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

Friday, May 15th, 2026
	Davenport’s strategy plan prioritizes housing, roads, public-safety transparency The Davenport City Council finalized its 2026-2027 priorities, focusing on infrastructure, housing, animal control, and improved public safety incident reporting.
	House passes bill allowing year-round E15 gasoline sales The U.S. House has passed a bill that would allow year-round sales of E15 gasoline across the country. Supporters say the ethanol blend could boost demand for corn and help farmers during a tough time for agriculture.
	Limited-edition bobbleheads celebrate Hawkeyes, Cyclones graduates Limited-edition bobbleheads celebrate graduates from the University of Iowa and Iowa State, according to a news release from The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. The Iowa Hawkeyes bobblehead will be individually numbered to only 1,847, and the Iowa State Cyclones bobblehead will be individually numbered to only 1,858. he bobbleheads, which are expected [...]
	Quad Cities big band marks 25th anniversary with free Frank Sinatra concert This year marks the 25th anniversary of "Josh Duffee and His Orchestra," which has brought swinging big band music from the 1920s through the 60s to our region.
	No injuries after partial roof collapse in Galesburg fire No injuries were reported following a a partial roof collapse at a fire in Galesburg. According to a release, the Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 400 block of N. Broad St. May 15 at approximately 10:01 a.m. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames visible from a two-story home. [...]
	Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre launches fundraiser for upgrades The Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg is raising $100,000 for upgrades that would unlock a matching tourism grant from the State of Illinois.
	Davenport police release dash cam in crash involving 2 squad cars No injuries were reported, and no civilians were involved in the crash.
	Sisters reunite after Middle East deployment More than 100 members of the Iowa National Guard returned home Thursday after nearly a year deployed in the Middle East.
	Celebrating 25 years of the Quad Cities big band, 'Josh Duffee and His Orchestra' The group has been a staple at QCA jazz fests, outdoor concerts and museum events. They're marking their anniversary with a free Frank Sinatra concert.
	Supreme Court is death knell for Virginia's Democratic-friendly congressional maps The new map was drawn by Democrats and approved by Virginia voters, but the state Supreme Court declared the referendum null and void because lawmakers failed to follow the proper procedures to get the issue on the ballot.
	Alternating Currents reveals first 2026 lineup Alternating Currents has released its first wave of artists for its 2026 festival. They're set to perform in Downtown Davenport, Rock Island, and Bettendorf from August 13th to August 16th. The artists include: 7ArkAchromatic of TimeAdam Greuel & The Space BurritosAlbornAmerican Devil SoundAndrew HoytAngela MeyerBarefoot & SunshineBCMCBeth Lizano BandBig Head ModeBlack Note GraffitiBurntMCMelbaToastCamp RegretChris OtepkaCJ [...]
	Dash cam video shows crash involving 2 Davenport police cars on April 24 No injuries were reported, and no civilians were involved in the crash.
	Davenport releases footage of crash between two squad cars Two squad cars crashed on April 24 at about 9 p.m. while responding to a 911 call reporting a burglary in progress in the 1500 block of West Third Street.
	Dash cam video shows 2 Davenport police cars crashing while responding to incident No civilians were involved. News 8 edited the two separate dash cam videos together. Police said the second video cuts off due to a power failure from the collision.
	Rivermont Collegiate appealing potential suspension of ISACS accreditation While the school determines the future of its ISACS accreditation, it still maintains Cognia accreditation.
	Behind the scenes of Amazon's new last-mile facility Amazon says the facility can process 26,000 packages every day and as many as 40,000 in busier times of the year.
	Vigil to be held for 3-year-old killed in hostage standoff A public vigil for the 3-year-old who was shot and killed during a hostage standoff near Princeton, IL will be held Sunday, May 17.
	How to make sure you're staying safe while boating this summer National Safe Boating Week starts on Saturday, May 16, shining a light on boater safety and the risks encountered on the water.
	Davenport police release dashcam videos of squad car crash The Davenport Police Department has released dashcam video of a squad car crash from April.
	Arconic employee union votes in favor of potential strike Negotiations continue as the existing contract expires on Saturday. That contract covers roughly 3,400 workers, with 1,800 of those in the Quad Cities.
	Arconic employee union votes in favor of potential strike Negotiations continue as the existing contract expires on Saturday. That contract covers roughly 3,400 workers, with 1,800 of those in the Quad Cities.
	Amazon dedicates last-mile Davenport facility Amazon dedicated its last-mile facility in Davenport. The facility opened in October, but it has now ramped up to full operations. The last-mile facility serves a radius of 60 miles, allowing more addresses to be included in the free two-day shipping.The move means Amazon employs over 3,000 people between the two facilities on Division St., [...]
	Man charged with firearm, drug possession Alexander Delgado, 30, has been charged with firearm and drug possession.
	Colorado's Democratic governor will let Trump ally Tina Peters out of prison early Gov. Jared Polis' controversial commutation follows a pressure campaign by the Trump administration to free Tina Peters, an ex-county official who was convicted of tampering with election equipment.
	Rivermont Collegiate pursuing appeal after accreditation body revokes membership A member of Rivermont's Board of Trustees says its ISACS accreditation was abruptly revoked without notice, while the school still maintains Cognia accreditation.
	Quad-Cities high schools honored for voter registration efforts As primaries draw near, Iowa Secretary of State, Paul Pate visited Davenport North High to award them for civic engagement.
	4 Your Money \| The Real Deal Interest rates and inflation are always a hot topic in the financial world. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, shares his perspective on “real” interest rates and why it is positive news for investors and savers.
	Rock Island PD enforcing 'Click It or Ticket' campaign during Memorial Day travel The Rock Island Police Department is joining the "Click It or Ticket" campaign with Illinois law enforcement agencies from May 15-26.
	Third Thursday Live Music Series at The Plex, Bettendorf Live music is coming to The Plex in Bettendorf this summer with a new Third Thursday live music series. The first event will be on Thursday, May 21st outside of Oscar’s Pub, 5027 Competition Drive, featuring live music from Luke Fox from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The evening includes a free yoga/Pilates session hosted by [...]
	Hantavirus countdown: U.S. cruise passengers settle in for 42 days of waiting The hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has potentially exposed passengers to a deadly disease. Most returning Americans are now housed in Nebraska. Some may be cleared to quarantine at home.
	Shakira returns to official World Cup song duty, this time with Burna Boy FIFA's official 2026 World Cup song is "Dai Dai" from Shakira and Burna Boy. There are a number of factors that shape which songs define a tournament — and endure beyond it.
	Amazon cuts the ribbon on its last mile facility in Davenport The Amazon distribution center employs about 400 people and opened in October.
	Amazon marks milestone at Davenport delivery station Amazon celebrates a milestone at its Davenport delivery station, processing over 3 million packages since last fall with a team of 675 employees.
	4 KWQC personalities win Locals Love Us awards Four TV6 personalities were honored with Locals Love Us awards, including Morgan Ottier, Erik Maitland, Sharon DeRycke, and Theresa Bryant.
	The Trump administration is planning a prayer event on the National Mall. All but one of the speakers is Christian The event comes as a new survey finds that many Americans aren't comfortable mixing religion and politics.
	I-280 ramp at US 61 blocked after crash A KWQC TV6 crew said cars are able to turn right not left at the I-280 exit.
	Harvey Weinstein's third sex crimes trial in New York ends in mistrial It was the second time in a year a jury was unable to reach a verdict on a rape charge brought by Jessica Mann.
	Sterling arrest made for drug, firearm charges Sterling Police arrested a suspect for firearm and drug charges. According to a release, the Sterling Police Department conducted an investigative field identification in the 1100 block between W. 4th St. and W. 5th St. May 14th, 2026, at approximately 7:23 p.m. Upon further investigation, Alexander Delgado, 30, was arrested for armed violence, possession of [...]
	Rivermont Collegiate loses accreditation after single complaint A private school faces accreditation loss after a single complaint. The board confirms it is fully operational and pursuing appeals for its students.
	Alternating Currents announces first music lineup for 2026 The multi-city Quad Cities festival is free, with performances taking place Aug. 13 through Aug. 16.
	4 transported in U.S. 61 crash at Interstate 280 interchange Four people were transported to hospitals after a multiple-vehicle crash at the U.S. 61 and Interstate 280 interchange in Davenport on Friday. One was in serious condition and sent directly to Iowa City, while three others went to local hospitals, according to officials at the scene. One person was extricated from a vehicle. Preliminary reports [...]
	Illinois bill would cut back store credit on returns A bill in Illinois would require businesses to provide cash or credit refunds for eligible returns. The Consumer Product Return Act (House Bill 4044) would stop retailers from requiring customers to accept store credit on returns to stores. Eligible products include any machine, appliance, clothing or similar product bought for personal, family or household purposes. [...]
	Multi-vehicle crash prompts road closures near Highway 61, 280 interchange west of Davenport This is a developing story. News 8 will update this article as more information is made available.
	Field of Dreams receiving $10M donation Dyersville Event Incorporated announced three Iowa families and business leaders are committing $10 million to the Field of Dreams.
	Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities dedicating its 147th house The nonprofit said the $200,000 build was covered by the John Deere Foundation, whose employees provided 195 hours of volunteer labor since July 2025. The home will benefit a single mother and her son. There are currently seven other home construction projects underway in Davenport, Moline, and East Moline.
	Crews respond to commercial vehicle fire in Coal Valley The Coal Valley Fire Protection District responded to a commercial vehicle fire on I-74 Thursday, May 14.
	Annie Wittenmyer housing project awarded $4.7M in state tax credits The project is on track to be completed by the end of the year, with apartments slated to be available for rent in the early part of 2027.
	Lawmakers approve bill to punish false reports of child abuse Before the legislation was approved Thursday, senators added unrelated provisions to speed up the application process for Medicaid nursing facilities and to require schools to have engaged with a project manager before applying for school building aid. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin)New Hampshire may soon penalize people for falsely reporting someone to the Division for Children, Youth, and Families over alleged abuse or neglect. The New Hampshire Senate passed House Bill 1565 Thursday and sent it to Gov. Kelly Ayotte for final approval. If signed by the governor, the bill will impose misdemeanor criminal penalties on those who knowingly provide false information of suspected child abuse or neglect to the state. It would also open up the false reporter to civil lawsuits from anyone harmed by the report. The bill was introduced by Rep. James Spillane, a Deerfield Republican who has said in legislative hearings that he has been the victim of false reports. He previously told the Bulletin that “we’ve got a problem with people weaponizing the system” by filing false reports against someone they have personal grievances with. He and other cosponsors of the bill say vindictive false reports are not uncommon and carry major consequences. “These complaints are not just an inconvenience,” Rep. Cyril Aures, a Chichester Republican who cosponsored the bill, said at a legislative hearing. “They trigger investigations, house intrusion, more emotional trauma for the children and for the families.” Opponents of the bill point out that reporters of abuse and neglect can remain anonymous, which would allow malicious false reporters to do so undetected and negate the point of the bill. The bill was passed by the House, 181-141, in March. Before the legislation was approved Thursday, senators added unrelated provisions to speed up the application process for Medicaid nursing facilities and to require schools to have engaged with a project manager before applying for school building aid. Now, the bill returns to the House where lawmakers there will decide if they agree with the Senate’s changes. The House will have the option to concur, reject the bill outright, or initiate negotiations for a compromise. If the House concurs, the bill will go to Ayotte, who will either sign the legislation into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature. Lawmakers have tried for several years to punish malicious false reports, most recently in 2025. That year’s House Bill 243 was passed by both chambers of the Legislature, but each chamber approved a different version of the bill via amendments and the bill died before they could come to a compromise. Courtesy of New Hampshire Bulletin
	SC health director out of the job after failing to receive Senate approval Dr. Edward Simmer, interim director of the Department of Public Health, answers questions from senators during his confirmation hearing on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Screenshot of SCETV legislative livestream)COLUMBIA — The state’s public health director, who legislators tried this year to fire, left his role when the regular legislative session ended for the year, the governor’s office confirmed Friday. Gov. Henry McMaster has long supported Edward Simmer, even as senators refused last year to confirm him as director of the newly created Department of Public Health because of concerns about Simmer’s support for COVID-19 vaccines. The governor’s office didn’t point to a specific law Friday that led to Simmer’s removal. But the reason seems to be part of a massive 1993 law that gave the governor the power to hire certain agency heads, with the Senate’s agreement. SC Senate moves to oust interim health director Any of the governor’s nominees who the Senate doesn’t confirm by the end of the following legislative session must leave their positions, according to the law. For Simmer, who Gov. Henry McMaster officially nominated in November 2024, that deadline was 5 p.m. Thursday. At that point, without the Senate’s confirmation, Simmer “could not continue serving,” Michelle LeClair, spokeswoman for the governor, said in an emailed statement. The Department of Public Health declined to comment, pointing all questions to the governor’s office. Simmer, a military psychiatrist, took over what was then the Department of Health and Environmental Control in February 2021, when COVID-19 vaccinations were in the beginning stages. The law that split the agency in two automatically made Simmer interim director of public health in 2024. Simmer sailed through his first confirmation in 2021, but the change in law meant he needed senators’ support again. Senators on the 17-member committee that oversaw Simmer’s confirmation last year repeated misinformation about vaccines and said the health director lost their trust before voting 5-12 not to hire him. Legislators attempted to fire Simmer again this year through a bill changing the way senators confirm the governor’s nominees. After ping-ponging between the House and Senate during the final day of the regular session, the bill failed to make it across the finish line. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, an Edgefield Republican who proposed the part of the failed bill that would oust Simmer, said at the time that Simmer would stay in the job until the governor picked someone else unless the legislature acted. Who could take over the department has been a concern among senators. The department went eight months without a permanent director before McMaster found Simmer. Simmer’s permanent replacement will likely be up to the winner of the November election to replace McMaster, whose term ends this year. In the meantime, McMaster chose Brannon Traxler, the agency’s chief medical officer, as interim director. This is Traxler’s second stint in the role, after she served in it from September 2020 until February 2021. Traxler, who lives in Greenville, has degrees from Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and George Washington University. She began working in public health in 2018 as a physician for the state health department and has since served in several different positions, including director of public health and deputy director of health promotion and services, which involves community outreach. “Dr. Traxler has spent her career improving the well-being of the people of South Carolina and has earned the trust and respect of those she has worked alongside,” McMaster said in a statement. “Her experience in medicine, surgery, and public health leadership gives her a strong understanding of the challenges facing our state and the expertise needed to lead the Department of Public Health.” Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
	Sandburg honors Faculty, Adjunct Faculty, Staff of the Year Sandburg College recognized its 2026 winners for Faculty of the Year, Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Staff Member of the Year during its 58th annual commencement on May 14 on the Galesburg campus. James Sanders was named Faculty of the Year, Becky Echelberger was chosen as Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Mike Kratz [...]
	Davenport high schools recognized for student voter registration Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate recognized two Davenport schools for getting their eligible students registered to vote.
	'The Wizard of the Kremlin' captures the rise of Putin — and 'anything goes' Russia Set in Russia in the years following the fall of communism, The Wizard of the Kremlin doesn't always work dramatically. But you leave with a better understanding of how Vladimir Putin came to power.
	Nuclear Regulatory Commission hosts open house People had the chance to meet the resident inspectors of the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station Thursday.
	How high-volume shippers save hours by automating rate decisions How high-volume shippers save hours by automating rate decisionsManual rate comparison costs high-volume shippers hours every week and thousands in missed savings. Here’s a scenario that probably sounds familiar: Your fulfillment team has a queue of 500 orders to process before the end of the day. For each one, someone needs to:Check the destinationLook at the package weight and dimensionsPull up two or three carrier websitesCompare ratesFactor in delivery speed requirementsOnly then can someone pick the best option for all 500 orders.With high-volume shipping, manual rate comparison becomes one of the most expensive hidden bottlenecks in e-commerce fulfillment. Some teams spend 10 to 15 hours per week just comparing shipping rates across carrier websites.The businesses that have figured this out have made a fundamental shift. They’ve stopped treating every shipping decision as a manual judgment call and started letting systems handle rate decisions automatically, in real time, at scale.The results are striking. Hours reclaimed every week, thousands of dollars saved each quarter, and fulfillment speeds that keep up with demand instead of falling behind it. Below, ShipStation provides a breakdown of how automated rate shopping actually works, why it matters more now than ever, and what it looks like in practice.The real cost of manual rate comparisonManual rate shopping is slow and expensive.When a fulfillment team member manually compares rates on each shipment, they log into one carrier’s portal, enter the package details, and note the price and estimated delivery time. For a single shipment, this might take two to three minutes.Multiply that across hundreds of daily orders, and you’re looking at a time-consuming task that produces no labels, generates no revenue, and doesn’t move a single package closer to a customer’s door.Additionally, manual decisions are inconsistent by nature. Different team members make different choices. Shortcuts happen, and mistakes are made. Under pressure to clear a queue, “good enough” often replaces “optimal.”The financial impact compounds quickly. Choosing a carrier that’s even $0.50 more expensive per shipment doesn’t feel significant in the moment. But at 1,000 shipments per week, that’s $26,000 in unnecessary spend per year. At 5,000 shipments per week, you’re facing $130,000. Businesses actually uncover these kinds of savings when they stop relying on human judgment for every rate decision.There’s also the opportunity cost. Every hour your team spends comparing rates is an hour they’re not spending on exception handling, customer communication, inventory management, or the dozens of other tasks that actually require human attention.Why ‘set it and forget it’ carrier strategies are falling behindIf manual comparison is one extreme, the other is the “default carrier” approach—picking one carrier, negotiating a rate, and shipping everything through them regardless of the circumstances. It’s simple, and simplicity has real value. But in today’s shipping environment, it is also costly.Carrier rates are unstable. Rate increases, fuel surcharges, peak season adjustments, dimensional weight recalculations, and other fee changes mean the rate you negotiated six months ago may no longer reflect today’s reality.Businesses locked into a single-carrier strategy have no mechanism to adapt when conditions shift.Carrier performance matters too. A carrier might offer the cheapest rate for a particular lane but consistently deliver a day late. Another might charge slightly more but maintain a 98% on-time rate.When your shipping strategy can’t account for these nuances, your customers pay the price in delayed deliveries, and you pay the price in support tickets and lost repeat business.Modern shipping demands a middle ground: decisions that are fast, smart, automatic, and adaptive. That’s where intelligent, automated rate shopping comes in.How automated rate shopping actually worksHere is how automated rate shopping works at its core. When an order enters your fulfillment system, the platform instantly evaluates the shipment details—destination, package weight and dimensions, required delivery speed—against real-time rates from multiple carriers and service levels. It then selects the best option based on your predefined criteria. Whether it’s the lowest cost, fastest delivery, or a balance of both, the decision is made instantly and consistently for every shipment.This is the difference between rate comparison and rate decisioning. Comparison gives you information while rate decision intelligence takes action.The time savings are immediate and dramaticConsider a midsize e-commerce operation shipping 1,000 orders per day. If each order requires 90 seconds of manual rate comparison, that’s 25 hours of labor per day dedicated solely to choosing carriers. With automated rate shopping, those 25 hours are eliminated.Businesses that have made this shift report creating up to 15 times as many labels per hour as with manual processes. When your team isn’t spending their day toggling between carrier websites, they can focus on the tasks that drive real operational improvement.Businesses can save hours per month just from centralizing order management with built-in rate shopping. For growing operations, those recovered hours can mean the difference between needing to hire additional staff and being able to scale with the team you already have.The cost savings compound with every shipmentTime savings are one side of the equation. Cost savings are where automated rate shopping truly earns its keep.When every shipment is evaluated against multiple carriers in real time, you stop defaulting to a single rate and start consistently finding the best one. These individual savings add up fast.Automated rate decisioning factors in the full cost picture: base rates, surcharges, fuel adjustments, residential delivery fees, dimensional weight pricing, and service guarantees. A human under time pressure might focus on the posted rate and miss the surcharges. An automated system evaluates the total cost every time without shortcuts.Businesses with access to discounted rates across a broad carrier network, such as UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL, and Royal Mail, see the biggest gains. When your system can compare options from dozens of carriers, the savings potential on every label is significant.Consistency beats guessworkThere’s another benefit to automated rate shopping that often gets overlooked: consistency. When humans make rate decisions, quality varies depending on who’s working, how busy they are, and how many orders are in the queue. Some are meticulous rate shoppers; others default to the familiar carrier because it’s faster. Automation eliminates those discrepancies.This consistency also improves delivery performance. When your rate shopping logic accounts for carrier reliability and transit time—not just price—you create a more predictable experience for customers. The right carrier gets matched to the right shipment based on what actually matters for that order.For businesses operating across multiple sales channels, this consistency becomes even more critical.Stop shipping on autopilot—start shipping on intelligenceMany e-commerce businesses invest heavily in marketing to acquire customers, optimize their websites for conversion, and obsess over product quality, but fail to improve the manual, inefficient shipping process that bleeds time and money on every order.Intelligent, automated rate shopping turns shipping from an operational chore into an optimized, data-driven process where every label reflects the best available decision at that moment. The time savings are immediate. The cost savings compound with every shipment. And the consistency gives your customers a more reliable delivery experience that drives repeat business.This story was produced by ShipStation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Bill for year-round E15 gasoline advances A bill that would allow sales of E15 gasoline all year passed the U.S. House of Representatives, but some farmers have concerns. Gasoline blended with 15% ethanol is typically banned during the summer because of air pollution concerns. The federal government issued waivers allowing it in recent years.The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act [...]
	Can the NFL's Rooney Rule survive the DEI backlash? Florida's attorney general says the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for top jobs, is discriminatory. Trump's EEOC has challenged such policies elsewhere.
	KY specialty courts safe, but staff positions cut in ‘challenging times’ for justice system The Administrative Office of the Courts office in Frankfort on March 26, 2026. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert is cutting 170 staff positions — and adding 108 — in the court system to operate within the boundaries of the budget passed by the General Assembly. Drug, mental health and veteran courts, which were at risk of closure under an initial version of the budget, will not close. Lambert told staff in a Friday morning letter that “we are making material changes to our organizational structure and consolidating certain management functions and administrative operations so that resources remain focused on the work performed in courtrooms and clerk’s offices across the commonwealth.” During the 2026 legislative session, during which lawmakers passed budget bills, Lambert said the appropriation for the Administrative Office of the Courts significantly underfunded the judicial branch and put specialty courts (drug, mental health and veteran courts) on the chopping block. Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Lambert gives her first State of the Judiciary address to lawmakers on Thursday. (Administrative Office of the Courts photo) According to her Friday letter, court operations are preserved, but staff positions and other operational expenses have to be cut and scaled down. After initial warnings about the budget, Lambert wrote, “Many court officials, employees and interested citizens engaged their Senators and Representatives to advocate for our branch. Our messaging was impactful, and I deeply appreciate those who shared their support with their legislators.” That advocacy added $5 million to the operating budget, she said, but still leaves a deficit of about $30 million over the next two years: $12.6 million in 2027 and $17 million in 2028. “While some of this deficit may be mitigated through the generation of additional revenue and vacancy credits, changes are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the branch,” Lambert wrote. “It is therefore necessary to implement a series of structural changes and operational efficiencies designed to align our staffing and services with the resources available to us.” According to Lambert’s letter, positions within the Office of Statewide Programs — the Department of Family and Juvenile Services, the Department of Specialty Courts and the Department of Pretrial Services — will be affected. She announced: 170 tenured and non-tenured positions will be “abolished.” The individuals will be notified of Aug. 1 dismissal or layoff on Friday. 45 employees serving initial probation periods are now subject to dismissal if they are unable to successfully complete probation prior to August 1. 108 tenured and non-tenured positions will be established for placement or appointment beginning on August 1, the majority of which are frontline workers. Other changes Lambert announced she is making several other changes, effective July 15: Positions that have remained vacant for more than a year will be abolished. Purchases of paper copies of legal publications will be eliminated with increased transitioning to online resources. The paid judicial intern program will be cut. Use of state funds for Specialty Courts treatment will be eliminated and drug testing costs will be reduced by capping the number of participants and/or reducing the number and frequency of drug tests. While these changes are implemented no state funds can be used for out of state travel, judicial colleges, or circuit court colleges. A Kentucky Court of Justice hiring freeze announced in April will remain in effect through July 15, at which time “it may be lifted in priority areas necessary to support court operations while remaining in place in areas where we are still assessing structural efficiencies.” Employees will still receive the 2% salary increase authorized for all state employees in fiscal years 2027 and 2028 under the budget approved by the General Assembly. Kentucky chief justice ‘deeply disappointed’ in judicial branch budget “I know this is a difficult moment for our court community. The employees directly affected by these changes have served the Commonwealth with professionalism and dedication, and their contributions to the administration of justice are deeply valued. These decisions were not made quickly or lightly. They reflect careful review and thoughtful consideration of how best to deliver front-line services while preserving the long-term stability of Kentucky’s court system,” Lambert wrote. She added: “Even in challenging times, the work of the courts remains essential. Every day, employees across the (Kentucky Court of Justice) help ensure that justice is delivered fairly, efficiently and with integrity.” This story may be updated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Kentucky Lantern
	11th annual Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser supports Special Olympics Police departments and Dunkin’ are teaming up Friday for “Cop on a Rooftop,” an annual fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Illinois.
	Kansas court employees — excluding judges, justices — secure 1% raise via internal reallocation Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen says judicial branch workers, excluding judges and justices, will benefit from a 1% raise financed through reallocation. In this image, Rosen speaks Jan. 13, 2026, in conjunction with his State of the Judiciary speech. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen says internal budget reallocation allows for a 1% salary increase among non-judicial employees to match raises granted by the Legislature for state employees in the executive branch. The Legislature adjourned the 2026 session without appropriating money to elevate salaries of the state’s 2,000 judicial branch employees. At the end of the annual session, the Legislature did vote to finance the across-the-board salary enhancement for executive branch staff. Each House and Senate member received an automatic 4.4% boost in compensation, while lawmakers agreed to provide other legislative branch employees a generous 10% raise. Rosen sent a letter Thursday on behalf of the state Supreme Court that informed court clerks, court reporters, bailiffs and other courthouse staff of their 1% raise effective July 1. “We recognize that the 1% increase is less than what was originally proposed for our fiscal year 2027 budget request, but we believe it is important to recognize and thank the employees who make our justice system possible in communities across Kansas,” Rosen wrote in the letter. “Your work ensures Kansans have access to essential court services and to the fair administration of justice.” The Supreme Court and the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration had been discussing for about a month what might be possible in terms of providing raises through existing resources. The plan excluded justices or judges from the pay bump. Rosen and other judges had expressed concern the lack of raises in 2026 could prompt valued employees to leave state government for jobs in the private sector. There was apprehension about the ability of judicial branch employees to absorb ongoing inflation in the cost of living. In January, Gov. Laura Kelly had recommended the Legislature authorize 2.5% raises for state government employees. To demonstrate irritation at the Legislature’s rejection of her proposal, the governor subsequently vetoed the entire budget for the legislative branch. Both the Senate and House voted with two-thirds majorities to override her. The automatic 4.4% raise in 2026 for the state’s 165 legislators was tied to an index based on increases in Kansas wages. The index makes it possible for legislators to receive annual raises without the Legislature voting on those changes in compensation. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Market research methods every small business owner should know Market research methods every small business owner should knowThe best market research methods can help small business owners launch or build their venture — and avoid painful mistakes. Knowing how and where to ask the right questions can help you collect information about customers and competitors, and use that information to make informed decisions that can help grow your business, ERGO NEXT reports. Methods of market research can include interviews, online research, collecting primary and secondary market research, qualitative industry data, competitor research or hiring a market research firm for in-depth analysis and other specialized services.Why is market research important for small business owners?The right market research methods can help you identify your ideal customer, pinpoint their problems, and craft the ideal solution or service they can’t live without. Not only that, but you could discover where your competitors are lacking to show you opportunities in the market.Successful small business owners use market research techniques that help them:Validate product or service ideasProvide confidence in pricingBuild a competitive advantageRefine sales messagingStrengthen their brandIncrease their revenue growthIf you skip out on market research, you could pour time and money into strategies that simply won’t work for your small business or your customers.Types of market research methods and techniquesThere are four main types of market research methods:Primary market research methods: Gathering new information specific to your business, such as surveys or customer interviews.Secondary market research methods: Digging for existing, general market information collected by a third party, such as a government agency, market research firm or a professional organization.Quantitative market research: When the research focuses on hard numbers and statistics instead of words and feelings, it’s called quantitative research. This type of research can be useful for testing ideas and tracking performance.Qualitative market research: This is research that addresses how or why a customer or organization makes a buying decision. It’s focused on emotion, observation and insight to help you pinpoint customers’ motivations and desires. This could involve something like watching a customer shop your online store and asking what they think of your brand or how your products make them feel. This can help you gauge their sentiment about who your brand is, what you sell and how you sell it.You may need to use more than one method to uncover the most helpful data.Primary market research methods: Research specific to your businessPrimary market research is research you perform yourself. It provides original data from current and prospective customers. This type of market research can be valuable because it provides conclusive results that come directly from your target market, using their own words.However, it can be expensive to perform primary market research, in both time and money. You could hire a market research firm to do the work, but it would still be primary market research since the information you’re collecting is specific to your business.Examples of primary market research include:Surveys, polls, and questionnairesInterviewsFocus groupsPrimary market research typically involves small sample sizes. It can be useful for understanding issues like customer pain points and effective messaging.Secondary market research methods: Market data collected by an organizationSecondary market research is research conducted by someone else that you can use to inform your decisions. It’s not specifically tailored to your business, but it can still provide useful information. Some examples of secondary market research include:Government dataStudies published in trade journalsIndustry statistics or trend reportsThis kind of information can often help you see the big picture in your market, customer demographics or general consumer trends.One place to get started with secondary market research is by browsing through the government data from the Small Business Administration (SBA). This offers a wide range of statistics on everything from consumer product safety to international trade data.Although data from secondary sources like these is more generalized, it can be a fast and affordable and often free way to benchmark your business’s performance and provide a starting point for further research.Quantitative market research: Hard numbers and factsWhile primary research and secondary research are methods to find numbers and hard data, quantitative research is the data itself; it’s the hard numbers that you find from your research endeavor.This could look like numbers, percentages, ratings and more that can be viewed or tracked over time to offer insight into the questions you have about your business, the market or the products/services that you sell.Qualitative market research: Customer sentiment and feelingsWhile quantitative research uncovers hard numbers and facts about a particular topic or industry, qualitative market research is a bit softer. It helps define why buyers or customers do what they do — the emotional drivers behind their behavior.Qualitative market research often relies on techniques that encourage description and uses words or images to convey how people feel about a product, a problem or a process.Small businesses can use qualitative research methods to uncover context for customer decision-making. It can show you why a customer might choose you over your competitors. It can also help identify the missing pieces of your messaging or pinpoint a new offering you hadn’t considered.A few ways to conduct qualitative research include:Individual interviewsFocus groupsOpen-ended questionsObserving how people interact with a product or move through a businessAsking customers to prospects to keep a diaryB2B market research methods for small businessIf your target market is other businesses, business-to-business market research may help you understand how businesses you’re targeting buy from other businesses.The information you gather could help you shorten the sales cycle, strengthen your position against competitors and close bigger deals. It could also help you determine which stakeholders you need to focus on and exactly what problems they’re trying to solve.Some useful B2B market research methods include:Interviews with current customers or lost leadsSurveysObservational researchMonitoring how people talk about your business in social media (social listening)Analysis of internal sales dataCompetitor analysisThese methods could be hired out to a third-party research firm or conducted in-house.Online market research for small businessesThe internet is always on. It offers a real-time and often free and unfiltered source of information about your target market.Here are a few online market research methods to try:Keyword research to find what terms and topics customers look for.Tracks topics on social media sites like Yelp, Instagram and Reddit.Poll and website pop-ups to collect data and opinions.Review customer reviews to see what people complain about and praise the most from your competition.You can use many of these strategies yourself if time and budget are tight.Three market research examplesHere’s what market research might actually look like for a growing small business.1. Local competitionYour house cleaning business is suddenly facing increased competition in your town. You review your competitors’ sales pages and pricing to see how they compare to yours, then read customer reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and Google to learn more about customer complaints. Using that information, you craft a new offering that targets house cleaning customers looking for something your competitors don’t offer, such as laundry service.2. Attract more customers onlineYou want to attract and onboard more customers for your online consulting services for mortgage lenders and real estate agents. You use online data to analyze your website clicks, conduct keyword research online and interview previous customers to ask them about how they found you and what they like and dislike about your service.3. Build up your business’s best practicesFor your nail technician business, you might visit a few nail salons in your area and while you’re on vacation to observe their store design, service style and pricing. You pay attention to how customers interact with the technicians there and which services are the most popular. You use this information to get new ideas for the services you offer and the look of your shop.This story was produced by ERGO NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley, launches 'Zoo Nights' program with extended visitor hours Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley, will launch a new program this summer. Zoo Nights. will give visitors the chance to explore the zoo during extended evening hours once a month. Guests can enjoy the zoo from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with last entry at 7 p.m., Zoo Nights will be on May 21, June 18 [...]
	NH Senate kills vaccine exemptions legislation; approves bill requiring DHHS to promote exemptions State law requires children be vaccinated against polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, mumps, pertussis, rubella, rubeola, varicella, diphtheria, and haemophilus influenzae type B before entering school or childcare. (Photo by Scott Housley/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)The New Hampshire Senate again shot down an annual effort to change the process by which New Hampshire families can get religious exemptions for vaccine requirements. State law requires children be vaccinated against polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, mumps, pertussis, rubella, rubeola, varicella, diphtheria, and haemophilus influenzae type B before entering school or childcare. However, there are exemptions for families with religious objections or people who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons. The process for receiving a religious exemption involves parents filling out a form created by the state Department of Health and Human Services. In recent years, several conservative lawmakers have taken issue with that form. House Bill 1022, sponsored by Manchester Republican Rep. Matt Drew, sought to have New Hampshire use a new form that simply states: “I, [insert parent or legal guardian’s name], hereby attest that I sincerely hold religious beliefs and/or engage in religious practices or observances that dictate the refusal to accept the required vaccinations for [insert child’s name], born [insert child’s date of birth]. [Insert parent or legal guardian’s signature and date.]” The Senate rejected the bill Thursday — the latest in a series of setbacks for the lawmakers behind it. Last year, a similar bill (House Bill 358) sought to specify that “the exemption shall require no more information than a written statement that the child has not been immunized because of religious belief … and a signature by the parent or legal guardian.” Both chambers passed it, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed the bill, writing in her veto message that “the State already has an established process by which parents can claim a religious exemption, and I see no reason to change it.” HB 1022 wasn’t the only legislation seeking to change the exemption process in 2026. As introduced, House Bill 1584, sponsored by Rochester Republican Rep. Kelley Potenza, would’ve eliminated forms altogether. The bill, among other things, would’ve established in state law that parents aren’t required to use any specific form, but rather (similar to last year’s bill) “may provide any written statement attesting to the religious exemption.” It also would’ve required DHHS to better inform parents of the exemptions when it promotes vaccines. However, the Senate amended the bill and approved it Thursday, leaving only provisions on informing parents of the exemptions when it promotes vaccines as well as a couple of new additions. The unrelated amendments seek to require pharmacies to inform patients of the lowest available price for their prescription medications and to appropriate revenue from the state’s tobacco tax and liquor license fees to pay for increasing the income eligibility rates for families applying for the childcare assistance scholarship program. These amendments may be used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the House in coming weeks. Because HB 1584 was amended by the Senate, it now returns to the House for lawmakers to review the amendments. The House can concur, accepting the bill as is; reject it outright; or request a committee of conference. During the committee of conference process, House and Senate negotiators would seek compromise on a final version of the bill. Courtesy of New Hampshire Bulletin
	Turning hot, humid, and stormy in the Quad Cities Our weather will become more summer-like this weekend into early next week. There is a severe weather threat in the Quad Cities each day through Tuesday. We've only picked up less than one-half of an inch of rain in the first half of May, but much-needed rain is on the way. Here's your complete 7-day [...]
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for May 15, 2026 City leaders in Muscatine are launching a new system to track buses in real time, and Amazon is opening its "last mile facility" in Davenport.
	What the higher 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2026 mean for your retirement strategy What the higher 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2026 mean for your retirement strategyThe IRS has increased the amount you can contribute to your retirement accounts in 2026. You can now contribute up to $24,500 to your 401(k) plan, up from $23,500 in 2025, and up to $7,500 to your individual retirement account (IRA), up from $7,000 in 2025.These increased limits create more room for tax-advantaged retirement savings in your financial plan. All of this will result in a lower tax burden today, along with more savings in your retirement nest egg years down the road.Whether you’re just getting started saving or are well on your way to reaching your retirement goals, it’s important to understand how these new numbers affect you, who benefits the most, and next steps are to consider.Wealth Enhancement explains how the 2026 increase in contribution limits may affect retirement planning strategies and savings decisions.2026 Retirement Contribution Limits at a Glance Wealth Enhancement Why the IRS Raised 401(k) and IRA Limits for 2026Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code requires the Secretary of the Treasury to reassess retirement contribution limits every year and adjust them if needed based on cost-of-living increases. In years where the cost of living rises more significantly, so too will your contribution limits.These increases change how much you can save, but they don’t change the basic account framework, including the tax treatment and eligibility rules. Even as the limits change, you can put more money to work in tax-advantaged accounts without having to open new accounts or change your overall savings strategy.What the 2026 401(k) Contribution Limits Mean in PracticeThere are several different pieces to the 2026 401(k) contribution limits, and it’s important to understand how each one works and which pieces affect you.Employee deferral limitEvery employee who has access to a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or Thrift Savings Plan can contribute up to $24,500 in 2026. This only applies to your own contribution limits, and it applies to everyone, no matter your age. Employer contributions are separate.Standard catch-up contribution limitOnce you reach age 50, you can make an additional catch-up contribution of up to $8,000 per year, up from $7,500 the year before. This means that if you’re 50 or older, your personal total contribution limit is $32,500.Higher catch-up contribution limitThanks to SECURE 2.0, employees ages 60, 61, 62, and 63 get an even higher catch-up contribution limit. You can now contribute up to $11,250 in addition to the elective deferral, instead of $8,000. As a result, your personal total contribution limit is $35,750.Total contribution limitMany employers contribute to their employees’ 401(k) accounts on their behalf, either as matching or nonmatching contributions. The total limit for both employee and employer contributions combined is $72,000 in 2026, not including catch-up contributions.What the 2026 IRA Contribution Limits MeanIn 2026, the IRS allows you to contribute up to $7,500 to your IRA, up from $7,000 the previous year. These contributions are separate from and in addition to any workplace retirement contributions you make. In addition to the standard contribution, there’s also a catch-up contribution of $1,100 allowed for workers ages 50 and older.These contribution limits apply to both traditional and Roth IRAs combined. You can contribute to both accounts in the same year, but your total contributions across the two can’t exceed the annual limit.Can You Contribute to Both a 401(k) and an IRA in 2026?In most cases, yes, you can contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA. Contributing to a workplace plan doesn’t limit your ability to contribute to an IRA, and vice versa. For example, you could contribute $24,500 to your workplace 401(k), and then another $8,000 to your IRA. And if you’re 50 or older, you could make catch-up contributions to both accounts, bringing your total contributions to more than $40,000.However, workplace coverage could limit your eligibility for certain tax benefits.How Income Limits Can Change Your IRA StrategyThe IRS places certain income limits on taking advantage of the full tax benefits of IRAs. If your income is too high, you may be prohibited from deducting your traditional IRA contributions or contributing to a Roth IRA.Traditional IRA deduction limitsIf you or your spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan, your ability to deduct your traditional IRA contributions may be reduced or eliminated at a certain income level if you have workplace coverage. For single taxpayers, this phase-out happens between $81,000 and $91,000 of income. For married taxpayers, it happens between $129,000 and $149,000 of income.You can still contribute to the account if your income is higher than the limits, but you won’t receive an upfront deduction.Roth IRA income limits for 2026Roth IRA contributions are subject to income phaseout ranges. Once your income surpasses the top limit, you won’t be able to contribute to a Roth IRA. The phase-out range is $153,000 to $168,000 for single filers, and $242,000 to $252,000 for married filers.What high earners should watchA higher income, while certainly beneficial in most areas, can limit your direct Roth IRA contributions and the deductibility of your traditional IRA contributions. But that doesn’t necessarily mean IRAs are off the table — it will just change your strategy.For example, if your income is too high to deduct your traditional IRA contributions or contribute to a Roth IRA, consider using a backdoor Roth IRA to ensure you still have some tax benefit. You can contribute to a traditional IRA, roll those contributions over into a Roth IRA, and enjoy tax-free withdrawals later on.Should You Prioritize a 401(k) or an IRA First?There’s no universal right answer to whether you should prioritize your 401(k) or IRA, but there’s a general framework that can help you plan your savings.Start with the employer matchIf your employer offers a matching contribution to your 401(k), prioritize contributing enough to earn the full match. For example, your employer might offer to match your contributions at 50% on up to 6% of your salary (a common approach employers take). If you earn $100,000, that’s an employer match of $3,000 if you contribute $6,000 to your account.When an IRA may come nextOnce you’ve taken advantage of your full employer match, you might consider switching to your IRA before adding more to your 401(k). IRAs typically offer broader investment flexibility. Rather than being limited to those investment options your employer selects, you can choose from anything your broker offers.Additionally, if your employer only offers pretax retirement savings, opting for an IRA can help you gain exposure to both pretax and Roth tax benefits.When it makes sense to keep adding to your 401(k)After maximizing your IRA contributions, or if you’re not eligible for a deductible or Roth IRA, continue increasing your 401(k) contributions as much as you can.401(k) contributions come with the convenience of having the money directly withdrawn from your paycheck before taxes, eliminating an extra step for you. These accounts also have higher contribution limits than IRAs, meaning you can keep saving even once you’ve hit the IRA contribution limit.Dollar‑cost averaging (DCA) in a 401(k) is the natural effect of contributing a portion of every paycheck to your retirement plan on a regular schedule. Instead of trying to time the market, you automatically invest the same dollar amount (or percentage of pay) every pay period, regardless of whether the market is up or down. When prices are high, your contribution buys fewer shares; when prices are low, it buys more shares. Over time, this can lower your average cost per share and reduce the risk of putting a large sum into the market at the wrong time.In practice, DCA works especially well in 401(k)s because contributions are systematic, automated, and long‑term. You don’t have to make timing decisions; emotions are taken out of investing, and market volatility becomes your ally rather than something to fear. While dollar‑cost averaging doesn’t guarantee higher returns or protect against losses, it helps smooth the ride, encourages consistent saving discipline, and aligns well with the long-term horizons typical of retirement investing.How Higher 2026 Limits Can Improve Your Retirement StrategyIncrease contributions with each raiseOne of the simplest ways to take advantage of higher contribution limits is to raise your contributions whenever your income increases. If you use percentage-based contributions, then this will happen automatically with each raise. But you could also take things one step further and increase your contribution percentage as your income rises.Use higher limits to build tax diversificationHigher contribution limits create more room to spread your retirement savings across multiple savings strategies. For example, you can use both pretax and Roth accounts to get exposure to diversified tax benefits — one that helps you now and one that will help you later.Having these different tax benefits can really come in handy during retirement, as you’ll have more options when designing the ideal withdrawal strategy to help minimize your tax burden.Coordinate contributions across spousesTwo-income households may be able to expand their retirement savings by coordinating contributions to each spouse’s 401(k) plans and IRAs. Each spouse is subject to separate limits, meaning a married couple under age 50 can contribute a combined $49,000 to 401(k)s and $16,000 to IRAs. That’s $65,000 in tax-advantage savings every year.Spousal IRAsA Spousal IRA lets a nonworking or lower‑earning spouse contribute to an IRA using the working spouse’s earned income, if the couple files a joint tax return. Normally, you must have earned income to fund an IRA, but the spousal IRA rule allows each spouse to have their own IRA in their own name, even if only one spouse works.For 2026, each spouse can contribute up to $7,500, or $8,600 if age 50+, provided the working spouse’s earned income is at least equal to the total of both contributions. Spousal IRAs can be traditional or Roth, with the same income limits, deduction rules, and Roth eligibility phaseouts that apply to any IRA. The key advantages are that they double a household’s IRA savings, help protect the nonworking spouse’s retirement independence, increase tax diversification (pretax versus Roth), and improve long‑term planning for retirement income and estate strategy. In short, spousal IRAs are one of the simplest and most underused ways for married couples to build more tax‑advantaged retirement savings.Aftertax 401(k) ContributionsAftertax 401(k) contributions are a special third type of contribution (separate from pretax and Roth) that uses already‑taxed income and allows you to save beyond the normal $24,500 employee deferral limit, up to the overall 401(k) cap ($72,000 in 2026, including employer match). On their own, aftertax contributions are not very attractive because earnings are eventually taxed, but they become extremely powerful when the plan allows in‑plan Roth conversions or in‑service rollovers.In that case, the aftertax contributions (and often their minimal earnings) can be quickly converted to Roth, creating what’s known as a “Mega Backdoor Roth,” which effectively lets high earners move tens of thousands of dollars per year into Roth space with no income limits. The result is significantly more tax‑free growth, better control over future tax brackets and RMDs, and greater flexibility for retirement income and estate planning if the employer plan supports the necessary conversion features.Real-Life Examples of How Different Savers Might RespondReal-life examples can help you get an idea of how you could structure your retirement savings at different points in your career. While these scenarios aren’t personalized advice, they can be a good starting point.Early career saverSteve is 24 years old and in an entry-level job. He just started contributing to his accounts, and he doesn’t earn enough to max out his contributions. However, he sets his contributions high enough to earn his full employer match and plans to slowly increase his contribution percentage as their income rises.If Steve’s employer offers automatic increases, he could increase his withholding by 1% each year, up to a specific limit. With a longer runway, Steve has more time to save, but also more potential for his money to compound.Given Steve’s lower income at this phase in his life, he decides that Roth contributions make the most sense. He has less need for the tax benefit of a tax deduction now, and it’s likely his income will be higher in the future, when the tax break might be more helpful.High-income professionalJane is a 40-year-old manager who has been with her company for the last decade. Thanks to moving up in the ranks of her career, Jane has more money to invest and is able to max out her 401(k) each year.However, Jane also runs into some roadblocks because of her income. For example, her income is too high to contribute to a Roth IRA or to deduct her traditional IRA contributions. Instead, Jane decides to talk to her financial advisor about either taking advantage of a nondeductible traditional IRA or using a backdoor Roth IRA to maximize her retirement savings tools.Age-52 saverBrandon is an executive who has been contributing to his retirement accounts for decades. Now that he’s in his 50s, he is eligible for the catch-up contribution for both his 401(k) and IRA, meaning the amount they can contribute each year has increased dramatically.Brandon’s children are graduating from college, meaning he’s out of the most expensive phases of raising children, freeing up more money for investing. Between that and his higher income, he’s able to prioritize retirement savings to ensure he can retire on time.Age-61 saverRebecca is in her 60s and is thinking more and more about retirement. Thanks to SECURE 2.0, Rebecca is able to contribute even more to her 401(k), and she’s doing just that.In addition to contributing more, Rebecca is talking to her advisor about her exit plan. She’s running the numbers to make sure she’ll have enough money to retire in just a few years, and she’s starting to plan out the right withdrawal strategy in a way that minimizes her tax burden.Common Mistakes to AvoidUnfortunately, plenty of people make mistakes with their retirement savings that end up costing them money down the road. Here are a few mistakes to avoid to give you the best chance of success.Missing the full employer match: Your employer match is free money from your employer. It can add up thousands of dollars per year, and hundreds of thousands in the long run, especially when you account for compound interest.Assuming a 401(k) blocks all IRA contributions: Participating in a workplace retirement plan doesn’t prevent you from investing in an IRA, and you could miss out on powerful tax benefits if you don’t take advantage of both.Ignoring Roth IRA income limits: If your income climbs above the phaseout range for Roth IRA contributions but you haven’t changed your contribution approach, you could be on the hook for penalties.Overlooking catch-up eligibility: Many savers in their 50s and 60s don’t realize they qualify for catch-up contributions, or they don’t update their payroll elections to take advantage of them. That’s thousands of dollars per year in missed contributions.Front-loading 401(k) contributions without checking match rules: Making your full 401(k) contribution at the beginning of the year may sound efficient, but some employers use a per-paycheck matching formula. In this case, you could miss out on the majority of your employer’s match for the year.Action Checklist for 2026Not sure where to start? Here’s an easy checklist you can use to make the most of your 2026 retirement contributions. This isn’t a substitute for personalized advice, but can serve as an excellent starting point:Review the current payroll deferral percentage. Make sure it’s still appropriate given your income, financial goals, and the current contribution limits.Check whether you are on track to capture the full employer match. Even if you can’t max out your account, make sure you’re contributing enough to get your full employer match, and prioritize that over other retirement savings.Confirm whether income changes the IRA strategy. Review the Roth and traditional IRA income phase-outs to ensure your income isn’t over the limit to maximize the benefits of these accounts.Decide on the traditional versus Roth mix. Many people use a mix of both pretax and Roth accounts to diversify their tax benefits, but it’s important to determine what works best for you.Update automated contributions. If you’ve set a flat dollar amount rather than a percentage, you may need to manually update your contributions as your income and the contribution limits change.Review catch-up eligibility if age 50 or older. Once you turn 50, confirm what the catch-up contribution limits are and how to take advantage of them.FAQsWhat is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?The elective deferral limit for 401(k)s is $24,500 in 2026. The catch-up contribution is $8,000 for those 50 and older, and $11,250 for those ages 60 through 63.What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?The IRA contribution limit is $7,500 in 2026, with an additional $1,100 catch-up contribution allowed for workers ages 50 and older.Who qualifies for catch-up contributions in 2026?Anyone age 50 or older qualifies for the standard catch-up contribution, while those ages 60, 61, 62, or 63 may qualify for the higher catch-up contribution in certain workplace plans.Should I max out my 401(k) first or contribute to an IRA too?You don’t necessarily need to max out your entire 401(k) before contributing to an IRA, but you should contribute at least enough to earn your full employer match. After that, you can compare taxes, fees, investment choices, and flexibility across the two plans to decide which to prioritize next.Can I contribute to a 401(k) and a Roth IRA in the same year?Yes, you can contribute to both a 401(k) and a Roth IRA in the same year, as long as your income falls within the limits set by the IRS.Do employer contributions count toward the 401(k) employee limit?No, employer contributions don’t count toward the 401(k) employee limit. However, there is a combined annual limit that covers both employee and employer contributions.ConclusionHigher retirement account limits in 2026 create more room for tax-advantaged saving. There’s no one right way to make the most of these changes. The best strategy for you depends on your company’s match structure, how much you earn, and how long you have until retirement, among other things.This information is not intended as a recommendation. The opinions are subject to change at any time and no forecasts can be guaranteed. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific circumstances. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.This story was produced by Wealth Enhancement and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Bettendorf snowplow names will be unveiled at Public Works Day The votes are in. Will the City of Bettendorf's snowplows be named Sleetwood Mac, Sled Hot Chili Pepper, The WingMan, Salty Dawg, Plowasaurus Rex, Snowmer Simpson, Clearopathra, Blade Runner, ctrl-salt-delete, or Scoop Dogg? At 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, during the city's annual Public Works Day, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Naumann will reveal the results [...]
	Kansas Department of Corrections signs inmate healthcare contract starting at $88.9M annually Jeff Zmuda, secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections, says the agency signed a minimum two-year contract with VitalCore Health Strategies of Topeka to provide healthcare to about 10,000 adult and juvenile inmates at nine prisons across the state. The contract can be renewed for a maximum of four years. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Corrections signed a two-year contract with a private healthcare company based in Topeka to provide medical services for 10,000 inmates at the state’s eight adult prisons and the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. The deal with VitalCore Health Strategies would obligate the state to pay $88.9 million in the initial fiscal year starting July 1, state Department of Corrections officials said. The contract could be lengthened twice under separate two-year extensions. The annual cost escalator would be 3.5% for the life of the contract — an increase of $3 million in the second year of the deal. The pact would run through June 30, 2032, if the maximum of six years were authorized. “I am confident that VitalCore will serve our residents and the agency well, providing medical care that addresses the needs of the incarcerated population,” said Jeff Zmuda, secretary of the Department of Corrections. “I look forward to a strong, mutually beneficial relationship.” Under the contract, VitalCore would be responsible for all costs associated with onsite medical services, offsite hospital care, outpatient surgery, ambulatory services, dental, medical personnel, behavioral health, hepatitis C treatment and the electronic health records system. Medical services would be provided 24 hours a day, 365 days each year by a staff of 500 full-time equivalent employees. News reports regarding VitalCore’s work in Mississippi prisons raised concern about the quality of care provided by the company. Mississippi Today’s series “Behind Bars, Beyond Care” reported that VitalCore denied medication to inmates with hepatitis C and HIV, an untreated broken arm resulted in an amputation, and a delayed cancer screening led to a terminal diagnosis. There was evidence medical staff in Mississippi prisons labeled inmates as “noncompliant” so they could be sent back to cells without treatment. Mississippi Today is a news partner with States Newsroom, the parent nonprofit of Kansas Reflector. The Kansas Department of Corrections said the decision to hire VitalCore was the result of a competitive process that attracted six other companies to the bidding. “Healthcare services for our population is an essential part of operations in our correctional facilities,” Zmuda said. “This contract allows us to fulfill our obligations to provide healthcare services that meet the needs of our incarcerated population.” The contract with VitalCore was separate from a $2.3 million arrangement with the University of Kansas Medical Center to provide oversight and monitoring of contractors. Health challenges of about 9,800 Kansas adult inmates in the Lansing, Hutchinson, El Dorado, Topeka, Ellsworth, Norton, Winfield and Larned facilities were complex given the incidence of mental health issues, chronic hypertension and respiratory conditions as well as cases of hepatitis C and HIV. The state’s juvenile facility in Topeka serves approximately 200 inmates. In March, Zmuda said the current prison medical care contract was held by Centurion of Kansas, which provided services to state inmates since July 2020. The state contract was put out for bid during November in anticipation of selecting a vendor in 2026. The Department of Correction’s request for proposals from healthcare companies said residents of KDOC facilities should “receive appropriate and necessary health care in the least restrictive environment while conserving resources and costs.” VitalCore was founded in 2015 and maintains a headquarters in Topeka. It operates nationwide by serving approximately 80,000 individuals in more than 100 correctional facilities in the United States. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Obscure drug discount program unleashes a full-fledged influence war at the State Capitol Hospitals say they need a drug discount program to help them weather a gloomy financial outlook. Drug companies say the hospitals are misleading the public. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Hospitals and drug companies are engaged in an expensive influence battle at the State Capitol this year over an obscure provision known as 340B, with each side lining up an army of dark-suited lobbyists, and Big Pharma even spending on billboards in rural Minnesota, as well as TV and Instagram ads. The high-priced battle is over a bill at the Legislature to strengthen and extend 340B, which lets hospitals that treat low-income patients buy drugs at a discount and keep the savings. With days remaining in the 2026 session, 340B advocates are worried the bipartisan bill, which hospitals say they need to survive, will fail to make it to the governor’s desk. Many rural hospitals say the program, which was established in 1992, is helping keep their doors open because the savings bolster operations and patient care amid increasingly precarious finances. President Donald Trump’s signature tax cut law passed last year also included hundreds of billions of dollars in long-term Medicaid cuts. “There’s no plan B for this. If this goes away, we don’t have other options,” said Richard Ash, CEO of United Hospital District in Blue Earth, Minnesota, at a Capitol press conference. “If the Legislature waits until more rural hospitals are gone and services are gone, it will not be a policy failure. It will be a moral failure.” Ash said United Hospital District’s cost of pharmaceuticals from 2024 to 2025 rose 24%, even with the 340B program discounts. The savings are helping the hospital cover costly services like emergency care and obstetrics, he said. PhRMA, the trade group representing drug manufacturers, says that hospitals are not passing the savings to consumers. “Minnesota’s 340B mandate isn’t about access to medicines — this is about interfering with federal policy so hospital administrators can maximize profits through inflated drug costs, while patients, taxpayers and employers bear the hidden costs,” said PhRMA spokesperson Reid Porter in a statement. “With no clear direct benefits for patients, patients lose through higher out‑of‑pocket costs and premiums, and as taxpayers.” Minnesota hospitals netted over $1.3 billion in 2024 thanks to 340B, the Minnesota Department of Health found in a recent report. Minnesota’s largest hospitals received over 80% of the savings, according to the report. The Minnesota Legislature in 2024 passed a law to ensure hospitals have easy access to medications covered under the 340B program. The current version is scheduled to sunset next year. Drug companies have not followed the requirements of the Minnesota law and are restricting access to the discounted drugs, hospitals and lawmakers argue. This is mostly because there is no enforcement mechanism, so the drug manufacturers face no consequences if they make the discounted drugs difficult to acquire. Now, a bipartisan coalition of legislators are hoping to give government some enforcement muscle. The bill would grant authority to the Minnesota Office of Attorney General to sue a drug manufacturer for unfair or deceptive trade practices if they restrict delivery of 340B drugs to contract pharmacies. The Minnesota Senate passed the bill 42-24 with bipartisan support. All 67 Democratic-Farmer-Labor members in the House are in favor of the bill (HF 3609), which includes the attorney general enforcement. Partisan allegiances on the issue are scrambled, with some rural Republicans backing the bill in an effort to help their struggling local hospitals. GOP members urged House leadership to get the bill moving and passed this year. A handful publicly — if gently — urged House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, to get the bill moving. “I think that our speaker and leadership on both sides are dealing with a lot of issues right now. We want to elevate this one as being a real, critical one,” said Rep. Dave Baker, R-Wilmar. House DFL leader Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, told the Reformer that House GOP leadership has been unwilling to move the bill forward. Stephenson said House GOP leaders have provided no rationale. Demuth told the Reformer that the 340B bill is still being negotiated with the governor and legislative leaders. Election year politics lurk in the background in a year when all 201 legislative seats and the constitutional offices are on the ballot. Demuth is a leading candidate for the Republican nomination for Minnesota governor. Days after the session ends on May 18, she will be headed up to Duluth to court delegates to endorse her as the GOP candidate. Any sign of capitulation to Democrats could be disqualifying among the delegates, who tend to be the most dogmatically partisan. Republicans are also loathe to give Attorney General Keith Ellison — whose office would be empowered to sue drug companies for failing to abide by 340B discount rules — any victories this legislative session as he seeks a third term in November. Doing so could activate the right-wing grassroots, which in recent years has challenged incumbent Republicans with primary campaigns. The Republicans’ conflicted view of the bill was evident earlier this session when its chief author, Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, R-Freeborn, tried to eliminate the attorney general enforcement provision from her own bill. Zeleznikar said she did so as a compromise, but Democrats opposed the amendment. The pharmaceutical industry is also a prodigious campaign contributor, to both sides. One study found the industry had given $5 million in 2019-20 to the campaigns of state lawmakers around the country. The hospitals are hardly wallflowers at the Capitol, however. Hennepin County Medical Center won a $200 million cash infusion this week, and the Mayo Clinic once threatened to take big investment dollars elsewhere unless legislators complied with the nonprofit giant’s wishes. The hospitals have a heavier lift, however, as passing legislation is typically much harder than blocking it. Courtesy of Minnesota Reformer
	Celebrate our U.S. Armed Forces at free family celebration at Rock Island Arsenal this weekend Residents are invited to the annual Armed Forces Day Celebration at Rock Island Arsenal on May 15-16 featuring fun activities for all ages.
	Bettendorf Rotary to host 20th annual Lobsterfest The 20th annual Bettendorf Rotary Lobsterfest will be held on June 12 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Waterfront Convention Center. The party for a great cause menu features succulent lobster tails, juicy steaks, and a variety of delightful sides, beers and wines.
	Skin microbiome and dry skin: How both are linked Skin microbiome and dry skin: How both are linkedDry skin has been a hot topic in the skin care universe for many years, but did you know it’s actually linked to your skin’s microbiome? If you’re asking yourself what your skin microbiome is, you’re not alone. This guide from Dove explains that and more about the relationship between your skin’s microbiome and skin health.So, what is the skin microbiome?Just like your gut, your skin is home to a community of billions of friendly living microorganisms. This community is your skin microbiome. Think of it as your skin’s living protective layer that works in harmony with your skin to help keep it in tip-top condition.Why is the skin microbiome important?When it comes to caring for your skin, your skin microbiome and skin health are very closely linked. As your skin’s living protective layer, the skin microbiome works hard every day to help produce nutrients and essential lipids, and help keep your natural skin barrier hydrated to avoid dryness.What is dry skin?Dry skin occurs when your skin loses too much water and can’t retain enough moisture. As dry skin becomes dehydrated, it can lead to itchiness, flakiness, and discomfort. Dryness can be caused by overwashing and using harsh cleansers, which can strip the skin of its natural oils. Cold and dry weather, along with sun damage, can also cause dry skin, so you’ll want to make sure you protect and moisturize your skin with every wash.How is dry skin related to our skin microbiome?“Maintaining a healthy skin microbiome is really important to prevent dryness and irritation,” says dermatologist Dr. Lina Kennedy. “Harsh cleansers can disrupt this balance. I recommend using gentle, moisturizing products to support the skin’s natural microbiome.”How to Care for Your Skin MicrobiomeWondering how to improve skin microbiome health? Here are some tips.1. Keep dry skin moisturized Choose a skin care product with microbiome-nourishing ingredients.2. Up the hydration Drinking enough water helps to keep your skin healthy, replenish your skin cells, and improve skin microbiome function. It’s recommended to drink around 2-2.5 liters of water each day.3. Reduce stress Stress can trigger an overproduction of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can cause an imbalance in the skin’s microbiome. So, here’s what to do: find activities and lifestyle changes that increase your endorphins, aka your feel-good hormones.What are the best products to use for microbiome skin care?If you have dry skin and don’t know where to start, put microbiome skin care on your radar. Your skin microbiome is your skin’s living protective layer that plays an important role in keeping your skin and skin barrier healthy. The good news? Some body washes are formulated with gentle, sulfate-free cleansers and are as mild to skin as water — being gentle to the microbiome starts with being gentle to the skin.This story was produced by Dove and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Crossroads, Muscatine, provides Secure Shred Day for Quad Cities Crossroads invites community members to its fourth annual Residential Secure Shred Day on Wednesday, May 20, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., a news release says. This convenient drive-through event at 1424 Houser St. allows individuals to securely dispose of up to 50 pounds of personal documents—all without leaving their car. As a local nonprofit [...]
	KWQC partnering to host US Senate Democratic Primary debate The debate aired live at 7 p.m. May 14 on KWQC Cozi 6.3 and was livestreamed on the KWQC apps.
	KWQC to air several Indiana Fever games on ION 6.2 and NBC this season You can watch Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever play in several games throughout the WNBA season on COZI 6.2 and NBC/Peacock beginning on Friday, May 15th.
	Alaska Senate advances bill to expand early interventions for children with developmental delays Melissa Lewis holds her three-month-old baby Twyla at a screening and event in support of Alaska infant learning programs at the Gold Town Theater in Juneau on Apr 29, 2025. She said while her baby is not showing signs of delays or needing intervention services, they attended the event to support the cause and more state funding and support for early childhood programs. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)The Alaska Senate approved a bill that would expand eligibility and services provided by early intervention programs for children experiencing developmental delays or disabilities. The Senate Health and Social Services committee sponsored the legislation, saying the state’s eligibility requirements for services are restrictive compared to the rest of the nation. “Under Alaska’s current restrictive eligibility structure, many healthcare providers hesitate to refer children for services because they are unsure if the child will meet the state’s stringent developmental delay requirements,” lawmakers wrote in a statement introducing the bill. Senators unanimously passed Senate Bill 178 on Wednesday, and it now advances to the Alaska House for consideration. Alaska parents and advocates have spotlighted Alaska’s growing need for early intervention services for families and children from infancy to age three. Infant learning programs that provide intervention services can include screening and assessments, targeted speech, movement and play therapies, as well as education and counseling for parents in child development. Research shows targeted interventions provide a wide variety of benefits for young children in their growth and development, and can reduce challenges and the need for special education services later in life. Under current Alaska law, children must demonstrate a 50% delay in order to be eligible for early intervention services. If passed, the legislation would reduce the requirement to a 25% delay, thus expanding eligibility for these types of services and interventions. An estimated 1,800 Alaska families are served each year by 17 infant learning programs across the state, funded by the state of Alaska and federal Medicaid, at no cost to families. Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, said Wednesday on the Senate floor the underlying goal of the bill is to expand access. “We know that early interventions will reduce the need for intensive interventions later in life,” she said, and urged lawmakers to consider the proposal a compounding investment. Sen. Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage, speaks Thursday, May 14, 2026, during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature. (James Brooks photo/Alaska Beacon) “We know that 46% of children who exit an infant learning program at age three do not require special education services when they reach kindergarten. That equates to an average of $229,071 of potential savings over the course of that child’s K-12 education,” she said. Tobin said the estimated potential cost savings to the state is $38.9 million annually. “But the most important piece of this is helping support children and families,” she added. Additionally, the legislation would expand services that are eligible for Medicaid funding. The bill would also require the Alaska Department of Health to review the conditions that qualify as a disability and make recommendations to the Legislature on updating those conditions. According to a state fiscal analysis, the legislation is estimated to cost the Department of Health over $450,000 to implement the changes in policy, including two new full time positions to manage expanded eligibility, billing, and statewide staff training. Last year, the Legislature approved a significant boost in funding for existing early intervention services statewide, but Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed the $5.7 million increase. This year, the House and Senate have advanced draft budgets which provide a moderate increase in funding — by roughly $2.7 million next year. In addition, both bodies proposed additional funding in their draft budgets if Senate Bill 178 is passed and expands eligibility and services. The House draft version would add $3 million, and the Senate version would add nearly $3.2 million. A conference committee of six legislators from the House and Senate are currently in negotiations and compiling the budget proposals in the next few days, ahead of the legislative session’s end on May 20. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Alaska Beacon
	This biomarker is a better predictor of heart disease than cholesterol: What to know about C-reactive protein. This biomarker is a better predictor of heart disease than cholesterol: What to know about C-reactive protein.Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.Since researchers first established the link between diet, cholesterol and heart disease in the 1950s, risk for heart disease has been partly assessed based on a patient’s cholesterol levels, which can be routinely measured via blood work at the doctor’s office.However, accumulating evidence over the past two decades demonstrates that a biomarker called C-reactive protein — which signals the presence of low-grade inflammation — is a better predictor of risk for heart disease than cholesterol.As a result, in September 2025, the American College of Cardiology published new recommendations for universal screening of C-reactive protein levels in all patients, alongside measuring cholesterol levels.What is C-reactive protein?C-reactive protein is created by the liver in response to infections, tissue damage, chronic inflammatory states from conditions like autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disturbances like obesity and diabetes. Essentially, it is a marker of inflammation — meaning immune system activation — in the body, Mary J. Scourboutakos, an adjunct assistant professor in family and community medicine at Old Dominion University writes for The Conversation.C-reactive protein can be easily measured with blood work at the doctor’s office. A low C-reactive protein level — under 1 milligram per deciliter — signifies minimal inflammation in the body, which is protective against heart disease. An elevated C-reactive protein level of greater than 3 milligrams per deciliter, signifies increased levels of inflammation and thus increased risk for heart disease. About 52% of Americans have an elevated level of C-reactive protein in their blood.Research shows that C-reactive protein is a better predictive marker for heart attacks and strokes than “bad,” or LDL cholesterol, short for low-density lipoprotein, as well as another commonly measured genetically inherited biomarker called lipoprotein(a). One study found that C-reactive protein can predict heart disease just as well as blood pressure can.Why does inflammation matter in heart disease?Inflammation plays a crucial role at every stage in the development and buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries, which causes a condition called atherosclerosis that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.From the moment a blood vessel is damaged, be it from high blood sugar or cigarette smoke, immune cells immediately infiltrate the area. Those immune cells subsequently engulf cholesterol particles that are typically floating around in the bloodstream to form a fatty plaque that resides in the wall of the vessel.This process continues for decades until eventually, one day, immune mediators rupture the cap that encloses the plaque. This triggers the formation of a blood clot that obstructs blood flow, starves the surrounding tissues of oxygen and ultimately causes a heart attack or stroke.Hence, cholesterol is only part of the story; it is, in fact, the immune system that facilitates each step in the processes that drive heart disease.Can diet influence C-reactive protein levels?Lifestyle can significantly influence the amount of C-reactive protein produced by the liver.Numerous foods and nutrients have been shown to lower C-reactive protein levels, including dietary fiber from foods like beans, vegetables, nuts and seeds, as well as berries, olive oil, green tea, chia seeds and flaxseeds.Weight loss and exercise can also reduce C-reactive protein levels.Does cholesterol still matter for heart disease risk?Though cholesterol may not be the most important predictor of risk for heart disease, it does remain highly relevant.However, it’s not just the amount of cholesterol —or more specifically, the amount of bad, or LDL, cholesterol — that matters. Two people with the same cholesterol level don’t necessarily have the same risk for heart disease. This is because risk is determined more so by the number of particles that the bad cholesterol is packaged into, as opposed to the total mass of bad cholesterol that’s floating around. More particles means higher risk.That is why a blood test known as apolipoprotein B, which measures the number of cholesterol particles, is a better predictor of risk for heart disease than measurements of total amounts of bad cholesterol.Like cholesterol and C-reactive protein, apolipoprotein B is also influenced by lifestyle factors like exercise, weight loss and diet. Nutrients like fiber, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids are associated with a decreased number of cholesterol particles, while increased sugar intake is associated with a larger number of cholesterol particles.Furthermore, lipoprotein(a), a protein that lives in the wall surrounding cholesterol particles, is another marker that can predict heart disease more accurately than cholesterol levels. This is because the presence of lipoprotein(a) makes cholesterol particles sticky, so to speak, and thus more likely to get trapped in an atherosclerotic plaque.However, unlike other risk factors, lipoprotein(a) levels are purely genetic, thus not influenced by lifestyle, and need only be measured once in a lifetime.What’s the best way to prevent heart disease?Ultimately, heart disease is the product of many risk factors and their interactions over a lifetime.Therefore, preventing heart disease is way more complicated than simply eating a cholesterol-free diet, as once thought.Knowing your LDL cholesterol level alongside your C-reactive protein, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein (a) levels paints a comprehensive picture of risk that can hopefully help motivate long-term commitment to the fundamentals of heart disease prevention. These include eating well, exercising consistently, getting adequate sleep, managing stress productively, maintaining a healthy weight and, if applicable, quitting smoking.This story was produced by The Conversation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Memorial Day service planned at Summit Church, Davenport The public is invited to one of the oldest continuous observances of Memorial Day West of the Mississippi River, at the 107th Annual Memorial Day Service at Historic Summit Church on Utica Ridge Road, 21980 210th Ave., Davenport, according to a news release. The service will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, May 25. The [...]
	Overdose deaths in Oregon drop second year in a row Free narcan kits that reverse fentanyl overdoses are offered at a health fair in Baker City on Oct. 22, 2024. (Photo by Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle)Overdose deaths in Oregon have dropped for a second year in a row, according to the state’s health agency. There were 1,100 overdose deaths in 2025, preliminary estimates from the Oregon Health Authority show — a drop from more than 1,500 in 2024 and 1,800 in 2023. The decline marks the first year-over-year decline since 2016. “This improvement is the result of deep partnerships between state agencies, behavioral health providers, local officials and law enforcement and shows what is possible when all of us work together,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement. “We have to stay on track. Together, we can save the lives of our neighbors, friends and family members.” More than 90% of those overdose deaths involved fentanyl, methamphetamine or some combination of both, according to John Mcllveen, Oregon’s State Opioid Treatment Authority. Historically underserved communities are bearing the brunt of the opioid crisis, Mcllveen said, but the new data show Oregon’s investments in prevention, treatment and harm reduction are helping save lives. To reduce overdose deaths, the state has invested in the Save Lives Oregon Harm Reduction Clearinghouse, which provides no-cost supplies such as naloxone, infection prevention and wound care kits to health clinics, law enforcement, tribes and community-based organizations across Oregon. The state also provides grants to behavioral health providers to support people with substance use disorders regardless of their ability to pay, and it has expanded its opioid treatment programs, prevention programs and peer services. Additionally, substance use and recovery groups across Oregon have received more than $90 million over the last two years in settlement funds from companies for their role in the opioid crisis, the Oregon Health Authority announced Thursday. “The sustained decline in overdose deaths is encouraging to see, but we still have a long way to go,” said Tom Jeanne, deputy state health officer and deputy state epidemiologist at the Oregon Health Authority. “Continued investment by the state and community partners across the full spectrum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery is needed to keep overdoses on a downward trajectory.” To learn more about preventing overdose deaths: Watch this Save Lives Oregon video to learn how to administer naloxone. Connect with your regional overdose prevention coordinator to learn about local overdose prevention activities and resources. Visit overdose and prevention resources on OHA’s website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle
	High gas prices, soaring airfare and rising grocery costs are squeezing Americans’ summer plans High gas prices, soaring airfare and rising grocery costs are squeezing Americans’ summer plansAccording to a new study from Intuit Credit Karma, more than half of Americans (55%) say this is the most financially stressful summer they can remember, and two-thirds (66%) say current economic conditions are making them more stressed about their finances than in previous summers.With high gas prices and grocery costs eating into everyday budgets and airfare costs squeezing travel plans, Americans are being forced into difficult trade-offs, whether that’s cutting back on essentials, taking on debt, or giving up on summer plans entirely. While many Americans are pulling back (particularly Gen X), others (especially Gen Z) are moving forward with their summer plans, even if it means racking up debt or hustling to make it work.Note: This study was conducted among Gen Z, millennial and Gen X adults. Throughout this article, respondents are referred to as “Americans.”Key takeaways:55% of Americans say this is the most financially stressful summer they can remember, with two-thirds (66%) reporting that current economic conditions are making them more stressed about their finances than in previous summers.45% say rising gas prices and airfare costs have led them to cancel their summer travel plans, with more than half (56%) saying they feel priced out of traveling this season entirely.52% plan to take on extra work to afford the summer they want, rising to 59% of Gen Z and 57% of millennials.31% expect to take on debt this summer, including 37% of Gen Z. More than a third (35%) expect to rack up anywhere from $1,000-$3,000 in debt.47% of Gen Z say their summer travel plans are more expensive than they can realistically afford, but they don’t plan to scale them back.Americans enter summer with stretched budgets More than a third of Americans (34%) say their financial situation has worsened over the past year, rising to 39% of Gen X. The state of the U.S. economy is a shared concern among 89% of Americans, which bleeds into their top financial concerns as they head into summer:Cost of food and groceries – 45%, rising to 54% of Gen XCost of gas – 40%, rising to 46% of Gen XSaving money – 28%, rising to 35% of Gen ZRising gas prices are a sticking point for many Americans’ summer plans. People report spending significantly more on gas per month compared to last year, with 25% spending $50 to $100 more per month and 16% spending $100 to $200 more.That extra cost is forcing people to make spending trade-offs (spend less or give up entirely). As a result of rising gas prices, Americans are sacrificing:Groceries – 29%Entertainment (e.g., streaming services, concerts, sporting events, etc.) – 29%Name-brand products (e.g., choosing generic/store brands instead of premium brands) – 25%Visiting family/friends – 23%Road trips – 22%Family vacations – 22%This strain is influencing how people feel about their financial runway. Six in 10 (61%) say they have less financial flexibility this summer than in recent years, and 69% are worried the economic situation could get worse before the summer is over.A summer in the red Nearly a third of Americans (31%) expect to take on debt this summer, rising to 37% of Gen Z. Among those who expect to take on debt, 35% anticipate adding anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, including 41% of millennials and 40% of Gen X. Debt bills skyrocket for roughly 1 in 8 Gen Xers (13%) who anticipate taking on more than $4,000 in debt.Travel plans meet economic reality Despite the financial stress, more than half of Americans (57%) still plan to travel this summer, especially Gen Z (63%). On the other hand, the desire to travel is being met with economic reality. Nearly half (45%) say rising gas prices and airfare costs have led them to cancel their summer travel plans, and more than half (56%) feel priced out of traveling this summer.Those who are flying are getting creative to help manage the cost of airfare. Top strategies include:Charging airfare to a credit card – 28%Choosing budget airlines – 28%Booking earlier than usual – 28%Flying at off-peak times or days – 26%Using points/miles or travel rewards to offset the cost – 23%Choosing a destination based on cheaper airfare – 18%Rising costs are also influencing where and how people travel:25% are taking fewer trips.21% are choosing destinations closer to home.20% are choosing more affordable destinations (e.g., national parks).18% are staying with friends and family.17% are shortening the length of their trips.15% are opting for staycations.14% are traveling with others to split costs.14% are switching from flying to driving to save on airfare.Gen X pulls back while Gen Z pushes forward When it comes to summer spending, these two generations are heading in opposite directions. Four in 10 Americans (40%) expect to spend less this summer compared to last, rising to 44% of Gen X. Meanwhile, 27% of Americans expect to spend more, rising to 36% of Gen Z.That divide shows up in where Americans expect to spend more this summer:Groceries – 66%, rising to 71% of Gen XGas – 53%, rising to 58% of Gen XTravel – 31%Dining out – 31%, rising to 38% of Gen ZEntertainment (e.g., concerts, sporting events) – 25%, rising to 33% of Gen ZTo cover summer expenses, Americans are reaching for a mix of payment methods: checking accounts (40%), credit cards (39%), and savings (30%). Notably, credit card usage is highest among Gen Z (45%) and millennials (43%). While buy now, pay later (BNPL) is being used by 26% of Gen Z, underscoring how this generation continues to lean on alternative payment methods to manage cash flow.Sacrifices and side hustles Young Americans are hustling to make their summer costs work. In order to afford the summer they want, 59% of Gen Z and 57% of millennials are taking on extra work (e.g., gig work). And yet, even with the extra effort, 55% of Gen Z say that even though they budgeted for summer plans, it still doesn’t feel like enough.Many are also making sacrifices. Nearly half (46%) are cutting back on nonessential spending (55% of Gen X), while a quarter (25%) are going a step further and skipping or cutting back on essentials (29% of Gen Z).Gen Z’s summer-at-all-costs mentality More than half of Gen Z (52%) say they will always prioritize having a fun summer, regardless of their financial situation. And they’re putting their money where their mouth is: 47% of Gen Z say their summer travel plans are more expensive than they can realistically afford, but they don’t plan to scale them back. While they don’t have plans to backtrack, many still feel regret. Four in 10 (41%) say they regret booking an expensive trip months ago that they now feel they cannot afford.Some Gen Zers are shielded from trade-offs because they’re not footing the bill. Nearly half (46%) say their partner is paying for most or all of their summer travel costs. For those who do have to compromise, 59% plan on taking a “micro” vacation — smaller, more affordable experiences that still feel special but cost less.Social pressure is adding fuel to the fire, with 45% of Gen Z admitting they have been or expect to be influenced to spend money they don’t have this summer by seeing other people’s social media posts about travel, weddings, events and experiences.That pressure is also straining friendships: 43% resent their friends for expecting them to spend beyond their means, and 42% have lost or expect to lose a friend because they can’t afford to participate in summer plans like weddings, bachelorette parties or vacations.“The cost of just about everything, from groceries to gas to airfare, is testing Americans’ financial limits this summer,” said Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Intuit Credit Karma. “What stands out is the gap between desire and affordability, and how differently generations are responding. Many Gen Xers are stretched thin and making real sacrifices just to get by, while Gen Z is pushing forward with their summer plans even if the math doesn’t add up. If you’re feeling the squeeze, being honest with yourself about what you can truly afford — whether that’s a smaller trip, a staycation or a micro experience — can help prevent a financial hangover that follows you into fall.”MethodologyThis survey was conducted online within the United States by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma between April 29, 2026, and May 1, 2026, among 1,024 adults ages 18 and older.This story was produced by Credit Karma and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Registration open for Tour of Mississippi River Valley bicycle ride Registration remains open for the Tour of the Mississippi River Valley, a popular and iconic two-day ride sponsored by the Quad Cities Bicycle Club. TOMRV (pronounced “TOM-Rahv”) will take place the weekend of June 6-7. The TOMRV route will take cyclists along the Mississippi River Valley, with an overnight stop in Dubuque. This year’s TOMRV [...]
	I-280 reopened after semi-trailer fire Officials said the trailer was loaded with cardboard and HVAC materials which made extinguishing the fire challenging.
	Quad Cities law enforcement going toe-to-toe for our local Special Olympics About 12 locations throughout the Quad Cities metro area will be handing out coupons and other prizes to encourage people to donate to the Special Olympics.
	Nuclear Regulatory Commission discusses Quad Cities Generating Station safety at public meeting Federal regulators met with residents in Port Byron on Thursday to discuss safety oversight and 2025 performance at the Quad Cities plant.
	Davenport to study temporary traffic changes near River Drive, McClellan Here’s more on Davenport’s plan to test temporary traffic changes at River Drive, River Street and McClellan Boulevard after drivers were clocked at more than 70 mph on River Street.
	Davenport Central High School holds fine arts signing for graduating seniors Davenport Central High School seniors, dedicated to the fine arts, gathered at the high school's Performance Arts Center on Thursday to sign letters of intent with their respective colleges.
	Indiana abortion ban law stands as state Supreme Court rejects challenge The Indiana Supreme Court hears a case during a 2023 oral argument. From left to right, Geoffrey Slaughter, Mark Massa, Loretta Rush, Derek Molter and Christopher Goff. (Photo from Flickr)Indiana’s near-total abortion ban has survived a key legal challenge with the state Supreme Court rejecting a request that it take up the case. The state’s highest court, in a 4-1 order issued Thursday, decided to let stand lower court rulings that upheld the constitutionality of the abortion restrictions approved by the Republican-dominated Legislature in 2022. Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers argued in the challenge that the ban’s health exceptions allowing abortions were too narrow to comply with state constitution’s life and liberty protections. ACLU says decision ends this challenge Republican Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, whose office has defended the abortion ban in court, touted the Supreme Court’s order as “a decisive WIN for the people of Indiana and the unborn!” “Thanks to this decision, our protections for life remain constitutional and will be enforced,” Rokita said in a social media post. “Like we’ve said before, no matter how many times Planned Parenthood tries to sue and push forward their culture of death, we will continue fighting for mothers, fathers, and the unborn.” A separate lawsuit centered on whether the abortion ban violates Indiana’s religious freedom law is ongoing, with the state Supreme Court scheduled to hear oral arguments on Sept. 10. In that case, a Marion County judge issued a permanent injunction blocking enforcement of the ban for a select group of Hoosiers with religious objections to the prohibition. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has represented the abortion providers in the lawsuit. It described the court’s decision as “bringing this case to a close.” “We’re deeply disappointed,” the organization said. “This law puts pregnant people’s health on the line, but we’re not done fighting.” Planned Parenthood’s Indiana affiliate did not immediately comment Friday. Indiana’s law bans abortions at any stage except in cases of rape or incest, to protect the life and health of the mother or a fatal fetal anomaly — though each with varying time limits. The law also revoked the licenses of all abortion clinics in the state and required that doctors perform the procedure at a hospital. Justices don’t explain decision The state Supreme Court did not hear oral arguments in the lawsuit before deciding to leave in place an August 2025 Court of Appeals ruling which rejected arguments that the abortion ban was too restrictive. The one-page Supreme Court order said that the justices had reviewed the Court of Appeals ruling and all the legal briefs submitted in the case. The justices, however, did not give any explanation for their decision. Chief Justice Loretta Rush and Justices Mark Massa, Derek Molter and Geoffrey Slaughter voted to let the lower court decision stand, according to the order. Justice Christopher Goff, who voted to take up the appeal, also dissented from the court’s 2023 ruling that let the abortion ban take effect. Goff faulted the ban’s exceptions for not covering psychological or emotional conditions, including instances in which a woman shows signs that she intends to hurt herself. Rush sided with the majority despite writing in 2023 that Indiana’s Constitution grants a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy “to protect her life or to protect her from a serious health risk … under circumstances that extend beyond the current law.” The appeals court ruling found that the abortion ban’s “reasonable medical judgment” standard for the exceptions was constitutional. “Those circumstances are medical circumstances and determining whether they exist requires a reasonable medical judgment,” the August decision said. “The statutory Life or Health Exception thus does not impose a material burden on the constitutional right to an abortion at all as both the constitutional right and the statutory exception require a reasonable medical judgment.” The number of abortions performed in Indiana has dropped by 99% from 9,529 in 2022 to 126 during 2025, according to state Department of Health reports. Doctors reported fatal fetal anomaly or serious health risks to the mother as the reasons for more than 90% of abortions during 2025. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Indiana Capital Chronicle
	MuscaBus riders can track buses in real time MuscaBus riders can now see exactly where their bus is — right from their phone, tablet, or computer, a news release says. The City of Muscatine has launched a new real-time tracking webpage that shows the live locations of MuscaBus vehicles across all routes, helping riders better plan their trips and reduce wait times. The [...]
	Moline and state removing trees for I-74 interchange reconstruction, city bike path and restaurant Several projects involving tree removal have or will take place in Moline in 2026 related to Interstate 74 interchange reconstruction, a city bicycle path and a new restaurant, according to officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the city…
	Bipartisan policies aim to improve transportation for Michiganders in a mental health crisis Getty ImagesGathering in the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, a trio of lawmakers from the House and Senate laid out their plans to establish a transportation system for individuals seeking emergency mental health treatment. In the past month, state Sen. Mark Huizenga (R-Walker) and state Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek), with the support of Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) and Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), introduced legislation in the House and Senate to make behavioral health transportation a Medicaid-covered service. In addition to providing reimbursement for emergency transportation, the bills set standards for vehicle safety and training requirements to ensure the safety of patients and transportation staff. “People deserve timely and professional mental health care and our emergency departments need relief from the responsibilities that they were never intended to carry,” Huizenga told reporters at a press conference Wednesday morning. State Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek) and Sens. Mark Huizenga (R-Walker) and Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) at a press conference discussing legislation creating a framework for behavioral health transport in the state. May 13, 2026 \| Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance In a statement on Senate Bills 927–928 and House Bills 5943–5944, the lawmakers noted that the state does not offer specified emergency transportation for people facing an acute mental health crisis, with these individuals either receiving transport from an ambulance or law enforcement. Frisbie, who worked as a paramedic for more than 40 years, said the rise of mental health crises in the state and nationwide has put a strain on the limited availability of ambulances in Michigan communities, often taking individuals to receive care at far away facilities. Taking away an ambulance from a community that might only have one or two can be devastating, and can lengthen response times as assistance comes from further away, Frisbie said. He noted that the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services were among the stakeholders supporting the bills. “They want to dedicate that ambulance to the role that it was designed to do, but they don’t want to abandon the mental health patients either, and they need to have reimbursement opportunities,” Frisbie said, with ambulance services and hospitals often eating the cost of providing mental health transport. Santana, who cosponsored Huizenga’s Senate Bill 927 and 928, said the bills were not just correcting a system failure, but a moral one. “These bills focus on expanding access, improving coordination of care, and ensuring that when someone reaches out for help, the help is actually there, because timing matters,” Santana said. “When someone is in crisis, we cannot tell them to wait, we cannot tell them to navigate a complicated system on their own, and we must also be ready to respond in that moment. This is about prevention, also about dignity and it’s about saving lives.” Huizenga’s Senate Bills 927 and 928 have been referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy, while Frisbie and O’Neal’s House Bills 5943 and 5944 have been referred to the House Health Policy Committee. Courtesy of Michigan Advance
	In magic mushrooms case, Utah County argues religious freedom doesn’t cover substance use Dried mushrooms. (Stock photo by Akchamczuk/Getty Images)After a federal judge sided with a Provo faith group that uses psychedelic mushrooms in its spiritual practices last December, Utah County is fighting back in court, arguing that state law around drug use applies to everyone, even religious organizations. The case followed a search warrant Provo police executed at the Singularism Spiritual Center in November 2024, seizing the group’s psilocybin — also known as magic mushrooms — and membership records. With an appeal in a federal court, Utah County is seeking to reverse a lower court ruling that allowed the use of psilocybin in religious settings without facing criminal prosecution. Singularism isn’t entitled to Utah Controlled Substances Act exceptions, attorneys representing Utah County said. And, another state law allowing for a psilocybin study in the state won’t change that. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. “The line the state drew is based on risk,” Caroline Olsen, an attorney for the county said. “Unregulated use of psilocybin without any government oversight or controls is just fundamentally incomparable to the use for exploratory and research purposes in a hospital governed by regulations, government oversight and subject to civil liability.” That was part of oral arguments presented to a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals judicial panel on Tuesday. Attorneys representing Utah County pushed hard against the Singularism Spiritual Center’s argument that the center is comparable to a healthcare organization while managing psilocybin use. But that’s a characterization attorneys for the spiritual center contested. “It is not a highly controlled, regulated medical exception. It is not a research exception. It is the creation of a standalone, independent and unique behavioral health treatment program,” Tanner Bean, an attorney representing the Singularism Spiritual Center said. The case put a 2024 state religious freedom law to test, by determining how Utahns could challenge government regulations that may interfere with their “sincerely held” religious beliefs. The Singularism Spiritual Center offers guided “psychedelic therapy journeys” with the use of a psilocybin-based tea, a practice the group has advertised on its website as “conducted under federal legal exemptions for religious and ceremonial use of entheogens.” Let us know what you think... U.S. Circuit Judge Richard Federico asked Bean, what’s the limit? What could stop a church from using substances like morphine or fentanyl in their spiritual practices? The line is drawn in a past court decision establishing that the religious organizations must conduct a risk analysis on whether their activities could go against government interests, and result in things like drug diversion or drug abuse issues, Bean said. “There are other threshold factors they’d have to get through, such as sincerity, religiosity, which are not at issue in this appeal to get there,” Bean said. “But they’d also have to conduct this risk analysis. There might be many circumstances in which the risks are simply not comparable, but here they are highly comparable.” Psilocybin hasn’t “ever left the sacred center,” and there hasn’t been any indication of drug abuse, Bean said. Judges assigned to the case haven’t issued a decision yet. However, they had questions for both parties, including whether Utah County had acted in bad faith at declining an invitation from the center to see their practices and then sending an undercover officer to investigate the group’s use of psilocybin. And whether that caused irreparable injury to the spiritual center. Bridger Jensen, the founder of the center, successfully sued the county citing religious freedom protections. However, according to a brief filed by attorneys representing the county, the ruling from a lower court “erroneously assumes that use of a schedule I drug at Singularism has equivalent safety assurances as Utah’s two largest healthcare systems.” “Singularism’s psilocybin ceremonies are administered by unlicensed ‘facilitators,’ most of whom lack medical training. Singularism does not even have uniform criteria for dosing,” the attorneys for the county wrote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Utah News Dispatch
	Food stamp enrollment drops in WA as immigrants exit program (Photo by hapabapa/Getty Images)Food stamp enrollment in Washington state fell sharply between last summer and early this year amid federal cuts to the program and as fewer immigrants accessed benefits. The decline here is small compared to some other states, but the number of households receiving food assistance dropped from 548,000 in March 2025 to 525,000 in March this year. State officials say some of the decrease can be attributed to the lingering effects of the lengthy federal government shutdown last fall that threatened the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and similar food programs. “We really haven’t climbed out of that,” said Claire Lane, director of the statewide Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition. Enrollment has gone down almost every month since January 2025, per data from the state Department of Social and Health Services, which runs the program here. In Washington, Basic Food benefits include the federal SNAP program and the state’s Food Assistance Program, which mirrors SNAP but extends benefits to immigrants with lawful status who don’t qualify for the federal version. The Food Assistance Program is fully state-funded. Noncitizen enrollment in Basic Food has plummeted roughly 23%, from over 47,000 households to 36,500. The peak was nearly 50,000 in fall 2024, before President Donald Trump retook office. Mixed-status homes with both citizen and noncitizen residents have fallen 6%. Meanwhile, U.S. citizen enrollment has dropped a little over 2%. Most of that decline came last fall, during the government shutdown. Whether the Trump administration would issue SNAP benefits in the middle of the shutdown was in question. The national average for declines in SNAP benefits between January 2025 and January 2026 was 10%. Some states had larger declines. Arizona saw a more than 43% reduction. Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Nevada and North Carolina were also in double figures. This comes as food prices increase. In the Seattle area, for example, they’ve gone up 3.8% over the past year, outpacing the national average, according to federal data released this week. The war in Iran has shocked prices for numerous grocery items. SNAP helps low-income residents pay for groceries. The tax cut law congressional Republicans passed last summer, known as the “big, beautiful bill,” is expected to cut roughly $187 billion in federal nutrition spending over the next decade. Previously, SNAP required able-bodied adults age 54 and younger without dependents to work at least 20 hours per week to access food stamps. The GOP megabill upped that to age 64 and added work requirements for parents whose children are at least 14 years old. Previously exempt veterans, former foster youth and people experiencing homelessness also need to work. Those changes have taken effect. Applicants who don’t meet these new requirements but otherwise qualify can get three months of benefits. Enrollment is expected to continue to drop as the food aid lapses for this group. State officials have estimated that 137,000 residents in Washington stand to lose their benefits from the more stringent work requirements. “People have heard the news,” said Lane, with the Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition. “They know what Congress did last summer. They know that there are cuts coming and eligibility changes coming. And so I think it’s had a chilling effect on people applying for benefits.” The federal law also cut eligibility for refugees and asylees. However, state lawmakers this year approved money to continue providing state food benefits to the roughly 30,000 immigrants who no longer qualify due to this provision. Washington is also spending $9.3 million to staff up to implement the new work requirements. More changes are coming. Starting next year, the state could need to foot the bill for some SNAP spending previously covered by the federal government if it doesn’t reduce its overpayments and underpayments. States will also have to share some of the administrative costs of running the program. Republicans have said the idea is to root out waste, fraud and abuse in SNAP and other federal programs to save taxpayer dollars. But critics say it’ll drown low-income people in paperwork, an obstacle to benefits even for those who remain eligible. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has tried to access personal data of state food stamp recipients, raising fears it could be used for immigration enforcement and potentially chilling noncitizens’ interest in accessing the program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Washington State Standard
	Key takeaways from Trump's China trip President Trump returns to the U.S. after wrapping up his whirlwind trip to China.
	'Is God Is' is a ferocious, timely tale of misogyny — and revenge In Aleshea Harris' fiery feature debut, men are men, and women pay the consequences.
	How to vote early in the Iowa primary Early voting began Wednesday for Iowa’s primary election. Election Day is June 2.
	Idaho farmers can band together to buy cheaper health insurance through Farm Bureau deal Workers weed a field of peppers on a farm in Fruitland, Idaho. (Kirsten Strough/U.S. Department of Agriculture)For Doug Barrie, a fifth-generation farmer in East Idaho, the options for affordable health insurance have been slim pickings. The employees at his farm in Ucon include him, his son, and a handful of others, depending on the time of year. He’s not alone in the struggle to find health insurance. That’s common among members of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, an association that serves over 10,000 Idaho farmers, said Barrie, who serves as the organization’s vice president. Doug Barrie (Photo courtesy of Idaho Farm Bureau Federation) “Our big concern is being able to provide that affordable health insurance and trying to relieve that burden for our family farms,” he said in an interview. But he’s hoping that a new plan, just approved by the Trump administration, will ease that struggle. The plan lets Idaho farmers who are part of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation to band together to buy cheaper health insurance by acting as one association of businesses, rather than thousands of separate small businesses. The approval came months after a common health insurance option for farmers — that was deeply subsidized by the federal government — is getting more expensive. The Idaho Farm Bureau is already offering the plans. Farmers often get insurance on exchanges, where costs are rising after federal subsidies end Barrie said he and many farmers he knows get insurance every year on the state’s health insurance exchange, Your Health Idaho. But costs there and through exchanges across the country are rising after Congress declined to extend deeper subsidies for health insurance costs. Across the country, many farmers used individual markets like Idaho’s exchange to buy health insurance. More than a quarter of farmers and ranchers get insurance on individual marketplaces, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan health policy group KFF. That’s a much higher rate than the general population, where just 6% of American adults get non-group coverage, KFF Health News reported In announcing approval of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation’s new health insurance structure earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor said the plan advances President Donald Trump’s goal for health care affordability for small businesses. And it could be a model for other groups in the country to follow, one top federal official said. “This guidance will expand access to quality, affordable health coverage to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural tenants and landowners, across Idaho and may be used by other groups across America,” Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security Daniel Aronowitz said in a statement. “This is an innovative model that expands access to employer sponsored coverage, especially for small businesses, by reducing regulatory complexity and the cost of health coverage.” Plan means more affordable health insurance for farms competing in tough insurance markets, attorney says Holland & Hart Partner Gabe Hamilton represented the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation on the issue. Before the Department of Labor approved the new plan structure, many small Idaho farmers had to buy insurance geared toward small employers, he said in an interview. But the new deal, he said, lets them act as one group of businesses, helping them get opportunities to save money on premiums. Gabe Hamilton (Photo courtesy of Holland & Hart) “This will allow the members of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, the small business owners … to have access to more affordable health insurance for their employees,” Hamilton said. “These are typically small employers with five or fewer employees. … That’s often the hardest market in which to find affordable coverage options.” He said he believed this is the first deal issued to a farm bureau federation. The Department of Labor couldn’t immediately be reached to confirm that. “For years, (the Idaho Farm Bureau’s) members have been telling them that affordable health care is one of the greatest needs. So, they’ve been looking for ways to solve that problem,” Hamilton said. “And so I think they saw an opportunity here.” The deal has been a long time coming. Barrie said there’s been talk about pursuing the health plan structure even before he joined the board of the Idaho Farm Bureau four years ago. “It seemed just like a dream — nothing that was going to come into fruition,” he said. Who’s eligible to buy health insurance through this model? Health insurance plans will only be open to people who are Idaho Farm Bureau members who are “actively engaged in agricultural production in Idaho, employ at least two full-time employees, and sign a participation agreement, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The Idaho Farm Bureau is currently offering the plans. Find more information online at idahofarmbureauinsurance.com/insurance/health-insurance, or contact your local Farm Bureau insurance agent. Courtesy of Idaho Capital Sun
	Rock Island Lines This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.How could you and I have let America's railroads die?We Rock Islanders have more reason to ask that than most. The Rock…
	Death toll in attack on Kyiv apartment building now stands at 24 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that a Russian missile attack on a Kyiv apartment building the previous day killed 24 people, including three children.
	Which Trump cabinet member has a new reality show? The quiz knows This week, in Warshington, D.C., the Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve and we wrote a quiz question about his name. Enjoy that, and the other nine, too.
	Why are US flags at half-staff? The proper way to lower yours There's a specific way flags are to be lowered to the half-staff position.
	After redistricting, what does representation mean to Tennessee voters? What does representation look like for Tennessee voters who were split into three new congressional districts last week? NPR traveled from Memphis into the Nashville suburbs to ask.

Friday, May 15th, 2026