire Crews with the Davenport Fire Department are battling a fire at a home.
	Moline First Ward Ald. Debbie Murphy resigns Ald. Debbie Murphy, 1st Ward, announced her resignation from the Moline City Council, effective immediately.
	Crews battle Davenport house fire Crews with the Davenport Fire Department are battling a fire at a home.
	Total lunar eclipse to turn moon blood red: When and how to see it With a little cooperation from the clouds, skygazers in the U.S. will get to watch as the moon turns blood red during Tuesday morning's total lunar eclipse.
	Jackson County businesses planning to rebuild following fire An early Sunday morning fire in La Motte destroyed a building housing Eastern Iowa LP and Midwest Legacy Beef.

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026

Monday, March 2nd, 2026