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

Wednesday, August 5th, 2026
	20th year of Trains, Planes & Automobiles coming to Geneseo The event is being held Sept. 10 through 12 throughout Geneseo.
	Davenport man charged after 2 officers were injured during arrest, police say Two Davenport police officers were injured while arresting a man Tuesday.
	WQPT PBS cancels Imagination Station for 2026, cites federal funding cuts WQPT said it has lost federal funding that accounted for 53% of the station's annual operating budget.
	Stove fire damages East Dubuque duplex, kills 3 animals An accidental stove fire caused an estimated $75,000 in damage to an East Dubuque duplex Tuesday morning. Three animals were found dead inside.
	Elementary students in Silvis celebrate first day of school George O. Barr Elementary School students celebrated the first day of school with some surprise guests.
	Learn about obesity at Dr. V.R. Alla Community Symposium Obesity affects millions of Americans and is recognized as a chronic disease that can contribute to serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and sleep issues. Trinity Health Foundation is hosting the 18th annual Dr. V.R. Alla Community Symposium on Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel, [...]
	Quad City Animal Welfare Center holding open house for 10th anniversary of clinic QCAWC Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Milan is inviting the community to an open house later this month to mark its 10th anniversary.
	Quad City Bank & Trust renews sponsorship of Riverfront Pops Quad City Bank & Trust (QCBT) announced its renewed sponsorship of the Quad City Bank & Trust Riverfront Pops Concert for five additional years at a press conference in LeClaire Park in Davenport. This year is the final year of the current sponsorship contract with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO). Representatives from QCBT and [...]
	How Midwest doldrums became a gift for Kevin Morby Morby's Little Wide Open is a love letter to a part of the country he finds endlessly inspiring.
	Peoria bomb squad called after explosive device found in Canton Authorities said Peoria’s bomb squad was called to Canton on Tuesday to defuse an explosive device in a vehicle, and search for bomb making material in a Farmington home.
	Davenport firefighters contain Harrison Street apartment fire Davenport firefighters quick response stopped a Harrison Street building fire Tuesday night, keeping all residents safe and uninjured.
	WQPT PBS’ annual Imagination Station outreach event canceled for 2026 due to federal cuts WQPT PBS will not host its annual Imagination Station outreach event this year due to the loss of over 50% of its annual operating budget in federal funding cuts.
	The most common jobs in Iowa and Illinois: Federal data State-by-state differences show how regional economies shape employment.
	Rock Island Arsenal honoring outgoing commander with cannon fire QC residents may hear cannon fire later this week as Rock Island Arsenal hosts two ceremonies for an outgoing commander. Cannon fire will be heard coming from Rock Island Arsenal on Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 7 for the First Army Relinquishment of Command ceremony honoring LTG Mark Landes and his retirement ceremony. The [...]
	Rock Island-Milan Schools superintendent outlines priorities ahead of first day Superintendent Sharon Williams shares details on academic goals, school safety upgrades, and attendance priorities as Rock Island-Milan students return.
	Rivermont Collegiate names new head of school for upcoming school year Richard Wiley will lead the private school for the next year, having decades of experience in education.
	Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know! Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: REGGION ANDERSON, 25, 5’9”, 120 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Wanted by Iowa Department of Corrections District 7 High Risk Unit on probation violations [...]
	Davenport police to host Cops and Cones Davenport police are hosting their annual Cops and Cones event Tuesday, offering free ice cream and a chance to connect with local officers.
	Enjoy free ice cream, meet officers at Cops and Cones, Davenport The Davenport Police Association invites residents to the annual Cops and Cones Ice Cream Social at Vander Veer Botanical Park, 215 W. Central Park Avenue, on Tuesday, August 11 from 6 – 8 p.m. The event is family-friendly and will be held near the playground, offering the public an opportunity to enjoy a free ice [...]
	Pakistan's ruling party leads in Kashmir vote despite boycott call by banned group Candidates backed by twice-elected former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N party have won 24 of the 34 seats decided in the first two phases of voting, the election commission, said Wednesday.
	Rivermont Collegiate names new interim Head of School Rivermont Collegiate has a new interim Head of School. Richard Wiley has been named the interim Head of School for the 2026-2027 academic year. The appointment comes after a selection process that included candidate videos and community input, as well as feedback from families, faculty, staff and stakeholders. "We are excited to welcome Richard Wiley [...]
	Under China's new 'unity' law, Tibetans fight to preserve language and culture A 73-year-old retired nurse's decision to learn to write Tibetan language offers a glimpse into how some embrace their language and cultural identity in Tibet.
	WQPT cancels Imagination Station due to federal budget cuts Federal funding cuts mean WQPT won’t be able to hold an annual family event. WQPT PBS announced that it will not hold its annual Imagination Station event in 2026 due to significant budget reductions from the loss of federal funding. Imagination Station has been a free educational experience for Quad Cities families for years, with [...]
	Iowa suspends license of prison medical worker accused of having sex with inmate patient Iowa regulators suspended the license of Kyle L. Parks, a physician associate accused of an improper sexual relationship with an inmate patient.
	Getting to know Riley Hemmer Get to know our newest morning anchor!
	Investing in outdoor living: 5 of the biggest backyard trends of 2026 Investing in outdoor living: 5 of the biggest backyard trends of 2026Homeowners are transforming their backyards into destinations for gathering, unwinding and enjoying the outdoors, with personal enjoyment taking priority over resale considerations for many renovation projects.According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study from Houzz, the AI-powered software platform for home construction and design, homeowners are increasingly transforming their outdoor spaces for everyday living rather than future resale value. The study surveyed nearly 1,200 U.S. homeowners on Houzz who recently completed, were undertaking or were planning an outdoor renovation. The share motivated by making their spaces more accommodating rose to 25% (up from 22% in the 2024 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study), while those renovating to improve resale value fell to 15% (down from 18% in 2024). The result is a new generation of backyards, patios and gardens that function as true extensions of the home.Below, Houzz shares five of the biggest outdoor design trends shaping homes in 2026. Design: A\ Typical Studio; Photo: Nick Neuberger 1. Outdoor Spaces Are Being Divided Into Purposeful ZonesToday's outdoor spaces are designed to support an array of activities, with distinct zones that turn backyards into multifunctional extensions of the home. According to Houzz's report, lounge or seating areas are the most common outdoor living space, included by more than four in five renovating homeowners (83%), followed by dining areas (55%), quiet retreats or reading areas (53%), gardening areas (49%) and outdoor cooking areas (48%). Together, these spaces create a backyard that can support everything from family dinners to gardening and quiet relaxation.2. Backyards Are Becoming Outdoor Living RoomsPerhaps the biggest story in outdoor design this year is the rise of fully realized outdoor living spaces. Rather than treating patios and decks as occasional-use spaces, homeowners are furnishing them much like indoor family rooms, with comfort and functionality top of mind.Of the more than two-thirds of homeowners who have outdoor lounge or seating areas, 71% feature sofas or lounge chairs, more than half (55%) include coffee or side tables and 48% include a fireplace or fire pit. Homeowners are also investing in features that extend the usability of these spaces beyond daylight hours. Two-thirds (66%) of lounge areas incorporate outdoor lighting, creating inviting environments for evening relaxation and entertaining.3. Low-Maintenance Landscaping Continues to Gain GroundWhile homeowners are spending more time outdoors, many are looking for ways to spend less time maintaining their landscapes.Houzz research points to a growing preference for lower-maintenance yards and more climate-conscious planting choices. The share of homeowners replacing their original lawn with natural grass has dropped to 63%, down 9 percentage points since 2024. Meanwhile, hardscape, mulch and synthetic turf are becoming increasingly popular alternatives.Plant selections are shifting as well. Nearly three-quarters of homeowners (73%) choose low-maintenance plants, while more than half opt for native (55%) and pollinator-friendly (56%) varieties. Drought-resistant plants are also on the rise, selected by nearly half of renovating homeowners (49%). HomeTech Construction & Design 4. Outdoor Kitchens Are Bigger, Better Equipped and Built to LastFor many homeowners, outdoor kitchens now serve as year-round hubs for cooking, dining and entertaining.According to Houzz's research, 1 in 6 of homeowners upgrading an outdoor structure added or renovated an outdoor kitchen (12%), while 8% added or upgraded a built-in bar. And these aren't simple refreshes: nearly all outdoor kitchen projects (95%) are built from scratch, up 7 percentage points from 2024.Outdoor kitchens are also becoming more elaborate. More than two-thirds of homeowners (68%) incorporate infrastructure improvements such as plumbing, electrical or heating systems. Storage has seen the biggest jump in popularity, with 37% of projects now including built-in cabinetry or other storage solutions, up 15 percentage points from 2024.Grills remain nearly universal (85%), while many homeowners also install beverage refrigerators (62%), sinks (59%) and cooktops (36%). Pizza ovens (29%) and televisions (38%) underscore how outdoor kitchens are evolving into gathering spaces as much as cooking spaces. David Morello Garden Enterprises, Inc. 5. Professional Help Is Reaching New HighsAs outdoor projects become more sophisticated, homeowners are increasingly turning to professionals for help.In fact, professional involvement in outdoor renovation projects reached a new high, with 71% of homeowners hiring at least one pro for their project. That's up from 65% in 2024 as outdoor spaces become more ambitious and multifunctional. Landscape contractors are the most commonly hired professionals (26%), up from 21% in 2024, followed by general contractors (17%) and landscape architects (15%). Stone, paver and concrete specialists (20%), masonry specialists (14%) and deck, patio or outdoor enclosure specialists (12%) are also in demand.The TakeawayThe findings suggest homeowners are investing in outdoor spaces with long-term lifestyle goals in mind. Whether creating a lounge area, outdoor kitchen or low-maintenance landscape, the focus in 2026 is making the outdoors feel like home.This story was produced by Houzz and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	International Clown Week: Meet clown Brian Weckerly August 1-7 is International Clown Week, and we're celebrating clowns and how they got into clowning. From hometown clowning to The Greatest Show on Earth and beyond, we spoke with Our Quad Cities News' Brian Weckerly about his career in clowning, how he got started and what keeps him clowning.
	Learn about areola restoration tattooing with Cancer Support Community Iowa & NW Illinois at Gilda's Club Cancer Support Community Iowa & NW Illinois at Gilda’s Club is hosting an informative workshop on 3D areola restoration tattooing on Wednesday, August 19 from 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Gilda’s Club Davenport, 1351 W. Central Park Avenue, Suite 200. Nikki Murray, owner and operator of Aligned Beauty and Wellness in Davenport, will lead [...]
	Why one of the most common sleep disorders often goes undiagnosed Why one of the most common sleep disorders often goes undiagnosed Sleep apnea awareness is growing today, but diagnosis rates continue to lag behind.A Common Condition Hiding in Plain SightSleep apnea is a chronic disorder that impacts millions of people globally: 83.7 million adults in the U.S. are estimated to have sleep apnea, according to a 2025 study published in the journal Respiratory Medicine. Sleep apnea is slightly more common in men, with 59% of cases occurring in men and 41% in women. While the estimated rate continues to increase, sleep apnea diagnosis rates aren’t catching up.Undiagnosed sleep apnea greatly affects quality of life over time. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to numerous health conditions and even affect lifespan, as Sleeping.com examines here. Greater public education on sleep apnea helps people recognize sleep apnea symptoms earlier and receive preventative care.What Is Sleep Apnea and Why Is It Often Undetected?Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea, and mixed. Most people have OSA, where their upper airway becomes obstructed while they sleep. This makes it difficult to breathe, and people may repeatedly stop breathing throughout the night. Central sleep apnea happens when the brain stops sending signals to breathe, while mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both central and obstructive.Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. Almost 1 billion people globally suffer from sleep apnea. Yet many people who suffer from sleep apnea don’t realize they have it and remain undiagnosed.Sleep apnea symptoms are easy to miss and range in severity. Since the primary signs of sleep apnea happen while asleep, people often don’t realize they are struggling. They often only seek diagnosis after a partner notices their symptoms.Commonly Overlooked Sleep Apnea SymptomsSleep apnea symptoms aren’t always obvious. Many symptoms seem benign or overlap with other health conditions.The following can all be symptoms of sleep apnea:SnoringFeeling exhausted despite getting enough sleepLow libidoWaking up with a headache, dry throat, or feeling confusedCognitive issues like trouble concentrating or impaired memorySleep disturbances such as frequently waking up, tossing and turning, gasping, or chokingChanges in mood or personalityThe Consequences of Sleep ApneaUndiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health conditions. Sleep apnea can cause cardiovascular disease, cognitive issues, metabolic disorders, and even early mortality.Sleep apnea leads to chronic sleep deprivation, resulting in more problems over time. If left untreated, sleep apnea is linked to increased risk of dementia, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, and stroke.Sleep apnea will also increasingly impact general mental and physical wellness. It may cause chronic fatigue, impaired concentration, mood and personality changes, memory issues, depression, anxiety, and low sex drive. Any of these changes or conditions creates an unnecessarily lower quality of life and could be resolved by treating sleep apnea.Why Diagnosis Rates Remain LowSleep apnea diagnosis rates are considered low today and do not capture the prevalence of this disorder. An estimated 80% of Americans with sleep apnea aren’t diagnosed. People who have mild and moderate sleep apnea, or who are not obese, are the least likely to be diagnosed. People often don’t know that they are experiencing symptoms, and their provider may not recognize them.Widespread misconceptions about who is most at risk for sleep apnea can hinder detection and diagnosis. The prevalence of sleep apnea greatly increases with age and obesity. Yet common sleep apnea symptoms, like fatigue and cardiovascular disease, are less likely to be investigated in individuals within these groups, further hindering diagnosis.Even if someone suspects they have sleep apnea, they may encounter several barriers that make it difficult to obtain a diagnosis. Not everyone has access to qualified providers or insurance. Screening may not be covered by insurance or included in routine health check-ups. People might feel hesitant or anxious about getting tested and find the process overwhelming. These factors can all impact diagnosis rates.How Screening and Testing Have Become More AccessiblePeople can now easily obtain information on sleep apnea, thanks to the internet and social media. There’s readily available, free education on the risk factors, tell-tale signs, and long-term impact of sleep apnea. Increased awareness has helped people seek preventative care, instead of only receiving a diagnosis after years of declining health. People today may feel more prepared to speak to a doctor and advocate for themselves.While sleep apnea education is growing, it still remains underdiagnosed. Testing for sleep apnea previously required an overnight stay at a facility, which can feel overwhelming for many. Depending on a person’s work schedule, lifestyle, and location, getting a sleep test might not be possible.At-home sleep testing is now available, so getting diagnosed no longer requires an office visit or sleepover. People can now get a diagnosis, referral, and treatment plan from home. Some at-home sleep apnea tests are even eligible for insurance reimbursement.This story was produced by Sleeping.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Human remains found in Coralville identified as man missing since 2023 Human remains found in Coralville have been identified as a man reported missing in 2023. The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
	Man pleads guilty to crash that killed girl more than a decade later A Marion man will soon be sentenced a second time in connection to a fatal crash that happened 13 years ago.
	I-74/John Deere Road cloverleaf interchange to be replaced with diverging diamond The city of Moline is redesigning the I-74 and John Deere Road interchange. IDOT says the new diverging diamond design will reduce crashes and improve traffic flow.
	Davenport man charged after robbery at Hilltop Grocery, police say A Davenport man is facing felony charges after robbing the Hilltop Grocery with a gun, police say.
	University of Iowa publishes data center decision framework The tool is meant to be used by city and county leaders to help them decide what’s best for residents and businesses in their community.
	Iowa corn growers hope for boost from year-round E15 sales in new proposed Farm Bill After the language passed the House on its own in the spring, farmers are hoping adding it to the omnibus bill will give it a boost.
	Avoid the mistake of using retirement savings to pay for your kid's college Avoid the mistake of using retirement savings to pay for your kid’s collegeHelp paying for college is a wonderful gift to help your child get launched in life. Even while you give your child the best chance of an affordable education and a successful start to their future career, you can stay the course toward your own financial goals. With careful planning, you can navigate the journey of helping your kid pay for college while also saving for your own retirement and paying off debt.Freedom Debt Relief took a look at the big picture of what helping your kid pay for college might mean for your money—and how you can help your whole family have a brighter financial future.Key Takeaways:According to Sallie Mae, parents pay an average of 49% of their kids’ college costs.Helping your child pay for college doesn’t have to hurt your retirement savings or credit score—or force you to take on credit card debt.It’s possible to help your kid pay for college while keeping up with your other financial goals.Parents Pay 49% of College Costs—Is That Too Much?You don’t have to cover 100% of your child’s college costs by yourself. According to the 2025 How America Pays for College survey from Sallie Mae, parents paid 49% of the average student’s college costs. That includes money paid out of parents’ income, savings, or parent loans. Grants and scholarships covered about 27% of college costs, and most of the remaining portion was paid for by the students themselves—with income or student loans.If you can afford it, helping your child pay for college is great. But paying for college shouldn’t damage your financial stability. Some parents have to stretch a little too far to pay for their kids’ college costs and end up making big sacrifices in other areas. About 17% of Sallie Mae survey respondents said they took money out of their own retirement accounts to help pay their children's college expenses.It’s okay if you can’t afford to pay for all of your child’s college costs—many families can’t. Take the pressure off yourself and don’t overspend or overborrow to help your kid pay for college.Your child doesn’t want you to get financially overstretched for their sake. You shouldn’t have to take on credit card debt or fall behind on other bills to help pay for your kid’s college education. It won’t help your children or you in the long run.How to Reduce College CostsInstead of overborrowing and getting financially stressed by college costs, parents do better by planning ahead and having some honest, open conversations with their child about paying for college.Here are a few ideas for how to make college more affordable for you and your child.Go public instead of privateYou might save significant money with in-state tuition at a public university. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of attendance (including tuition, room and board) for in-state tuition at a four-year public university is about $27,146 per year. That’s less than half the price of attending a four-year private (nonprofit) university: $58,628 per year.Shave off some college time with free summer classesNot everyone knows this, but it’s sometimes possible to take summer classes for free if you're an undergraduate student and meet certain eligibility requirements, particularly regarding financial aid. The most common way is through the Year-Round Pell Grant (or similar state programs), which can provide additional funds for summer enrollment.Summer classes could shorten the time your child spends attending college. Additionally, earning extra credits during the summer could free up some time during the academic year for a part-time job.Look beyond private tuition sticker priceIf your child has their heart set on a private school, that can be a fine choice. Be sure to apply for lots of financial aid and try to negotiate a discount based on your family’s financial need. Some private colleges offer generous financial aid packages in the form of grants and scholarships that make their actual costs closer to what you’d get at a public university. You may have better results with scholarships and merit aid if your child’s high school grades are high. Start the conversation early about how your child can do their part to bring costs down.Search for grants and scholarshipsDon’t assume that college scholarships are only for top students or star athletes. The survey How America Pays for College found that 34% of families who didn’t apply for scholarships simply didn’t know about them. And more than one-fourth didn't apply because they didn't think they'd win. One place to start is your child's high school guidance counselor. They should be able to point you to local scholarship opportunities or help you identify websites where you can search.Have your child earn college credits while still in high schoolIf your child is just getting started in high school, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about college. Have your child plan ahead to earn college credit by taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes and the College Board CLEP exams. Your child should take advantage of any options in your school district to earn college credit while still in high school. Every requirement your child satisfies during high school is a class you won’t have to pay for.Start with community collegeIf your child is not 100% sure where they want to go to school or what major they’re interested in, they could start at a two-year community college. This is a great way to earn college credits at a lower cost. Another bonus: If the school is near your home, you can save on room and board costs by having your child live at home.Think strategically about your child’s career pathThis might be the most important part of helping your kid pay for college: Understand how college will connect your child to their future career. Does your child know what they want to be? Not every kid does, and that’s fine. And people’s plans and career paths can change over time. Ideally, before you borrow money or ask how to pay for college, you and your child need to have conversations about the larger plan for why they want to go to college.Ask your child:Are you responsible enough to take on a college-level academic workload?Can you get work experience in your chosen career field while taking classes?Are you highly motivated to earn a college degree and get launched in a specific career?How much money can you realistically expect to earn after college? Use the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard to look up and compare different colleges, as well as the typical income of students at each college within 10 years of starting classes there. If your child isn’t ready for college, they might wait to enroll. There’s nothing wrong with taking a gap year to work, save money, travel, and experience life before starting a college degree. All these ideas can help your child minimize student loans, boost their chances of college success, and make sure that your investment in a college education is money well spent.Helping Your Kid Pay for College Doesn’t Have to Hurt Your FinancesThe bottom line for parents in today’s high-cost world of college tuition is simple: Yes, it’s great to help pay for college. If you can afford to save for college in advance, consider using a 529 plan to invest your college savings—you might even get a state income tax break. (Before you choose a 529, learn about the restrictions. You’ll lose the tax advantages if you use the money for something other than qualified education expenses.)Don’t get overextended. If your kid’s college costs are driving you into credit card debt, reevaluate how much you’re paying.Learning how to let go of some of the things we want in life, like a more prestigious school, is part of growing up. A great time to practice this kind of moderation is while your child still lives with you. Then when they’re grown and gone, they might be better equipped to make hard choices that help them avoid debt as independent adults.Choose the right college for your family. Get savvy about comparing private college costs versus in-state public university costs. Apply for scholarships, even if you think your kid won’t qualify. You won’t know until you try.And if your family is struggling with high balances on private student loans and other unpaid debts, you might want to consider seeking debt relief. Some private student loans can be negotiated down with debt settlement programs.This story was produced by Freedom Debt Relief and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Progressive Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan's Democratic primary for Senate El-Sayed, an epidemiologist, backs Medicare for all and decries corporate money in politics. He beat Rep. Haley Stevens, whose supporters said she would have had a better chance in the fall.
	Louisa County bar fight ends in tasing, assault on officer charge Eric Brewer of Wapello faces a felony assault charge after allegedly fighting a deputy and being tased by authorities during a bar fight.
	Rental property cash flow checklist: 15 ways to increase profit Rental property cash flow checklist: 15 ways to increase profitIf your rental property is generating income but still feels like it’s costing more than it should, you’re not alone. Many landlords focus on collecting rent without regularly reviewing the dozens of smaller decisions that affect long-term profitability.The good news? Improving rental property cash flow usually isn’t about making one dramatic change. It’s about consistently optimizing rent, reducing unnecessary expenses, planning for major repairs, and running your rentals with clear financial visibility.Whether you own one rental or an expanding portfolio, this checklist from RentRedi will help you identify practical ways to strengthen monthly cash flow while protecting your investment for years to come.Quick Answer: How can landlords improve rental property cash flow?The fastest way to improve rental property cash flow is to regularly review rental income, reduce recurring expenses, prevent costly vacancies, carefully screen tenants, and track financial performance monthly. Small improvements across multiple areas often yield larger long-term gains than relying solely on rent increases.Who This Checklist Is For?This guide is designed for:Independent landlordsRental property investorsOwners with one to 20 rental unitsNew landlords looking to improve profitabilityExperienced investors reviewing portfolio performanceWhy Rental Property Cash Flow MattersCash flow is the money left over after collecting rent and paying all operating expenses, debt payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other property costs. Positive cash flow helps landlords:Handle unexpected repairsReinvest in their propertiesGrow their portfolioReduce financial stressBuild long-term wealthEven properties with strong appreciation can become financial burdens if monthly cash flow consistently falls short.Rental Property Cash Flow Checklist1. Review Your Rent Every Six to 12 MonthsCompare your rent against similar local properties using Zillow, Rentometer, or local listings. Even a modest $50–$100 monthly increase can generate hundreds or thousands of dollars in additional annual income while keeping your property competitively priced.Takeaway: Small annual rent adjustments often outperform large, infrequent increases.2. Create Additional Income StreamsRent isn’t always your only revenue source. Consider charging separately for:ParkingStorage unitsPet rent or pet feesWasher and dryer rentalsFurnished unitsPremium internet packages (where applicable)These optional amenities can improve monthly cash flow without significantly increasing operating costs.3. Pass Utilities to Tenants When PossibleIf local laws and property setup allow, shifting utilities to tenants reduces one of the most unpredictable operating expenses.Examples include:ElectricGasWater (with submetering)InternetPredictable expenses make budgeting far more accurate.4. Reduce Vacancy Before It StartsEvery vacant month is difficult to recover. Start renewal conversations 60–90 days before lease expiration, market vacancies early, and reward reliable tenants with reasonable renewal incentives. Keeping a great tenant is usually less expensive than replacing one.Reduce Expenses Without Cutting Corners5. Review Your Mortgage RateInterest rates change. If you’ve owned your property for several years, refinancing—or shopping lenders when buying your next investment—could improve monthly cash flow. Even small interest rate reductions may save hundreds each month.6. Compare Insurance Every RenewalInsurance markets change constantly. Request multiple quotes every renewal period and ask about:Multiproperty discountsBundle pricingHigher deductibles (if appropriate)Many landlords overpay simply because they never compare options.7. Challenge Your Property Tax AssessmentProperty taxes are often one of the largest operating expenses. If your property’s assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales, consider filing an appeal during your county’s assessment window. According to research from the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, approximately 40% to 60% of property tax appeals result in a reduced assessment.8. Stay Ahead of MaintenancePreventive maintenance almost always costs less than emergency repairs. Create recurring schedules for:HVAC servicingGutter cleaningRoof inspectionsCaulkingPlumbing inspectionsRoutine maintenance extends equipment life and reduces surprise expenses.9. Build a Dedicated Reserve FundUnexpected repairs aren’t optional. Many investors recommend saving 5%-10% of monthly rental income in a dedicated reserve account for future capital expenses, such as:Roof replacementHVAC systemsAppliancesFlooringWater heatersCash reserves prevent repairs from disrupting positive cash flow.10. Negotiate Vendor ContractsLandscapers, cleaners, pest control companies, and snow removal services often offer flexible pricing. Ask about:Annual agreementsMultiproperty discountsEarly payment discountsSmall savings across several vendors add up quickly.Optimize Taxes and Financing11. Track Every Deductible ExpenseMany landlords miss legitimate deductions.Examples include:Mortgage interestRepairsProperty management softwareMileageProfessional servicesOffice suppliesMaintaining organized records throughout the year simplifies tax season and may reduce taxable income.12. Ask Your CPA About Cost SegregationCost segregation allows certain property components to depreciate faster than the building itself. For qualifying investors, this strategy can significantly increase near-term tax deductions. Because every situation differs, consult a qualified CPA before making tax decisions.13. Review Your Entity StructureAs your portfolio grows, your legal and tax structure should evolve too. Depending on your circumstances, an LLC or another entity may improve:Liability protectionTax flexibilityPortfolio managementWork with a real estate attorney or tax professional to determine the best approach.Strengthen Your Operations14. Screen Tenants CarefullyOne bad tenant can erase months of positive cash flow. A comprehensive screening process should verify:Credit historyIncomeEmploymentRental historyEviction recordsReferencesStrong tenant selection often reduces late payments, vacancies, and property damage.15. Know Your Numbers Every MonthMany landlords only review finances during tax season. Instead, maintain a monthly profit and loss statement that tracks:IncomeOperating expensesRepairsVacancyNet cash flowConsistent reporting helps identify trends before they become expensive problems.Example: Small Improvements Add UpImagine a landlord with a single rental property generating $2,000 per month. By making a few strategic changes, they could improve annual cash flow without purchasing another property: RentRedi None of these changes is dramatic individually. Together, they meaningfully strengthen long-term profitability. Common Cash Flow Mistakes Landlords MakeAvoid these common pitfalls:Waiting years to review rentIgnoring recurring monthly expensesUnderfunding maintenance reservesChoosing tenants too quicklyWaiting until tax season to organize financesManaging everything manually with disconnected spreadsheetsThe most successful landlords review cash flow consistently—not just when something goes wrong.Why This Matters Right NowOperating costs continue to fluctuate due to inflation, insurance premiums, property taxes, labor costs, and financing expenses.That makes proactive cash flow management more important than ever. Landlords who regularly review income, expenses, and operations are better positioned to maintain profitability regardless of changing market conditions.Improving rental property cash flow isn’t about finding one magic solution. It’s about making consistent, informed decisions across your income, expenses, taxes, financing, and day-to-day operations.Working through this checklist once a year—and reviewing your financial performance every month—can help you reduce unnecessary costs, increase profitability, and build a more resilient rental business over time.If you’re managing your rentals manually, using property management software that tracks income, expenses, maintenance, rent collection, and reporting in one place can make it much easier to monitor cash flow and identify opportunities for improvement.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is good rental property cash flow?Positive rental property cash flow means your rental income exceeds all expenses, including mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and vacancies. Many investors also aim to maintain a reserve fund for future capital expenses.How often should landlords review rental rates?Review comparable rental listings every six to 12 months and adjust pricing when market conditions and local regulations allow.What expenses have the biggest impact on rental cash flow?Mortgage payments, vacancies, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and unexpected repairs are typically the largest expenses affecting cash flow.How much should landlords save for repairs?A common guideline is to reserve 5%-10% of monthly rental income for future maintenance and capital expenditures, though the ideal amount depends on the property’s age and condition.What’s the fastest way to improve rental property cash flow?For many landlords, the quickest wins come from reducing vacancies, reviewing rent against market rates, minimizing recurring expenses, and screening tenants carefully to reduce costly turnover and unpaid rent.This story was produced by RentRedi and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Bettendorf plans Learning Campus Discovery Fair The Bettendorf Learning Campus Discovery Fair will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Betendorf Public Library, Family Museum, and Faye’s Field, a news release says. Bettendorf Public Library Family Museum Faye’s Field Registration is not required. For more details, visit here. The Learning Campus Discovery Fair is sponsored by the Bettendorf Public [...]
	The rise of ‘sleepmaxxing’: Why people are obsessed with better sleep The rise of ‘sleepmaxxing’: Why people are obsessed with better sleep Sleep spent years sitting behind diet and exercise in conversations about better health. But over the past few years, that balance has started to look different as bedtime routines and better rest have become regular topics across wellness culture.Much of that attention now falls under the label "sleepmaxxing," which describes the growing effort to sleep better through everyday habits. And along the way, sleep has become closely associated with health and performance, while longevity and self-care have brought even more attention to the hours people spend in bed.Here, CPAP examines how that same demand for honest answers has grown past sleep problems and into everyday questions about health, placing sleep among the wellness topics people care about most right now.From Hustle Culture to Recovery Culture“Rise and grind” once summed up a work culture that treated exhaustion as proof of ambition. Years of longer hours and shorter nights made the cost harder to ignore, especially as burnout became a recognized workplace problem rather than a private failure.The World Health Organization now defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon tied to chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Neurologist Aatif Husain told HealthCentral that many Americans still treat sleep loss as a badge of honor rather than a health risk.His warning aligns with recovery taking a larger place in everyday health decisions. Sleep offers the most immediate place to begin, giving the body regular time to restore energy and helping people stop treating rest as something earned only after every task is finished.The Technology Fueling the Sleep MovementSleep had always been part of daily life, yet most people had little more than a rough guess about how well they actually rested. But wearable devices have changed that experience by tracking movement and heart rate while a person sleeps, then showing the findings on a phone or watch after waking.The screen first shows how long a person slept, then estimates how much time was spent across different sleep stages. Many devices also combine those measurements into a daily recovery score, giving people an easy way to compare one night's sleep with another over time.The American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that 48% of U.S. adults have used a sleep tracker, and 55% of users changed their habits after reviewing the data. Sleep scientist Carleara Weiss told Healthline that most commercial trackers cannot diagnose sleep disorders, yet their numbers let people follow patterns that once went unnoticed.Social Media Turned Sleep Into a Lifestyle TrendThe American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that 56% of U.S. adults had tried a viral sleep trend, giving researchers a clear view of how online advice is changing bedtime habits. Much of that influence comes from TikTok and Instagram, where creators film evening routines and show viewers how they prepare their bedrooms for sleep.YouTube carries the same format into longer videos, giving viewers more time to follow each part of the routine from start to finish. With more people watching and copying those habits, sleep physician and AASM spokesperson John Saito said social media can expand health knowledge, though he warned that viral trends may distract people from advice supported by research.His caution reflects how easily sleep content moves from a screen into daily life. As those routines become part of everyday behavior, better sleep also becomes part of the wellness image many users present online.Why High Performers are Paying AttentionProfessional teams now plan bedtimes and travel schedules around the sleep athletes need before competition. And much of that planning reflects research from sleep specialist Cheri Mah, whose Stanford study linked additional sleep among basketball players with faster sprints and better shooting accuracy.Her findings later became practical guidance for NBA champion Andre Iguodala, who worked with Mah on his sleep timing and evening routine after years of poor rest. The same concern with mental performance has also reached business executives whose decisions affect employees and customers throughout the day.United Airlines chief Scott Kirby has described closing his office door for a 20-minute nap, telling McKinsey that a tired brain operates below full capacity and should not be making important decisions. His routine follows the same reasoning Mah brought to professional sports, since fatigue slows reaction time and makes careful judgment more difficult.The Business of Better SleepCompanies follow where people are spending, and growing interest in better sleep has opened a new line of business across the wellness industry.The Global Wellness Institute estimated that people spent $73 billion on sleep products and services during 2024, following average annual growth of 12.6% since 2019. Its research covers home-based products and sleep apps, along with travel services built around better rest.Sleep also forms part of the wider mental wellness market, which reached $268.3 billion during 2024 and is projected to grow to $434.6 billion by 2029. Its place inside such a large market has encouraged established companies and newer businesses to keep expanding what they offer.And those businesses are now moving beyond traditional sleep products by adding digital services and travel experiences designed around better rest.When Optimization Meets RealityOne issue with sleepmaxxing is that it often focuses on perfect routines and better scores, yet sleep specialists warn that trying to control every night can create more anxiety than rest. Researchers use the term orthosomnia for an excessive pursuit of ideal sleep, often driven by numbers that leave people worried before the next bedtime.Sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins told ABC News that this stress can make people struggle again the following night. And when so much attention goes toward refining a routine, symptoms of an actual sleep disorder may be mistaken for a problem that another habit can fix.Better sleep depends on consistent habits, but diagnosed sleep disorders also require the treatment recommended by a healthcare provider.What the Sleepmaxxing Trend Says About Modern HealthSleepmaxxing may have given better rest a new name, but experts expect the attention surrounding sleep to last far beyond the trend itself.Research connecting healthy sleep with heart health and long-term brain function gives people a stronger reason to take nightly problems seriously. Greater attention to those problems should also help people recognize when poor sleep has moved beyond an occasional difficult night.Symptoms such as persistent exhaustion, loud snoring, or waking up gasping deserve medical evaluation from a qualified healthcare provider. An evaluation can identify conditions such as sleep apnea and lead to the proper treatment.With clearer guidance and consistent care, sleep is likely to join diet and exercise as a regular part of preventive health. Better rest, then, becomes easier to recognize in daily life through stronger focus and more energy after waking.This story was produced by CPAP and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Governor candidate Francesca Hong bets Wisconsin will embrace Democratic Socialism Governor candidate Francesca Hong bets Wisconsin will embrace Democratic SocialismEarly on a Friday morning in June at the 76th annual Musky Fest in Hayward, Wisconsin, a sprawling conversation between state Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison), who is running for governor, and dried gourd vendor Pam Boesch ended with an exchange of pregnancy stories.“I worked in the kitchen at the restaurant until about five hours before my water broke,” said Hong, who has worked as a dishwasher, executive chef and bartender.Boesch laughed.“I was bowling in a tournament right up till two days before I had the baby,” she said in response. “I bowled so good. I couldn’t cross that arm over for nothing,” she added, making a swinging motion with her arm. “That baby was keeping me straight.”The exchange lasted a few moments before the two parted ways. Boesch, a retiree who makes and sells decorative gourds with her husband in northern Wisconsin, told the Wisconsin Examiner that she is not likely to vote for Hong, but the moment represents part of how Hong, a two-term state lawmaker from one of the bluest cities in Wisconsin, is working to break out in a crowded Democratic primary.Hong is betting that her working-class background and her pledge to build a government that works for people will connect with a broad swath of Wisconsinites and fuel a movement that crosses partisan lines in a closely divided battleground state.Building on a national political movementHong, a single mom and self-proclaimed “outsider” known for her prodigious cussing and for her Democratic Socialist politics, is running in a six-way primary for a spot on the November ticket in the race to succeed Gov. Tony Evers. The other candidates in the race are Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison), Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and former head of Gov. Tony Evers’ Department of Administration Joel Brennan.Hong, the first Asian American to be elected to the state Legislature, has represented a big section of deep blue Madison since 2020. She ran for office motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent need for more relief for working Wisconsinites. At the time, Hong owned and operated the restaurant Morris Ramen in downtown Madison, which was closed in 2024 due to financial difficulties.Her candidacy for the state’s top executive office comes at a moment when Democratic Socialist and progressive candidates are winning races around the country, challenging establishment Democrats. Socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won last year and, in June, three of his endorsed congressional candidates in New York won their primary races, two of them by defeating longtime incumbents. More recently, Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old Democratic Socialist, defeated a 15-term Democratic incumbent congresswoman in Colorado.Hong’s run for statewide office in a state that President Donald Trump won twice, in 2016 and 2024, is a new test for the movement.Hong has sought to connect with voters on the ground, while also tapping into a growing national progressive movement to bolster her campaign. Ever since she launched her longshot campaign for governor, momentum has been steadily growing behind her campaign.In Marquette Law School polls, Hong has repeatedly polled at the top of the Democratic field, although more than 60% of voters said they were still undecided. She came in second behind Lt. Gov. Rodriguez in a straw poll conducted by WisPolitics at the state Democratic Party convention, winning 138 votes, or 23.1%.At a rally at Atwood Music Hall in Madison on the same weekend as the convention, Hong filled the room with excited supporters. Ro Khanna, the progressive Democratic congressman from California and Kat Abughazaleh, the former congressional candidate who made waves by running an upstart campaign as a young progressive in Chicago, both campaigned for her. Along with Khanna, Hong has the endorsement of progressive Minnesota U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar.At the Atwood Music Hall rally, Hong pitched herself there as following in the footsteps of Wisconsin’s progressive trailblazers former Gov. Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day and the “father of environmentalism,” former Secretary of State Vel Phillips, the first Black statewide officeholder in Wisconsin who spent much of her career combating racial discrimination in housing and former governor and Sen. Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette, leader of the progressive movement who helped pioneer progressive taxation and workers’ compensation.Hong said all of these Wisconsin leaders were called “unreasonable” in their time, but today they are “thought of as visionaries.”“Did you know that it is our state where environmentalism was born? It was our state where sewer socialism was born. It was our state where Social Security was born,” Hong said to the crowd. “Our progressive roots run deep. F*** Robin Vos and the Republicans, who’ve been trying to uproot our history,” she added, referring to the longtime Republican Assembly speaker who is retiring this year. “That time is over.”Hong also noted at the rally, which was held immediately after the close of the Democratic state convention in Madison, that she has been repeatedly fielding a lot of the same questions.“I got asked over and over again about, ‘We love your campaign. We love what you stand for. Your policies are amazing. It’s so thorough, but can you win?’” Hong said to shouts of “Yes!” from the crowd, “I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think we could win.”While she has growing support, Hong has had to navigate a number of controversies in recent months. She was sued for a $30,000 credit card debt, accumulated by her now-closed restaurant, although she said it was paid off by her parents shortly after Capital One Bank filed the lawsuit, according to the Capital Times. She has also taken to social media to answer criticism of her past statements that she supports policies to “defund the police.”Another controversy popped up this week during livestreams Hong appeared on to raise money and bolster her candidacy nationally. Just ahead of a key fundraising deadline, Hong flew to California to speak with Hasan Piker, the left-wing Twitch streamer who has made controversial comments including saying that the U.S. “deserved 9/11,” which he later said was “inappropriate.” During the same week, she appeared on a show with streamer Michael Beyer, also known as Mike from PA, who has been criticized for saying that Jews are “demonic.”Hong raised over $92,000 for her campaign during the appearances on Beyer and Piker’s streams. Piker also said during the stream that he would come to Wisconsin to campaign for Hong.Hong’s campaign responded to the criticism in a lengthy statement, saying “antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, transphobia, and all forms of dehumanization have no place in Wisconsin politics or in the movement we are building,” condemning all violence including the Hamas attack on Israelis on Oct. 7, and that she was unaware of the comments made by Beyer before going on.However, the campaign also said the discussion was a distraction from the substance of the conversation on the live streams where she said she was trying to reach voters who have typically ignored and disengaged from politics.“Appearing on a podcast or livestream is not an endorsement of every statement a host has ever made,” the campaign said. “Fran is willing to go anywhere and talk to anyone about her vision for a better, more compassionate world… If we refuse to show up, those voters will hear only from the right, from the conspiracy theorists, or from people who do not share our values.”Hong’s Democratic primary opponent David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, said on X that he would not go on Piker’s broadcast if invited, as his statements are “beyond the pale.” Another opponent, Kelda Roys, also criticized the appearance, saying it “wasn’t about trying to persuade voters who disagree with you and having an honest conversation across differences; it was about raising money” and that it was “a deliberate choice about what you’re willing to tolerate when you’re seeking campaign cash.”The livestreams did not include discussion of the controversial comments, but focused on Hong’s campaign, including her proposals for taxing the rich, funding public schools, implementing universal child care, paid family and medical leave and putting a moratorium on data center development.Hong also promoted establishing a public grocery store, noting wryly that a similar policy is being implemented in “communist” Indiana. She proposed a public bank, which would be modeled after the country’s only such bank in North Dakota (“famously a communist state,” she joked), that would be used to give small businesses subsidized loans.“If it is radical to have free child care and public grocery stores, I would say, let’s be radical, let’s embrace that,” Hong said on Piker’s stream. “That hasn’t been what we’ve done in the past, and look at where we are now using the same playbook and strategy. We’ve been incremental in the past, and it’s led to complacency.”Reaching voters in Tom Tiffany’s districtBeyond Madison and national livestreams, Hong is taking her message to voters across the state.During her day visiting a handful of towns north of Highway 29, in the heart of the 7th Congressional District currently represented by Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, Hong spent the majority of the day meeting with Democrats and progressives. But she started the day at the 76th Musky Fest in Hayward, an annual celebration of the area’s deep fishing culture, where she spoke with Republicans and politically unaffiliated Wisconsinites.Boesch, the retiree, who makes “thunder gourds” — percussive instruments made from dried gourds that make a sound like thunder when shaken — that she sells with her husband mostly at farmers’ markets. It’s a side gig for the couple who are on a fixed income and expressed concerns about rising property taxes. Boesch said she plans to vote for Tiffany, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor, and said he had “blessed” her and her husband.During the conversation, Hong learned that the retirees were friends with Rep. Chanz Green (R-Mason), her colleague in the Assembly, and Green had once referred them to Tiffany’s office when they weren’t able to cash a check from Veterans Affairs. Tiffany helped them recover the money.“[Tiffany] does care about people, and he’s very down to earth and very personable, too, and he makes a presence in this north country. That is important, just like she is,” Boesch said, referring to Hong.While she appreciated the conversation and Hong’s visit to the Northwoods, Boesch questioned some of the ideas that Hong articulated, including taxing billionaires to pay for bolstered government services. Baylor Spears // Wisconsin Examiner Hong has said that she wants to take the burden of school funding off property taxpayers by increasing state funding to two-thirds of the cost of public schools, but that it will be necessary to bring more revenue into the state by taxing rich individuals and megacorporations. She has said that she would also want to legalize and tax cannabis to help pay for her policy priorities, as well as explore putting in place a small payroll tax and eliminating tax exemptions for data centers.Boesch asked how many billionaires there are in Wisconsin to tax. According to In Business Madison, there are seven.“Is that the answer? Taxing the millionaires and billionaires? Is that the whole answer to it? I don’t know,” Boesch said. “I think cutting spending is a good answer… We have to learn how to live within a budget. We shouldn’t have to look for another way to find more money so you can spend more money.”Boesch added that she and her husband are low-income, but never borrow money. “I mean, living in a budget is something everyone has to do,” she said.Hong then spotted Robert Olson, who was wearing a “Trump 2028” hat. He told the Examiner he only wore the hat “to get the flakes going.”The two spoke about patriotism and public schools. Olson said he was worried about the lack of training in the trades, including shop classes in the schools, while Hong said the state could get rid of Act 10, the Walker-era law that stripped collective bargaining rights from public employees including teachers, so they could get paid more. When his wife, Lolita, who is a town clerk and on the county Board of Supervisors, walked up, the conversation turned to shared revenue, the state’s system for funding local governments.Olson said after that, it’s not a “shoo-in” that he’ll vote for Tiffany. He described him as “OK” and not “breaking any records.” He said if there is a Democrat with better ideas, he’d be open to voting for them.“She pays attention very close, and she’s got her mind on the issues,” Olson said of Hong. “And she never said what party she’s with, which to me is very important.”Progressives and Democrats in the NorthwoodsAfter spending the morning talking with skeptical Republicans and independents at Musky Fest, Hong faced a different audience: Democrats and progressives. In that safer forum, she addressed, in her words, the “big scary S word.”In Luck, Wisconsin, about an hour and a half south of Hayward, Hong told a small group of progressives and Democrats that she had “some really good conversations” with voters who wanted to talk about issues like public schools and property taxes.“It turns out folks are pretty excited about taxing the rich, too,” Hong said. “Wisconsin voters care more about solutions than labels.”University of Wisconsin-Superior political scientist Alisa Von Hagel told the Examiner in a phone interview that while the Northwoods has trended more Republican over the past decade, the region also has deep roots in labor unions and progressive politics.“It isn’t the progressive liberalism you would see in San Francisco… but a progressivism that has roots here in the northern Midwest,” Von Hagel said.Von Hagel said there continues to be a strong Democratic base in the area, and it’s important for candidates looking to make inroads in the area to show up.“Thinking about campaign visits as purely reciprocal… getting as many votes as possible, [a visit] doesn’t have that transactional outcome, perhaps, for visitors coming to the area. However, it’s still symbolically important,” Von Hagel said. Baylor Spears // Wisconsin Examiner Even so, Von Hagel said Hong’s biggest challenge may not be convincing voters about Democratic Socialism but simply introducing herself to them.“Especially in a primary election, name recognition is the primary concern that most candidates who aren’t already an incumbent struggle with,” she said.William Johnson, a former member of the Polk County Board of Supervisors and Frederic resident, told the Examiner that he supports Hong because she is more progressive than other Democratic candidates.During the meeting at a coffee shop in Luck, Johnson asked Hong about how she plans to overcome name identification challenges across the state. He said some residents in their part of the state know more about Minnesota politics than Wisconsin and some have even claimed that former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura was their governor.Hong said that’s why she launched an aggressive social media campaign early. On social media Hong has sought to reach voters with frequent video posts and has addressed controversies including her credit card debt. Her campaign has also hosted and attended over 300 in-person events since it launched in September.During a Polk County Democratic Party meeting, Hong started by talking about public schools and wanting to end the state’s school voucher system, implementing a public option for healthcare and ensuring that the state’s natural resources aren’t “for sale” to data center and AI companies.“We can do this, especially when we have a trifecta. We’ve got an opportunity this year to make sure that we flip the Legislature,” Hong said, referring to Democrats’ hopes of winning majorities in the state Assembly and Senate as well as the governor’s office.As she took questions, the broader concern about the Democratic Socialist label came up.“If you’re more left than center, I mean we live in a state that, let’s face it, we have a lot of Republicans in this state,” one attendee said, “what is your plan to win those people over if and when you win the primary election?”Hong explained that she has embraced the label because it aligns with her values.“Republicans have made it so that we think government has to be dysfunctional, but the policies that we’re running on make government a force of good,” Hong said. “That’s what it’s actually supposed to be… a social insurance space.”Hong compared “mutual aid,” a term used in urban activist and progressive circles for pooling resources to help communities, to neighbors in rural Wisconsin helping their neighbors mow their lawns and plow driveways in the snow.Von Hagel said she thought the message could be effective with people in the Northwoods, pointing to the tradition of community spaghetti dinners for people facing hardships.“It’s one small example, but I think it’s a philosophy and a tradition that resonates with people who are from here and live here,” Von Hagel said.Hong described her conversations at Musky Fest. She said she didn’t know whether the people she spoke with there would vote for her, adding that if the guy wearing the Trump hat Googled her, he might find things he dislikes.But, she said, she hopes when he remembers the conversation, he feels that “Democratic Socialism isn’t scary, that I’m someone that is an ordinary person trying to make it so that folks can live easier lives, be able to take care of themselves, their kids, aging parents, and help their neighbors.”Editor’s note: The Examiner is running periodic profiles of the contenders in the Aug. 11, 2026, gubernatorial primary as well as the candidates in the general election on Nov. 3.This story was produced by Wisconsin Examiner and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Quad-Cities National Night Out events draw hundreds to interact with first responders National Night Out events in Silvis and East Moline drew hundreds of people to interact with first responders in a positive way.
	Tattoo shops in the Village of East Davenport one step closer to staying Two tattoo shops will be forced to move unless City Council approves a zoning law change allowing them to stay in the Village.
	Heavy rain and strong storms Wednesday A "Flood Watch" covers some of our southern counties through this evening. Heavy rain is likely today, along with the threat of strong to severe storms. Clouds and rain will hold highs down to the 70s today, but 80s return tomorrow and it'll turn hot again later this weekend. Here's your complete 7-day forecast.
	QC Arts youth program will bring public art projects to Bettendorf, Milan The momentum of this summer's Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program at Quad-City Arts continues as apprentices bring two new public art projects to Bettendorf and Milan, leaving a lasting impact on the community through the arts, a news release says. From Aug. 12-22, apprentices will transform the steps connecting Isle Casino to Bettendorf's riverfront into [...]
	A&M Family Restaurant ribbon cutting to be held Saturday in Davenport A&M Family Restaurant offers a selection of breakfast and lunch favorites, including pancakes, waffles, skillets, sandwiches, burgers, chicken, steak, salads and a children's menu.
	Everyday People: Taking time in a Davenport movie theater for a timeless story Columnist Tom Loewy met a stranger Monday and watched "The Odyssey."
	Russian missile and drone barrage in Ukrainian capital region kills 17 Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region killed 17 people and wounded 44 others overnight into Wednesday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
	Progressives and moderate Democrats both see wins in primary races while Trump flexes power over GOP Everyone got a little bit of what they wanted in Tuesday's primary elections. It was a good night for the Democratic establishment, the progressives and Republican candidates endorsed by President Trump.
	Bailey Davenport This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.When Bailey Davenport won the race for mayor of Rock Island in 1861, he already had several unofficial titles. Some…
	Nicotine pouches can be marketed as 'lower risk' than cigarettes. Is that dangerous? The FDA allowed some Zyn nicotine pouches to be marketed as "lower risk" than cigarettes. Public health experts agree they can help current smokers, but worry young people may become addicted.
	How Deadheads became rock and roll's greatest renewable resource Even as the band has changed and reinvented itself, the Grateful Dead's fanbase has proven to be uniquely and consistently renewable — a cosmic inheritance passed down from one generation to the next, welcoming younger Deadheads with open arms.
	Appalachia's black lung rates highest in nearly 50 years as miners' protections stall Rates are now as bad as the 1970s, with thousands of miners sick and dying. Mining experts blame toxic silica dust, now more common in mines.
	Glowsticks ready: Silent Disco takes over Arts Alley and the Skybridge during Alternating Currents Alternating Currents will host three free Silent Disco nights Aug. 13–15, featuring multi‑channel DJs, wireless headphones and two unique downtown venues in Rock Island and Davenport.
Tuesday, August 4th, 2026
	10 Tips to Vacation-Proof Your Home While You're Away (Feature Impact) Whether you're headed toward the beach, the mountains, a new city or your favorite quaint small town, it's exciting to look forward to a vacation. Making sure all the logistics are planned, prepped and ready before your departure is the tough part, but it's well worth putting in the effort now to save yourself stress later. That includes taking precautions to protect your home from break-ins, water damage and other unpleasant surprises you'd rather not return to. "A vacation should end with great memories, not an unexpected repair bill," said Larry Anderson, director of underwriting operations for Mercury Insurance. "Taking a few simple steps before you leave can help protect your home, reduce unnecessary stress and give you greater peace of mind while you're away." Use these 10 steps as a pre-vacation checklist so you can enjoy a worry-free trip. Lock Doors, Gates and Windows You probably won't forget to lock the front door before you leave, but other entry points can be easier to forget. Check all your windows, sliding glass doors, side entrances and gates. If you have any outbuildings like a shed or detached garage, secure them before you leave as well. Automate Lights for a Lived-In Look Although you don't have to go full "Home Alone," a home that appears occupied is less of a target for burglars. Use timers or automated smart devices to turn lights on and off throughout the day, ideally varying the schedules in different rooms. Hold Mail and Packages Beyond being easy prey for porch pirates, stacks of packages and overflowing mail signal no one is home to collect them. Contact your post office to place a hold on deliveries or arrange for a trusted neighbor to get the mail for you. Consider Shutting Off the Water A small leak can quickly become a big problem when there's nobody home to notice. If practical, shutting off your home's main water supply can help prevent major plumbing issues - and at the very least, be good for your peace of mind. Set the Thermostat It's important to maintain a safe indoor temperature in your home while you're away. The usual wisdom is to set the thermostat at 55-60 F during the winter to prevent pipes from freezing, and about 85 F during the summer to reduce energy use while protecting the home from excessive heat and humidity. Smart thermostats allow you to monitor and control temperatures remotely if the weather changes unexpectedly. Test Smoke Alarms and Other Devices Make sure your emergency alert systems are ready to do their jobs while you're gone. Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and any leak sensors, smart devices or security systems. If needed, replace batteries and confirm your monitoring apps are set up to get notifications promptly. Ask a Trusted Person to Check In Neighbors, friends or family members will often keep an eye on the place during your vacation (especially if you return the favor during theirs). It's up to you whether you want to give them a key to check things out inside; otherwise, a quick walk around the property can identify external damage or signs of forced entry. Be Social-Media Savvy Even if you trust everyone on your online friends list, it's better to be safe than sorry. Save the vacation photos to post once you're safely back so you don't unintentionally advertise that nobody's home. Tidy Up Outdoor Spaces Well-maintained landscaping gives the impression someone is home and cares about the property. An afternoon of yardwork before you leave can keep things looking fresh for a while. Review Your Homeowners Insurance No matter how well you prepare, it's smart to have a fallback plan in case something goes wrong. Before your trip, review your homeowners policy to make sure you know what it covers and how to reach your insurance company in the event of any incidents. For more information about homeowners insurance coverage and ways to help protect your home year-round, visit MercuryInsurance.com. Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
	MLS named LAFC co-owner Larry Berg as its next commissioner. Here's what to know For their commissioner of the future, MLS owners chose a soccer native. Berg's team is seen as one of MLS's best-run franchises, and he has embraced rule changes designed to modernize the league.
	Henderson County mulls tax referendum to support emergency services from Burlington The Henderson County Board will consider a tax referendum that would raise money to support an agreement with the City of Burlington to provide emergency services in the county. The vote will come at the Tuesday, Aug. 11, county board meeting after county board members met Tuesday,Aug. 4, with the Henderson County Ambulance Board to [...]
	Village of East Davenport one step closer to keeping its tattoo shops Two tattoo shops will be forced to move unless City Council approves a zoning law change allowing them to stay in the Village.
	Three Quad Cities area projects compete for Iowa League of Cities community award Projects in Bettendorf, Riverdale and Muscatine are in the running for the All-Star Community Award. Here's how to cast your vote. The first round closes Aug. 14.
	Iowa Central becomes first college approved for Workforce Pell EMT program A federal financial aid program that launched months ago is making history in Fort Dodge. Iowa Central Community College is now the first college in the nation to have an approved Workforce Pell program.
	Moline to redesign I-74 and John Deere Road interchange with diverging diamond The city of Moline is redesigning the I-74 and John Deere Road interchange. IDOT says the new diverging diamond design will reduce crashes and improve traffic flow.
	All 20 Eldridge volunteer firefighters say they're quitting Oct. 1 It comes amid ongoing disputes over the best path forward after the city council voted to make the volunteer fire company a city department.
	Eldridge volunteer firefighters announce resignation Shortly before the Eldridge City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would make the fire department a city-run entity, the current staff of volunteer firefighters announced they would resign when the takeover happens on October 1. That is when the city plans to take over the fire and EMS operations. The decision [...]
	All 20 Eldridge volunteer firefighters to quit later this year Last year, the Eldridge's Volunteer Fire Department voted unanimously to be absorbed by the City. The two sides haven't always agreed on the best path forward.
	Davenport Summer Meal Program serves 71,000 meals The Davenport Summer Meal Program is serving up more than smiles, serving 71,000 meals to kids since June.
	Authorities arrested a man with ammo and apparently monitoring security at Trump golf course near LA The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Jeanine John Taele, 38, was taking photos and video and had a 16-round magazine with ammunition in his pocket.
	Musco Sports Center competes for Iowa community award The Musco Sports Center is competing for the Iowa League of Cities' All Star Community Awards. According to a release from the City of Muscatine, the Musco Sports Center has been selected as one of 16 statewide finalists for the People’s All Star Community Award. The award recognizes innovative local government projects, with winners determined [...]
	Zoning Commission recommends city allow tattoo shops in the Village of East Davenport The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended amending the zoning code after two tattoo shops filed petitions in the Village of East Davenport.
	Mississippi Valley Fair prepares for possible rain As storms threaten the Mississippi Valley Fair, officials and vendors are preparing for those wet conditions.
	More Americans now use marijuana than smoke cigarettes, new report finds For the first time, more Americans report using marijuana than smoking cigarettes, according to a new national report.
	Quad City brothers return from BMX world championships in Australia Knox and Deacon Reaves are no strangers to Team USA BMX competitions, but this was the first time they were able to represent their country together.
	Illinois law will require most retailers to accept cash for purchases under $500 Most Illinois retailers will be required to accept cash for in-person purchases under $500 starting Jan. 1, 2028, under a new law signed by Gov. JB Pritzker.
	A chance for some storms tonight and tomorrow After a pleasant start to the work week yesterday, with sunshine and warm weather, the risk of severe weather makes a return for tonight and tomorrow. Later this evening we will see a marginal risk for severe weather mainly for the Iowa side of the river with strong winds and heavy rain being the main [...]
	Crews respond to apartment fire in Davenport The Davenport Fire Department responded to an apartment fire in the 1500 block of Harrison Street Monday.
	Police departments across the area celebrate National Night Out Police departments across the area are celebrating National Night Out with food, games and family activities to strengthen community relationships.
	Man arrested in Monday armed robbery in Davenport He was arrested on Monday after police responded to an armed robbery at Hilltop Grocery.
	SpaceX's revenue rises as its once-soaring stock price drifts back to Earth On their first earnings call since SpaceX's June public offering, executives said the company is pouring funds into rocket development, Starlink satellites and AI.
	Quad Cities brothers represent Team USA at Australia BMX competition Knox and Deacon Reaves are back from The Land Down Under and share what it was like to compete internationally together for the first time ever.
	Programming Note: 6 p.m. news only available on streaming Thursday The news at 6 p.m. will only be available on KWQC’s streaming platforms Thursday.
	New date announced for Red, White and Boom! fireworks show Originally set to take place during the Fourth of July weekend, the event was postponed due to weather.
	Davenport man charged in armed robbery of Hilltop Grocery A Davenport man is charged after police say he robbed Hilltop Grocery at gunpoint Monday. Officers later arrested him and say they recovered a handgun.
	Iowa DNR investigating wastewater discharge that reached Mississippi River in Keokuk Repairs are underway. Those using the river recreationally downstream should use extra caution and avoid the area, the Iowa DNR recommended.
	Geneseo Quilt Gallery ribbon cutting Friday at Smith Studio & Gallery The colorful and artistic creations highlight the skill and creativity of local quilters while demonstrating the many reasons quilts are made.
	North Scott Press — Aug. 5, 2026
	Muscatine man charged after running from deputies, crashing motorcycle A Muscatine man is facing multiple charges after running from deputies and crashing his motorcycle.
	Where does Mt. Joy PFAS investigation stand? The Iowa Army National Guard released its first report on potential PFAS contamination near the Davenport Municipal Airport in June 2019. Seven years later, where does the investigation stand? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated as PFAS and often called “forever chemicals,” have been linked to various forms of cancer and break down slowly, if at all, in the natural environment. The former army aviation support facility at 9650 N. Harrison Street, next to the airport, used a specialized firefighting foam containing PFAS—aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF—to handle difficult fuel fires. A preliminary assessment in 2019 found that prior to 1994, the facility flushed AFFF into a septic system whenever it emptied fire extinguishers and other equipment. Researchers could only confirm one use of AFFF at the airport, following a crash at the 1992 air show. In 2020, groundwater at the support facility tested at around about 1,000 times the Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water maximum for PFOS, one of several suspected PFAS contaminants. PFOA, another contaminant, was detected at nearly 100 times the drinking water maximum. Groundwater upgradient from the Davenport site contained PFAS at up to 20 times the drinking water maximum. Groundwater downgradient also contained elevated PFAS levels, up to five times the maximum. Those figures were released in 2022. Now, four years later, the ARNG is in the midst of a “remedial investigation” that will determine how far PFAS have spread from the initial contamination site. No drinking water is sourced from contaminated areas. All drinking water in Mt. Joy is safe, officials said. Walt Gee, cleanup program manager with the Army National Guard in Arlington, Va., told The North Scott Press that there is “no present risk to drinking water” in connection with the Mt. Joy site. “The Army is driven by a science-based approach to cleanups. When our data indicates a risk, we act immediately to cut off that exposure path,” Gee wrote in an email. “We aggressively mitigate immediate risks while the final, long-term environmental remedy undergoes necessary regulatory and public reviews.” That has not been necessary in Mt. Joy. Tests of drinking water from wells at the former Caterpillar plant and Mt. Joy mobile home park conducted in 2026 did not detect PFAS. Matt Graesch, senior environmental specialist at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said that PFAS numbers in Mt. Joy were low compared to other contamination sites linked to military installations and airports. “I’m not saying it’s great, it’s just better than it could have been,” he said. The ARNG has not posted an update to the contamination site’s online case file since June 2025, when a “community involvement plan” said neighbors and members of the public would be notified of “important events or information.” Jake Bucklin, Iowa Department of Natural Resources project manager for the Davenport contamination site, said that work was ongoing. Last fall, ARNG consultants were working on offsite testing to the east and southeast of the air support facility to delineate the spread of PFAS contamination. Additional offsite testing had been planned at the time, Bucklin reported. “It's a fairly large site, and dealing with PFAS can be complicated,” Bucklin said. “Usually, you're not able to fully delineate the contamination in one or two attempts.” “The general public doesn’t have a great sense of how long these sites take to investigate,” Graesch added. “Five years would be a fast one. Ten years would be normal.” The remedial investigation was still in the first of its two phases, Bucklin said: “vertical and horizontal delineation of the contamination that's been identified.” Once that was complete, consultants would “take that analytical data and what they know about the hydrology and everything else, and come up with a feasible remedial strategy to clean that contamination up.” Graesch said the ARNG was concentrating resources on other sites across the country. “The [Mt. Joy] site has been deprioritized. They’re spending the time and money on sites where there’s real risk to public health,” he said. Gee said the ARNG had “maintained ongoing stakeholder engagement throughout the investigation.” “The Army actively coordinates with regulators, local officials, and adjacent landowners through planning meetings, field work, and reviews of investigation reports,” Gee wrote. John Maxwell, chair of the Scott County Board of Supervisors, said he had not heard from the ARNG since he assumed the chairmanship in 2024. Former Chair Ken Beck had not received information since 2024, he said. That may be because remediation strategies for the Davenport site are months, or even years, away. Bucklin said work on PFAS investigations at army sites—which have unfolded across the country in recent years—have been halting, subject to changes in federal funding. “PFAS is a fairly new contaminant, so they’re still developing remedial strategies,” Bucklin said. One solution is activated carbon, the same ingredient in many household water filters. Activated carbon can be injected into the ground to absorb PFAS like a sponge. Activated carbon would be “injected in a line into the ground at the downstream end of the groundwater flow direction,” Bucklin explained. “So basically, it just acts like a wall that stops that the contaminated groundwater from flowing any further.” In some cases, remediation involves excavating contaminated soil or injecting substances that can break down harmful chemicals, Bucklin added. “It just depends on the individual situation,” he said. Gee wrote that it “is too early to estimate when remediation strategies might be implemented.” He declined to indicate when new information would next be made public. What old documents show The first report commissioned by the ARNG—a “preliminary assessment” released in 2019—listed a wash bay used to flush and clean firefighting equipment as a possible site of PFAS contamination. A 2022 “site inspection” found elevated PFAS levels in soil and groundwater below the wash bay, and nearby areas. The first EPA drinking water maximums for PFAS were set in 2023. The results of that study are compiled in the table above. The table lists only the four PFAS contaminants for which the EPA has set a drinking water maximum, though the site inspection tested for over 10 PFASs. The ongoing “remedial investigation” will establish a detailed picture of where PFAS contamination has spread and how it can be redressed. The ARNG has not made public any data collected during the remedial investigation. In June 2025, it published a community involvement plan detailing its conversations with government entitles and nearby landowners. “The CIP reflects input from the surrounding community and establishes measures to ensure timely and effective information exchange between the various federal, state, and local agencies, educational and civic organizations, and the public,” its introduction reports. Groups consulted for the study include the Davenport Municipal Airport, Scott County Board of Supervisors and health department, Iowa DNR, and the City of Davenport. “Approximately 90% of respondents were interested in receiving information ‘whenever events warrant’. Some respondents wanted contact on a monthly or quarterly basis,” the CIP summarizes. The CIP lists several ways the ARNG should engage the public: by sending public notices and press releases to local media outlets, maintaining contact with stakeholders, and post information to social media. Getting tested? Graesch stressed that PFAS contamination at the Davenport site was “extremely low level contamination to what we’ve seen elsewhere.” No Scott County wells had tested positive for PFAS contamination as a result of chemical disposal there, he said. PFAS testing is expensive—$600 for a single test, which must be confirmed with a second, $600 blank test if the first sample shows up positive. Every Iowa county receives a state stipend for PFAS testing at private wells, typically about $50,000, though the sum fluctuates year to year. Private well owners may request to have PFAS tested every three years, Amy Thoreson, director of the Scott County Health Department, said. The health department must pre-approve each well it tests for PFAS with the DNR to guarantee funding.
	“McCarty-Tomlinson & Sherman,” August 13 through October 1 New works by a pair of gifted artists, working in vastly different mediums, will be on display at the Quad City Arts Center from August 13 through October, staffers at the Rock Island venue proud to house paintings by Colleen McCarty-Tomlinson and marbled-paper works by Connie Sherman.
	Rummage sale clears out community center A rummage sale at Boll’s Community Center in Princeton cleared out 70% of old decorations and miscellaneous material, and raised $694 for the community center fund. Princeton was set to close on the $200,000 sale of the property Friday, July 31, before buyer Tom McMurren of Rushville, Ill. was called out of the country, City Clerk Kisa Tweed said. Volunteer and former Community Center Board member Val Rasche helped organize the sale, which ran Monday–Thursday. She said much of the small merchandise in the building was taken: holiday decorations, tableware. Everything else, including several larger pieces of furniture, was left for the new owner. “Some were sad to see it go,” Rasche said. “I’m sad to see it go as our community center.” But she expressed confidence that the new owner would improve the building, which has seen deferred maintenance stack up. McMurren has said he would continue to keep the building in operation as an event center open to local use. Princeton City Council has suggested that it could use revenue from the sale of the building to construct a new community center by the Woomert Park ballfield.
	Hall celebrates 50 years with Scott County Once, during a hotel inspection, Jackie Hall found something she wasn’t expecting to see: chickens clucking inside the building. They hadn’t exactly booked a room. It wasn’t the only unusual situation she had encountered. Years ago, she also found a horse living in a home basement. Not quite a typical household pet. Hall marked five decades as an environmental health specialist with the Scott County Health Department. She began her career in 1976, the first woman hired for her role. “When I started, we had a much smaller staff,” Hall said. Hall’s job is to help protect public health in Scott County by inspecting swimming pools, tattoo parlors and tanning salons while investigating nuisance complaints and responding to unexpected situations. “There is quite a lot of variety,” she said. “You never know what you’re going to get, what questions are going to come up or what you’re going to be asked to do.” Over the past five decades, Hall has watched both public health and the department evolve. Early in her career, much of the work relied on paper records, and professional training opportunities were more limited. “We had a lot of papers to shuffle,” she recalled. She said the pace of environmental health has also accelerated as science has advanced, particularly in disease detection and awareness of emerging public health concerns. Despite the changes, Hall said the variety of the job has kept her motivated. “There is always something new to learn, something challenging or interesting,” she said. “A lot of things are the same, but with the evolution of science there are newly emerging public health issues.” Hall said some of the greatest challenges are helping residents who are desperate for solutions but may not know which agency can address their concerns. “A lot of time residents don’t have a good grasp of available resources,” she said. “I find myself having to ask, ‘What is it the health department can help you with?’” Hall said misconceptions about health inspectors have also changed over the years. While inspections can seem intimidating, she believes education is the most important part of her job. “It is a lot easier to sell the health code when you are able to explain why this is a requirement,” she said. “The best part of the job is educating people.” Looking back on her work, Hall said she is most proud of spending 50 years serving public health, even if the impact of the work is sometimes difficult to measure. “It’s hard. Like, with swimming pools our intent is to make swimming safer and how do you measure swimming is safer?” she wondered. For those considering a career in environmental health, Hall encourages staying informed about current public health issues and recognizing the connection between healthcare and public health. “I encourage people to go into public health because it is fascinating,” she said. “It’s interesting, sometimes exciting, sometimes frustrating. Mostly fun. It’s an adventure.” Hall said her feelings about the job haven’t changed, even after half a century. “It’s a great job,” she said. “It’s a great place to work.”
	4-H apple pie contest at hog show break Saturday All 4-H members are encouraged to compete in the Scott County Pork Producers annual apple pie contest at the Mississippi Valley Fair. Entrants are to bring their pies to Keppy Hall on Saturday, Aug. 8, before 9 a.m. It is not necessary to pre-register to participate. Please attach your name and recipe to pie tin and refer to rules as listed in the fair book on page 152. The pies will be auctioned off at the noon break of the 4-H Hog Show and profits from the sale will go towards the Scott County 4-H program. If you have questions, please call Angie Ehlers at (563) 529-0325.
	Clay Walker, August 14 With his most recent album Texas to Tennessee hailed by Album of the Year as “a fun, lighthearted, and breezy country-pop project from one of neotraditional country's most underrated '90s artists,” the chart-topping Texan Clay Walker brings his "Doin' What I Love Tour 2026" to Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center on August 14, the artist having debuted six chart-topping hits and a dozen acclaimed studio albums over a career of more than three decades.
	Neighbors: speed bump solves little A speed hump installed on Dammann Drive in Eldridge to address speeding concerns has not slowed traffic, according to several residents who live near the project. The city installed a temporary speed hump on the 400 block of Dammann Drive last fall after identifying the area as a speeding hotspot. The city budgeted $9,500 for the project before accepting an $11,500 bid from N.J. Miller Inc. of Bettendorf on June 1, the lowest of two bids received. The permanent speed hump was installed on the 300 block of Dammann Drive, near the intersection with West Donahue Court. City Administrator Nevada Lemke said Police Chief Andrew Lellig had received communication from a resident who was concerned the proposed location on the 400 block would not effectively address speeding in the area. That concern prompted the city to move the project to its current location. Despite the relocation, residents said the project has not achieved its intended goal. The permanent hump has a flat, table-like top with shallow approaches rather than a sharply raised profile. Steve Mohr, who lives near the hump, said drivers continue to travel through the area without slowing down. “And you won’t” see cars slow down, he said. Mohr said that a patrol car sitting in West Donahue Court would do more good. Teresa Hulslander, another resident, said drivers continue to move through the area at speed. “Every car speeds around the corner from 9th street,” she said. Hulslander said she did not believe the permanent hump was worth its cost. “I just think $11,500 could have been spent a little wiser,” she said. Mohr and Hulslander both said the temporary speed hump previously placed on the 400 block was more effective at slowing vehicles. Resident Ali Bolin said the speed hump’s accompanying sign may provide a warning to drivers but does not appear to make them slow down. “I think the sign helps. The sign is a visual cue that something is ahead,” Bolin said. “In my observations, the speed hump alone is not slowing traffic down.” Bolin also questioned why the city does not use a standard size for speed humps. “If you go on Pinehurst, they are very large, and I don’t understand why they didn’t do that here,” she said. Bolin said she appreciated the city’s effort to address speeding but questioned whether the current installation was worth the cost. “You can sit out here and see that people don’t brake,” she said.
	Environmental group could intervene on CIPCO plant The Environmental Law and Policy Center, an advocacy group with offices throughout the Midwest, has joined the list of local organizations intervening in state proceedings that could see a power plant built in rural Scott County. Central Iowa Power Cooperative has asked the Iowa Utilities Commission to greenlight construction of a 240 MW natural gas power plant outside Maysville, over objections from the county board of supervisors and project neighbors. CIPCO will defend their request at a November 17 hearing. Interveners may oppose or support the request. Josh Mandelbaum, attorney with the ELPC’s Des Moines office, told The North Scott Press that the organization regularly intervenes in utility projects before the IUC. Intervening allows the ELPC to participate in discovery of documents related to utility development across the state, he explained—a key interest of the ELPC. “We’re an organization that cares about access to energy,” he said. “Clean energy—wind, solar, storage.” Mandelbaum said that the ELPC had “not taken a position at this time” with respect to CIPCO’s planned Scott County plant. “We clearly have some concerns. We want to be able to review the application in whole…. We want to understand CIPCO’s position and support for this project,” Mandelbaum explained. “Generally we have concerns that there’s this rush to gas in the state,” he added. “There’s a lot of new gas that is pending that, if it becomes unnecessary, customers are going to be on the hook for this really expensive generation.” The ELPC “wants to ensure a clean energy transition that uses a diverse deployment of renewable energy and storage technologies to rapidly phase out continued fossil fuel use,” the organization’s July 23 filing with the IUC reports. “As an organization concerned about the larger policy framework to transition to clean energy, support energy efficiency, expand renewable energy, and protect natural resources, air quality and water quality, the interests of ELPC will not be adequately represented by any other party participating in this case,” the filing continues. Mandelbaum said ELPC offices had been contacted by local residents who were “looking for representation” at the November hearing. The ELPC declined to represent those residents, he said, and will instead represent its own interests. He did note that there was “significant resident concern with the health and environmental impacts of a facility like this.” CIPCO asked the IUC to deny the ELPC’s petition to intervene. “Generally, intervenor status is not granted based solely on a broad or general concern about public policy,” CIPCO attorneys wrote July 29. “Intervention should be denied when the petitioning party merely raises a general interest or general concerns that will be adequately represented by other parties,” they continued. Mandelbaum said that the ELPC expected to have its petition granted. Other groups file The Scott County Board of Supervisors filed to intervene Tuesday, July 28, represented by Kristina Lyon of the County Attorney’s Office. “Because of the potential impact on the County’s land use and the relationship to its zoning ordinances, the residents of the County have unique and important interests in this proceeding that are best represented by the Scott County Board of Supervisors,” the filing reads. The Concerned Citizens of Scott County, a local group opposed to the plant, filed to intervene July 22. “The proposed facility would have a significant impact on the rural character, architectural make-up, and natural environment of rural Scott County,” the Concerned Citizens’ filing argues. The group “was organized to protect and preserve” that rural character, it states. CIPCO protested the Concerned Citizens’ filing to intervene. The IUC had already granted intervenor status to Jerry Mohr of rural Eldridge, who is also listed as the director of the Concerned Citizens on incorporation papers filed with the state of Iowa. “The prospective intervenor should be required to demonstrate how its interest will not be represented by the individual intervention of Mr. Jerome Mohr or perhaps Mr. Mohr should be required to withdraw his individual intervention as a condition of granting intervention to the entity he has apparently caused to be formed,” CIPCO attorneys wrote. Attorneys also argued that the Concerned Citizens should be asked to “demonstrate how its interest is not already protected by the participation of the County” in November hearings.
	Redstone Room Opening Night with Robert Randolph, August 20 With its special August 20 event celebrating the opening of Common Chord's new Redstone Room facility, the Davenport venue's staffers are proud to host the area return of River Roots Live favorite Robert Randolph, his electrifying blend of gospel and blues signaling the return of a space that has helped shape the Quad Cities music scene for decades.
	“Bluegrass on the Grass”: Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band, August 16 Transforming its gardens into one of the region's most memorable concert experiences, Rock Island's Quad City Botanical Center will host a special "Bluegrass on the Grass" music event on August 16, allowing guests, as surrounded by blooms, trees, and fellow music lovers, to experience an unforgettable night with the artists of Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band.
	I-ROCK 93.5: “7 Freakin' Years of Hard Rock,” August 20 Celebrating, per the event title, 7 Freakin' Years of Hard Rock, radio station I-ROCK 93.5 brings its annual anniversary party back to Eat Moline venue The Rust Belt on August 20, this year's entertainers boasting the hard-driving talents of Eva Under Fire, Alborn, Autumn Kings, and Left on Red.
	Aqua Palooza brings new fun to Rock Falls River Chase Rock Falls is introducing a new family-friendly celebration to its Rock Falls River Chase. Rock Falls Tourism announced the inaugural Aqua Palooza, a new two-day, family-friendly summer celebration on August 15 – 16 throughout Rock Falls. The celebration will be held in conjunction with the Rock Falls River Chase, featuring boat races, live music, fishing, [...]
	Auto theft program continued Last week, supervisors renewed the county’s contract for a restorative justice program that addresses auto theft. Jeremy Kaiser, director of Scott County’s Youth Justice and Rehabilitation Center, said the program organizes meetings between victim and offender, and allows the offender to complete a three-month remediation plan to have charges dismissed. The county instituted the progra when local auto thefts peaked in 2018–19. Many of the thefts were committed by first-time and juvenile offenders. Of 140 referrals since the program began in April 2019, 69 have been completed successfully, with four more on track for completion, Kaiser reported. And 86% of offenders who complete the program avoided charges for the following year. The Iowa Judicial Branch reimburses the county up to $50,000 of program costs. Kaiser said that number covers all annual expenses. The program helps lighten the county attorney and courts’ workload, he noted. Supervisors unanimously praised the program and approved it Thursday, July 30. Supervisor Ken Beck called it a “very good program,” and Board Chair John Maxwell said it was “a game changer in my eyes.” Supervisor Maria Bribrieco said she had volunteered with the program. She called it “wonderful” and “very effective.” County PRIDE The county held its quarterly PRIDE celebration—rewarding professionalism, responsiveness, involvement, dedication, and excellence among employees—Tuesday, July 28. Jennifer Stout, a nurse at the county jail, was named county employee of the quarter. “Jennifer collaborates effortlessly with custody staff, mental health providers, and fellow nurses, always prioritizing the well-being of the individuals we serve,” Health Department Director Amy Thoreson said. Thoreson said Stout had volunteered to assist cleanup in the cell of a intellectually disabled prisoner who had “smeared feces throughout his cell.” “She put on a jumpsuit, gathered washcloths and towels, and personally assisted in cleaning the inmate with patience, gentleness, and extraordinary compassion,” Thoreson said. “I enjoy the team that I work with, and I love coming to work every day,” Stout said. Maxwell also recognized several employees who had received positive feedback from members of the public: Ben Enlow, Cheyenne Carroll, and Becca Williams. Maxwell also congratulated employees who reached milestone anniversaries with the county: Five years Lewis Fairs, Treasurer’s Office Nichole Gimm, Sheriff’s Office Justin Holmes, Sheriff’s Office Roger Mastin, Secondary Roads Dalton Stout, Medic EMS Bryse Sunderlin, Sheriff’s Office Kerri Tompkins, County Auditor Matthew Weiman, Secondary Roads Kasey Wieland, Medic EMS Eric Jr. Williams, Sheriff’s Office Ten years Brady Floyd, Medic EMS Kyle Jager, Sheriff’s Office Kareena Long, Treasurer’s Office Paul Pridemore, Sheriff’s Office Anna Reynolds, Medic EMS Kyle Smith, Medic EMS Fifteen years Devin Reeves, Sheriff’s Office Jeff Somers, Sheriff’s Office Twenty years Bill Hyde, Sheriff’s Office Leslie Ronnebeck, Health Department Twenty-five years David Anderson, Medic EMS Pam Brown, Sheriff’s Office Daniel Collins, Medic EMS Ryan Crispin, Medic EMS Matt Hirst, IT Director Rob Pearce, Sheriff’s Office Pam Robertson, Sheriff’s Office David Rogis, Medic EMS Fifty years Mary “Jackie” Hall, Health Department Other business In other news, supervisors: • Entered a joint agreement to share medical examiner services in event of an emergency or temporary lapse in local service. • Approved minor updates to county human resources and administrative policies. • Approved routine tax credits and homestead tax exemptions.
	Mayor’s letter details fire transition, recent steps A July 31 letter from Eldridge Mayor Scott Campbell detailed eight steps the city has taken or will soon take as it builds a city-run fire department. Eldridge City Council voted July 20 to transition fire services to a city-run entity by Oct. 1. Campbell wrote July 31 that he had sent individual letters to each member of the fire department, asking them to meet with him and Council Member Ryan Iossi, either as a group or individually, to discuss the path moving forward. He said he will assemble a transition team “in the very near future.” City staff have reached out to mutual aid partners, “making them aware of our tenuous situation and solidifying their support in case of emergencies.” Campbell said he and city staff also met with Davenport fire and city officials, and that the lines of communication remain open. Meetings have also taken place with Scott County officials and Medic EMS. Campbell and City Administrator Nevada Lemke also met last week with the city administrator and fire chief in DeWitt to learn more about how that department is run. City officials have previously cited DeWitt as a model for the type of hybrid department they would like to see—service by a volunteer corps, while the city owns the apparatus and oversees the budget. On Monday evening, the council took steps on two further other transition items. They held first reading of the ordinance to establish and organize a city fire department. Three readings are required. The council also approved a timeline for hiring a new, full-time fire chief. The city will begin advertising the position this week, with an application deadline of Aug. 23. According to the timeline, interviews will take place the week of Aug. 31, in the hope of selecting a candidate for approval by the council by early September. Council Member Brian Dockery voted against the ordinance to define and establish the department. According to the job posting approved by the council Monday, the chief position is described as “a unique opportunity to guide the formation of the City’s newly established hybrid department and shape the future of fire and emergency services for one of Iowa’s fastest-growing communities.” The advertised salary range is $85,000 to $95,000 annually. A four-year degree in fire science or a related field or Emergency Medical Operations is preferred, although candidates with an associate’s degree and more than five years’ experience as a full-time firefighter will also be considered. A minimum of 10 years’ related fire and EMS-related service is also required, with a minimum of five years’ experience as a fire officer with Incident Command experience. The complete job description will be posted on the city’s website. As part of the city’s fire chief hiring procedures, a list of initial priorities for the first 30 days of employment was also established. These include: • Coordinating recruitment of firefighters and command staff. • Developing the organizational structure for the department. • Coordinating the transfer of assets, equipment, records and emergency response systems and evaluating existing apparatus, equipment and facilities. • Establishing 28E agreements with the county/Benefitted Fire District No. 3 to provide fire protection services and with regional public safety agencies to provide mutual aid. • Working with mutual aid partners and Scott County dispatch. • Preparing a proposed operating and capital line-item budget detail for the FY27 total approved budget of $484,406. • Finalizing standard operating guidelines and policies. • Establishing training requirements and operational readiness plans. In his statement, Campbell emphasized the importance of the existing volunteers. “The city council’s action on July 20 in no way demeans the service and contributions the volunteer firefighters provide our community,” he wrote. “We are fortunate to have them protecting us night and day, and their service is exemplary. Under the city’s oversight, the fire department would still be able to serve their community as volunteers and would still be paid $20 per call. The main difference is that they would be serving under a fire chief hired by the city, and the city would oversee the budget.” Campbell also asked for “patience and trust” from residents as the city works through the transition. “As I stated in my recent letter to the fire department, no matter how far apart we may seem to be, or how much hurt has been caused on both sides, we owe it to our residents and community to find a solution that serves everybody’s best interests, including the fire department, the city, and most importantly, the citizens we serve. You, the residents, deserve our best efforts to create a path forward,” he wrote.

Wednesday, August 5th, 2026

Tuesday, August 4th, 2026