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

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
	Modern Woodmen Park loses best ballpark top spot Modern Woodmen Park has been voted second for USA TODAY’s 10 BEST “Best Minor League Ballpark."
	EPA flags concerns about microplastics, pharmaceuticals in drinking water There's been a lot of public is concerned about health risks from the chemicals, especially from the Make America Healthy Again movement. The agency's move doesn't in itself guarantee regulation.
	Attorney General Pam Bondi out at DOJ President Trump has announced that Attorney General Pam Bondi is out at the Justice Department. Her departure comes amid simmering frustration over her leadership and handling of the Epstein files.
	'I just bided my time, found a group that's magical': Brad Underwood leads Illini to Final Four Illinois' Brad Underwood coached for 26 years before landing his first Division I head coaching job. Now in Year 39, the well-traveled 62-year-old is finally heading to the Final Four, where the Fighting Illini meet UConn on Saturday. He's doing it in what he's long referred to as his dream job. In 2013 while in [...]
	Ziggy Stardust and Hacky Sack: What life was like the last time we went to the moon The Artemis II mission is the first time humans have headed to the moon since 1972. That year also marked the debut of The Godfather and the Egg McMuffin.
	Pinwheel garden planted in Davenport for Child Abuse Prevention Month The Davenport Police Department and Every Child hosted the Pinwheels for Prevention event to support child abuse prevention on Thursday. Blue pinwheels, "a symbol of the healthy, happy, and full childhoods all children deserve," were planted outside the Davenport Police Department. Throughout the region, child abuse agencies and their local partners host pinwheel gardens which [...]
	FIRST ALERT DAY: Live Weather Blog Realtime updates on the severe weather threat in the Quad Cities
	Licensing board member faces disciplinary charges from a separate board An eastern Iowa physician who is a member of a state licensing board is now facing licensing-board charges herself.
	The beautiful Venetian plant with a secret climate superpower The beautiful Venetian plant with a secret climate superpowerVenice’s landmarks teem with tourists — so many, in fact, that the city has had to implement restrictions, like banning guides from using loudspeakers. But just outside the famous canals and resplendent architecture sits an ecosystem that teems with less obnoxious forms of life: the Venetian lagoon. For millennia, its marshes have hosted a bevy of flora and fauna, and for centuries have protected the city from invasion by its enemies.Now, protecting this habitat, and others like it, can help protect people and the planet. Traipsing through the wetland and sampling plants, researchers identified a carbon-capturing powerhouse, known as sea lavender, of the genus Limonium. By restoring these biomes, conservationists would not only boost local biodiversity, but also ensure its ability to trap that planet-warming gas. “Salt marshes are not only sites of carbon sequestration,” said Tegan Blount, a geoscientist at Italy’s University of Padova, lead author of a new paper describing the research. “Their conservation also protects many other ecosystem services, which are vitally important from a local to global scale,” Blount explained to Grist.Aboveground, sea lavender is a stunner. True to its name — though technically it isn’t lavender — it produces lovely purple flowers that attract pollinators, thus supporting biodiversity. Unlike terrestrial lavender, though, Limonium tolerates salty, water-logged conditions, allowing it to thrive in the wetlands of the Venice lagoon. “During summer, the salt marsh meadows are tinted purple by an undulating mass of sea lavender flowers, rife with bees and other insects,” Blount said. Courtesy of Tegan Blount While Limonium is great to look at and all, these researchers were more interested in what’s belowground. Instead of a network of fine filaments, sea lavender’s mature rhizome system grows like a hand reaching up from the soil, with foliage sprouting from the fingertips at the surface. (That’s them in the photo.)This impacts the Venetian marshes in several ways. With its sturdy root system and foliage, sea lavender anchors the waterlogged soil, generates organic material, and traps sediment, which reduces erosion and habitat loss in the face of pressures like sea level rise. It also can create a more stable and amenable environment for other salt-tolerant species, further boosting biodiversity. “So it can also be a stepping stone,” Blount said.Even after it dies, this marvelous plant’s root system can persist for long periods, continuing to engineer the mud. The study found that compared to other marshy species in the area, like those in the genera Sarcocornia and Juncus, Limonium creates much more biomass below the ground than above it, and markedly enhances the organic carbon content of the sediment. In fact, sea lavender can retain 12 times as much biomass underground as you see growing topside.By protecting these ecosystems, sea lavender can prosper alongside other species, so conservationists wouldn’t need to constantly tend to them, Blount said. Species of Limonium grow all over the world, too, from the coasts of North America to Africa to Asia. Restoring those habitats, then, would benefit biodiversity while enhancing carbon sequestration and storage. Additionally, healthy wetlands help absorb the force of hurricane storm surges, mitigating the inundation of coastal cities.Properly restored, coastal ecosystems can be self-sustaining. Infrastructure like sea walls, on the other hand, is expensive to construct and maintain, especially as ocean levels rise. Given enough space to creep inland, wetlands can adapt. “These systems can keep up pace with sea level rise, as long as they can migrate backwards,” said Emily Landis, global climate adaptation and resilience director at The Nature Conservancy, who wasn’t involved in the study. “That means they can still provide that essential adaptation, flood reduction benefit.”They bring economic benefits too, when conservationists work with Indigenous communities to determine how they use these ecosystems. Subsistence fishing, for instance, can be done in a measured way that ensures piscine populations don’t crash, which would be terrible both for the ecosystem and the humans that rely on it. “They know how to take care of their coastline,” Landis said. “They know what is sustainable.”In the Venetian lagoon, fishers have long used valli da pesca, essentially ponds that function as artificial ecosystems. This provides shelter for baby fish to grow big enough to harvest. Taking animals out of these habitats may sound counterproductive, but in a way it incentivizes protecting these areas. “So conservation is not just a matter of preserving the environment, but also to have something back,” said Alice Stocco, an ecologist at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, who studies the valli da pesca but wasn’t involved in the new paper.The value of sea lavender, then, isn’t just how much carbon it captures in the Venetian lagoon, but the habitats — and therefore economic and ecological benefits — it provides. “An ecosystem — nature in general — has its own value, which is intrinsic and sometimes cannot be measured,” Stocco said. “Healthy ecosystems allow for healthy people.”This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Bitcoin price prediction 2030: 5-year bitcoin forecast Bitcoin price prediction 2030: 5-year bitcoin forecastBitcoin continues to attract significant attention from major financial institutions, which are publishing long-term price forecasts based on trends of institutional adoption, regulatory developments, and the cryptocurrency's role as "digital gold."Wall Street analysts and investment firms have issued updated predictions, ranging from conservative estimates to bullish scenarios.Plus500 shares a summary of selected Bitcoin price forecasts published by third-party financial institutions:TL;DRNear-Term (Bitcoin price prediction 2026): Standard Chartered: $100,000–$150,000; Bernstein: $150,000, peak $200,000 by 2027.Mid-Term (Bitcoin price forecast 2027–2029): Some analyses estimate Bitcoin could reach between $200,000 and $500,000 under certain scenarios involving institutional adoption and ETF inflows.Long-Term (Bitcoin price prediction 2030+): Standard Chartered: $500,000; Bernstein: $1 million by 2033.Key Drivers: Institutional adoption, Bitcoin ETF inflows, fixed supply, potential gold market capture.Risks: Regulatory changes, market volatility, slower adoption, and competition from other digital assets.Overall: Bitcoin remains highly volatile; forecasts vary widely, highlighting both potential growth and risk.Near-Term Outlook: Bitcoin Price Prediction 2026According to a CNBC report, Standard Chartered’s Bitcoin forecast projects the cryptocurrency will reach $150,000 by the end of 2026. The U.K.-based bank cut its previous 2025 target of $200,000 in half, citing slower-than-expected institutional demand and a shift toward ETF-driven buying patterns rather than direct Bitcoin purchases. The bank's analysts noted three structural changes in the market that prompted the revision.According to Bloomberg, Bernstein expects the current market cycle to peak in 2027 at approximately $200,000 per Bitcoin. Moreover, analysts at Bernstein cited changing market dynamics and adjusted their near-term expectations while maintaining confidence in Bitcoin's long-term trajectory.Mid-Term Projections: Bitcoin Price Forecast 2027-2029According to Nasdaq, Bernstein's updated forecast anticipates Bitcoin reaching $200,000 by 2027, although analysts note that outcomes may vary depending on market conditions. The firm bases this projection on historical Bitcoin halving cycles and institutional adoption patterns, though analysts acknowledge that traditional four-year cycles may be disrupted by increased institutional participation.Long-Term Vision: Bitcoin Price Prediction 2030 and BeyondAccording to Yahoo Finance, Standard Chartered maintains that Bitcoin will reach its long-term target, though the timeline has been extended. The bank now projects that Bitcoin will hit $500,000 by 2030, a delay from its previous 2028 target. This forecast assumes continued growth in spot Bitcoin ETF adoption and Bitcoin capturing a significant portion of the gold market's value as a store-of-wealth alternative.According to Nasdaq.com, Bernstein maintains a long-term forecast of $1 million per Bitcoin by 2033. The firm's analysts project sustained growth driven by continued institutional adoption and increasing demand from both corporate treasuries and nation-states adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets.Risk Factors and Market DynamicsForecast revisions by major institutions underscore the inherent uncertainty in Bitcoin price predictions.All forecasts carry significant uncertainty and depend on numerous variables, including regulatory developments in major economies, technological advancements, competition from other digital assets, and macroeconomic conditions. The wide range of predictions by 2030 illustrates the speculative nature of long-term cryptocurrency valuations and the uncertainty surrounding such forecasts.ConclusionBitcoin’s long-term outlook remains highly uncertain, with published forecasts reflecting a wide divergence of views among market participants.While major financial institutions increasingly view it as a maturing macro asset with “digital gold” characteristics, their forecasts underscore a wide divergence in expectations driven by assumptions around institutional adoption, ETF inflows, and regulatory clarity.Near-term projections have become more measured, reflecting slower demand growth and evolving market structure, yet long-term targets remain ambitious, hinging on Bitcoin’s fixed supply and its potential to capture a meaningful share of gold’s market value.Ultimately, these forecasts underscore a fundamental reality: Some analysts believe that Bitcoin’s future price performance may be influenced by global adoption trends, although the outcomes remain uncertain and highly volatile.Actual market outcomes may differ materially from published forecasts, and cryptocurrency prices can experience significant volatility over short periods.*The content provided on this website is for marketing and general informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment research, advice, or a personal recommendation, nor has it been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Information and views are based on third-party sources and historical data believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made as to their accuracy or completeness. Any opinions or forecasts are subject to change without notice, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. This material does not consider individual objectives or financial circumstances and should not be relied upon as personalised advice. PLUS500 does not provide investment research or personalised recommendations and accepts no liability for any loss arising from the use of this information.FAQWhat is the Bitcoin price prediction for 2026?Major institutions estimate Bitcoin could trade between $100,000 and $150,000 by 2026, with Standard Chartered projecting up to $150,000 and Bernstein forecasting higher peaks later in the cycle.What are mid-term Bitcoin price forecasts for 2027–2029?Mid-term projections suggest Bitcoin could reach $200,000 to $500,000, depending on institutional adoption, ETF inflows, and broader market conditions.What is the long-term Bitcoin price prediction for 2030 and beyond?Long-term forecasts vary widely, with Standard Chartered projecting $500,000 by 2030 and Bernstein maintaining a $1 million target by 2033.What factors are driving Bitcoin price forecasts?Key drivers include institutional adoption, spot Bitcoin ETF inflows, Bitcoin’s fixed supply, and its potential role as a digital alternative to gold.What are the main risks to Bitcoin price predictions?Risks include regulatory uncertainty, market volatility, slower adoption rates, and competition from other digital assets.This story was produced by Plus500 and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Audi Crooks enters the transfer portal Iowa State University’s Audi Crooks has entered the transfer portal, the Junior center shared in a post Thursday morning.
	ChatGPT shopping: How it works, and how to get your products listed ChatGPT shopping: How it works, and how to get your products listedGoogle does it. Bing does it. And now, ChatGPT does it too.With ChatGPT Shopping, users can discover products in visual carousels similar to Google’s and Bing’s shopping results. They can research options, compare prices, read review summaries, and (soon) buy products without ever leaving the chat.For e-commerce businesses, this opens a new channel for getting discovered and driving revenue. Major retailers are already utilizing the platform, as seen with the recent partnership between Walmart and OpenAI to create an AI-first shopping assistant that learns customer preferences. And unlike Google and Bing shopping ads, ChatGPT’s product carousels are currently free.This guide from WebFX covers how ChatGPT Shopping works, how it compares to Google and Bing, why it matters for your business, and how to get your products listed.What is ChatGPT Shopping?ChatGPT Shopping is OpenAI’s response to one of the most common use cases for the platform: researching and buying products.When users ask ChatGPT about products, they now see visual carousels with relevant listings and direct links to product pages. Each listing can include product images, pricing, ratings, descriptions, and review summaries.With ChatGPT Instant Checkout (powered by the Agentic Commerce Protocol), users will soon be able to purchase products directly within the chat, making ChatGPT a full-funnel commerce experience.How does ChatGPT Shopping work?There are several components (or ranking factors) to ChatGPT’s shopping results. WebFX It’s important to note that ChatGPT does not rank product results based on:PriceShipping costs and policiesReturn policiesThese factors can, however, determine whether a product gets recommended.If a user’s search intent requests a product under a certain amount or a provider with XYZ shipping or return policies, then ChatGPT will search for products that meet those requirements. And that’s okay. You want qualified traffic versus vanity visits to your site. WebFX Once the results are generated, users can click on different listings to see:Additional product imagesWhere they can purchase the itemWhy they might like the itemWhat other people are saying about the item WebFX Users also have the option to select an item and ask ChatGPT for more details.How does ChatGPT Shopping compare to Google and Bing?So, how do the product carousels compare for ChatGPT versus Google? What about Bing? WebFX The examples for “best July 4th toddler outfits under $35” offer a visual comparison.ChatGPT WebFX Google WebFX Bing WebFX There are a few observations from these examples:One of the ChatGPT product listings also appears in Bing’s resultsTwo of the ChatGPT product listings also appear in Google’s resultsThe ChatGPT and Google product listings are all for girls, suggesting personalizationIt’s no secret that ChatGPT’s third-party data providers include Bing and that its crawler, OAI-SearchBot, is indexing content from across the web, which explains some of these initial similarities.Why does ChatGPT Shopping matter?There are a few reasons ChatGPT Shopping matters to marketers and business owners:Cost: ChatGPT’s product carousels are currently free; there is no cost to discover.Reach: As the #1 AI chatbot, ChatGPT reaches more than 800 million people each week.Overlap: ChatGPT Shopping overlaps with e-commerce search engine optimization (SEO).Targeting: ChatGPT’s personalization makes it easier than ever to reach your market.Integrations: OpenAI and Shopify will soon allow users to buy without leaving ChatGPT.With ChatGPT Instant Checkout, that experience goes a step further, enabling users to purchase products directly in chat through the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP).Plus, optimizing for ChatGPT Shopping now (versus later) gives e-commerce stores a first-mover advantage. These optimizations will also improve your visibility in other search and answer engines, like Google, Perplexity AI, and more.How to appear in ChatGPT Shopping resultsHere’s how to appear in ChatGPT Shopping results:Allow ChatGPT’s crawlers: First, make it possible for ChatGPT’s crawler (OAI-SearchBot) to crawl your site. This optimization usually requires no action unless your robots.txt file has disallowed OAI-SearchBot. If that’s the case, update your robots.txt file.Practice e-commerce SEO: Rank higher in search engine results and increase your chances of appearing in ChatGPT responses with e-commerce SEO optimizations, which include SEO copy for product pages, schema markup, site architecture, and more.Use Product schema markup: Structured metadata, which includes Product markup, is one of ChatGPT’s selection factors for its shopping results. Use the markup to provide ChatGPT with essential information, like pricing, product name, average rating, and more.Upload products to Google Merchant Center: Give ChatGPT even more data for its shopping results with Google Merchant Center, which also supports Google’s AI-powered features, like AI Overviews.Enhance product visuals: You have little time to capture a user’s attention in search results, whether on ChatGPT or Google. Make it count with high-quality visuals that show your product, rather than hiding it in lifestyle shots.Improve review generation: Invest in review generation, like through automated email drip campaigns, to build the number (and quality) of reviews for your products, which can serve as a powerful trust signal for users shopping on answer engines like ChatGPT.Bonus tips for optimizing for ChatGPTLearn more about getting discovered in ChatGPT conversations, from product listings to citations:Create a generative AI channel in GA4: Track traffic from ChatGPT and other AI platforms, like Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity AI, with a custom channel group in Google Analytics 4. You can even use ChatGPT to generate the necessary regex.Plan for ChatGPT advertising: As the platform evolves, advertising opportunities are expected to emerge, allowing businesses to expand their presence within the interface.Produce top-of-the-funnel content: You don’t have to settle for appearing in bottom-of-the-funnel searches. Reach users sooner and cut out the competition by producing high-quality, top-of-the-funnel content that includes firsthand insights, data points, and more.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Women reveal the things they worry about most when navigating music festivals Women reveal the things they worry about most when navigating music festivalsIn the lead-up to the first weekend of Coachella and as festival season officially gets underway, a March 2-5 OnePoll.com survey of 2,000 U.S. women who have attended a music festival commissioned by Always and Secret found that excess sweating from being too hot (35%) ranked among the top challenges. Dealing with body odor (24%) and being on their period or getting it unexpectedly also featured highly (19%) for survey respondents.Not being able to look or feel fresh throughout the day (17%) also stood out, with a further 13% sharing having to change a pad or tampon on-site as something they don’t look forward to. But above all, access to a clean and sanitary restroom ranked as the top priority, according to more than half (56%) of female festival-goers. Always and Secret The amenities women say matter most include air conditioning (52%), hand sanitizer (51%), hand towels (37%), and access to water or a beverage fountain (37%).Additional sought-after features include complimentary deodorant (35%) and period products (25%), phone charging stations (28%), and bag hooks (25%).Even more elevated touches are also welcome, with women highlighting a desire for a perfume bar (19%), mood lighting with music (8%), and a restroom attendant (7%).Ultimately, the research highlights that beyond functionality, the bathroom remains an important cultural space for women at festivals.It’s where moments of connection, confidence resets, and shared rituals happen — a space that, even in the middle of a high-energy event, continues to hold a unique place in girlhood.The research also highlighted the everyday rituals or products women pack to help them stay fresh and prepared throughout festival season, with more than half saying they prioritize wet wipes (58%) and deodorant (51%).And likely because more than two-thirds (64%) said their experience can be impacted when they have their period at a festival or event, it’s no wonder a further 62% would pack extra personal care items when attending an outdoor event during their period, while 55% would ensure they have extra underwear.And of those who took part in the study, 55% said they resort to planning their outfits accordingly if they anticipate being on their period at a music festival, such as covering up more or not wearing white.Top 10 things women worry about navigating at a festival:Access to a clean and sanitary toilet or shower (56%)Expensive food/drink (56%)Excessive sweating from being too hot (35%)Not having phone signal or being able to charge a phone (27%)Body odor (24%)Noise levels/volume (22%)Being on their period or getting it unexpectedly (19%)Painful feet/blisters (18%)Not looking or feeling fresh (17%)Changing a tampon or pad (13%)This story was produced by Always and Secret, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Weekend Rundown with WLLR \| April 2, 2026 There are many family-friendly events going on this weekend, and we've brought in Dani Howe from WLLR to break it down.
	Why more households are investing in home gyms than ever before Why more households are investing in home gyms than ever beforeThe home-fitness boom that took off during the pandemic was widely expected to fade once gyms reopened. Once people could leave the house again, the thinking went, the living room would go back to being a living room.Four years later, however, the trend has only accelerated. RITFIT found that people are buying more home gym equipment than ever. The global home fitness equipment market reached roughly $13.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to approach $23 billion by 2034, according to Fortune Business Insights. Gyms have bounced back, too. But the home fitness trend shows no signs of going anywhere.Part of the reason is money. Health & Fitness Association data shows average monthly gym dues in the United States rose 9% to $60 in 2023, then climbed again to $69 in 2024. Meanwhile, the median monthly fee jumped to $38 from roughly $30, where it had held for most of the prior decade. Even Planet Fitness, which had kept its basic membership at $10 since 1998, raised it to $15 in 2024, attributing the increase to rising operating costs.None of these increases would break the bank on their own. But gym memberships have always been an easy line to cross out when budgets get tight, and after years of cost-of-living pressure, many households have done exactly that.Cost is now the No. 1 reason Americans cancel gym memberships, cited by 41% of those who left in a YouGov survey. At current prices, a mid-range home gym setup can total less than a year's worth of membership fees for a single household. This may be why nearly one in five departing members felt they could get the results they wanted without belonging to a gym.Yet the math has favored home fitness for decades. A squat rack and a barbell have always been cheaper over time than a monthly membership. So, if cost alone were fueling the home fitness industry, it would have happened long ago. Something else has changed.The first clue is that people are increasingly saying they feel busy and burnt out. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2024 shows Americans aged 35 to 44, a prime age group for gym membership, average less daily leisure time than any other adult age group. The causes are debated. Work is the obvious candidate: Globally, nearly two-thirds of employees reported increased workloads last year, an EY survey of 15,000 workers found. But researchers have also pointed to smartphones and social media as a driver of perceived time pressure and mental fatigue, which may help explain why burnout rates look remarkably similar across countries with very different working cultures.Whatever the cause, the squeeze shows up in cancellation data. Roughly a quarter of Americans who dropped gym memberships in 2024 blamed a lack of time. In response, gyms have increasingly added 24-hour access and shorter group classes. Even so, for people who are short on time, working out at home simply makes more sense."When I get home from work, I just change my clothes and go right into a workout," said Christopher Kovach, 35, a home gym owner in the U.S. "I don't have to worry about traffic on the roads and not getting back home in time for the kids to get home from school."Time and cost go a long way toward explaining the shift. Still, there's another cause that often gets overlooked: affordable home gym equipment has massively improved in recent years.Not long ago, budget home gym equipment meant a bulky treadmill that dominated a room or a folding bench that wobbled under any real weight. That's no longer true. The quality gap between an average home setup and a commercial floor has narrowed significantly to the point where, for many households, the monthly membership fee is harder and harder to justify.Part of that is down to innovation. The number of manufacturers competing in the compact, multi-functional segment has surged since 2020, with brands investing in modular designs and combination machines that merge Smith machines, cable crossovers and pull-down stations into single frames.Where a home gym once required a dedicated room full of separate equipment, a single machine can now cover most of what a commercial gym floor offers. Industry analysts at Future Market Insights report that mid-range, space-efficient equipment is now among the fastest-growing categories in the industry.That versatility has a particular appeal for families. "My whole family is able to get all their workouts in on the same machine, even when each person is at a drastically different stage of lifting," said Kovach.None of this means the commercial gym is obsolete. For people who thrive on group classes, specialized coaching, or the social energy of a gym floor, a membership still has a lot going for it. But as more households run the numbers (and the clock), a growing share are arriving at the same conclusion: the best gym is the one they'll actually use. And for a lot of families, that turns out to be the one 30 seconds from the kitchen.This story was produced by RITFIT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Single, savvy and secure: 3 steps to owning your financial future Single, savvy and secure: 3 steps to owning your financial futureThe beauty of being single is that you can design your life on your own terms. Whether it’s cultivating your personal sanctuary or making big career moves and travel plans without a second opinion, you’re the sole architect of your future. While this freedom is a major asset, it also means being completely responsible for everything — a challenge that requires both savvy and strategy.Single spender? A financial peek behind the curtainUnless you have roommates or outside financial support, being single likely means you’re covering all of the expenses for me, myself and I.That’s not necessarily a disadvantage. It just requires a different approach to set yourself up for success.In Ally Bank’s “The Cost of Singledom” consumer report, only 17% of singles feel they spend more money because they are single, and only one-third claim they’ve experienced a “singles’ tax.” Many actually feel that being single offers a better benefit: the freedom and independence to make their own choices. Ally Financial shares highlights from the report and offers tips for managing finances as a single person.Your money, your rules: 3 financial tips for a party of 1For many, being single can be a time to get finances in order because they don’t have to consider another person’s debts or spending habits. Still, 75% of singles say they worry about money at least several times a year, compared to 69% of those in a relationship. Women, both single and partnered, also feel significantly more overwhelmed, anxious and worried about their finances than men, reporting higher levels of anxiety, worry and frustration.Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help you feel more in control of your financial situation.1. Feel the support of a solo safety netWhen you're single, you typically can’t depend on another person’s financial support during emergency situations. Because of this, one of the best ways to prepare for unexpected expenses, like medical bills or home repairs, is to build an emergency fund. While how much you should save depends on factors like your income and monthly costs, general guidance suggests keeping three to six months’ worth of essential expenses in your emergency savings.Start building your solo safety net (emergency fund) by:Creating a budget: List out all of your essential and nonessential expenses to assess how you're spending and where you could cut down.Automating your savings: Set recurring transfers to help your account grow with minimal effort.Saving unexpected income: Keep your raise, bonus or tax refund for a rainy day by automatically routing it to your emergency fund.2. Break up with debt on your termsAccording to the survey, 39% of singles find debt to be the most challenging expense to cover on their own. If you’re unsure of how to tackle debt, consider following one of these methods:Snowball strategy: Pay the minimum balance on all debts and apply remaining funds to your smallest debt first.Avalanche strategy: Pay the minimum balances on all debts and apply remaining funds to the debt with the highest interest first.Debt consolidation: Combine debts into one manageable payment.Debt management: Work with a professional if debt becomes overwhelming.3. Making money moves: Other paths toward financial independenceBeing single has its advantages, like the ability to tailor your savings and investments to your lifestyle and goals.Some smart money moves to consider include:Taking advantage of employer benefits: Make sure you’re using your employer benefits to the fullest. These might include contributing to a 401(k), opting into health insurance that matches your lifestyle or taking advantage of access to financial planning tools.Investing early: When it comes to investing, time can be your biggest advantage. Putting even a small amount of money in the market could pay off in the future. Keep in mind, investments have the potential to grow, but also carry the risk of loss.Build a personal financial system: Optimize your accounts for everyday spending and short- and long-term savings goals.2 hearts, 1 budget, same stressPlot twist: Being coupled doesn’t necessarily relieve financial anxieties. Ally’s survey shows that levels of financial confidence are actually fairly similar, regardless of relationship status, with 38% of coupled respondents saying they’re able to set aside money in savings each month and 29% of singles say the same. Sentiment around debt repayment is also similar: 54% of couples say they will be able to pay off their debt over time, and 45% of singles say the same.If you have a special someone in your life, it’s important to discuss finances openly and regularly about things like:Spending habitsDebt and financial obligationsShort- and long-term goalsHaving these conversations often and early can ensure you’re both on the same page as you transition from being single to merging finances with another person.The sole architect: Building a financial foundationFinancial confidence depends on your intention, not on your relationship status. By building strong habits now, you’re securing the freedom to live exactly how you choose, now and in the future.This story was produced by Ally Financial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Nearly 50 customers without power after tree falls on powerlines, garage A tree fell on powerlines and a garage in an alley Thursday morning between Seventh and Eighth streets.
	Scott County power plant proposal draws opposition A packed house filled the Scott County Library in Eldridge Wednesday night.
	Severe weather update for today We have been getting a lot of rain across the Quad Cities for most of this week, and we are continuing to get rain as we head toward the weekend. Today could cause some problems with an enhanced risk of severe weather issued by the National Weather Service. These potentially severe storms will be in [...]
	Plastic output will double in the coming decades. This new book traces how Plastic output will double in the coming decades. This new book traces howEvery trip to the store, drink at a restaurant, or discard of a recyclable item can feel like a small moral referendum. Bring the reusable bag. Skip the straw. Rinse the yogurt cup. For years, that was how Beth Gardiner thought about plastic, too: a matter of personal responsibility. Then, she came across a number that stopped her cold.Just under a decade ago, the London-based environmental journalist read that oil giants such as Exxon and Shell were planning to invest as much as $180 billion in new plastic production in the United States alone, with projections to increase output by as much as 40% in the coming decades. The revelation—that even as consumers tried to cut back, the industry was preparing to double down on single-use packaging—became the seed of Gardiner’s book, “Plastic Inc.” The years that followed took her from Gulf Coast petrochemical corridors to recycling facilities and corporate boardrooms in a bid to better understand how petrochemical and consumer-goods companies built an economy around disposable plastic; that now underpins so much of everyday life.In this article from Atmos, Gardiner speaks about her research tracing how petrochemical companies became central to the future of fossil fuels, how litter campaigns reframed plastic as a consumer problem rather than a production one, and why she believes the real leverage lies in policies that shift responsibility back to the companies making the material in the first place.Atmos: What set you on the path to reporting and writing “Plastic Inc.”?Beth Gardiner: I was always one of those people who brought reusable bags to the grocery store and felt a little guilty if I forgot them and had to use plastic. I carried a water bottle, and hated throwing bottles out or dealing with excess packaging. That’s just sort of me. And I know a lot of people feel that same distress about how much plastic is in our lives. That was the background.Then, about seven or eight years ago, I read an article in The Guardian saying that huge companies like Exxon and Shell were planning to pour $180 or $200 billion into making more plastic in the U.S., with projections to increase production by 40% or 50%. That felt like a gut punch. Here I was, like so many others, trying to use less plastic, and meanwhile, there was this massive tide of corporate power pushing in the opposite direction. That specific article linked this surge to fracking, which has driven a plastic production boom in the U.S., but it’s part of a bigger global picture. Plastic production has been rising steadily since World War II and is projected to continue increasing on that same trajectory.I didn’t literally wake up the next day and start writing. But when I think about it, that moment, more than anything, was the origin of the book. Because, as an environmental writer, that gap touched on something I find so pervasive in people’s understanding of environmental issues. When we talk about climate change or air pollution—as I did in my first book, “Choked”—people ask, “What can I do? How can we fix this?” That impulse is good, but it also reflects how much we focus on our own actions or the actions of people around us. Our carbon footprints, our flights, our diets. Meanwhile, the systems we live in are shaped by gigantic, wealthy corporations.Plastic makes that dynamic especially tangible. We see it when we open our Amazon package, we hold it, we throw it away. And for so many people—and I hear this when I talk to friends and people I know about this book—it’s so distressing. But that visibility can distract us from the bigger question: Who is driving the problem in the first place?Atmos: In the book, you write that oil and petrochemical giants are “hiding in plain sight.” Given how prolific plastic is in every part of our life, how have they managed to stay out of the public story for so long?Gardiner: Part of the reason, I think, is that the companies at the center of plastic production—the oil and petrochemical firms—aren’t consumer-facing. You’re not buying a plastic bottle from INEOS or ExxonMobil. You’re buying it from a supermarket, or from Coke or Pepsi. So when the public does focus on corporate responsibility for plastic, it tends to land on retailers like Amazon and supermarkets, or on consumer brands, like the companies selling shampoo, snacks, or bottled drinks, rather than on the Exxons and Shells supplying the raw materials.With climate change, people are now used to thinking of big oil as the villain. With plastic, there’s more distance. And these companies aren’t exactly advertising their role. Whether it’s Exxon or Shell, or petrochemical-focused giants like INEOS or Dow, these are all major plastic makers. But they don’t need a public profile because they aren’t selling directly to us.There’s also the broader issue that we don’t always see the system we live in because we’re so accustomed to it. Plastic can feel especially disconnected from its origins. I’ve been writing about climate and oil for 15 or 20 years, and even I had a moment of realizing I didn’t quite know where plastic “comes from” in any intuitive way. I could look at a table, piece of paper, or cardboard and think: tree. But a toothbrush or a water bottle doesn’t cue the same mental link.Most of us have lived our entire lives surrounded by plastic. Its presence has been growing and growing for decades. And because it’s just so much part of our world and our surroundings, we don’t always question it or stop to ask how it got here in the first place. MARK FELIX // AFP via Getty Images Atmos: How crucial is plastic to the oil industry’s future, really? And can you explain why that is?Gardiner: Plastic has become increasingly important to oil and gas companies for a few reasons. First, the basic trajectory is relentless. Since the 1940s and 1950s, when plastic began to take hold in consumer life, production has gone up, up, up. If you project that curve forward, which is essentially the industry’s plan, global plastic output is on track to double or even triple in the coming decades.The second reason is profit. A lot of plastics are made from chemicals that can be byproducts of oil and gas extraction, and plastic gives companies a way to monetize materials that might otherwise be treated as waste. Once firms invest billions to build petrochemical plants that turn those feedstocks into plastic, the incentive is to keep those plants running at full capacity to recoup the investment.But there is also a newer pressure shaping this shift. Even the largest oil and gas companies can see, as well as anyone, that their long-term future is threatened by No. 1, climate action, and No. 2, by the fact that they are being economically outperformed by clean energy. Solar has today become among the cheapest forms of energy. Electric vehicles are scaling quickly, with China cranking them out at enormous volume and exporting them globally, whether it’s buses, cars, or e-bikes. That threatens the industry’s ability to continue profiting from the sale of oil and gas as fuel. Petrochemicals, including plastics, are therefore becoming a larger and more strategic source of profit. Companies are even retooling refineries so that a greater share of each barrel of crude is converted into petrochemicals instead of gasoline or diesel. In other words, plastics help make each barrel of oil or each unit of methane gas more profitable for these companies.So the push for plastic reflects both the industry’s modus operandi—more production means more money—and a growing anxiety about a future in which demand for fossil fuels as fuel may flatten and eventually decline. The industry’s response has never been, “Let’s jump into solar and wind and electric vehicles.” It’s not profitable enough to sell renewable energy. Their answer has been to continue drilling oil and gas and find ways to make that stay profitable.Atmos: When you look at the numbers, where is the growth concentrated?Gardiner: If you ask the industry, it will say the big drive is rising demand in lower- and middle-income countries; that consumers in the Global South are getting wealthier and want the same goods the Global North has, like refrigerators, phones, laptops, cars, packaged products. There is some truth to that. But it’s also true that multinationals are aggressively expanding disposable packaging in those markets—pushed by petrochemical producers, major brands, retailers, and food and beverage companies. With the Global North already saturated with plastic, the Global South has become the next frontier for single-use growth.It’s also worth questioning the premise that plastic expansion is simply demand-driven. Plastic has an unusual ability to invert the normal relationship between supply and demand. The industry says, “Customers are demanding plastic, we are just fulfilling that demand,” but it’s not quite like that. Plastic is produced in tremendous volumes at extremely low cost, and that cheapness makes it easy to flood markets and invent new uses for it.Most consumers aren’t asking for plastic in the first place. When you buy bananas, you’re buying bananas, not plastic wrap. When you order from Amazon, you’re not requesting layers of packaging. When you eat at a restaurant, you’re not demanding throwaway cups and cutlery, even if you’re eating in. Those choices are enabled by a material that is very cheap, and by a business model that rewards volume. Low price, high throughput. The more plastic producers can push into the system, the more it gets adopted as default. That’s why the problem can’t be understood as a matter of individual consumer choice. It’s fundamentally supply-driven, which means regulation and accountability have to focus on producers, not on consumers.Atmos: Even so, as you describe in the book, litter campaigns have largely shifted that responsibility onto consumers. Can you explain how those public narratives and accountability structures around plastic were changed, and who benefited?Gardiner: It’s almost the prototype for modern greenwashing. Those litter campaigns succeeded so well in confusing our understanding of what the problem was and who was driving it. One thing they did was minimize the issue. The message these companies wanted the public to accept was that “too much plastic” wasn’t the problem; the problem was where it ended up. And that’s still the messaging around ocean plastics today, that the issue is improper disposal.That’s not to say litter isn’t a real problem. Of course it is. But the campaigns shrank the story as if litter was the only problem. And then, of course, they also shifted the blame. It’s not us, the big companies who are selling and profiting from plastic, who are responsible for this crisis, it’s you, the individual, or a few irresponsible individuals, who aren’t managing it properly. In that way, they managed to drape themselves in civic-mindedness while pushing responsibility onto all of us.Meanwhile, these companies have routinely fought efforts to make them pay for the waste they create. Take the shift from returnable glass bottles to disposable packaging as an example. When Coke sold drinks in refillable glass bottles, companies had to collect, clean, reuse, and resell them. That’s expensive for them because it requires labor, equipment, and logistics. They would much rather sell it in a plastic bottle, which then becomes the consumer’s problem or the problem of local governments. In this scenario, consumers are charged with managing and disposing of these products through trash collectors or through local taxes.So the campaigns changed how people talked about plastic, yes, but they also reframed plastic as a waste-management problem rather than a production problem, and as a public responsibility rather than a corporate one. Decades later, that logic still shapes the debate: People ask what consumers should do, or how municipalities can raise recycling rates, instead of why companies are pushing so much disposable plastic into the marketplace in the first place.And by the way, it isn’t cheaper. We’re just the ones paying the price difference. When companies moved from returnable bottles to throwaways, whether that’s in aluminum cans or plastic bottles, consumers ended up paying more at the register and again as taxpayers to handle the waste. It was a tremendous shift of both blame and responsibility, and a fundamental reframe of what the problem was in the first place.Atmos: It’s startling when you put it that way, and when you think about the long shadow that the plastics industry casts over so many other sectors. From your perspective, after so much reporting in this space, if the goal is to reduce production, which policy tools have the most leverage?Gardiner: I’m not a policy expert; I’m a journalist. But the tool you hear advocates return to most often is extended producer responsibility, or EPR. It’s already been enacted to different degrees and in different ways in different countries and in a couple of U.S. states, as well.The idea with EPR is to reverse the dynamic we’ve been talking about, which is that these companies have shifted the costs of waste onto the public and off their own books. EPR puts responsibility back on producers by requiring consumer goods companies to help fund what happens to their packaging when it becomes waste. That money can help pay for recycling programs, waste collection, and waste management—and the expense is also meant to create an incentive for companies to use less plastic in the first place.The industry has fought EPR for decades, and when it looks inevitable, it often tries to shape the details so the policy appears meaningful without forcing real change. With measures like this, the devil is in the details and in these tiny definitions of exactly how a new system is going to work.Beyond EPR, there are other measures. One that was part of the Global Plastics Treaty conversation—which, if I understand correctly, is now going nowhere—is tighter regulation to deal with the health effects of the chemicals used in plastic, many of which are pretty well understood now. The European Union has taken a lot of steps, like incentivizing reusability by encouraging or requiring retailers to devote space to refill systems and reusable containers. It has also taken steps to require reuse targets for certain kinds of packaging, including business-to-business shipping and some e-commerce packaging.What history shows is that voluntary corporate promises don’t get you very far. Companies understand public concern, so they say the right things; sometimes they’ll shave off small amounts of plastic. But meaningful change tends to come from mandatory rules, whether it’s local, state, or national policy, or coordinated action through transnational blocs like the EU.There are also narrower tools, like bans on specific items, fees on bags, and restrictions on certain forms of packaging. Those aren’t the whole answer, but they can be a start, and they can shift norms by showing that alternatives are workable. But broadly speaking, it really comes down to one principle: putting the onus back on producers.This story was produced by Atmos and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What gets reported to Dun & Bradstreet from business credit cards? What gets reported to Dun & Bradstreet from business credit cards?Most business owners assume that opening a business credit card automatically starts building their D&B credit file. It doesn't. Whether your card reports to Dun & Bradstreet at all depends entirely on which issuer you choose and whether that issuer shares positive payment activity or only flags you when something goes wrong.Dun & Bradstreet is the largest and most widely recognized business credit bureau in the United States. Unlike Experian and Equifax, which track both personal and business credit, D&B focuses exclusively on businesses. Lenders, suppliers, government agencies, and potential partners routinely pull D&B reports when deciding whether to extend financing, approve vendor terms, or enter into contracts. At the center of D&B's credit system is the DUNS number, a unique nine-digit identifier assigned to every business in its database. Before any credit activity can appear on your D&B file, your business needs one. Getting a DUNS number is free and typically takes about 30 business days. Once it's active, D&B uses incoming data from lenders, vendors, and card issuers to generate your business credit scores, the most important of which is the PAYDEX score.This guide from Brex covers the business credit cards that report to D&B without touching your personal credit, how to pick the right one for your situation, and how to confirm it's working.What gets reported to Dun & Bradstreet from business credit cards?When a business credit card issuer reports to D&B, they typically share your company name and legal information, the account open date, your credit limit or highest balance, your current balance, your payment history, including whether payments were made on time or early, and any delinquencies or collections activity.This data forms the foundation of your D&B credit profile. The more business tradelines reporting positive activity you have, the stronger your business credit becomes. D&B won't even generate a PAYDEX score until your file has at least two tradelines and three separate payment experiences, which is why getting the right cards reporting early matters.Why not all business credit cards report to D&BHere's something most business owners don't know until it's too late. Business credit reporting is completely voluntary. No law requires card issuers to share payment data with D&B or any other business credit bureau. On the consumer side, virtually every card issuer reports to the personal credit bureaus automatically. Understanding how corporate credit cards work helps explain why business credit is different. Issuers have far more discretion over what they report and to whom.Each issuer decides independently whether to report, which bureaus to report to, and whether they'll share positive payment history or only negative activity like late payments and defaults. Reporting costs issuers money, and some simply don't prioritize it. Others report only through intermediaries like the Small Business Financial Exchange, which means your data may or may not reach D&B depending on how that bureau queries the SBFE database.The result is that you can pay your business credit card on time every month for a year and have nothing show up on your D&B file. That's not your mistake. It's a structural gap in how business credit reporting works. Once you understand it, you can work around it by choosing cards from issuers that actually report.Direct D&B reporting vs. SBFE reportingNot all D&B reporting is equal, and knowing the difference saves you from a frustrating surprise.Direct reporting means the card issuer sends your payment data straight to D&B at the end of each billing cycle. It's the fastest and most reliable path.FNBO and AtoB both report directly. Your tradeline typically appears on your D&B file within 45 to 60 days of account opening.SBFE reporting means the issuer sends data to the Small Business Financial Exchange, a members-only data cooperative that shares information with business credit bureaus, including D&B. The issue is that SBFE data doesn't flow into every D&B product or scoring model. D&B queries the SBFE database, but timing and coverage aren't guaranteed the same way direct reporting is. Bank of America and U.S. Bank both route through SBFE.For most businesses, both paths will eventually populate your D&B file. But if you're in a time-sensitive situation, like preparing for a loan application, exploring business lines of credit for startups, or negotiating vendor terms, cards with direct D&B reporting give you more control over timing.Choosing the right D&B-reporting card for your businessKnowing how to choose a business credit card for D&B reporting comes down to where your business is right now. If you're looking at business credit cards for new businesses with no credit history, we’d start with a secured card that reports directly to D&B. If you're an established business actively building your credit profile, FNBO is a strong pick for direct D&B reporting every month. If you're already carrying a Bank of America or U.S. Bank card, don't close it. Credit card stacking works well here, since SBFE reporting still contributes to your D&B file over time while a direct-reporting card gives you faster and more predictable coverage. Businesses with vehicles or delivery operations should also look at the AtoB fleet card, which lets you build D&B credit through fuel spending.If avoiding a personal guarantee is your priority, the best EIN-only business credit cards fit that need. AtoB is your clearest option, and it reports to D&B without tying the debt to your personal finances.How Dun & Bradstreet determines your business credit scoresD&B uses several scoring models, but the one most business owners need to understand is the PAYDEX score. It ranges from 1 to 100 and measures your business's payment history against your payment terms.The math is straightforward. A score of 80 means you pay on the due date. A score of 90 means you pay roughly 20 days early. A score of 100 means you pay about 30 days early. Most lenders and vendors consider 80 satisfactory and anything above 80 as low risk. To qualify for the best vendor terms and financing rates, you want to be consistently in the 80 to 100 range.D&B also calculates a Financial Stress Score, which estimates the likelihood of a business experiencing severe financial distress or bankruptcy, and a Delinquency Predictor Score, which estimates the probability of serious payment delinquency over the next 12 months. These scores pull from a broader data set including public records, financial statements, and industry data. Your credit card payment history is an input, but it's one factor among many.The key point is that PAYDEX is the score you can most directly influence through responsible credit card use. Pay on time consistently, and you'll build a solid PAYDEX. Pay early, and you'll build an excellent one.How to use business credit cards that report to D&B to build PAYDEXBefore anything else, claim your DUNS number. D&B can't log a tradeline for a business it doesn't have on file. Search your business on D&B's website. If your company isn't listed, submit the free registration form. Standard processing takes about 30 business days. When you register, make sure the legal name, address, and phone number match exactly what you'll use on credit applications. A mismatched address can block incoming tradeline data.Once your DUNS number is confirmed, you're ready to build business credit in earnest. Knowing how to apply for a business credit card that reports directly to D&B is the next step. Fund any required deposit for secured cards at an amount that reflects your actual business spending. D&B gives more weight to tradelines with higher credit limits, so a $5,000 secured card will contribute more to your profile than a $500 one, even if monthly spending is similar.Then use the card every month without fail. Assign one recurring business expense to the card, whether that's a software subscription, phone bill, or supply order. Pay the balance two days after the charge posts rather than waiting for the statement due date. Paying early is one of the fastest ways to move your PAYDEX score from good to excellent.After two billing cycles, pull your D&B file through Nav, CreditSignal, or D&B's own portal to confirm the tradeline has posted. If it hasn't, call your card issuer's business credit team to verify they have your correct DUNS number on file.To generate your first PAYDEX score, you'll need at least two tradelines and three payment experiences on your D&B file. Your credit card covers the first tradeline. Add two or three net-30 vendor accounts that report to D&B and pay each invoice within a week of receipt. Most businesses hit the PAYDEX threshold within 90 to 120 days of their first tradeline posting.How to check if your business credit card is reporting to D&BKnowing how to check your business credit score and verify tradeline activity is a step most business owners skip, and it's one of the most common reasons D&B credit building stalls. Issuer policies change, DUNS number mismatches happen, and some cards that claim to report to D&B actually only share data through channels that don't always reach your specific D&B file.Step 1: Wait two billing cyclesWait 60 days after opening the account before pulling your report. That's two billing cycles, which gives the issuer enough time to submit data and D&B enough time to process it. Pulling too early is one of the most common reasons business owners incorrectly conclude their card isn't reporting, when the data may simply be in transit. If you opened a secured card, also make sure your first statement has already closed before you start the clock, since some issuers don't transmit data until the account has at least one complete billing cycle of activity.Step 2: Pull your D&B filePull your file through CreditSignal, which is D&B's free monitoring tool, or D&B's paid portal for full report access. CreditSignal gives you a basic view of your D&B scores and alerts you when your file changes, which is enough to confirm a tradeline has posted. If you want to see full tradeline detail, including payment history notation and credit limit figures, D&B's paid portal gives you that visibility. Either way, you're looking at the same underlying data; the difference is how much of it is visible.Step 3: Look for your tradelineA successfully posted tradeline will show the creditor's name, your highest credit limit, and a payment status notation. The payment status notation is the most important field, since it's what D&B uses to calculate your PAYDEX score. You want to see it reflect on-time or early payment, not a blank or a derogatory flag. If the tradeline is there but the payment status looks wrong, that's worth a call to your issuer to verify what data they submitted.Step 4: Troubleshoot if it's missingIf the tradeline is missing after two billing cycles, contact your card issuer's business credit team directly and confirm they have your exact DUNS number. If the issuer confirms the data was submitted, open a support ticket with D&B and upload a recent statement as proof. Most missing tradeline issues clear within two weeks once a human reviews the account.How long before a new account shows up on my D&B file?Most issuers that report directly to D&B transmit data at the end of each billing cycle. D&B then processes incoming files over the following 15 to 30 days. That means a tradeline from a direct-reporting issuer typically appears on your D&B file within 45 to 60 days of account opening.Cards that route through SBFE can take longer. D&B ingests SBFE data on a less predictable schedule, and the tradeline may take 60 to 90 days to appear, depending on when the SBFE file is queried. If timing matters for your situation, direct-reporting cards are the safer choice.Should you build business credit beyond D&B?D&B is the most widely recognized business credit bureau, and building a strong PAYDEX score should be your first priority. But it shouldn't be your only priority.Understanding how the different business credit bureaus operate helps explain why. Experian Business and Equifax Business maintain separate credit files for your company, and different lenders check different bureaus. Some traditional bank lenders rely heavily on D&B. Others pull Experian Business. Equipment financing companies often check Equifax. If you're only building D&B credit, you may run into gaps when a lender or supplier pulls from a bureau where your file is thin.The practical approach is to start with cards that report to all three bureaus simultaneously. FNBO's secured card reports to D&B, Experian, and Equifax in a single account. That's the most efficient use of each tradeline. As you add net-30 vendor accounts, prioritize vendors that also report to multiple bureaus. Uline, for example, reports to both D&B and Experian.Once your D&B PAYDEX is at 80 or higher and you have active tradelines at Experian and Equifax, your business credit profile will be strong enough to support most financing and vendor applications. If you want to know how to establish business credit fast, the approach above covers the core moves. Direct-reporting cards, net-30 vendors, and early payments typically get you there within six to 12 months of consistent, on-time payments across a handful of well-chosen accounts.Build your business credit with a corporate card that reports to D&BChoosing a card that reports directly to D&B, Experian, and Equifax puts you in a strong position from the start. Every on-time payment builds your business credit profile across all three major bureaus simultaneously, without touching your personal credit.This story was produced by Brex and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	'Stay Alive,' about daily life in Nazi Berlin, shows how easy it is to just go along Historian Ian Buruma chronicles the lives of ordinary Berliners — including his own father — during World War II. Stay Alive is about the past, but has powerful lessons for the present.
	How to get a golf course lawn at home (without the $50K budget) How to get a golf course lawn at home (without the $50K budget)Want a lawn that looks straight off a golf course? That perfectly manicured, carpetlike grass is a dream for many homeowners. You don’t need a $50,000 budget or professional grounds crew to make it happen.Jimmy Lewis, owner of Jimmy Lewis Mows, proved it. He turned his 10,000-square-foot Utah yard into a stunning golf course lawn. “It’s not impossible,” he says. “It is a time commitment and initially, a financial commitment.”You can also create a professional-looking golf course lawn on a homeowner’s budget. In this guide from LawnStarter, you'll learn what makes these lawns special, which golf course practices actually work at home, and how to maintain that pristine look without breaking the bank.What Makes a Golf Course Lawn Different?A golf course lawn stands out the moment you see it. The grass is impossibly thick, perfectly even, and so green it almost glows. But what creates that look?The 4 Key FeaturesShort grass height: Unlike typical suburban lawns, which are usually 2.5 to 4 inches tall, golf course lawns are cut to 1 inch or shorter.Dense, fine-textured turf: The grass blades are thin and packed together like a plush carpet. When you walk on it, it feels completely different from typical home lawn grass.Uniform, vibrant green color: There are no brown patches, light spots, or color variations. The entire lawn is a consistent shade of green.Perfectly level surface: Every inch of the lawn is smooth and flat. No bumps, dips, or uneven areas that would affect a golf ball rolling across it.What this means: To get a golf courselike lawn, you need to “have the healthiest lawn possible,” says EJ Chea, golf course superintendent at Pease Golf Course in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.You need lawn mowing, proper fertilization, good soil health, drainage, limited foot traffic, and smart watering all working together, Chea says. These are the same basics every healthy lawn needs — golf course lawns just take them to the next level.How to Create a Golf Course Lawn on a Homeowner’s BudgetSo, how did Lewis create his golf course lawn without spending a fortune? He didn’t start with perfect grass. He started with the right tools. “Like anything, the right tools make any job or hobby easier and more enjoyable,” Lewis says.For example, Lewis uses a Toro Greensmaster 1600 reel mower. These mowers cut grass like scissors, creating a cleaner cut than rotary mowers.The only professional help he needed was installing a sprinkler system. Everything else — from growing grass from seed to weekly mowing — he handled on his own.Lewis started with a good grass mix.Before the transformation, his roughly 10,000-square-foot Utah lawn already had an 80/20 mix of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial rye.“I did overseed it a couple of times, but after the first year the grass filled in and thickened up, which doesn’t require any overseeding,” he says.He also made a major change: his mowing height.Mowing StrategyLewis lowered his mowing height from 3 inches to 1 inch over a month or so, he says. The key is to make the change gradually — dropping too fast would have damaged the grass.“Looking back, I could've just hacked it down in a day,” Lewis says. “It stresses the grass, but bluegrass especially recovers quickly.”His mowing schedule: At least twice per week. “Double cuts always look cleaner,” he says. But if his schedule permits, he’ll sneak in a third mowing.Lewis discovered something that many homeowners get wrong.“There is a misconception that the shorter you cut your grass, the longer you can wait between cuts,” he says. “The reality is that the shorter you cut your grass, the more often you need to cut it to maintain a clean look and keep a nice green color.”Lewis grows a cool-season grass mix, but certain warm-season grass varieties of Bermuda and Zoysia also tolerate low mowing heights, giving you a golf course view even in more southern climates.Watering and Fertilizing RoutineLewis keeps his watering simple: Twice per week, even during hot summer months. While the temperature reaches 100 degrees in peak summer, he knows that proper nutrients help his grass handle the heat.“During that time, I keep an eye out for signs of heat stress and add a little more water if needed, either by manual hand watering or running a half-watering schedule,” he says.For fertilizer, he applies it every five to six weeks during the growing season. “I select my fertilizer products based on soil test data,” he says.How does he keep his yard looking green and lush in Utah's drought? “I use deep, infrequent watering cycles and specific fertilizer programs,” Lewis says. “There are also products out there that help with moisture management between waterings.”Weed ControlLewis does weed control only on an as-needed basis. “Once the lawn gets really thick, weed pressure diminishes immensely,” he says.And if he has to spray occasional weeds, he does only spot treatments rather than spraying the entire lawn.Budget for MaintenanceMaintenance of Lewis’s golf course lawn falls within a budget of $300 to $600 a year.“I’m very much within this budget range, which is where I would guess most homeowners would land,” he says. “There are some with larger properties that would likely find themselves in a higher range, though.”Why He Made the Switch“Back then, when I walked on the lawn, I didn’t like the feel of longer grass at my feet,” Lewis says.He admits it took him a while to commit fully to this transformation, but he says he’s glad he did. And once he transformed his home turf into a golf course-style lawn, everything improved.“It's a never-ending journey, but for me it's been a therapeutic hobby,” Lewis says. “I always look forward to spending time outside.“Walking on a 1-inch or shorter grass just feels way better. The kids love it, too!”The 5 Lawn Care Principles (Regardless of Budget) Jimmy Lewis Whether you have a small yard or a large property, these five rules apply to every golf course lawn:1. Mow Low and OftenGolf-style lawns need frequent cutting at low heights.But there’s a limit. “Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass per mowing,” Chea says.2. Water Deep, Not OftenFrequent shallow watering creates weak, shallow roots. Deep, infrequent watering has the opposite effect.This approach of watering deeply and less often encourages strong root growth and improves drought tolerance, Chea says. Your grass becomes more resilient and needs less water overall.3. Feed Consistently, Not HeavilyHeavy fertilizer applications force rapid growth, which means more mowing and potential problems.Chea recommends keeping fertility at an acceptable level throughout the growing season. This maintains steady color and growth without overwhelming the grass.4. Know Your Grass Type LimitsNot every grass can handle being cut short. Some species thin out or die when mowed below certain heights.Choose grass suited to your climate and the height you want to cut.5. Focus on Soil Health FirstHealthy soil creates healthy grass. It’s that simple.Core aeration and regular topdressing improve drainage, root growth, and long-term lawn quality. These practices work better than any quick-fix product you can buy.What Golf Courses Do That You Shouldn’tGolf courses do a lot of things that look impressive, but they’re managing grass with specialized equipment, big budgets, and full-time crews. Some of their practices don’t translate well to a home lawn.Rolling Your LawnRolling helps golf greens play faster and look smoother, but it’s rough on regular lawns. “It’s impractical for a home lawn,” Chea says, “especially if you consider that we roll one to three times per week.”Repeated rolling compacts the soil, making it harder for roots to grow and water to drain properly.Daily Mowing Below 0.5 InchesProfessional golf greens are mowed every day at extremely low heights — often below half an inch. Golf course greenskeepers use specialized equipment and grass varieties bred specifically for this treatment.Your typical lawn grass can’t survive that kind of stress. It will scalp, thin out, or die completely.Chea recommends homeowners use a different mowing pattern each time. “This helps with wear and tear issues.”Applying Preventive FungicidesGolf courses spray fungicides regularly to prevent lawn disease outbreaks that would shut down play.For homeowners, this approach is usually overkill. It’s expensive, potentially harmful to beneficial organisms, and unnecessary if your grass doesn’t have a lawn disease.Using Plant Growth Regulators“Plant growth regulators are used to stunt vertical growth,” Chea says. “This helps maintain consistent playing conditions, and the plant’s energy is directed at the roots versus the crown. Homeowners can use PGRs to lower mowing frequency.”The problem is that they’re very easy to misuse. One wrong application can leave your lawn weak, discolored, or damaged for weeks.FAQ on Golf Course Grass at HomeShould I Use Liquid or Granular Fertilizer for the Golf Course Look?Many homeowners use both. Liquid fertilizers provide faster color and precise control. Granular products last longer and release nutrients slowly.How Do I Get Striping Patterns like Golf Course Fairways?Striping comes from bending grass blades in opposite directions using a roller or striping kit. Light reflects differently off the bent grass, creating visible patterns.What’s the Single Most Cost-Effective Upgrade for Someone Starting with a Basic Lawn?Improve your mowing quality first — a sharp blade or better mower delivers the biggest visual improvement.Transform Your Grass into a Golf Course-Style LawnA golf course lawn isn’t just for country clubs. Lewis proved that an average homeowner, with the right approach, can create that same professional look without a $50,000 budget.You simply need smart mowing, proper watering, consistent fertilizing, and patience.And what does Lewis's wife think of his lawn care obsession? “She tolerates it most days, thankfully. She's my biggest supporter.”This story was produced by LawnStarter and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	From ports to passengers: 10 busiest cruise ports in the US From ports to passengers: 10 busiest cruise ports in the USIs there a best time to go on a cruise? Depends on what you’re after. Great weather, fewer crowds, better prices — all play an important role. So does the destination. But ultimately, it all comes down to this — the port. The port that you choose to embark from decides the trajectory of your adventure, quite literally.In this article, CruiseParking.com shares the ten busiest cruise ports in the U.S.Ten busiest cruise ports in the USPort Canaveral, FloridaAfter the 13% increase in passenger traffic, which pushed the total to 8.6 million in 2025, Port Canaveral reigns as the busiest cruise port in the U.S., leaving the former champion, Port of Miami, in the dust. Currently home to 18 ships from seven different cruise companies, it is also one of the ports that has the most frequent cruise activity. As of 2025, the port sees more than 1,000 annual ship calls; however, this figure is set to increase over the next five years as terminal expansion projects progress.Well, if going on a cruise isn’t on your mind, you can still visit Canaveral, as it offers dining, entertainment, and a shopping district, which includes waterfront restaurants. But, it’s spring, and what’s a better time to go on a cruise than the spring, when Canaveral has services to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico?Port Miami, Florida“The Cruise Capital of the World,” Port Miami, is not just one of the biggest and busiest cruise ports in the U.S.; it is also one of the largest in the world. Although Miami lost its crown to Port Canaveral as the busiest port in the U.S., Miami still handles an impressive 8.5 million passengers annually. Some of the reasons for its success are its ideal location on Biscayne Bay and its infrastructure, including the massive terminals capable of handling multiple mega-ships simultaneously.Also, Miami International Airport is just 9 miles from the port, which makes it highly accessible. Port Miami is home to major cruise lines like Carnival Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Windstar Cruises.Port Everglades, FloridaThe three biggest and busiest cruise ports in the U.S. are all in Florida — Port Canaveral, Miami, and the Everglades. Coincidence? Don’t think so. According to FDOT reports, the Florida government invests an average of over $300 million annually in seaport infrastructure and is planning to invest nearly $800 million annually between 2023 and 2027, which is higher than many other states with ports.Port Everglades is a popular port for Caribbean cruises. Because of its proximity to the Caribbean and the frequent availability of cruise lines, over 4.77 million passengers prefer to cruise through Port Everglades annually.Port of Galveston, Texas2025 marked the Port of Galveston’s 200th anniversary, and the City of Galveston made sure that it was a celebration worth remembering. On the occasion of celebrating its bicentennial anniversary, a fourth cruise terminal was opened at Pier 16. A new 20-year plan is also on the cards, hinting at further terminals and infrastructure expansions. With an annual passenger traffic of over 3.4 million, Galveston is one of the fastest-growing cruise ports in the U.S.Last year, the Port of Galveston saw almost 400 sailings served by six major cruise lines: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and MSC Cruises.Port of Seattle, WashingtonOnce the spring break crowd settles down, the Port of Seattle gears up for the summer cruise. Alaska wilderness sailing is one of the most popular cruises of summer, and the Port of Seattle is a major hub for Alaska cruises. 2025 was a record-breaking season with 298 calls and 1.9 million passengers, generating an estimated billion in regional economic impact.The Port of Seattle hosts eight major cruise lines — Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean, with 298 cruise ship calls in a year.Port of New Orleans, LouisianaNOLA is another Port that has been receiving a lot of praise in the last year for its strong growth. NOLA ended 2025 with over 1.06 million cruise passenger movements, marking the ninth year the port has surpassed the million-passenger milestone. While the growth of this port has been consistent over the years, it’s not just these passenger numbers that make it one of the busiest cruise ports in the U.S. Conveniently located on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico is an advantage, as is being a port with direct access to Western Caribbean cruise routes.Another added advantage is that, while ports like Seattle don’t operate year-round, NOLA does, ensuring continuous ship calls and stable passenger flow.Port of Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Port of Los Angeles could have taken the title of ‘the busiest port in the U.S.’ if it were the busiest overall port, including cargo and containers, not just cruises. Because, for over a decade, the Port of Los Angeles has been ranked #1 in the U.S. for Container Cargo, handling over 9-10 million TEUs annually. And if we are talking about cruises, the port is a hub for Pacific and Mexico cruises, handling over 1.6 million passengers annually.The Port of Los Angeles currently operates the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, which is the main terminal serving several cruise lines. The major cruise lines are Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.Port Tampa Bay, FloridaIt’s not surprising that another port from Florida makes the list. Unlike the other three ports we discussed, though, Tampa Bay is an exception. It is primarily a cargo port. In fact, it is the largest and most diversified cargo port in Florida. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t cruise activity here. It accommodates cruise ships in its three terminals, situated along Channelside Drive in Tampa, Florida, and welcomed over a million passengers in 2025, setting a new all-time record for the port.While the usual five cruise lines — Carnival, Celebrity, Margaritaville at Sea, NCL, and Royal Caribbean — set sail here, Tampa Bay is also gearing up with new expansion projects to welcome more major cruise lines in the future.Port of San Juan, Puerto RicoWith a passenger traffic of over 1.59 million, the Port of San Juan makes it to the list of the ten busiest ports in the U.S. Compared to the previous year, 2025 saw cruise tourism flourish at San Juan Port, generating roughly $140 million annually for Puerto Rico. San Juan is a popular Caribbean cruise port that serves as both a homeport and a popular stopover for major cruise lines.Meaning, the terminals handle not just embarking passengers but also those who stopover, hence the local businesses, restaurants, and tourism industries centered around the nearby historic district are also supported.Cape Liberty Cruise Port, New JerseyOne of the busiest ports in the U.S., Cape Liberty Cruise Port is the main cruise port serving the New York metropolitan region. It is strategically located in Bayonne, New Jersey, and serves the densely populated Northeast U.S. It handles approximately 1.5 million passengers annually. Since Cape Liberty runs seasonally, ship calls are fewer than at other ports like Seattle and NOLA. Approximately 120-150 ship calls are made every year. However, it hosts the popular Royal Caribbean International cruise line.Summing upTaking a closer look at some of the busiest ports in the U.S. reveals one simple truth: Whether it’s Port Canaveral or the Port of San Juan, the human desire for adventure is unending. There’s something timeless about the pull of the ocean.But out beyond these oceanic adventures, these ports also have a different story to tell. One that’s not about being a starting point for an unforgettable journey. But about being a caretaker of the local communities. It drives local economies, supports millions of jobs, all the while connecting the country to global tourism and trade. In many ways, these ports don’t just connect destinations, but also people, cultures, and opportunities across the waves.This story was produced by CruiseParking.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Why your QR Codes shouldn’t always lead to the same place Why your QR Codes shouldn’t always lead to the same placeIn 2023, Audi ran a national ad featuring a single QR Code. When viewers scanned it, 115 different things happened. Each person was routed to the Audi dealership nearest to their location.Most marketing teams wouldn’t think to do this with a QR Code. Most wouldn’t know they already have the capability they need to.According to Uniqode’s State of QR Codes 2026, 76% of marketers are already using dynamic QR Codes. For the survey, Uniqode surveyed 524 marketers and 1,000 consumers, as well as analyzed 188 million scans across 796,000 QR Codes.The survey found that many marketers use QR Codes the same way: update the destination when a campaign ends, fix a broken link, swap out seasonal content. While that’s a valid use of the technology, it’s also the most basic one.Dynamic QR Codes can also automatically route different scanners to different destinations based on conditions such as time of day, location, device type, or how many times someone has scanned. In this article, Uniqode shows how you can apply this approach to your QR Code strategy.Restaurants show what that looks like in practice.How restaurants cracked itWhen restaurants replaced physical menus during COVID, they ran into an immediate problem: One menu doesn’t work all day. A diner scanning at 8 a.m. wants eggs and coffee. The same person scanning at 8 p.m. wants steak and wine.Printing separate menus for each daypart means constant reprints, multiple codes on the table, or staff manually swapping menus between shifts.The solution restaurants landed on was time-based routing, a form of context-aware routing in which a dynamic QR Code reads the time at the moment of scanning and redirects accordingly. With one QR Code, they could now show different menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.The approach stuck. According to the consumers surveyed for the report, 58% said they scanned QR Codes at restaurants, more than in any other setting. The menu is still one of the most scanned use cases. Part of the reason is that restaurants made the scan worth doing. Uniqode Every industry has a version of thisThe logic restaurants used isn’t unique to food service. It’s a response to a universal problem: The same QR Code is scanned by different people at different points in their relationship with a brand, each wanting different things.Product packaging is a good example of how quickly this compounds. A first-time buyer scanning a protein powder needs to know how to use it. Someone six weeks into using the powder wants recipes. Someone on their third purchase wants a refill link. The packaging hasn’t changed, but the person scanning it is at a completely different point in their relationship with the product, and a static destination treats all of them the same way.Event organizers face a version of this that plays out over days. A QR Code on a conference badge means something different the week before the event (hotel bookings, session registration, travel logistics) than it does on the day itself, when attendees need live schedules and room locations. After the event, the same scan leads to recordings and speaker slides.Retail, on the other hand, compresses all of this into a single week. A weekday shopper researching during a lunch break wants specs and comparisons. A weekend browser with family in tow wants to know what’s in stock and what the bundle deal is. A QR Code on that display is seeing both of them. Right now, it’s answering neither with context-aware routing.The seven types of context-aware routingEach routing type reads a different signal at the moment of scan. The condition is set in advance. The redirect happens automatically. Uniqode How brands have applied context-aware routingA few brands have already begun implementing the routing types mentioned above.Audi and location-based routingAudi of America ran a national OTT campaign with a single QR Code embedded in the ad. Based on where each viewer was sitting when they scanned, the code automatically routed them to one of 115 zip-code-specific dealership pages. The campaign reached 14.1 million viewers, held the attention of 98% of them, and drove over 23,000 additional minutes of engagement.One video, one code, 115 different destinations — none of them requiring a separate creative or a manual update.Ketel One and access-based routingKetel One deployed accessible QR Codes on its bottled espresso martini and cosmopolitan products.For most scanners, the code routes to the brand’s website as any standard QR Code would. When the same code is detected by accessibility apps such as Microsoft Seeing AI, Be My Eyes, or Envision, it triggers a completely different experience: text-to-speech product announcements, distance detection, allergen information, and recipe suggestions in formats built for people who are blind or have low vision.Same QR Code, same shelf, different destination, based entirely on how it’s scanned. Ketel One built a single QR Code that reads its scanning context and responds accordingly. Coinbase and device-based routingDuring the 2022 Super Bowl, Coinbase ran a 60-second ad showing nothing but a bouncing QR Code on a black screen. iOS users were routed to App Store flows, Android users to Google Play. The QR Code processed over 20 million scans and drove 445,000 signups in the first minute.The routing logic was simple. A single broadcast code served two technically different user journeys simultaneously, with neither audience aware that any branching was happening behind the scan.The customer physically walked up to the QR Code, pulled out their phone, and chose to engage. That’s a level of deliberate attention most marketing channels spend significant budget trying to manufacture.When the destination doesn’t match what they came for, that moment is gone. With an ad, the brand interrupts. With a scan, the customer volunteers. A bad experience at that moment of intent is harder to shake. With an ad, the brand interrupts. With a scan, the customer volunteers. A bad experience at that moment of intent is harder to shake.According to Uniqode’s State of QR Codes 2026, 49% of consumers are most likely to scan when a QR Code provides clear relevance or context. Context-aware routing is what builds that relevance in. The right destination at the right moment, without manual updates, separate codes, or reprinting anything.For marketers, that means higher scan-to-conversion rates, less wasted print spend, and more return from a touchpoint the customer already chose to engage with.The technology supports it. Most teams already have it. The question is how many high-intent moments have to land on the wrong page before the routing logic gets built.This story was produced by Uniqode and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to measure your AI fluency—and move to the next level How to measure your AI fluency—and move to the next levelThe biggest gains from AI don’t come from having access to the right tools alone. They come from teammates who know how to work with AI thoughtfully: people who are curious, willing to experiment, and able to see where AI can meaningfully support their judgment and decision-making.In 2026, businesses need a baseline level of AI fluency among their employees—not because everyone needs deep technical expertise, but because effective AI use today is about habits, mindset, and knowing how to apply AI in real work.Here, Zapier gives you a practical way to assess your own AI fluency and understand what progress looks like, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence, one level at a time.What is AI fluency?AI fluency is your ability to use AI effectively, responsibly, and confidently in your day-to-day work. It affects how you decide when AI is useful, how clearly you communicate what you want, and how thoughtfully you evaluate what comes back.AI fluency shows up in how you:Decide when AI is useful versus when a task needs a human-first approach.Communicate clearly with AI systems through prompts, context, and constraints.Evaluate and improve AI outputs so they meet your standards for quality.Apply judgment around accuracy, bias, sensitivity, and downstream risk.Integrate AI into real workflows, not just isolated or one-off tasks.Why AI fluency mattersAI fluency matters because AI only delivers value when you know how to use it well. When you strengthen your AI fluency, the benefits compound and allow you to scale your impact as expectations and complexity grow. You can see the impact of it in a few concrete ways:You produce higher-quality work faster. Fluent users know how to use AI to handle routine or repetitive tasks—whether that’s using AI chatbots to draft or summarize content, or building agentic AI workflows that automatically enrich data, route work to other tools, and take next-best actions.You adapt more easily. As new tools emerge and AI models evolve, you’re able to seamlessly transfer core skills—like prompting, evaluation, and task decomposition—instead of relearning everything from scratch each time.You make better decisions with incomplete or ambiguous information. AI fluency helps you question outputs, validate assumptions, and use AI as an input—not a final authority.You spend more time on judgment, creativity, and problem-solving. By offloading execution-heavy work, you create more space for the parts of the job that benefit most from human thinking.An AI fluency rubric—and how to use itThis AI fluency rubric is a simple framework for describing how you’re currently using AI in your work and what meaningful growth looks like from there. It’s not a scorecard or a pass/fail test. Instead, it gives you concrete signals you can use to assess your habits and capabilities.Here’s how to use it: Pick your baseline. Review all four levels and identify the one that best reflects how you work most of the time. It’s normal to see yourself in more than one level depending on the task. Use the examples and common signals to anchor on the level you return to most often.Aim one level up. Focus on what actions you can take to move to the next stage through small, intentional changes in how you work with AI. The goal isn’t to jump levels or optimize everything at once. Instead, start with a single change you can repeat this week. Zapier Level 1: UnacceptableThis stage is a common starting point, especially for people who haven’t had the time, support, or context to explore AI meaningfully yet. It doesn’t reflect a lack of ability. Instead, it usually reflects limited exposure, uncertainty about expectations, or valid concerns about risk.Common signals:Skepticism about AI’s usefulness or impact on work.Curiosity with no concrete examples of using AI for work or personal productivity.Avoidance of AI tools due to uncertainty, discomfort, or ethical concerns. Examples of what this looks like: “AI sounds interesting, but I don’t know how I’d use it.”“I’m not opposed to AI, but I have major concerns about it replacing human jobs, which is why I haven’t used it.”“I’ve heard stories of AI getting things wrong, so I’ll be eager to use it when it has improved.”How to progress to the next level:Look for simple, real examples of how people in your role use AI today.Start with low-risk tasks to build firsthand experience.Focus on learning what AI is good at—and where its limits are.Level 2: CapableAt this stage, you’ve crossed an important threshold: you’re using AI on purpose. You may still be early in your journey, but you have real experience and momentum to build on.Common signals:Purposeful use of one or more AI tools for work or personal productivity.Ability to explain why you used AI and how it helped.Willingness to experiment, even if usage isn’t deep yet.Examples of what this looks like:“I often use ChatGPT to help me research topics more efficiently—it consistently saves me time.”“I’ve used AI to automate recurring data entry tasks, which saves me time in my daily work. I haven’t explored more advanced uses yet, but it’s been helpful.”“We use an internal AI tool to summarize meeting notes, which helps our team stay aligned.” How to progress to the next level:Use AI more consistently across similar tasks. Refine prompts and reuse approaches that work.Compare AI-assisted outputs against your own standards for quality.Level 3: AdoptiveAt the adoptive stage, AI is no longer an experiment—it’s a dependable part of how you work. You’re thoughtful about outcomes, aware of limitations, and continuously improving how you use AI.Common signals:Regular, repeatable AI usage with clear impact on your work.Use of multiple tools or AI-enhanced workflows.Ability to articulate how AI improves outcomes, not just efficiency. Examples of what this looks like:“I’ve integrated AI and automation into my daily work, and am experimenting with X tools that have led to Y results.”“I regularly use AI to analyze customer feedback and improve our service. I’ve learned it speeds up analysis but can miss nuances, so I’m refining the process while considering ethical implications.”“I consistently use AI to forecast sales trends, which helps us adjust inventory planning. Over time, I’ve improved data inputs to address gaps in context and accuracy.”How to progress to the next level:Redesign recurring workflows with AI in mind.Share effective AI patterns and lessons learned with others.Look for ways to extend impact beyond your own tasks.Level 4: TransformativeThis stage reflects impact at scale. AI has fundamentally changed how you approach work, and that new way of working influences others—your team, your projects, or even your function.Common signals:Prioritizing AI-first solutions when solving problemsScaling AI usage across teams, processes, or initiativesThinking strategically about why and how AI should be appliedExamples of what this looks like:“I introduced AI tools XYZ across my team—we now save 10-plus hours per week and improved quality.”“I was tasked with leading an initiative and used XYZ tools to build it, resulting in X impact for my company.”“I led a project to integrate AI in our supply chain management, aiming to optimize inventory levels. Through iterative testing and feedback, we reduced costs by 20%. I learned about AI’s limitations in real-time adjustments and addressed ethical concerns by ensuring transparency with stakeholders.”How to keep progressing:Document AI workflows that work especially well.Expand those workflows to support other teams, projects, or use cases within your role.Experiment openly and mentor others by sharing AI workflows, patterns, and lessons learned.Strengthen your AI fluency with hands-on useAI fluency grows through hands-on use. The more you apply AI to real work—testing ideas, refining outputs, and integrating it into everyday processes—the faster your confidence and impact compound.This story was produced by Zapier and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Multiple people injured in head-on crash Police said a Ford pickup crossed the center median and hit a van head-on.
	'When a Woman's Fed Up' comes to Adler Theatre, Davenport Unlimited Entertainment LLC presents “When a Woman’s Fed Up,” coming to the Adler Theatre on Saturday, June 13, a news release says. Tickets, which start at $59, go on-sale Friday, April 3, here and the Adler Theatre Box Office in downtown Davenport. A stage play that delves into the intricate web of various types of [...]
	Regaining Control: How One Woman with Parkinson’s Disease Keeps Moving Thanks to Deep Brain Stimulation (NAPSI)—It all started about 15 years ago with a strange vibration in her left leg.“I thought it was nothing,” recalls Suzanne Friedman, a South Florida mom who at the time was in her 40s and busy juggling a career and family. She mentioned the vibration to her physician during an annual check-up, thinking it was probably just a pinched nerve. Instead, her physician asked a question that stopped her cold: What about Parkinson’s disease? “What?” Friedman remembers thinking. “I was completely shocked.” A referral to a neurologist soon followed, along with an official diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, news which sent Suzanne into what she describes as a yearlong tailspin. “You don’t expect to go into the doctor’s office and walk out with a life-changing diagnosis,” Friedman added. April is recognized as Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the experiences of the 1.1 million Americans living with the disease and raise awareness of potential treatment options1. For many people, treatments revolve around medications. In Friedman’s case, her journey eventually led her to deep brain stimulation. Living Around the Medication After the news of her diagnosis settled in, she did what many patients typically do: she pushed forward. Worried that her mobility would start to decline, Friedman and her family traveled as much as possible before her symptoms worsened. For three years she was able to manage without medical intervention. When she finally started treatment with medications, relief came, but so did side effects. She developed dyskinesia, the uncontrolled movements that can develop after long-term use of medications that treat Parkinson’s. “My foot would just start tapping,” she said. “When I was nervous, it was worse.” She began living her life around her medication and dosing schedule. “I had to be so careful and watch every step,” she added. “I wasn’t enjoying life. I was suffering.” Some days the medicine worked; some days it didn’t. The unpredictability was crushing and emotionally draining. “I had no control. No consistency. I couldn’t go somewhere without worrying I suddenly wouldn’t be able to walk.” For years, Friedman kept her diagnosis to herself—didn’t even tell her own mother. “I couldn’t bring myself to tell people. I didn’t want them to freak out, because it freaked me out.” Before Parkinson’s disease, she described herself as “the party queen,” never missing an opportunity to socialize. Over time, she became less social and any kind of stress made her symptoms worse. Finding Another Option When medication and other treatment options failed, she turned to late-night research and social media groups, which led her to something she hadn’t seriously considered yet: deep brain stimulation (DBS). Eager to learn more, she started reaching out to people who had undergone the procedure. “They all said it would have a positive impact,” she added. DBS isn’t a cure for Parkinson’s disease. The treatment works by sending mild electrical signals to a targeted portion of the brain through leads connected to a small, implanted device called a stimulator. These signals can help improve movement symptoms such as stiffness, tremors and slowness. When Friedman’s doctor presented her with the various DBS treatment options, she chose Boston Scientific’s Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation System. “I wanted the most up-to-date technology available, and I liked that it had a rechargeable battery,” she added. Friedman began the process and had her DBS system implanted in 2018. Following the operation, she and her healthcare team worked together to fine-tune the DBS system, a painless process of making micro-adjustments to the electrical current to personalize her results. “As the doctor started programming, my daughter watched him turn off my Parkinson’s symptoms with a computer,” Friedman recalls. Keep Moving to Keep Moving Nearly 15 years after her initial diagnosis, she says you wouldn’t know she has Parkinson’s disease if you met her. “The biggest change is consistency,” she says. “I feel like I have more control. I don’t have to worry about going somewhere and not being able to walk after.” She walks three miles every day. She practices yoga. She plays cards with friends and works in the family business. Once a week, she attends Rock Steady Boxing, a non-contact fitness program designed for people with Parkinson’s disease that research suggests can help slow symptom progression. “If you want to walk, you have to walk,” she says. “You have to keep moving to keep moving.” Stories like this highlight why Parkinson’s Awareness Month matters: Raising awareness helps more patients and their families learn about symptoms, treatment options and supportive communities that can help them keep moving forward. Friedman isn’t defined by her diagnosis. She is defined by motion—by miles walked, by punches thrown in a boxing class, by trips taken, by a life lived on her own terms. Learn More DBS has helped an estimated 244,000 people worldwide regain control of their movement and independence in daily life2. In recognition of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, patients and caregivers are encouraged to learn more about symptoms and treatment options. Visit DBSandMe.com to learn more about Parkinson’s disease and DBS therapy. Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary. You can talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of deep brain stimulation and if it is an option for you. Word Count: 846
	Pay it Forward: Quad Cities cancer survivors sew hope for kids Two survivors sew stuffed animals for kids in hospitals, turning their own battles into comfort for others.
	INTERVIEW: The Bend XPO to host more than 150 vendors for Made Market QC Handmade vintage makers will highlight their goods on April 10th at the The Bend XPO in East Moline. Morgan Duncombe from Blue House shares details and plenty of sweet treats for us to try.
	Planning a renovation? Refresh your home with design choices that enhance personal well-being and sustainability (BPT) - If you're refreshing your kitchen or bath, you're probably looking for upgrades that look great, last for years, provide added functionality, and tread a little lighter on the planet. Kohler offers a surprisingly broad range of solutions — from water-saving fixtures to recycled-material designs — making it easier to build a greener home without sacrificing style or comfort.Choosing sustainable solutions not only reduces environmental impact but also elevates the ease and functionality of your home, helping support a more balanced and wellness-focused daily routine. Below are ideas for sustainable, wellness-focused additions for your next renovation.Repurposed for beautiful impact Since 2017, Kohler WasteLAB, an innovation incubator within Kohler Co. that transforms repurposed industrial materials into design-forward handcrafted products, has turned byproducts into functional surfaces and home fixtures.This innovative approach redefines sustainable luxury — embracing imperfection, material authenticity and expressive craft for the modern home with products like these:Transcendence by Kohler WasteLAB x Nada Debs is a stunning tile collection crafted from nearly 100% recycled materials sourced from Kohler manufacturing processes, balancing traditional form, contemporary craft and sustainable innovation. The collection's new finishes — Emerald and Amber — join the existing Lake and Turquoise palette. The collection is distributed by Ann Sacks and is available in all Ann Sacks showrooms.Kohler WasteLAB Vox bathroom sinks are made using over 70% recycled materials. Rectangular Vox vessel sinks offer a refined, minimalist form for everyday use, with a soft, stone-like surface and durable construction. The sink's sleek, contemporary design features a deep, symmetrical basin with rounded edges, available in dark gray Ashen or lighter Eggshell.Kohler WasteLAB planters are designed to elevate indoor or outdoor spaces, moving beyond conventional silhouettes with a more expressive, enduring alternative in sculptural form. Each planter basin is molded from 75% reclaimed materials chosen for their strength, texture and visual character, paired with a cast iron stand that naturally develops a rich patina over time. The planters bring nature to any space, which fosters mental well-being and stress reduction.Water savings with smarter showerheads Kohler's showerheads demonstrate the company's mission to help people live gracious, healthy and sustainable lives by putting wellness and sustainability at the center of daily showering, along with real-time water savings.Innovations like the Anthem EvoCycle smart shower system recirculate and filter water in a closed-loop mode, reducing water use by up to 80% while delivering a full, comfortable spray. Meanwhile, the new Kohler Parallel showerhead operates at just 1.25 gallons per minute (gpm) — half the flow of a standard 2.5 gpm showerhead. Parallel's efficiency uses 50% less water and carries the WaterSense® label, signifying it meets strict EPA standards for performance and reduced water usage.Improved sustainability and well-being with an upgraded toilet All Kohler Smart Toilets are EPA WaterSense® certified and operate at 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) and below.Veil smart toilets offer an impressive 0.8 and 1.28 gpf dual flush options, meaning homeowners do not have to sacrifice innovation for sustainability. Convenient features include heated seat, nightlight, hands-free opening/closing and automatic flush, plus a touchscreen remote.Prefer a high-functioning standard toilet with sustainable features? Kohler offers over 80 models that are 1.28 gpf or lower. For example, Kohler Highline 1.0 gpf toilets feature Kohler's Revolution 360 technology, an advanced flushing system that uses a powerful swirling motion to thoroughly rinse the bowl.Designed for those who view the home as a foundation for well-being, Kohler Health's Dekoda seamlessly integrates into the bathroom to deliver deeper awareness of daily health. The device discretely and seamlessly attaches to the toilet and provides insights into hydration, gut health patterns and blood detection, helping homeowners better understand their bodies through the rhythms of everyday life.Cast-iron craftsmanship that's built to lastLongevity is one of the most sustainable design principles, and Kohler's cast-iron products embody that idea. Made in Kohler, Wisconsin, from at least 80% recycled materials, these pieces are exceptionally durable. The Artifacts freestanding bath adds rich color and heritage charm, while the Whitehaven farmhouse kitchen sink brings timeless durability to the kitchen with resistance against chipping, cracking or burning.Faucets that balance beauty and water efficiency A faucet refresh can instantly uplift a kitchen or bath — especially when paired with water-saving technology. Kohler's Artifacts, Occasion and Components bathroom faucets are WaterSense® certified at 1.2 gpm, combining elegant silhouettes with thoughtful engineering.For those looking to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles, the Aquifer 4-in-1 beverage system delivers instant filtered still, chill, sparkling and near boiling water at the touch of a button. The faucet integrates directly into kitchen design while helping households cut down on waste. Cleaner, better-tasting water can also support hydration, a core pillar of overall wellness.A one-stop shop for a greener renovationWhether you're integrating recycled materials, adopting smart-water technologies, introducing wellness devices that offer peace of mind, or updating fixtures for greater efficiency, Kohler unifies these sustainable solutions under one roof so you can create a harmonious, eco-minded home throughout.For more ideas and inspiration, explore sustainable options at Kohler.com.
	Head-on crash in Silvis leaves several seriously injured, driver charged Several people were seriously injured in a Silvis crash after a pickup crossed into oncoming traffic. The driver is charged with aggravated DUI.
	To the Limit will perform Eagles music at The Adler, Davenport To The Limit – The Ultimate Eagles Experience will perform Saturday, Aug. 1, at The Adler, Davenport. Tickets, which start at $30, go on-sale Friday, April 3, here and at the Adler Theatre Box Office. open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. To The Limit: The Ultimate Eagles Experience is a tribute band that [...]
	Jordan Catholic School plans pre-k, kindergarten roundup Jordan Catholic School, 2901 24th St., Rock Island, will hold a preschool, pre-k and kindergarten round-up from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8. This is a chance for parents to register children for the 2026-2027 school year, tour classrooms, and learn more about the school. For more information, call 309-793-7366, or visit here.
	Cesar Toscano: What the zombie apocalypse can teach us about epidemiology Education Reporter Cesar Toscano discusses how he learned zombies can teach us more about epidemiology
	New coffee shop Joh's Cafe opens for business in downtown Moline Joh's Cafe at 1520 Sixth Ave. is in the former Cantu Chiropractic space, next to La Primavera. The coffee shop opened Tuesday.
	Four seriously injured by suspected driver in Silvis crash Four people were seriously injured Wednesday night after the van they were riding in was struck head-on by a pickup driven by a suspected drunk driver, police said.
	Iran continues strikes across the Persian Gulf despite Trump's warning Iran continued to target Gulf countries with ballistic missiles and drones Thursday as the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert warning of attacks by Iran-backed militias.
	Iowa's Doom This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Henry J. Fletcher was a prominent Iowa lawyer and essayist until 1895. That year, he took a closer look at his beloved…
	Have Trump's tariffs worked? This is where things stand a year after 'Liberation Day' It has been a year since President Trump announced double-digit tariffs on imports from around the world. So far, those levies have not produced the economic boom the president promised.
	Trump's VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it Foreclosures on VA loans are at their highest level in a decade. VA has a fix but it is months away and could still leave vets worse off than most other homeowners.
	In a thunderous launch, Artemis II astronauts leave Earth. Here's what's next NASA's Artemis II crew has successfully launched on a mission that will take it around the moon and back to Earth. Here's what to expect over their roughly 10-day journey.
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
	Quad Cities River Bandits ready for Opening Day The Quad Cities River Bandits are two days away from opening up their season and six days away from Opening Day at Modern Woodmen Park.
	BookTrib’s Bites: Change the Script, Change the Game, Change Your Life (BookTrib) - Just for Love, A Moment in Time: Our Tomorrows Are Today and Tomorrow by Len GuardinoWhat happens when the life you built no longer feels like your own?In this original romantic comedy musical stage play, Ellen Taylor appears to have it all — wealth, family and social standing — but beneath the surface, something essential is missing. One unexpected night out changes everything when she quite literally collides with Grant Michaels, a charismatic nightclub singer. What begins as playful banter quickly sparks a deeper connection, awakening emotions Ellen has long suppressed.As their relationship evolves into both a romance and a creative partnership, Ellen is forced to confront the tension between security and fulfillment, responsibility and desire. With sharp dialogue, screwball humor and musical interludes that bring inner conflicts to life, the story explores what it means to rediscover yourself later in life — and whether it’s ever too late to choose passion over perfection.Blending romance, satire and theatrical flair, this is a story about awakening, reinvention and the risks of following your heart.Purchase at https://amzn.to/4byaWQE.“Other People: A Memoir and Reflections on Trauma, Connection, Meaning, and the Neuroscience of Healing” by Michael S. Piraino Blending memoir with accessible neuroscience, “Other People” by Michael S. Piraino is a deeply human exploration of how we heal from trauma — and why we can’t do it alone. Drawing from his own life and decades of work with foster youth and families, Piraino reflects on the moments, relationships and insights that helped him transform pain into purpose.Rather than offering quick fixes, he reveals how trauma shapes the brain — and how connection, meaning and empathy can help rewire it. Personal stories unfold alongside clear, compassionate explanations of the science behind resilience, making complex ideas feel both relatable and hopeful.At its core, this is a book about the people who shape us: the ones who hurt us, the ones who help us and the ones who walk beside us as we find our way forward. Thoughtful and inspiring, “Other People” reminds readers that healing is not a solitary act — it’s a shared human experience.Purchase at https://amzn.to/4lwj9rE.“Changing Cadence: Friendship, Football and the Art of Transition” by Andra Douglas“Changing Cadence” by Andra Douglas is a heartfelt, semi-autobiographical novel about friendship, football and the transitions that redefine us at every stage of life. Through Christine — a former quarterback turned owner of the New York Sharks women’s tackle football team — the story explores what it means to step away from a defining role while facing the future head-on.As Christine prepares to sell the team after one final season, her life is further complicated by her mother Dorothy’s move from the family’s Florida ranch to an assisted living community known as The Commons. There, a lively group of residents becomes unexpectedly invested in the Sharks’ farewell season, following the team from afar.Moving between New York City and rural Florida, Douglas captures an unlikely bond between generations — blending humor, nostalgia and emotional depth in a story about letting go, holding on and finding meaning in life’s next chapter.Purchase at https://amzn.to/4uUECPy.
	Multiple people injured in head on crash, part of road closed for investigation The southbound lanes of John Deere Road are blocked due to a crash Wednesday night.
	Construction underway for dispensary and truck stop in Rock Island The project has faced criticism from environmental advocates for its proximity to city-owned wetlands.
	Moline man charged after 90+ mph chase ends near I-74 Bridge Bettendorf police said officers stopped a person without any injuries, but a squad car was damaged in the process.
	Construction underway for dispensary and truck stop in Rock Island The project has faced criticism from environmental advocates for its proximity to city-owned wetlands.
	Crews responding to multi-vehicle crash in Silvis News 8 is working to learn if anyone was injured.
	Crews responding to multi-vehicle crash in Silvis As of 10 p.m., crews were directing traffic away from the scene. News 8 is working to learn more.
	'Concerned Citizens of Scott County' discuss potential rural power plant Around 70 people gathered at the Scott County Public Library in Eldridge Wednesday night to oppose a potential power plant. In February, the Scott County Board of Supervisors voted down a change of ordinance that would allow Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) to apply for a permit to build a power plant in Maysville. Before [...]
	Iowa bill could funding pediatric cancer research An Iowa bill could help fund pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics if lawmakers approve an appropriations bill. Our Quad Cities News Iowa Capitol Bureau correspondent Teodora Mitov looks at how House File 2310 could fund the research, including lab work and clinical trials. For more information, click here.
	Traffic Alert: Part of Southbound John Deere Road blocked due to crash The southbound lanes of John Deere Road are blocked due to a crash Wednesday night.
	Illinois NIL Store selling piles of throwback Final Four shirts The store sold more than 5,000 of the shirts in the first 48 hours after sales went live, and a portion of the revenue directly supports the Illini.
	Voy 61 Drive In Theatre to host Easter at the Drive In This will be the theatres 76th season, officials said.
	More than $20,000 in Rock Island taxpayer dollars 'wasted' on mail-in ballots It's the final day for county clerks to count up the votes from the Illinois primary election.As the local numbers file in, thousands of unreturned vote-by-mail ballots are bringing up concerns about wasted taxpayer money as a result. "10,000 people requested a vote by mail ballot in the primary, and 3,225 did not return them," [...]
	Waste Commission of Scott County will be open Friday; closed Saturday Waste Commission of Scott County facilities will be open regular hours on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, and closed on Saturday, April 4, for the Easter holiday, a news release says. Normal hours of operation will resume on Monday, April 6, 2026. Waste Commission of Scott County’s facilities include the following: Because of the holiday [...]
	Construction to resume on I-74 and I-280 in Rock Island County on Monday The work zone will be from the Henry County line to the Milan Beltway and will include the ramps at I-74 and the U.S. 6 interchange.
	Appeals court rejects HUD homelessness overhaul saying it would be "disastrous" The federal housing agency wants to shift money away from permanent housing and toward programs that impose sobriety and other conditions. Advocates warn that would push many back into homelessness.
	Illinois NIL store selling piles of throwback Final Four shirts The store sold more than 5,000 of the shirts in the first 24 hours after sales went live, and a portion of the revenue directly supports the Illini.
	Groundbreaking held for controversial development near Rock Island casino Wednesday, Rock Island city leaders and local developers gathered for a groundbreaking at 3809 60th Ave. West, Rock Island, across Illinois 92 from Bally’s Casino and Hotel.
	FIFA hikes World Cup prices, again. A finals ticket can now cost as much as $11,000 FIFA has raised prices for over 40 games of the World Cup in its latest sale that kicked off Wednesday, according to an NPR count. The most expensive tickets to the final now cost $10,900.
	Groundbreaking held Wednesday on Rock Island dispensary and gas station The groundbreaking on the 10-acre development comes after months of protests at city council meetings and making plan changes to suit city, state and federal agencies.
	YWCA's new youth group home welcomes first residents It's the first time in over 15 years that the Quad Cities have had a group home for kids without steady housing.
	Scam Alert: City of Davenport warns of scam targeting people named in public meetings agendas A scam alert for Davenport residents.
	After integration with St. Ambrose, Mt. Mercy has new campus president Mount Mercy University has announced a leadership update to advance its Catholic and Mercymission while strengthening its strategic combination with St. Ambrose University, a news release says. President and CEO, Amy Novak, EdD, has named Todd Olson, PhD, campus president of Mount Mercy University effective upon completion of its integration with St. Ambrose as outlined [...]
	Controversial business development breaks ground near Milan Bottoms Nature’s Treatment Marijuana Dispensary and Gas Station will now call an area near Milan bottoms home contingent upon preserving the wetlands.
	Muscatine considers cuts to Art Center funding The Muscatine Art Center is facing a proposed $200,000 budget cut as city leaders work through broader budget challenges.
	MAP: 'Cicada' COVID variant detected in Illinois A COVID-19 variant with a catchy nickname is causing concern, despite making up a small fraction of current cases.
	Lincoln-Irving Elementary students moving to WIU Quad Cities starting next week Moline-Coal Valley School District has started construction on the site of Lincoln-Irving Elementary to build Robert Ontiveros Elementary School.
	Ambulances on scene after Bettendorf crash leaves car on its side Our Quad Cities News crew saw two ambulances leave the scene of an apparent two-car crash that left one car on its side shortly before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. ' The crash happened at the intersection of Utica Ridge Road just north of Spruce Hills at the Utica Ridge Place T intersection. One ambulance had its [...]
	Rock Island Arsenal facility part of new Department of Defense contract A new U.S. Department of Defense contract could bring more jobs to the Rock Island Arsenal. Global Military Products was awarded a contract to manage the Quad Cities Cartridge Case Facility (QCCCF) at the Arsenal. Before this, it was managed by the Arsenal for over a century. Now the facility will see different products manufactured [...]
	UnityPoint Health - Trinity honors sexual assault survivors Staff and volunteers at UnityPoint Health - Trinity spent time today honoring every survivor of sexual assault they cared for in 2025. April 1 is the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. They placed 164 flags near the front of the hospital. Each flag represented one person who was treated by the staff and the [...]
	Rock Island Library fills April with music, learning, creativity No fooling: April is starts with choices for finding lifelong learning, joy, and creativity at the Rock Island Public Library. Free event options at Rock Island Public Libraries include: Debunking Dietary Myths with Dr. Cathy Rosenbaum, Thursday, April 2. From 2-3:30 p.m. at the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th St. With the help of holistic [...]
	Severe t'storm outbreak possible Thursday in Quad Cities There's a growing chance for severe thunderstorms in the Quad Cities area Thursday late afternoon and evening. All modes of severe weather will be possible in and around the Quad cities, including tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center has our area highlighted in an enhanced risk for severe storms. This translates to a near 30% chance [...]
	March 2026 - one of the warmest ever in the Quad Cities Believe it or not we're already a quarter of the way through 2026! And that means March has come to an end...and it ended up as one of the warmest months of March ever in the Quad Cities. It was the 8th warmest March on record for the QC. We had 20 of 31 days [...]
	Black Hawk College and WIU sign agreement creating new pathways for high-demand fields The agreement focuses on high-demand fields such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, engineering technology and elementary and early childhood education.
	Public invited to help construct troll sculptures in Clinton For the next month, volunteers will help build three large trolls from reclaimed and recycled Clinton lumber. Here's how to sign up, no experience required.
	First responders prepare for any crisis at the annual Quad Cities Regional Disaster Conference Speakers at the conference included representatives from the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and more.
	Quad Cities Chamber presents QC Business Showcase: Hob Nosh '26 Connect with area business owners, entrepreneurs and nonprofits at the region’s largest spring networking event! Anna Possehl from the Quad Cities Chamber joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about the QC Business Showcase: Hob Nosh '26. For more information, click here.
	Lincoln-Irving Elementary students and staff will move to WIU's Quad Cities campus starting April 7 The temporary relocation will last through the 2026-27 school year as Lincoln-Irving undergoes major renovations.
	Illinois State Police officers killed in the line of duty to be honored To honor Illinois Trooper Day on April 1, every Illinois State Police officer killed in the line of duty will be honored with a memorial sign along Illinois roadways.
	Help Family Resources honor Sexual Assault Awareness Month Studies show that every 68 seconds, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. On average, there are more than 463,000 victims of sexual violence each year, and more than 63,000 children experience sexual abuse. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sara R. and Cece A. from Family Resources joined Our Quad Cities News to [...]
	Ranch Riders RC Easter Egg Hunt taking place this weekend All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities.
	Republicans in Congress say they have a deal to end the record-long shutdown at DHS The plan would fund DHS, except for immigration enforcement, through September. Republicans would then try to fund the whole agency for three years using a tactic that would not need Democratic votes.
	Sexual Assault Awareness Month: UnityPoint Health-Trinity places 164 flags honoring survivors UnityPoint Health Trinity placed 164 flags outside its hospitals to honor sexual assault survivors as awareness month begins and highlight support services.
	Public invited to help construct troll sculptures in Clinton For the next month, volunteers will help build three large trolls from reclaimed and recycled Clinton lumber. Here's how to sign up, no experience required.
	Appellate court grants WQAD new hearing after being denied access to records in battery case WQAD had requested a copy of the surveillance video taken at a Sherrard Elementary School, which reportedly shows the battery taking place.
	WIU, Black Hawk College renew longtime partnership in signing ceremony The leaders of Western Illinois University and Black Hawk College gathered at BHC’s Moline campus Wednesday morning to formally renew the public institutions’ longtime partnership
	Groundbreaking held for new development near Milan Bottoms, Rock Island A groundbreaking was held today in Southwest Rock Island for a new commercial development near the Milan Bottoms wetlands area. Construction is underway on the new development that blends business growth, community investment and environmental preservation. A new gas station and marijuana dispensary will be built on the site. The 10-acre project is led by [...]
	Trust sues Palmer College Foundation for $1.85M, claims grant conditions not met The Harold R. and Marie H. Bechtel Charitable Trusts have sued Palmer College Foundation for $1.85M, claiming the school failed to meet challenge grant requirements.
	Lincoln-Irving Elementary students and staff will move to WIU's Quad Cities campus starting April 7 The temporary relocation will last through the 2026-27 school year as Lincoln-Irving undergoes major renovations.
	Work on I-74 and 280 in Rock Island County resumes April 6 The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that weather permitting, construction on Interstates 74 and 280 will resume Monday, April 6.
	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: CHARLES SINGLETON III, 24, 5’10", 180 pounds. Wanted by Iowa DOC High Risk Unit for escape of a felon on convictions for theft. JORDAN [...]
	The FDA approves a new obesity pill, giving patients another option The daily pill called Foundayo got a fast track through the Food and Drug Administration. It will compete with the pill form of Wegovy as an alternative to obesity drugs given by injection.
	8 spring cleaning tips that will renew your love for reading (BPT) - If you've been pulled toward your phone more than your books lately, you're not alone. According to a new nationwide survey conducted by Atomik Research and commissioned by ThriftBooks, 61% of U.S. adults believe they could maintain a habit of reading just a few pages a day for up to six months. However, 57% say the hardest part of reading is simply getting started.The good news is you can easily make reading a fun and relaxing daily habit. According to behavioral scientist Jon Levy, a few small changes in your environment can make reading feel easier, cozier and more irresistible with a book-focused spring cleaning.Here are his top eight tips to refresh your space and bring more books back into your daily life during spring cleaning season.Start by decluttering your nightstand Your nightstand sets the tone for your wind-down routine, so keep it simple and book-friendly. All you really need is your current bedtime book, a lamp, glasses (if you use them) and maybe a glass of water. Levy also suggests moving your phone out of arm's reach or better yet, out of the bedroom entirely.In the morning, you can set yourself up for another successful screen-free night by placing your book on your pillow. This small but powerful trick ensures that your book is the first thing that greets you every night.Clear the digital clutter from your relaxing spots Think about the places where scrolling tends to happen, like your couch, bed and desk. These "scroll traps" often turn into mindless phone zones. A simple way to break the cycle is to place books in those spots and set a gentle rule for yourself: read for 10 minutes before you touch your phone.Create a dedicated reading zone Choose one cozy corner — a spot by the window or a nook in the bedroom — and make it your go-to reading spot. Outfit it with a chair, a warm light and the book you're reading. Make sure to keep it free from clutter and screens so your brain can associate that space with calm and focus.Set up a screen-free sanctuary Beyond your reading corner, designate one area of your home as a 100% analog zone. Think soft blanket, warm light, a notebook, a book stack and a cup of tea. No screens allowed. As a helpful reminder, keep a little basket nearby where your phone can "rest" while you unwind.Swap the spots of your phone and book A simple but shockingly effective tip is to put a book where your phone usually lives. On your kitchen counter, for example, place a paperback and move your phone to an inconvenient place, like across the room or into a drawer. When reading becomes the easy option, you'll naturally reach for it more often.Let books take center stage Scatter books in the places you pass through most often, like on the coffee table or by your favorite chair. Be sure to remove visual clutter that competes for attention, like stacks of mail or random gadgets. You can use small cues — like a blanket draped over an armchair, warm lighting or a tray for tea — to create a welcoming vibe.Keep your setup effortless Reading should feel like a treat, never a task. On low-energy days, make reading effortless with a reading-ready setup. Make sure there's a blanket within reach, a bookmark handy and books where you can see them. Keep your phone tucked away.Read in community You don't have to build your reading life alone. Support and shared excitement can help keep your reading momentum going long after you've decluttered your space.Consider joining a book club, swapping reads with friends or signing up for a community activity like ThriftBooks' 500 Billion Page Reading Challenge. This challenge is an invitation for Americans to read more with no deadlines or pressure. All you need to do is read a few pages a day."Americans didn't stop loving books — we just got a bit distracted," said Barbara Hagen, vice president of marketing at ThriftBooks. "The 500 Billion Page Challenge is about helping people reignite their passion for reading in a way that fits real life. This isn't about guilt or giving up screens forever. It's about rediscovering what reading gives us that nothing else does."To learn more and join the movement, visit ThriftBooks.com/Challenge.This spring, rearrange your home and renew your love of readingRenewing your love for reading doesn't have to be difficult. Using Levy's eight tips, you can give your home a spring makeover that encourages you to ditch the scroll for a story. Happy reading!
	Is the U.S. Navy ready to clear sea mines in the Persian Gulf? Despite the danger of sea mines, experts say that mine clearing has received minimal attention and funding from the U.S. Navy — and it's often overshadowed by more high-profile weapons systems.
	Western Illinois, Black Hawk College formalize transfer agreement for students Western Illinois University and Black Hawk College formalized a new agreement creating clearer pathways from associate to bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields.
	Iowa Army Ammunition Plant seeks permit after safety pause, reopening The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant reopened March 30 after a safety pause and is now seeking a permit to store lead azide classified as hazardous waste.

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

Wednesday, April 1st, 2026