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

Marion police confirm officer-involved shooting Wednesday morning

KCRG-TV9 is reporting at the scene as Marion police officers are at Deer Valley Drive Wednesday morning.

Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know!

Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: JOHNELL SMITH II, 36, 5’10”, 210 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Wanted by Iowa DOC High Risk Unit for two counts of probation violation [...]

Davenport, DeWitt students win Iowa songbird art contest

The winners of the inaugural Iowa Songbird Art Contest will be honored at the 2026 state fair. Students had to research habitat and conservation before drawing.

Opening date for Aledo aquatic center pushed back to summer

While Aledo city officials were hoping for a May opening, they're now planning to open the new aquatic center in July.

Adoptable pet: Meet Bugs

Bugs is a 9-week-old female and has a sibling named Bunny.

Dixon restaurant earns second place in Illinois pork tenderloin competition

River’s Edge in Dixon placed second in the Illinois Pork Producers Association’s first Breaded Pork Tenderloin Draft during October Pork Month.

In-demand NYC composer to return for world premiere of work with QC Symphony

Composer Angel Lam has spanned the globe to premiere her pieces, and her latest orchestral work will have its world premiere this coming weekend by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.

Galesburg police retire K9 Zeus after six years of service

The Galesburg Police Department has retired K9 Zeus after six years of service, marking the end of a career that included major seizures and investigations.

Galesburg Police Department's K9 Zeus retires

The City of Galesburg announced the formal retirement of Police K9 Zeus. K9 Zeus's retirement was effective February 2. Zeus, 8, entered active duty in November 2019 after completing certification alongside his handler, Officer Jake Taylor. According to a release: Over the course of his career, Zeus became a cornerstone of the department’s K9 Unit, [...]

The Supreme Court lets California use its new, Democratic-friendly congressional map

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for California to use its new congressional map for this year's midterm election. Voters approved it as a Democratic counterresponse to Texas' new GOP-friendly map.

Deere invests $30M in Seeding Works, company's oldest factory

John Deere recently invested $30 million into Moline’s Seeding Works, its oldest factory, as part of the company’s push to stay innovative and competitive in a fast-changing market. It recently called back nearly 100 workers to its Dubuque and Davenport Works facilities, who are expected to be back at work later this month. Jen Hartmann, [...]

Reporter's notebook: A peek inside the Olympic Village

NPR reporters visited the Milan Olympic Village in the days before the opening ceremony to investigate the dining hall dessert situation and other pressing questions.

Resident displaced after kitchen fire

When crews arrived, firefighters could see smoke coming from the one-story home, officials said.

Davenport man indicted on federal sexual exploitation, child sex abuse material charges

Officials said Gillum coerced a minor to perform a sexual act so he could take photos or videos between February 2023 and May 2025.

Formaldehyde spill reported in surgery department at West Burlington hospital

A formaldehyde spill was reported in a surgery department at a West Burlington hospital on Tuesday morning. One employee was treated; no patients were exposed.

Dish TV users may experience KWQC signal interruption

KWQC is having no transmitter issues. The problem appears to be on Dish TV’s end.

Ver las posibilidades: vivir con baja visión

 (Family Features) Millones de estadounidenses viven con baja visión, una discapacidad visual que puede convertir momentos cotidianos como reconocer la cara de un amigo al otro lado de la calle, leer una receta o revisar un mensaje de texto, en desafíos inesperados.   La baja visión no es una parte natural del envejecimiento, aunque las afecciones que la causan se vuelven más comunes con la edad.   Ya sea que la baja visión le afecte a usted o a un ser querido, el Mes de Concientización sobre la Baja Visión es el momento perfecto para examinarse los ojos para detectar signos de enfermedades oculares y tomar medidas para hacer la vida diaria más fácil.   Tenga en cuenta esta información del Instituto Nacional del Ojo para aprovechar al máximo su visión y mejorar su calidad de vida.   Comprender la baja visión Es posible que tenga baja visión si no puede ver lo suficientemente bien para leer, conducir, reconocer caras, distinguir colores o ver pantallas con claridad.   Muchas afecciones oculares diferentes pueden causar baja visión, pero las causas más comunes son la degeneración macular relacionada con la edad, las cataratas, el glaucoma y la retinopatía diabética, una afección que puede causar pérdida de visión en personas con diabetes.   Los tipos más comunes de baja visión son: Pérdida de la visión central (no poder ver cosas en el centro del campo visual) Pérdida de la visión periférica (no poder ver cosas desde las zonas laterales de sus ojos) Ceguera nocturna (no poder ver con poca luz) Visión borrosa o nublada   Diagnóstico de la baja visión Su médico puede revisar si tiene baja visión durante un examen de los ojos con dilatación de las pupilas. Este examen es sencillo y no duele. Él o ella le pedirá que lea letras que estén cerca y lejos y revisará si puede ver cosas en el centro y en los bordes de su visión.   Luego se utilizan gotas para los ojos para dilatar las pupilas y detectar otros problemas oculares, incluyendo afecciones que podrían causar baja visión.   La baja visión suele ser permanente, pero el uso de gafas, medicamentos o cirugía pueden ayudar con las actividades diarias o retrasar su progresión.   Vivir con baja visión Si tiene baja visión, no está solo. Hay medidas que puede tomar para hacerle la vida más fácil.   En caso de pérdida leve de la visión, le puede ayudar hacer ajustes simples como utilizar luces más brillantes, usar gafas de sol con antirreflejo y usar lupas. Cambiar la configuración de su teléfono y computadora para aumentar el contraste, agrandar el texto o hacer que el dispositivo lea en voz alta también puede ayudar.   Si su pérdida de visión le impide realizar sus actividades cotidianas, consulte a su oftalmólogo sobre la rehabilitación visual. Estos servicios pueden brindarle habilidades y recursos para ayudarlo a administrar su vida diaria y mantener su independencia. Algunos ejemplos incluyen: Empleo y formación laboral Modificaciones ambientales, como mejorar la iluminación y el contraste Dispositivos y tecnologías de asistencia, como lupas, filtros y lectores de pantalla Estrategias adaptativas para la vida diaria y entrenamiento de habilidades para la vida independiente Apoyo emocional, como asesoramiento o grupos de apoyo Transporte y servicios domésticos   Encontrar los servicios y el apoyo de rehabilitación visual adecuados puede llevar tiempo, pero trabajar en colaboración con su oftalmólogo o su equipo de atención médica es un primer paso importante. Hable sobre sus necesidades y objetivos para vivir con su discapacidad visual para que puedan ayudarlo a identificar los mejores servicios para usted.   Para obtener recursos e información adicionales sobre la rehabilitación de la visión, visite nei.nih.gov/espanol/RehabVisual.     Foto cortesía de Shutterstock

Search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie, enters 4th day

Police in Arizona believe Nancy Guthrie, 84, was taken by force from her Tucson area home this weekend. So far, no suspect or person of interest has been identified.

10 steps to lower your electric bill this year: A home energy shopping checklist

10 steps to lower your electric bill this year: A home energy shopping checklistThe average American household spent around $150 per month on electricity in 2024. That adds up to over $1,800 annually. According to the Census Bureau, just under 42% of American households use electricity for their home’s heat, meaning for many families, monthly electricity costs are much higher. What most homeowners still don’t know is that a significant portion of their electricity spending is controllable. The challenge is knowing where to start.Whether you live in a state with electricity choice like Pennsylvania, Texas, or Ohio, or you are stuck in a regulated market where your utility sets the rates, there are concrete steps you can take to reduce what you pay. This checklist from Shipley Energy covers 10 actionable items—such as shopping for better rates and simple efficiency upgrades—that can help you take control of your electricity costs this year.1. Know If You Have an Electricity Choice Shipley Energy Before you can shop for electricity, you need to know if your state allows it. The following states have deregulated electricity markets that give residential customers the power to choose their supplier.States with residential electricity choice: California (limited), Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia (limited), and Washington D.C.If you live in one of these states, you’re not stuck with whatever rate your utility charges. You can shop among licensed suppliers for a rate that fits your budget. Even in deregulated states, your local utility still delivers the power, reads your meter, and responds to outages. Switching suppliers only changes who generates and sells you electricity.2. Pull Out Your Current Electric Bill Shipley Energy You can’t shop smarter until you know what you’re currently paying. Grab a recent electric bill and find these key pieces of information:Your current rate (price per kilowatt-hour, or kWh).Your average monthly usage in kWh.Your current supplier (either your utility’s default rate or a third-party supplier).The “Price to Compare” if it’s listed; Pennsylvania and Ohio include this on bills as a benchmark to quickly compare what the utility is charging.This information is essential for comparing offers and calculating potential savings.3. Use Your State’s Official Comparison Tool Shipley Energy State utility commissions maintain free comparison tools so you can see all licensed suppliers at once. These aren’t promotional sites — they’re regulated resources designed to help you make informed decisions.Texas: PowerToChoose.org, managed by the Public Utility Commission of TexasPennsylvania: PAPowerSwitch.com, managed by the PA Public Utility CommissionOhio: EnergyChoice.Ohio.gov, the PUCO’s “Apples to Apples” comparison toolIllinois: PlugIn.Illinois.gov, the Illinois Commerce Commission’s official siteNew Jersey: NJPowerSwitch, managed by the NJ Board of Public UtilitiesEnter your zip code and utility, and you’ll see a list of available plans with rates, contract terms, and supplier information. It takes about five minutes to compare your options.4. Compare Rates and Take Action Based on Your GoalsThe lowest advertised rate may not always be the best deal. When comparing electricity plans, pay attention to what matters to you.Fixed vs. variable rates: Fixed rates stay the same for the contract term, giving you price stability. Variable rates can change monthly based on market conditions, sometimes dramatically.Budgeting: Does the rate allow you to meet your family’s budget and goals? This can be calculated by taking the sum of your total annual usage, multiplying by the rate, and dividing by 12 to get your monthly supplier expense.Contract length: Common terms are six, 12, or 24 months. Longer contracts may offer lower rates but less flexibility.Rewards and incentives: Many suppliers offer rewards or incentives to sign up with them. If a supplier offers 3% back in rewards on the rate, this could effectively lower your price and make the overall offer better.Early termination fees: Not every plan has an early termination fee, but if they do, they typically range from $50 to $200 if you cancel before your contract ends.Monthly service charges: Some suppliers add recurring fees that aren’t reflected in the per-kWh rate.Green or sustainable electricity: If your household wants greater control over the source of its electricity, you need to look beyond the utility. With a supplier you can find 100% green electricity products to power your home versus staying with the utility’s default generation mix.Introductory vs. standard rates: Watch for promotional rates that spike after a few months.Freedom to choose: Exercising your legal right to choose who supplies your electricity expands commerce, drives down prices, and creates competition in the market for everyone to get benefit.Look broadly at your household’s needs and goals to inform how you choose your electricity plan. In doing so you may find that the cheapest price isn’t always the best offer.5. Understand That Switching Doesn’t Change Your ServiceMany homeowners hesitate to switch suppliers because they assume it’s complicated or risky. It’s neither. When you switch electricity suppliers:Your local utility still delivers power through the same lines.There’s no equipment to install and no service interruption.Your utility still responds to outages and reads your meter.Billing may stay consolidated with your utility or come separately from your supplier, depending on the state.In essence, switching changes who sells you electricity, not who delivers it. The electrons flowing to your home are the same regardless of the supplier.6. Consider Renewable Energy OptionsIf reducing your environmental footprint matters to you, many suppliers now offer plans powered by 100% renewable energy sources like wind and solar. These plans are often competitively priced with traditional options.When evaluating green energy plans, look for those backed by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), which verify that the energy was generated from renewable sources. Some plans offer partial renewable content (such as 50% wind), so read the details if 100% renewable is your goal.7. Set Your Thermostat Strategically Shipley Energy Heating and cooling account for nearly half of home energy use, making your thermostat one of the most powerful tools for reducing your bill. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% annually on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day.Practical settings to aim for depend on the season.Winter: 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home and awake, and lower when sleeping or away.Summer: 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home, and higher when you’re away.A programmable or smart thermostat makes these adjustments automatic. You set your schedule once, and the thermostat handles the rest with no daily effort required.8. Audit Your Energy VampiresElectronics on standby draw power even when they appear to be off. Common culprits include TVs, gaming consoles, cable boxes, phone chargers, and computers. This phantom power draw can add 5%-10% to your electricity bill over the course of a year.The fix is simple: Use power strips for clusters of electronics and flip them off when not in use. When it’s time to replace appliances or devices, look for the Energy Star label. Certified products meet strict efficiency standards and use less power in both active and standby modes.9. Check for Utility Rebates and Assistance ProgramsBefore making any efficiency upgrades, check if your utility offers rebates that could offset the cost. Many utilities provide incentives for:Smart thermostatsENERGY STAR appliancesLED lighting upgradesHome weatherizationAdditionally, if your household is experiencing financial hardship, programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and state-specific assistance programs may help with bill payment. Pennsylvania, for example, offers multiple assistance programs through the Public Utility Commission.A quick call to your utility’s customer service line or a visit to their website can reveal savings opportunities you didn’t know existed.10. Set a Calendar Reminder to Review Your Rate AnnuallyElectricity markets change, better rates become available, and fixed-rate contracts expire. Putting a reminder on your calendar 30 days before your contract ends is an easy way to make sure you evaluate your options annually. Spending 15 minutes reviewing current offers and either lock in a new rate or renew with your current supplier if they’re still competitive. This simple habit can save you hundreds of dollars over time.Alternatively, if you’re looking for convenience, find a supplier who can provide a worry-free renewal process that renews you to a competitive fixed rate at the end of each term. This can be beneficial when choosing a supplier for multiple energy products, or when pairing with rewards programs as your benefits continue to compound over time.Taking ActionYou don’t need to tackle all 10 items at once. Start with the steps that apply to your situation. If you’re in a deregulated state like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, or Illinois, shopping for a better electricity rate is the single biggest lever you have—and it takes less than 15 minutes using your state’s comparison tool. Combine rate shopping with efficiency habits like thermostat management, and you could meaningfully reduce your annual electricity costs.Pick one item from this checklist to complete this week. Small steps compound into real savings.This story was produced by Shipley Energy and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

City of Davenport set to hear construction proposals at major roadways

Multiple contracts are being pitched on the Eastern Avenue Bridge and West 15th Street to improve existing infrastructure.

The impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on HSA and FSA benefits

The impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on HSA and FSA benefitsThe One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) significantly reshapes U.S. healthcare savings. It makes the most substantial update to health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) benefits in over a decade. The OBBBA revises eligibility, contribution limits, and plan design for employers, brokers, and benefit administrators. It also expands access and flexibility for employees amid rising healthcare and dependent care costs.Here, The Difference Card explains the OBBBA's impact on HSA and FSA benefits. Find out how this creates new opportunities for tax-advantaged savings, especially for families managing child care costs and individuals relying on telehealth or nontraditional care models.How the OBBBA Is Impacting HSA and FSASigned into law in late 2025, the OBBBA broadly addresses healthcare affordability by updating multiple account-based programs. This includes expanded HSA eligibility and a permanent increase in the dependent care FSA reflecting modern child care and eldercare costs.At a high level, the law focuses on three goals. First, it removes barriers that exclude people from using telehealth and alternative care models. Second, it recognizes lower-cost insurance options as compatible with an HSA. Third, it increases tax-advantaged savings for working families.Legislatively, the OBBBA amends the Internal Revenue Code sections governing HSA and FSA benefits. IRS Notice 2026-5 clarifies implementation details, provides operational guidance, defines key terms, and offers transition relief. Employers should review both, as the notice addresses practical questions the statute leaves unanswered. The Difference Card Here are the key changes as of Jan. 1, 2026.Telehealth services: Regardless of deductible status, telehealth services no longer disqualify HSA eligibility.Primary care: Specific direct primary care arrangements may coexist with an HSA, subject to particular limitations.HSA compatibility: Bronze-level and catastrophic plans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace are HSA-compatible.Contribution limits: The dependent care FSA annual contribution limit increases and becomes permanent.Document changes: As of the plan year beginning in 2026, employers must amend plan documents to reflect the new limits and eligibility rules.This scope redefines how employers design benefit plans, how producers advise clients, and how administrators configure systems. Expanded eligibility increases participation, potentially shifting contribution patterns and testing outcomes for annual nondiscrimination FSA testing. While higher dependent care limits increase FSA value, they also elevate compliance stakes. It is crucial to ensure the plan does not disproportionately benefit highly compensated employees in terms of eligibility and participation rates.The OBBBA encourages a shift in benefits philosophy from merely offering standard plans to designing a holistic ecosystem. This shift means prioritizing employee well-being through integrated preventive, virtual, and primary care options. It can become a significant differentiator in talent acquisition and retention.As you move into the specific provisions, it becomes clear that the OBBBA is not a simple adjustment. It is a structural update that rewards proactive planning and penalizes inattention.Expanded HSA Eligibility Under IRS Notice 2026-5One of the most significant elements of the OBBBA is the expansion of HSA eligibility. In the past, strict rules limited access based on plan design and first-dollar coverage. IRS Notice 2026-5 relaxes several of those constraints while preserving the core principle that HSA benefits pair with high-deductible coverage. The notice focuses on three core areas:Direct primary care (DPC)TelehealthHealth plan designThe notice clarifies that specific services and plan types no longer disqualify individuals from HSA contributions. This change illustrates the growth in care delivery, particularly since 2020. It also acknowledges that affordability does not always mean higher deductibles alone.Expanded eligibility means more employees can open and fund an HSA. It also means employers must reassess who qualifies, how they communicate eligibility, and how payroll systems track these contributions.Direct Primary Care IntegrationDPC, an alternative to traditional fee-for-service models, historically raised HSA eligibility concerns due to monthly fees potentially being disqualifying coverage. Now, individuals remain HSA-eligible even if their health plan offers first-dollar coverage for telehealth services, regardless of the preventive care relationship.The OBBBA introduces a new rule that allows limited DPC integration in HSA benefits. IRS Notice 2026-5 permits DPC arrangements that meet criteria such as a capped monthly fee or a defined scope of services. DPC cannot provide coverage beyond primary care services, and the monthly fee must remain within statutory limits. While it may cover:Primary care visitsPreventive servicesBasic diagnostic servicesAncillary services, such as labs or imaging, and hospitalization are still subject to the deductible to preserve HSA eligibility. For example, a DPC arrangement capped at $150 a month may cover unlimited primary care visits, in-office labs such as strep tests, and basic health screenings. However, advanced diagnostics such as an MRI, specialist consultation, or emergency care still fall under the high-deductible health plan (HDHP) deductible.The caveat is documentation. Employers and administrators must confirm that DPC arrangements meet IRS criteria. Without that diligence, participants risk losing their HSA eligibility.This change opens the door for innovative plan designs. Employers can offer DPC with high-deductible plans to boost access and satisfaction. Producers should help clients carefully review vendor contracts to avoid unintended disqualification.Telehealth Safe Harbor PermanencyTelehealth coverage was a recurring issue for HSA eligibility. Temporary relief measures allowed pre-deductible telehealth without disqualifying participants, but those measures required repeated extensions.The OBBBA establishes telehealth as a permanent safe harbor. According to IRS Notice 2026-5, plans can offer pre-deductible telehealth services — including behavioral health and primary care consultations — without affecting HSA eligibility. This provides employees with straightforward early access to telehealth, without sacrificing HSA contributions, while giving employers long-term certainty in virtual care plan design.Individuals remain HSA-eligible even if their health plan offers first-dollar coverage for telehealth services, regardless of whether these services relate to preventive care. This change reflects how people access care, as telehealth is often the first point of contact for:Mental health servicesChronic condition managementNonurgent care visitsThis permanency also supports cost control, as telehealth often replaces higher-cost visits, diverts from emergency care, reduces associated costs, and saves on time away from work. By pairing telehealth with HSA benefits, plans encourage early intervention while preserving tax advantages.Bronze and Catastrophic Plan EligibilityAnother notable expansion involves insurance plan design. Previously, only certain high-deductible health plans qualified for HSA benefits. The OBBBA recognizes that some bronze and catastrophic plans function similarly from a cost-sharing perspective.According to IRS Notice 2026-5, specific bronze and catastrophic plans qualify as HSA-compatible if they meet the revised deductible and out-of-pocket expense criteria. This change acknowledges the role of lower-premium plans in the individual and employer markets. For employees, it means more choice. You can select a lower-cost plan and still enjoy HSA contributions. For employers, it creates flexibility in offering tiered coverage without excluding HSA participation.This expansion may increase HSA adoption among younger or generally healthier populations. Over time, broader participation can strengthen the overall value proposition of an HSA as a long-term savings vehicle.Dependent Care FSA: The $7,500 LeapWhile HSA benefits get a lot of the attention, the dependent care FSA (DCFSA) update may have the most immediate impact on working families. The OBBBA permanently increases the annual contribution limit to $7,500 per household, a significant leap from the previous cap.This change reflects the rising costs of child care, after-school programs, and eldercare. A higher limit lets families set aside more pre-tax dollars to cover essential expenses. While the DCFSA offers immediate pre-tax savings, the dependent care tax credit may be more beneficial for lower-income families or those with significant care expenses that exceed the FSA limit. A quick calculation based on your household income and care costs during open enrollment can help you determine the optimal choice.Unlike temporary increases, the new limit is permanent. Employers can design plans with confidence, and employees can plan contributions without worrying about future rollbacks.Economic ImpactThe $7,500 limit increase reduces taxable income, boosting take-home pay. This offers substantial savings for higher-tax-bracket families and helps moderate-income households offset rising care costs.From a workforce perspective, access to affordable care closely ties into:Employee retentionReduced absenteeismImproved productivityThe FSA increase also signals employer commitment to family-friendly policies. It gives employers a tangible way to support working parents and caregivers without increasing wages.Administrators can expect higher participation rates. As the benefit grows more valuable, more employees will enroll. Employers may need to improve communication and enrollment tools.Consider conducting an internal audit of the existing benefits communication strategy to ensure all employee segments are reached effectively. A targeted approach, using a combination of short videos, interactive FAQs, and personalized emails, can help employees fully understand these changes and make informed decisions.Tax Credit InteractionThe dependent care FSA increase also interacts with the dependent care tax credit. Employees must choose how to allocate expenses between the FSA and the credit, as the same costs cannot be used for both. IRS Notice 2026-5 reiterates the coordination rules and emphasizes the importance of education. Employers and producers play a key role in helping employees understand trade-offs. In many cases, maximizing the FSA yields greater immediate savings — however, individual circumstances vary.Clear guidance reduces confusion and prevents adverse tax outcomes. Simple examples and calculators can help employees make informed decisions during open enrollment.How the OBBBA Is Impacting HSA and FSA AdministrationThe OBBBA reshapes HSA and FSA administration by shifting how employers govern plans, manage risk, and communicate with participants. While IRS Notice 2026-5 offers crucial guidance, the dynamic nature of healthcare legislation means plan sponsors should remain vigilant for potential future clarifications or amendments, especially as new care models emerge or economic conditions shift, and as contribution limits change. The Difference Card Even when eligibility rules are clear, administration becomes more complex as flexibility increases.Critical governance: With broader participation, employers face greater scrutiny from regulators and auditors. Plan sponsors must strengthen internal controls to ensure contributions, reimbursements, and eligibility determinations are applied consistently. This includes tighter coordination among HR, finance, and external administrators to prevent errors.Vendor management: The OBBBA accelerates third-party administrator reliance. Employers must confirm vendors can operationalize new rules accurately and on time. This involves reviewing service agreements, testing system logic, and clarifying the responsibility for compliance failures. If a system error results in excess contributions or incorrect reimbursements, the employer may still be liable.Data integrity: Higher contribution limits and more participation increase the risk of data errors. Inaccurate eligibility data, delayed updates, or misaligned payroll feeds can lead to incorrect tax reporting. Employers may need to implement more frequent reconciliation processes and establish stronger audit trails to support IRS reporting and employee tax filings.Structured elections: As accounts become more valuable, election errors carry higher stakes. Employers should reassess enrollment timelines, mid-year change processes, and substantiation workflows to minimize participant confusion. Clear documentation and decision-support tools help protect both employees and plan sponsors.OBBBA-era administration requires continuous monitoring as regulatory guidance and participation trends now demand regular review to avoid compliance drift over time. In practice, the OBBBA pushes HSA and FSA administration from a transactional function into a governance discipline. Employers who invest in stronger processes, more transparent accountability, and proactive oversight are better positioned to manage risk while delivering meaningful benefits to employees.Navigating 2026 ComplianceThe OBBBA and IRS Notice 2026-5 bring both opportunity and responsibility. They expand access to HSA benefits, provide meaningful relief for dependent care costs, and modernize the rules governing benefits. At the same time, they demand careful implementation with ongoing education.For producers, the changes reinforce the value of strategic guidance. Clients need clear expectations, realistic timelines, and hands-on support with plan design and amendments. Making small adjustments early can prevent costly corrections later and help employees feel confident in using their benefits.The 2026 transition is a shift to align benefits with the way people live and work today. With the right professional support, the OBBBA can strengthen benefit strategies while helping families manage healthcare and care-related expenses with confidence.This story was produced by The Difference Card and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Rock Island man sentenced to federal prison for false statements during firearms purchases, possession with intent to deliver cocaine

A man from Rock Island was sentenced to seven years in federal prison on January 28 for false statements during purchases of firearms, possession with intent to deliver cocaine and carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking. Public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing show that Lashawn Leroy Williams, Jr., 24, [...]

Galesburg firefighters respond to kitchen fire

Galesburg firefighters quickly extinguished a kitchen fire yesterday, according to a news release from the fire department. The Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 1800 block of Grand Avenue on February 3 at about 3:55 p.m. All three fire stations responded with 11 personnel on duty. Crews arrived and found smoke [...]

The 10 benefits of automated invoice processing that businesses should know

The 10 benefits of automated invoice processing that businesses should knowAutomated invoice processing refers to using software and AI to handle accounts payable workflows with minimal human intervention. This includes tools like OCR data capture, electronic approvals, and integrated payment systems that transform paper-based accounts payable into a streamlined digital workflow. You might also hear it called AP automation, invoice automation, or digital invoicing.For modern CFOs and finance teams, automating invoice processing isn't just about convenience. It's a strategic move to improve efficiency, accuracy, and overall spend management. Manual invoice processing is time-consuming and error-prone, draining staff productivity and increasing costs. Consider that most companies still enter invoice data manually, at an average cost of between $15 and $40 per invoice. This traditional approach wastes resources and can lead to late payments, missed discounts, and fraud risks.The numbers tell the story clearly. Over 56% of organizations using manual invoicing spend more than 10 hours a week on it. Those with full automation? Less than one hour.In this article, Brex covers 10 distinct benefits of automated invoice processing that address these challenges. From time savings and cost reductions to improved accuracy and faster approvals, each benefit gets its own section with supporting data. By the end, you'll have a clear picture of how invoice automation can transform your finance operations.1. Time savings through automationTime savings is one of the most immediate benefits of automated invoice processing. Automated software drastically reduces the time required to process each invoice by eliminating manual data entry and paperwork. Invoices that once took days or weeks to handle can now be processed in minutes. Organizations with an AP automation process invoice roughly 85% faster on average than those using manual methods.Manual AP workflows involve countless hours of data entry, hunting down approvals, and correcting errors. An automated invoice workflow uses tools like OCR invoice processing to instantly capture invoice data and routes invoices to the right approvers in real time. This speeds up the entire accounts payable cycle and frees finance staff from tedious tasks. Companies with automation process 64% more invoices per month per employee than those without. That means teams can handle higher volume without overtime or additional hires.AP teams often spend more than 10 hours per week on manual invoicing. Automation cuts this dramatically. With invoice automation, some firms have cut processing time from roughly 15 minutes per invoice down to around three minutes. CFOs can reallocate this saved time to higher-value activities. Finance teams can focus on analysis, cash management, or strategic projects instead of paperwork.2. Reduced manual errors and reworkAutomation greatly improves accuracy in invoice processing, virtually eliminating the manual errors that plague traditional AP. With automated invoice processing, data is captured and validated by software, reducing typos, miskeyed figures, and duplicate entries. This minimizes the costly rework of fixing errors and prevents problems like overpayments or duplicate payments. Manual processing typically has an error rate of around 5% or more. Automation can cut invoice error rates to under 1%, roughly a 90% reduction in errors.Every error in a manual system requires time to investigate and correct. An extra zero in an amount or a wrong vendor code can delay payments and create disputes. These mistakes can also lead to compliance issues down the line. Automated accounts payable systems use technologies like OCR and AI validation to ensure invoice data matches purchase orders and receipts. They catch discrepancies instantly. Automated two-way flag mismatches so incorrect invoices don't get paid.Common manual error issues include duplicate invoices that result in double payments, incorrect amounts or account coding, and lost invoices. Automation's duplicate detection can virtually eliminate this risk. When companies implement invoice automation solutions, they often go from reprocessing dozens of invoices a month due to errors to virtually zero data entry mistakes.Reducing errors doesn't just save embarrassment. It has a direct financial impact by preventing overpayments and avoiding labor spent on corrections. It also improves trust in financial reports.3. Lower processing costsCost reduction is a major benefit of automated invoice processing. By cutting out paper, manual labor, and process inefficiencies, companies can significantly lower the cost per invoice. With automation, organizations spend far less on processing each bill. This includes labor hours, office supplies, and storage. The savings add up quickly at scale. Processing an invoice by hand costs around $15 on average and can exceed $30 in some cases. Automation can reduce this to just $2 to $5 per invoice. That's roughly an 83% reduction in processing costs.These savings come from several areas. Paperless accounts payable eliminates printing costs, mailing invoices, and storing paper files. They reduce labor costs because fewer hours are spent on data entry and chasing approvals. They also help avoid late payment fees by ensuring on-time payments. And by capturing early payment discounts, automation actually creates positive cost benefits. All these factors mean the accounts payable process becomes much more cost-efficient.Consider a mid-sized business processing 500 invoices a month. That company would spend around $150,000 per year on AP if done manually. With automation, that annual cost could drop by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Best-in-class AP departments, often those using automation, pay about 50% less per invoice than companies relying on manual methods. Manual invoice processing also has hidden costs like late payment penalties and missed discounts. Automation helps avoid those, directly improving the bottom line.Digital invoicing and automated workflows reduce overhead in other ways too. Less need for file cabinets and storage. Fewer postage and printing expenses. Many companies see a fast ROI on AP automation projects, often recouping their investment in under a year. 4. Faster invoice approvalsSpeeding up invoice approval cycles is a key benefit of automation. Automated invoice processing accelerates approval workflows, ensuring invoices get reviewed and authorized in a fraction of the time compared to manual routing. In traditional processes, an invoice might sit in someone's inbox or on a desk for days waiting for sign-off. Automation removes these bottlenecks by electronically routing invoices to approvers instantly and sending reminders or escalations as needed. Companies can cut approval times by 70% to 80% on average. Organizations have reduced approval cycles from about five to seven days down to one to two days with automated workflows.Here's how AP workflow automation works for approvals. Invoices are automatically forwarded to the appropriate managers based on preset rules like invoice amount or department. Approvers get digital notifications and can approve with one click, often even via mobile app. No more signing papers or sending emails back and forth. If someone is out of the office or delays, the software can escalate to an alternate approver to keep things moving. This means no more invoices lost in email chains or waiting until a manager returns from travel.Faster approvals have multiple benefits. They prevent late payments since invoices are approved in time to pay before the due date. They improve supplier satisfaction and help improve cash flow management by allowing finance teams to forecast cash needs more accurately. Automated AP software shortens invoice cycle times by up to 75%. A company that used to take two weeks to approve and pay an invoice can now do so in a couple of days. This agility is especially crucial at month’s end or year’s end when backlogs used to occur.5. Improved cash flow managementAutomated invoice processing directly improves cash flow management for finance teams. With real-time invoice tracking and payments scheduled optimally, CFOs get a clearer view of outgoing cash and can manage working capital more strategically. Automation ensures timely payments, preventing cash leakage via late fees. It also enables companies to take advantage of early payment discounts. Both of these positively impact cash flow. Having up-to-date visibility into all pending payables allows for more accurate cash flow forecasts and smarter decision-making. This makes cash flow more predictable and efficient, which is crucial for any mid-sized or large company.Automated AP software can provide real-time dashboards or reports of all outstanding invoices, their due dates, and payment status. This means no more surprises during the month-end close process. The finance team always knows how much is owed and when it's due. They can answer the CFO's question "How much do we owe right now?" with confidence at any point. This level of insight transforms cash flow planning from reactive to proactive.Late payments tie up capital and often incur fees, often 1% to 2% per month on overdue invoices. Automation virtually eliminates late payments by speeding up processing and sending alerts for upcoming due dates. On the flip side, many vendors offer early payment discounts, typically 1% to 2% off if paid in 10 days. Paying with business credit cards can also extend your effective payment terms while still capturing those discounts. Automated invoice processing makes it practical to consistently hit those windows. Companies with AP automation tend to capture three times more early-pay discounts on average. These discounts can add up to hundreds of thousands in savings on millions of dollars of spend.Cash flow clarity is a top concern for CFOs, and invoice automation delivers it. When payables are handled efficiently, companies maintain better control over their cash position. 6. Enhanced vendor relationshipsPaying vendors on time and accurately through automated processing leads to paying vendors on time and accurately through automated processing leads to better supplier relationships. Automation strengthens vendor management by helping organizations become a reliable paying partner. Invoices are processed faster and with fewer errors, so suppliers get paid correctly and punctually. This reliability builds trust and goodwill with vendors. It can result in favorable treatment such as priority service, flexible terms, or vendor discounts. Automating AP turns accounts payable into a relationship-building tool rather than a source of friction.Late payments are one of the biggest complaints vendors have. By automating invoice approvals and payments, companies dramatically reduce late or missed payments. Vendors notice the difference when they consistently receive payments on or before due dates. Automation ensures that no invoice falls through the cracks. Features like automatic reminders, scheduled payments, and purchase cards for routine vendor payments mean suppliers aren't left waiting. This avoids late fees and penalties as well, contributing to cost savings.Because automation minimizes errors like overbilling or paying the wrong amount, there are fewer payment disputes with vendors. Suppliers appreciate receiving the correct payment the first time rather than having to chase corrections or credits. With digital invoicing and an electronic audit trail, any discrepancies that do arise can be resolved quickly. The finance team can easily pull up the invoice, PO, and receipts in the software they are using. This transparency further strengthens trust. Vendors may reward timely payers with better terms. A supplier might extend net 45-day terms instead of 30 once they see consistently on-time payments, which improves your cash flow.For CFOs, maintaining healthy vendor relationships is important for the supply chain and business operations. No CFO wants a critical supplier to put them on credit hold due to chronic late payments. Automation helps ensure that the scenario doesn't happen. 7. Better spend visibility and controlAutomated invoice processing gives CFOs and finance teams greater visibility and control over spending. With a centralized AP software, all invoice data is available in real time. This allows for full oversight of where money is going. No more blind spots in company spending. Finance can see every invoice status, approval, and payment in one place. Automating accounting processes also comes with built-in spend controls, so companies can enforce budgets, approval limits, and policy compliance systematically. Improved visibility and control lead to smarter financial decisions and stronger governance.Most AP automation solutions provide dashboards that show key metrics updated continuously. Total invoices pending. Total amount due this week. Spend by vendor. This level of transparency is a game-changer. Finance teams can monitor spending trends or spot anomalies early. If spending with a particular vendor spikes or if a certain department is trending over budget, they will see it immediately rather than discovering it at the month’s end. The consolidation of data means CFOs can get answers fast. A question like "How much did we spend on software licenses this quarter?" can be answered with a few clicks. Manually, that might take days to compile.Automated software solutions allow you to embed spend policies and approval hierarchies into the workflow. You can set spend controls, such as requiring certain approvals for invoices above a threshold or blocking payments that don't match a valid purchase order. These controls help prevent unauthorized or wasteful spending. Integration with budgets means that if an invoice would cause a budget overrun, the software can flag it. This ensures greater financial discipline. Every invoice is visible and must follow the predefined process.8. Audit-ready compliance and recordkeepingAutomated invoice processing inherently improves compliance and recordkeeping, making the finance team audit-ready at any time. Every action in an automated AP software solution is recorded. Who approved what? When they approved it. What changes were made? This creates a detailed audit trail for each invoice. The benefit here is twofold. Easier audits and compliance checks. And reduced risk of noncompliance. Rather than scrambling to collect documents during the financial close process, finance can retrieve any invoice and its approval history in seconds. This level of organization helps satisfy internal controls, external auditors, and regulators.With online invoicing software, all invoices and related documents are stored electronically in a centralized repository. Purchase orders, approvals, and business receipt management all live in one centralized software. There's no need to dig through filing cabinets or email archives. A simple search brings up what you need. This not only saves time but also ensures the completeness of records. Automated workflows ensure that every invoice goes through the proper approval steps and gets logged. This aligns with accounts payable best practices and is critical for SOX compliance or other financial controls. The process can generate audit reports showing all invoices over a certain amount, who approved them, and how they tie back to purchase orders. This integration of purchase order management with invoicing simplifies audit preparation.Companies with automated AP can handle audits or inquiries much faster. Auditors often ask for documentation on samples of transactions. With automation, finance can provide the requested support in minutes rather than days. This includes the invoice image, approvals, and payment confirmation. Organizations with AP automation can be 100% audit-ready in real time. Manual processes might require weeks of preparation to gather files. By reducing the effort to prepare for audits, the finance team can save countless hours and reduce audit costs.9. Fraud prevention and risk reductionAutomated invoice processing can reduce fraud risk and enhance security in accounts payable. By introducing systematic checks and controls, automation helps prevent common AP fraud schemes. These include fake invoices, duplicate payments, and payments to unauthorized accounts. In a manual environment, AP fraud can go undetected more easily. An automated system flags anomalies and enforces strict workflows, acting as both a deterrent and a detection mechanism. Businesses lose an estimated 5% of revenue to fraud on average each year. This benefit is extremely valuable to CFOs focused on risk management.Several types of fraud can occur in AP. Fraudulent invoices from fake vendors. Employees rerouting payments to personal accounts. Duplicate billing schemes. These often exploit weaknesses in manual processes, like a lack of verification or oversight. A fraudster might send a fake invoice for services never rendered, hoping it slips through in a high-volume manual process. Or an internal employee might approve an illegitimate payment if proper segregation is not in place.Automation addresses these risks in several ways. Many AP automation tools perform two-way matching between the invoice and the purchase order to ensure legitimacy. A fraudulent invoice without a matching purchase order would get flagged and halted. Automated systems also often incorporate vendor verification. If a vendor's business bank account details are changed, the system can trigger an alert or additional approval to prevent fraudsters from diverting payments. Duplicate invoice detection is another feature that prevents paying the same invoice twice, whether due to error or fraud.According to AFP research, 79% of organizations were hit by payment fraud attempts in 2024. That highlights the prevalence of the risk. AP automation can help mitigate this by implementing touchless fraud controls. Electronic payments through an AP platform are also more secure than paper checks, which are prone to check fraud. Automation reduces dependence on checks, closing that risk vector.10. Scalability and future-proofing finance operationsAutomated invoice processing is highly scalable, which future-proofs finance operations as the company grows. In a manual process, handling a higher volume of invoices usually means hiring more AP staff or working overtime. With automation, the existing system can absorb increasing invoice volumes with minimal additional cost or delay. CFOs can support business growth, acquisitions, or seasonal spikes without a corresponding spike in AP workload. Adopting automation also sets up the finance team to easily integrate new technologies and remain competitive. It makes accounts payable management future-ready.As companies expand with more suppliers and more invoices, an automated AP system can scale up to handle the load. Whether you process 1,000 invoices a month or 10,000, the software can manage it by simply processing faster. This is especially true for cloud-based solutions with elastic capacity. Finance teams don't have to keep increasing headcount linearly with invoice growth. One company experiencing a three times increase in invoices over two years was able to manage it without adding any AP clerks after implementing automation. The system handled the extra volume by automatically ingesting and routing the invoices as they came in.For industries with seasonal swings like retail or hospitality, or project-based spikes like construction or events, automation is a lifesaver. These businesses can handle end-of-quarter or holiday season invoice surges efficiently. Manual processes might buckle under pressure, but automated workflows adjust to the influx without compromising speed or accuracy. Critical payments still go out on time even during very busy periods.Automated invoice processing systems often integrate with ERP and other finance software, which is key for the future. As a company upgrades its ERP or adds new tools, a good AP automation solution will connect with them via APIs or built-in integrations. The invoice process remains streamlined across the tech stack.Make manual invoicing a thing of the pastFrom the above, it's clear that the benefits of automated invoice processing are wide-ranging and impactful. It saves time and money. It reduces errors. It speeds up approvals. It improves cash flow. It strengthens vendor relationships. It increases visibility. It ensures compliance. It reduces fraud risk. And it scales effortlessly. Each of these 10 benefits highlights a distinct advantage, and together they make a compelling case for AP automation.If your AP team is still bogged down by manual invoicing or if you're experiencing late payments and high processing costs, it may be time to explore an automated solution. Adopting AP automation is not just a tech upgrade. It's a strategic move that can free up finance talent for more strategic work, turning AP from a cost center into a value driver. Many finance teams are already making this shift, and you don't want to be left behind.This story was produced by Brex and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Davenport men arrested; accused of scrapping Sam's Club carts

Two men from Davenport are in the Scott County Jail after police say they stole 60 shopping carts from Sam’s Club and scrapped them. The criminal complaints filed in both cases say Davenport Police detectives were called to investigate two thefts that took place on January 3 and January 10 at Sam’s Club, 3887 Elmore [...]

Solar farms can be havens for rare plants. Just ask the threecorner milkvetch.

Solar farms can be havens for rare plants. Just ask the threecorner milkvetch.The ostensibly barren Mojave Desert is in fact teeming with plants and animals, including a rare species known as the threecorner milkvetch. It’s a member of the pea family, splaying across the ground instead of climbing up a garden trellis. Given the harsh desert conditions, it waits until the arrival of rains to burst from the earth — flowering, fruiting, and reproducing.Though hardy, the threecorner milkvetch — which is under consideration for listing under the Endangered Species Act — and its fellow species in the Mojave are still sensitive to disturbance, like when solar farms literally break ground. Traditionally, energy companies “blade and grade” habitats, meaning they cut out vegetation and even out the soil, which disrupts the seed banks stored within the ground.In the desert outside of Las Vegas, the Gemini Solar Project took a gentler approach, instead trying to preserve the ecosystem. According to a new study, it paid off for the threecorner milkvetch: Before the development, scientists found 12 plants on the site, and afterward, in 2024, found 93, signifying that the seeds survived construction. Compared to a nearby plot of land, the plants at Gemini grew wider and taller, and produced more flowers and fruits. That might be because the solar panels shade the soil, slowing evaporation, which makes more water available to the plants to grow big and strong. “So you just have the potential for a lot more plants,” said Tiffany Pereira, an ecologist at the Desert Research Institute and lead author of the paper, which was published late last year. “There’s seedlings of so many other species coming up as well. And so the fact that seed bank survived is phenomenal,” she told Grist. Courtesy of Tiffany Pereira It’s yet more evidence that solar farms can be built in ways that minimize disturbances to ecosystems. (The company behind the Gemini project, Primergy, did not respond to requests for comment.) This technique is called ecovoltaics: Instead of blade-and-grade, facilities are built with native species in mind. To give the ecosystem a boost, for instance, a crew can seed the soils with native grasses and flowers. “Some of those seed mixes do quite well at solar facilities, and they attract pollinators, birds, and other wildlife as a result,” said Lee Walston, an ecologist at Argonne National Laboratory who wasn’t involved in the new paper. “Sort of asking that umbrella, ‘Field of Dreams,’ question, right: If you build it, will they come?”In Minnesota, at least, the answer is yes. Walston led a study of two solar sites on converted cropland there, observing the growth of biodiversity over the course of five years. The researchers found that the number of unique flowering plant species increased sevenfold, and the abundance of insect pollinators tripled. Native bees alone increased by 20 times. In a follow-on study across a dozen solar sites, grassland birds flocked to the areas, likely attracted by the abundance of insects — the same goes for bats. Birds could also nest among the panels, hiding from predators. “We’ve seen positive outcomes, sort of across the board,” Walston said. “Anytime that you’re seeing increases in insect prey, you’ve got at least a really strong potential for also seeing greater bird activity and bat activity, as they are attracted to those sites.”Such a significant boost to biodiversity is not a given, though. Certain plant species will need more or less shade from the panels: In the Mojave, Pereira only found one threecorner milkvetch, for example, growing directly under a panel. The rest were popping up in the sunnier spaces between them. Young plants of other species, by contrast, might prefer shadier spots, because too much sunlight can stress them. Courtesy of Lee Walstonk Panel height is a major factor, too: Taller ones let bigger plant species grow to their full potential — but the higher the supports, the more a solar company must spend on materials. A facility might also set a specific height to accommodate livestock like sheep and goats, used for “conservation grazing” to clear out invasive weeds, which in turn reduces the fire risk of dead plants. “We’re trying to work with developers,” Walston said, “to say, ‘OK, well, if all you can do is 2 feet, what might be the best mix of seed mixes and management styles that could really optimize the habitat?’”That mowing might sound destructive, but it mimics the natural order of things, as grazers like deer and buffalo, in addition to wildfires, have historically served the same purpose. Ecovoltaics can also return former agricultural fields to more of their natural state. “I think there is real potential for solar farms to be especially good for biodiversity in prairie ecosystems, since prairies evolved over time to require repeated disturbance,” said Johanna Neumann, senior director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at the nonprofit Environment America, who wasn’t involved in the new research.The blade-and-grade alternative, on the other hand, doesn’t just disrupt a habitat. With native plant species cleared out, the earth loses the root structures that keep soils from blowing away. Then, opportunistic and fast-growing invasive species can take over, muscling out the natives. And their flowers might not be as enticing for indigenous pollinators like bumblebees.Just as endemic plants can grow among solar panels, so too can crops, a technique known as agrivoltaics. Researchers are finding, for example, that things like cucumbers grow like crazy on rooftops. The panels create a unique microclimate that keeps crops from getting too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, and uses about one-third of the water compared to growing in full sun. Now scientists are trying to figure out which crops — especially high-value ones that can make up the cost of installing solar — will do the best growing under panels, both on rooftops and on the ground. “If you’re going to grow something, you want to grow something that a potential farmer could sell for decent profit,” said horticulturist Jennifer Bousselot, who studies rooftop agrivoltaics at Colorado State University but wasn’t involved in the new paper. “You name the crop, and there’s interest.”All told, ecovoltaics and agrivoltaics have the potential to bolster biodiversity and the food supply while generating clean electricity. “Rather than a moonscape of invasive species and dust blowing into cities, why not strive for something better?” Pereira said. “It’s a wild and beautiful place that we live in, and it’s our job to look out for these species as well.”This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Greetings from Kyiv, where candles are the last option during wartime blackouts

Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.

Veteran debt relief grants: Your guide to financial assistance programs in 2026

Veteran debt relief grants: Your guide to financial assistance programs in 2026For veterans with debt, lots of help is available. Government, nonprofit, and private organizations offer a range of programs to help you get your finances back on track.Veteran debt relief grants don’t have to be repaid. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of the debt relief options open to veterans. You’ve got access to pensions and other benefits, housing assistance, education, counseling, debt settlement, and even legal protection.In other words, debt relief comes in many forms. Debt relief may not be something that directly pays off your debt. Anything that improves your income or reduces your expenses could free up more money to put towards paying off debt.Being open to the different forms of veteran debt relief means there can be a broader range of assistance available to you. In this article, Freedom Debt Relief explores what’s possible to help you find the type of debt relief that fits your situation.Key Takeaways:Grants are just one of several forms of veteran debt relief.You may be eligible if you served in the military, even if you didn’t serve in a combat zone.The nature of your discharge may affect your eligibility.Other forms of financial assistance include pensions, loans, GI Bill education benefits, and disability compensation.Credit counseling, debt management plans, and negotiated debt settlement are all possibilities for debt relief.Veteran debt relief is available from the government, nonprofits, and private companies.Government-Sponsored Veteran Debt Relief GrantsIn return for your service to your country, the government provides different types of financial assistance. Here are some key ways the government offers financial help to veterans, along with examples of programs worth looking into.The Veterans AdministrationThe Veterans Administration (VA) is the primary organization that coordinates benefits for U.S. military veterans. Examples of financial help include:Military pensionsDisability compensationHousing assistanceGrants for adaptive homes and vehiclesGI Bill education and training fundingYou may find ways to improve your income or reduce your expenses, which could give you some breathing space in your budget to attack debt.If you have VA debt from a previous loan, benefit overpayments, or medical co-payments, you can apply to the VA for debt relief by filling out VA Form 5655. You’ll provide information about your income, expenses, and other financial circumstances. The VA will review your situation and decide if you qualify for a modification of your payment schedule. They may reduce the amount you owe.You might be wondering if veteran debt relief programs will affect your VA benefits. It’s possible that some programs will. If you receive VA benefits and have a VA debt, you may have to give up some or all of those benefits until the debt has been paid. Another possibility: The VA may approve another repayment or debt relief option.The Department of DefenseIf you’re an active service member, the Department of Defense (DoD) provides information on financial assistance and other benefits through the website MilitaryOneSource.mil.In addition, the DoD has specific official relief organizations for different branches of the military:Army Emergency ReliefNavy-Marine Corps Relief SocietyAir Force Aid SocietyCoast Guard Mutual AssistanceCan veterans with less-than-honorable discharges qualify for debt relief programs?Having less than an honorable discharge could affect your eligibility for government veterans benefits. In particular, a dishonorable discharge often bars you from receiving those benefits.Even with a dishonorable discharge, you may be able to find help. You can try nonprofit organizations or private debt relief or credit counseling firms.State-specific programsStates typically have their own departments of veterans affairs that coordinate veterans assistance programs there.In some cases, those programs provide grants to nonprofit organizations that support veterans in the state. Programs sometimes provide support directly to veterans.For example, New York State's Department of Veterans’ Services provides up to $2,000 in emergency housing assistance. California offers property tax exemptions for veterans.These programs vary widely from state to state. In some cases, your city or county may also offer veterans programs. When you have ‌to choose between paying off debt and meeting other expenses, any form of financial support can help the numbers add up.In short, while the federal government provides a significant amount of support to veterans, don't limit yourself to that one source. You may find additional help locally.When applying for any veterans program, be ready to provide a copy of your Form DD214. This form details the character of your discharge from the service. You may also need other information about your service record, which you can obtain through the National Archives. You can make this request online through the eVetRecs website.Nonprofit Organizations Offering Veteran Debt AssistanceMany nonprofits can help with counseling, financial assistance, and other programs for veterans struggling with debt.Here are some examples:The Bob Woodruff Foundation provides grants to organizations that help veterans. Their emphasis is on access to food, housing, employment, and healthcare.Disabled American Veterans (DAV) helps veterans fill out claims for benefits. It also holds job fairs to help veterans find employment and provides free rides to medical appointments.The Gary Sinise Foundation’s Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (RISE) program builds specially adapted housing for wounded veterans.Operation Homefront has a Critical Financial Assistance Program that helps veterans who are having trouble making ends meet.USA Cares provides direct emergency financial assistance to veterans.Warrior Rising provides funding and guidance to veterans starting their own businesses.Thousands of other local and national nonprofit organizations are dedicated to helping veterans. They specialize in helping with various types of needs.Before applying to an organization, do a little research. Find out about the organization's reputation. When in doubt, steer toward older, more established organizations instead of start-ups.Research the programs and areas of emphasis. Try to find ones that are aligned with your situation, based on your service, physical abilities, and financial needs.Generally, there's a process to follow when applying for aid. Be patient, learn the process, and provide whatever information is required. Also, ask about the normal response time so you'll know when you should follow up.As in the military, there's generally a reason for this type of process. Doing things by the book will improve your chances of success.Specialized Debt Relief for Disabled VeteransIf you were disabled as a result of your military service, you may have special financial needs. Several nonprofits provide financial assistance to disabled veterans. Still, the best place to start is by finding out about VA disability benefits.Benefits are typically based on the severity of your disability and how it was incurred. The VA assigns a disability rating based on the degree to which your condition limits you. If you have more than one medical condition, the impacts of these conditions are combined to calculate your disability rating.The VA provides a disability benefit based on this disability rating and considers whether you have family members who are financially dependent on you. Here’s how to file with the VA:Start by filing a disability claim, which you can do online. You'll need information from your medical records and supporting statements from people familiar with your situation.Be as thorough as you can. It's not just a question of whether you get approved. The size of your benefit may depend on making sure the VA has all the relevant information.Be prepared to wait after filing. The VA takes about 107 days to make a decision about disability claims, and they may request more information. The faster you can provide information, the sooner the application can move along.The time and effort could prove well worth it if your disability benefit allows you to pay off debt and meet your other expenses.Alternative Debt Relief Options for VeteransSo far, we’ve detailed financial assistance from grants, pensions, and disability benefits. You can find other types of debt relief to make your debt payments easier to manage.Here’s an overview of these types of debt relief.Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protectionsThe Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides some protection to veterans when military service limits their ability to meet their financial obligations.Debt relief available under the SCRA may include:Reduced interest rates on existing debtDeferred income taxesEviction preventionTermination of leasesRepossession preventionThe SCRA is wide-ranging, and it’s a good idea to seek help from a military legal assistance office. Talk to someone familiar with the law and your circumstances to figure out if the SCRA can help with your financial problems.VA debt payment optionsIf you have a VA mortgage, some debt relief options might make those payments more manageable:A repayment plan with reduced monthly payments.Debt settlement, through either a compromise offer or a debt waiver.A VA interest rate reduction refinance loan can lower the interest rate you're currently paying on your mortgage.Even if your mortgage isn't a VA loan, a cash-out VA refinance loan might allow you to refinance other debts at a lower interest rate, and on a repayment timeline that works for your budget.How long does the application process for VA debt relief grants typically take?VA debt relief is more likely to be a loan, a reduction in payments, or a waiver of some of the amount owed, rather than a debt relief grant. The time this takes varies depending on the complexity of your case and VA staffing issues.Once you request debt relief from the VA, you should immediately receive written confirmation that the request has been made. After that, the VA will notify you of the date of any hearing, if applicable, or of the decision in your case.Credit counselingCredit counseling from nonprofit credit counseling agencies could help you get a handle on your finances if you agree to complete their debt payoff program. They may:Review your financial situationSet up a debt management plan for youNegotiate with your creditors to lower interest ratesThese services are generally applied to unsecured debt, which includes credit card debt, medical debt, and personal loans.Credit counselors typically charge a fee for their services. The fee amount is based on the counselor and the services you need.Negotiated debt settlementAnother debt relief tactic available to veterans is debt settlement. Debt settlement is a negotiated agreement for a creditor to accept less than the full amount you owe.Why would a creditor do this? They may realize it's in their best interest if you have little money and other creditors are also trying to get money from you. It helps if you can show a good reason why you became unable to pay your bills.You could attempt this type of debt negotiation on your own or hire a professional debt settlement company.The main benefit of hiring a professional is that they've done this kind of negotiation successfully many times. They know how to approach creditors and the kind of offer a creditor is likely to accept.Debt settlement will appear on your credit history, and any amounts forgiven may be treated as income for tax purposes. If the total value of your debt is greater than the total value of what you own at the time you settle your debts, you won’t have to pay income taxes on the forgiven amounts.Debt settlement could significantly reduce what you owe and give you a financial reset.BankruptcyBankruptcy is a legal process for dealing with debt. In bankruptcy, you demonstrate to a court that you can’t pay all your debts. The court then decides how to divide your assets among your creditors. Depending on the type of bankruptcy you file, you might propose a repayment plan that the judge approves.This puts your finances in the hands of a bankruptcy judge. Once the process is complete, you should be protected from any further collection attempts for the debts included in your bankruptcy. A bankruptcy will stay on your credit record for seven to 10 years. Bankruptcy might be the best way to get on a better financial track if there's no other way of paying your debts.Debt Relief Guide for VeteransVeteran debt relief grants and other assistance are available from a variety of sources. Here’s a summary of those sources and the types of debt relief available. Freedom Debt Relief What documentation do you need to apply for veteran debt relief grants and other assistance?Different organizations have varying requirements. If the program is designed for veterans, you'll likely need a copy of your form DD214, showing the nature of your discharge. You may need other records from your military service, along with your medical records.Success Stories and Case StudiesAmerica's veterans have a proud history of achievement. That includes overcoming financial obstacles as they transition to civilian life. Here are some examples that have been documented in national news stories:One veteran amassed $110,000 in debt after leaving the military in 2010. A debt relief program helped her pay off $70,000 of that debt. She could then pay down the remaining $40,000 on her own.Another veteran paid off $37,000 in debt with the help of a debt relief program. Getting rid of that debt enabled her to get a VA loan to buy a home.Using more than one debt relief tool can help get the job done. One veteran used military disability compensation to get started repaying $25,000 in credit card debt. After that, the vet used a debt consolidation loan to reduce the cost of that debt.Now it's time to write your own success story. You don't have to be defeated by debt. With the right help, you can be victorious.This story was produced by Freedom Debt Relief and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Cook review: 'Solo Mio' is a delightful, mature romantic comedy

A lot of beautiful music, gorgeous environments and romance blend in "Solo Mio" to create a lovely rom-com just in time for Valentine's Day. Kevin James ("The King of Queens") helped write the script for this sweet story about finding yourself after heartbreak. James plays JMatt Taylor, an American art teacher who proposes to his [...]

Bezos orders deep job cuts at 'Washington Post'

The Washington Post embarked on severe cuts despite appeals by the newsroom to owner Jeff Bezos. The paper is to narrow its focus largely to politics and national security.

Can probate delays be avoided?

Can probate delays be avoided?Personal representatives, such as executors and administrators, play a key role in avoiding probate delays. These people are responsible for managing the estate, which impacts the probate timeline. However, heirs and beneficiaries also contribute depending on whether they start disputes. A streamlined process and clear communication should help with these probate challenges.To avoid delays, representatives must effectively navigate the steps involved in the probate process and the state requirements. State deadlines also control how long the process lasts. Whether you’re an heir, a beneficiary or a personal representative, you can take certain steps to speed up probate. Inheritance Funding discusses what you can do in this article.How to Prevent Probate DelaysStaying on top of deadlines and requirements is key to preventing probate delays. However, distributing assets takes time, whether or not there is a will. Without a will, state intestacy laws govern asset distribution. Here are six ways for personal representatives to reduce delays. Inheritance Funding 1. Ensure the Will’s ValidityExecutors are the personal representatives responsible for distributing assets according to a will. If you’re an executor, know that friends and family members may question a will’s validity due to a few factors.The will’s content: The will may have unclear, contradictory or outdated content. For instance, if your loved one has remarried and the new spouse is not in the will, family members may question if the will reflects your loved one’s true intentions.Your loved one’s signing capacity: When signing the will, family members may question whether your loved one was under undue influence or if they were a victim of fraud, where they thought they were signing a different document.Multiple wills: Your loved one creates multiple wills by updating the original without destroying the old one. Conflicting terms can lead to legal disputes.You can reduce dispute delays by ensuring your loved one drafts a clear, valid will. State validity requirements vary, but estate planning attorneys can help. Typically, your loved one must sign and date the will in sound capacity. States may also require one to two witnesses to sign the will.For handwritten wills, the probate court, which oversees the asset distribution, may need evidence of your loved one’s handwriting. Some states allow a self-proving affidavit to validate a will, which is a notarized, sworn statement signed by your loved one and their witnesses.Your loved one should also regularly review and update the will, especially after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption. They may alter the will through a codicil, which modifies or revokes a part of the will. They may also update the entire will. However, your loved one should destroy the previous one to avoid multiple wills.State laws limit the period for will challenges, which control delays. For instance, in Florida, beneficiaries have three months after you notify them of the probate case. Texas has a two-year deadline.2. Keep the Calendar Updated and Documents OrganizedProbate requires certain documents, such as:Original and copies of the death certificateHeirs’ and beneficiaries’ contact informationFinancial account statementsBusiness agreement documentsDeeds and titlesAppraisal valuationsRevocable living trust documentsTax recordsLoan agreementsLife insurance policiesList of medical and funeral expensesStates have deadlines for these requirements. If you’re a personal representative, know which deadlines apply to your case. For instance, if your loved one has properties in multiple states, you must take note of each state’s deadlines. Calendar alerts and spreadsheet trackers can help you stay on top of your schedule.To keep documents organized, consider using physical binders and secure digital folders. Gathering these documents can take time, especially for larger estates. For instance, if you don’t have the property titles, you must consult with the relevant parties to access the requirements. Having records on hand can speed up court approvals.3. Pay Debts and Taxes on TimeThe estate pays for your loved one’s debts and taxes before you can distribute assets. Debt payments take time depending on asset liquidity — for instance, whether you must sell real estate to make payments — and how much your loved one owes. Past mistakes, such as incorrect tax returns, also delay the process. Deadlines for creditor claims and tax payments can help manage these delays.For instance, in Florida, creditors must file claims within three months after newspapers publish your loved one’s passing. If they’ve received a direct notice, their deadline is within 30 days. However, to avoid debt payment delays entirely, you can encourage your loved one to pay off debts during estate planning. Other taxes to pay for may include the following.Federal estate tax: If your loved one’s estate exceeds the federal exemption amount, which is $13.99 million for 2025, then the estate must pay the federal estate tax. As a personal representative, you must file the tax return within nine months after your loved one’s passing.State estate tax: Some states charge estate tax, and requirements vary. For instance, in New York, the 2026 basic exclusion amount is $7.35 million. If covered, you must file the state estate tax return within nine months of your loved one’s passing.Income taxes: Income taxes include your loved one’s final income tax return and the estate income tax return, if the estate generates income during probate. For instance, the estate may be earning interest through bank accounts or stock dividends.Property taxes: Your loved one’s properties are subject to property taxes. This gets more complicated if properties are scattered across states. Each state has its own property tax laws.Generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT): GSTT applies if your loved one passes property assets to grandchildren or close friends who are more than 37.5 years younger than them.Paying taxes and filing accurate returns on time helps you avoid probate delays. Working with tax professionals, such as certified public accountants and financial advisors, can streamline the process. During estate planning, they can also strategize for reducing taxes. For instance, they may suggest setting up revocable trusts to reduce the size of the taxable estate.4. Work With Professional AppraisersComplex assets need professional appraisals. Appraisals take time depending on the asset type. Rare collectibles, fine art and antiques can be hard to value due to market fluctuations. Intellectual property, such as patents and copyrights, may also be tricky due to their uncertain future income streams.While this delay type can be hard to avoid, it can prevent valuation mistakes that require correction. In Michigan, the list of inventory should include accurate asset values, and mistakes require supplementary appraisals.If your loved one owned properties in multiple states, these properties require ancillary probates, causing further delay. Ancillary probates are secondary proceedings different from the original probate. These proceedings are necessary since states have different property laws. Working with professionals can prevent these issues during estate planning.For instance, they may suggest setting up revocable trusts to exclude the properties from probate. If your loved one moves their properties into a trust, the trust becomes the owner of these properties. Since probate only impacts properties your loved one owns, the trust-owned properties don’t count. The rightful trust beneficiaries still get the properties, while everyone benefits from a shorter probate process.5. Clearly Communicate With Heirs and BeneficiariesInheritance recipients without a will are called heirs, while a will names them as beneficiaries. Because of inheritance concerns, heirs and beneficiaries often engage in disputes. This can extensively delay the process and sometimes lead to litigation.Apart from will challenges, heirs and beneficiaries may dispute whether you’re performing your duties as a personal representative. Mismanagement can cause delays, which impacts inheritances. For instance, mismanaged money can lead to using a part of an inheritance to pay for remaining debts and taxes. Probate courts may offer mediation programs to resolve these conflicts.Mediators are neutral parties who facilitate the discussion. They have probate law expertise, are trained in mediation and have judicial experience. The goal is for everyone to achieve a voluntary settlement and avoid litigation. However, unsuccessful mediation moves the case to the probate court, where a judge conducts hearings before issuing a final decision.Ideally, during estate planning, your loved one has communicated with all affected parties regarding what they can expect. However, you can also avoid disputes by regularly communicating with heirs and beneficiaries throughout the probate process.Heirs and beneficiaries who relocate may be difficult to contact. This delay can be tricky to avoid for heirs. However, during estate planning, appointed executors can create a master list of beneficiaries, with their contact information. Your loved one can provide this information.6. Be Fully Equipped as a Personal RepresentativeUnequipped personal representatives can significantly cause probate delays. For instance, disorganized executors can miss deadlines or prolong the documentation process. They may also have limited schedules if they have a full-time job, which slows down paperwork, tax filing and debt payments. To avoid these issues, being trustworthy, capable and reliable is essential. Soft skills, such as levelheadedness, also help when handling disputes.Appointing multiple executors can solve scheduling issues, provided they can collaborate effectively. Sharing the work, especially for larger estates, can speed up the process. However, disagreements can exacerbate probate delays. If you’re appointed as an executor, consider asking for a secondary executor only if you can potentially be unavailable.As an heir or beneficiary, you can report concerns regarding personal representatives — even if they are administrators appointed by the probate court. Although this dispute contributes to delays, it can improve the probate process if the representatives are lacking on their end.How to Access Your Inheritance EarlySometimes, life happens and you need financial assistance to cope. You know your inheritance is coming, but the probate timeline is uncertain. To avoid a stressful wait, consider the following methods:Inheritance advance: An inheritance cash advance lets you access a portion of your inheritance within as little as one day. In return, the service provider waits for probate to close and directly takes their pay from the estate, out of your share. The cost depends on different factors, such as the cash advance size, estate complexity and the amount of time until probate closes.Inheritance loan: Inheritance loans let you borrow money against your inheritance, where you use your inheritance as collateral. Lenders determine how much you can borrow depending on your inheritance. Your loan repayment comes with interest.Gifting: If you’re an appointed executor and your loved one is still in the process of estate planning, you can suggest gifting inheritances to offer family members and close friends financial support. Gifting also bypasses probate, potentially speeding up the process later on.Frequently Asked QuestionsProbate can be tricky to understand, whether you’re an heir, beneficiary or personal representative. To further explain how it works, below are answers to some common questions.How Long Does Probate Typically Take?Generally, probate can take nine months to several years to finish, depending on the size of the estate. Personal representatives must gather documents, provide notices to creditors, prepare the asset inventory, and pay outstanding debts and taxes before distributing the inheritance. A probate of simple assets in one state may close faster than a large estate with properties across the country. The number of disputes also impacts the timeline.Is There Any Way to Speed up Probate?Although delays can be hard to avoid, speeding up probate is possible with sufficient preparation. For instance, estate planning involves drafting a clear, valid will with the help of an attorney and setting up trusts that reduce estate size and taxes. It also involves appointing one or multiple executors who can perform probate responsibilities. Without an estate plan, asset administrators can speed up the process by keeping themselves organized.How Can You Avoid the Probate Process?Apart from setting up trusts and gifting, there are other means to avoid or exclude assets from probate. These include the following. Inheritance Funding  Qualifying for small estate provisions: Some states have small estate provisions that let you receive certain assets outside of probate. For instance, in California, if you’re inheriting personal property, such as stocks or bank account holdings, worth $184,500 or less, you won’t need the probate court to have them transferred to you. However, you must qualify for the other requirements.Setting up pay-on-death (POD) designations: PODs let you designate beneficiaries on financial accounts, such as a savings account. Upon your passing, the financial institution transfers the money to your beneficiaries.Establishing joint ownership: Joint ownership can apply to real estate, financial accounts, securities and other assets. With this ownership, the title passes automatically to the surviving owner.Preparation Is Key to Avoiding Probate DelaysKnowing the common causes of probate delays and how to prevent them is essential in protecting your loved one’s assets and your inheritance. Probate delays may be hard to avoid. However, sufficient preparation can streamline the process and reduce disputes.If you’re a personal representative, make sure you:Encourage your loved one to draft a clear and valid will.Stay on top of your schedule and organize the essential documents.Pay outstanding debts and taxes on time.Work with professionals whenever possible.Reasonably communicate with heirs and beneficiaries.Equip yourself with the right skills and knowledge to perform your responsibilities.Although the bulk of the responsibility falls on you, heirs and beneficiaries also play a role. Effective collaboration is essential in speeding up the process.This story was produced by Inheritance Funding and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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North Scott Press — February 4, 2026

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Eldridge council considers tax rate

The Eldridge City Council set its public hearing for the 2027 fiscal year max levy for April 6 at 5:45 p.m. But council members remain far away from a consensus on what that amount will be. During Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, council members began the first preliminary discussions on the FY27 budget and the max levy, with additional discussion slated for a special committee of the whole meeting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 16. The max levy amount needs to be submitted no later than March 5. City administrator Nevada Lemke told council members that city staff is already aware that the combined general fund revenue will be reduced by 1% based on growth. “Our non-TIF taxable value growth came in between 2.75-3.99%. So that is at the first tier of reduction, and we are going to see our combined general fund levy revenue growth reduced by about 1%.” For the upcoming fiscal year, the residential rollback amount will be 44.53%, down from 47.43% in FY26. “That will be a reduction in the amount that residence owners have to pay for property taxes each year,” said Lemke. “That rollback impacts directly what they are required to pay on the taxable value of their homes.” City staff provided several recommendations on the max levy to council members. “Based on the conversations from last year and kind of the overall consensus of the council at that time to slightly increase the property tax revenue, option number one that was provided to you looks at a recommended max levy of $8.13, based on last year’s tax levy of $8.11,” said Lemke. “I did also provide the other option of $8.11, consistent with last year and not increasing at all.” Council member Brian Dockery said he favored leaving the max levy at $8.11, and council member Adrian Blackwell said he also favored a more conservative approach to budgeting. But council member Jeff Ashcraft said he didn’t think the two-cent increase would be a hardship to residents, especially combined with the decrease in the residential rollbacks. Dockery said it was about principle to him. “I don’t want to raise the debt levy when we’re only talking two cents, which isn’t that much money, especially on the back of the community center, where we’re saying we’re going to do this and save money. We’re going to save money and then still raise taxes?” “But we’re not raising them a lot,” said mayor Scott Campbell. “This is incremental. We’ve talked in the past about needing to raise taxes incrementally because ours are so low compared to other communities.” “I don’t really care about the other communities and what they do,” said Dockery. “I’m just looking at the value to our residents for what we tax them. And I think for one year, to leave it at that $8.11, to me makes a lot of sense.” Ashcraft said it was unclear how much, if any, money would be saved by shutting down the community center, so he was not including that factor in his equation. “I guess maybe I’m looking at it a little bit differently since it is such a small amount. I get the principle, because I’m not a fan of seeing tax levies raise, but because it is such a small amount, should we not be progressing slightly so that we’re at least trying to show growth as our community continues to grow so that we’re not taking bigger chunks off in the future? “I’d rather take some modest bites if we can, as opposed to being forced to take bigger chunks in the future.” Dockery said in the past, the city had increased taxes only if it had an intended use for the money, and the purpose of city financing was not to bank for the future. “But just to raise it two cents because we’re lagging behind? We’ve had some substantial tax increases in the last five years … unless we have a purpose for those modest increases, I don’t think we should.” Ashcraft said the city has yet to begin the process of systematically forecasting what its expenses will be for the coming year. He said there will almost certainly be an increase in the amount of money the city gives to the fire department, and there may be expenses with the community center, based on the results of a future appraisal of the building. “Wouldn’t it make sense to take that two cents and begin to apply it towards that, because we know that’s a definite in one way, shape or form?” Dockery said that a two-cent tax increase would only represent about an additional $10,000 to the budget, and the city could find $10,000 somewhere else without having to raise taxes. “But it’s $10,000 less that we have to go find and take away from someplace else,” said Ashcraft. He reiterated that the impact to homeowners will still be negligible if there was a modest tax increase, because of the decrease to the residential rollbacks. “We would be providing them with a potential (tax) decrease, while also being able to, to a very small amount in the grand scheme of the budget, but a small amount that could enhance amenities to them as citizens. So, that’s a win-win situation.” Dockery disagreed. “It depends on how you want to go about a budget. Do you want to figure out how much money we can get and figure out a way to spend it? Or are you going to figure out what we need and levy the tax to pay for that?” Campbell said the city hasn’t even seen lists of needs from department heads yet. “You haven’t seen it yet, but you’re already saying you’re going to whittle it down?” “I’m saying we need to go through that wish list to see if it makes sense to the taxpayers,” said Dockery. “We’re talking about $10,000 difference.” “I don’t think we’re going to find wishes, I think we’re going to find needs,” said Ashcraft. “You’re describing wants versus needs, and that’s exactly how we need to budget,” said council member Ryan Iossi. He said he wasn’t focused so much on departmental needs as much as he was upcoming major infrastructure projects. “We know we’ve outgrown this city hall how many years ago – that’s coming. We’ve got LeClaire Road to the east coming. We’ve got Buttermilk Road coming. We’ve got Lincoln Road coming. We’re going to have to go out for bond, and my hope is that we could be incrementally getting ahead of it, proactively rather than reactively, and focusing on keeping that max levy down. If it’s a small increase – if it is only $10,000 – I would rather have those small incremental increases and not have to go out for bond when all these necessary projects are coming. “We need to have that money available. And if we don’t do these incremental changes, we’re going to be in the same position where we had to raise taxes at a higher increase within five years, because how many years before that did we not have incremental increases?” Dockery said that, in the grand scheme of the budget, $10,000 is a “drop of water going down the river.” “But wouldn’t you rather have that $10,000 to not have to cut an expense somewhere else?” asked Ashcraft. “I’d rather take the revenue if I could.” Lemke said there was also uncertainty with what is happening on taxes at the Iowa legislature. “There’s most likely going to be a cap. It’s going to be different than what we’re seeing right now.” “And it’s not looking good,” said Iossi. “We won’t have the room in these other areas such as the liability and property or the debt service – we may not have the capabilities to adjust those to still get the tax dollars that we were getting before,” said Lemke. “We just don’t know what that tax reform is going to end up being. There’s a lot of things on the table, and a lot of them do limit our ability to be able to work outside of the combined general fund levy, which we’re able to do right now.” She said there was talk of a hard cap at 2% across the board, which would be down from the cap of 2.36% this year. “There are things that we need to be aware of, with the unknowns of the legislation for tax reform.” Dockery went back to Iossi’s argument about future projects, saying a project like city hall that would require a bond would have to go out for a public vote. Iossi said he understood that but said the city couldn’t ignore these items. Iossi said that department heads will really have to focus on wants versus needs now. He said over the last few years, the city has purchased a lot of nice new equipment, and departments may need to figure out a way to make it last a bit longer. “Because if we don’t, we’re not going to have the money to do the things we know we need.” He said Lincoln Road was among the projects that cannot wait. “We cannot afford to have somebody get hurt or killed out there.” “But that’s what the legislature wants us to do,” Dockery said about the prospect of a tax cap. “That’s the dumbest idea. They’re forcing these communities to go out and bond these projects and pay interest.” Dockery repeated that he believed, on principle, the max levy should remain unchanged from last year. Council member Scott La Plante said he agreed that the city should not raise taxes more than necessary, but said he also didn’t think residents would balk at a modest max levy increase, especially combined with the decrease in the residential rollback. Campbell said that, when he had campaigned for city council, he spoke with many residents who said they understood the need for incremental tax increases. Dockery said if the city couldn’t figure out a way to find $10,000 in its budget without a max levy increase, it was doing something wrong. Ashcraft said the city shouldn’t have to take money from a department’s list of needs to ensure a balanced budget. “To me, it makes sense, since it’s such a small amount, to put it to the good, put it towards something that we know we’re going to need – some of the things we’ve already talked about – and still be able to hold our heads high and say we’ve done our best to keep this tax levy as small as we can and still point out to the homeowner that they’re seeing a decrease because of the rollback,” Ashcraft said. Lemke reminded the council that the rollback changes every year, and there could come a time when the rollback increases. She said that if the city had a year where it didn’t increase the max levy, there would be a bigger impact to the taxpayer if they increased the levy in a year where the rollback also increased. “We don’t want to get in a situation where we have to increase to meet the needs and it happens to be a year where that rollback is also negatively impactful, when we could have increased on a year to stay ahead of those.” Dockery said the legislature has also discussed getting rid of the rollback, and the city cannot predict what the state will do. “The best we can do is go, what money do we need to run this city? What’s the levy going to take to do that? It’s not like we have cashflow problems. We’ve got plenty of reserves to keep moving on for a year.” “But what does that do to those future projects that we know we’ve got coming?” asked Iossi. “If you wait for everything until the very last minute, that’s going to be a larger increase or a larger bond or a reactive state.” “We’re going to have to do some very, very cautious planning,” said Dockery. “Can’t spend it all in one year. We’re going to have to prioritize our projects.” Campbell said sometimes, taxes must be increased. He said that Dockery has wanted to keep taxes low for a long time. “I’ve always supported raising them if it made sense,” said Dockery. “Now, in this equation, no one has talked about the increased valuation if the city is going to raise revenues. It’s not like the same $8.11 from last year is going to generate more revenue this year.” “I still maintain that our residents think they have a really good deal with the tax rate that we have,” said Campbell. He said that residents understand that the cost of everything has increased, and they also understand that they will need to pay more for services. Blackwell said the city has always taken a fiscally responsible approach to taxation, and even though Eldridge has some of the lowest taxes in the county, the council has still been able to do great things for the residents with a conservative approach. But he also said he agreed with Lemke’s point that there may not always be a decrease in rollbacks, and a small tax increase may be warranted from time to time. Iossi said that, if there was not a decrease in the rollback this year, he might also be in favor of keeping the max levy at $8.11. Dockery said that the city’s max levy is just a portion of what residents will pay though, as there are also taxes levied by the school district and the county. “So, just because we might be a little lower, the final tax bill might be a little higher.” The conversation will continue on Feb. 16. La Plante sworn in Prior to the committee of the whole meeting, La Plante was sworn in as the newest member of the Eldridge City Council. City clerk Tracy Northcutt delivered the oath. La Plante thanked the council for their work on the process of filling the seat. “I’m honored to serve the people of Eldridge,” he said. “To me, it’s just another way of helping out. I’m thrilled to pieces to be here and working with all of you.” Petitions for a special election may be filed at City Hall until 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 9. Any petition must have the signatures of no less than 188 Eldridge residents to be considered. Community center update The council approved the language for the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the lease, management and operation of the Eldridge Community Center. Proposals must be submitted to City Hall by no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20, which represents the end of the 45-day window established by the council at its Jan. 26 meeting. With the approval of the RFP, Lemke is now authorized to advertise and distribute it to potential vendors. The city council will consider the bids and reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technicalities or informalities, and to accept the proposal deemed most favorable to the interests of the city. Interested parties may contact City Hall with questions. The council also authorized an appraisal report of the Eldridge Community Center at a cost not to exceed $3,750. Iossi said he didn’t believe the city could move forward without having the appraisal done. Dockery agreed, saying the city would not be able to set a rent value or a proposed price if someone wants to buy the building outright. Dockery asked if it might be possible to have the building and the south parking lot appraised together, with the northern parking lot appraised separately. He wondered if it might be an option for the city to hold on to the north lot for future use, including allowing the police department to hold its annual car show there, or for economic development. A proposal to have Shive-Hattery conduct a facilities assessment of the ECC was tabled, pending the findings of the appraisal. The proposed assessment would also help determine what capital improvement projects might be necessary, and the associated costs to fix any deficiencies.  City engineer Zach Howell said the assessment would examine the structural condition of the building, as well as the HVAC, electrical, roof and other aspects. Ashcraft asked if any such assessment had been done in the last five years. Howell said the last assessment he had been able to find was the roof in 2009. Dockery said he was fairly certain there had been an assessment done when improvements were made to the kitchen, although he and Howell weren’t sure when that was. Other business The council approved appointments to fill two vacancies on the Eldridge Park Board, created when Ashcraft and La Plante joined the council. Arsal Shareef was appointed to a term expiring Feb. 28, 2031, and Christopher Spensley was appointed to a partial term expiring Feb. 28, 2028. Campbell said there were six applicants for the positions, and he conducted the interviews over the last month. He said all the candidates were very strong, and any of them could have filled the seats. The council also approved the second reading of rezoning ordinances for Muhs Tracts LC and Baustian Farms, the FY25 audit report, an $11,925 bid from Sampson Fence for replacement of the main gate at the city shop, and a $15,630 bid from Precision Concepts for key fob access for both gates at the city shop and the existing gate at the wastewater treatment plant. Assistant city administrator Jeff Martens said the existing gates operate on a keypad system and the codes have not been changed for several years. The key fobs will be a security upgrade and will also be in line with other city-owned property security systems. Dockery asked for consideration from the utility board to pay a portion of the fence and key fob costs, with the electric department being housed at the city shop. The proposal will go before that board at an upcoming meeting.    

Supervisors to vote down power plant ordinance

A majority of Scott County supervisors plan to reject an ordinance change that would have cleared a controversial path for the construction of a natural gas power plant in rural Scott County. Supervisors John Maxwell, Jean Dickson, and Ross Paustian told The North Scott Press last week that they have decided to vote down the change. Supervisor Maria Bribriesco told constituents that she was “leaning heavily towards a ‘No’” vote the previous week. Supervisor Ken Beck remains undecided, he wrote in an email. Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) announced in September that they hoped to build a $400 million, 240 MW natural gas–fired “peaking” plant on agricultural land optioned one mile east of Maysville. They requested an amendment to county zoning ordinances that would have added “thermal electric energy generation” to a list of approved “special use” for agricultural land at the intersection of fuel and transmission lines, like the Maysville site. The county Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) recommended the change last fall, but it stalled before the supervisors in October. Maxwell said CIPCO was never able to answer questions about local energy needs. “I have no data to substantiate that we are in need of power in Scott County,” he said. “I have lots of people telling me we do—but I have no data to show that.” Without that information, he was loath to let CIPCO take land zoned for agricultural preservation out of production. Paustian, a farmer in Hickory Grove Township near the proposed site, said he had long planned to vote against the amendment and keep the land in agricultural preservation. “I’m almost 70 years old, and all my life I’ve lived and farmed in Hickory Grove Township. That sort of tells you where I am,” he said. Dickson said she “just never really heard from anybody who wanted it” in Scott County. “Sometimes, elected officials have to make decisions that their constituents don’t want. This isn’t one of them,” she said. Beck wrote that he still hoped to see CIPCO could provide data on whether “the power generated by this plant would be required to avoid any power issues (rolling blackouts, shortages, etc.) to our rural residents.” Supervisor Maria Bribriesco could not be reached for comment. CIPCO requests county documents CIPCO has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to see all communication between county staff, supervisors, P&Z, and local advocates who have opposed the plant. Kerry Koonce, CIPCO Vice President of Communications, said the cooperative was “concerned about some of the misinformation that’s going around, and how that’s being reported to the board of supervisors.” “We’re just looking to see where we need to focus to clear up some of the information,” she said. She said a FOIA request, often made under a suspicion of official misconduct, was “the only way we can legally get the information to know what’s been told to supervisors.”

What would tax reform mean for county government?

Bills on property tax reform in the State House and Senate each seem to have one thing in common: a 2% cap on revenue growth for local governments. Last Thursday, Scott County Budget and Administrative Services Director David Farmer walked supervisors through how that cap and other state proposals would impact county finances. Local governments fund services with three key tax levies. General and rural basic levies support the full range of local services, while a third supplemental levy supports certain variable expenses, such as health insurance and liabilities.  In bills proposed by the House (HF 596) and governor (HF 563 and SF 3034), all three core levies would be capped at 2% annual revenue growth, beginning in fiscal year 2028. The Senate bill (SF 3001) limits only the general and rural basic levies. Each bill exempts supplemental school and general obligation debt levies from that cap. Between 2020–2026, Scott County revenue for the general basic tax levy grew at 3.02% annually. Supplemental levy revenue grew at 3.46% annually, and the rural basic revenue at 2.39% annually. If those numbers hold steady into fiscal year 2027, the county will see about $2.8 million in new tax dollars, Farmer forecasted. If revenues are capped at 2% for fiscal year 2028, that number will drop to $1.5 million. Future gains would only accrue on this reduced sum. Those figures exclude new construction, which each of the current tax bills exempts from revenue caps. Farmer said that new construction might bring in an additional $1 million in fiscal year 2028. The following year, revenue caps would drop new tax dollars to just $21,000. The current “rollback” system limits the growth of agricultural and residential property tax revenues to no more than 3% each year. In Scott County, that system has kept residential property taxes stable, Farmer said. A random sample of residential property taxes paid across Scott County school districts between 2020–2026 shows that average tax bills have increased by less than $200 over that total period, with less than $300 in annual variance. New construction and commercial real estate have supported the expansion of county revenues. “That's the evidence for Scott County. Rollbacks are working as designed, but we do admit it's a complicated formula,” Farmer said. If revenues were capped at 2%, the county would immediately feel the pressure of inflationary expenses. Farmer listed the annualized inflation rate of several county expenses over the 2020–2026 period: • Cost-of-living wage increases have averaged 3.21%. With promotions and other contracted raises, wage increases have averaged 5.6%. • Health insurance premiums have risen at 5%. This year, they jumped 9%. • Ambulance costs have risen at 7.96%, and police cars at 8.21%. • Time and attendance software, approved this week by the county, has increased at 10.88%. “These are things that are very central to the common purpose, common business of the county,” Farmer said. The cap will fix government funding behind the pace of inflation. The 2% revenue growth cap will force local governments like Scott County to cut services, supervisors reflected. “The practical reality is, something like this is coming,” Supervisor Jean Dickson said. “We can talk about how it doesn't work, but I think we also need to be thinking about, what are we going to do?” “What services are we taking away?” Supervisor John Maxwell added. “Where do we cut?” “What services are more important than other services? Do we have four beats of the sheriff's office? Do we supplement the library to the extent we do?” Supervisor Ken Beck asked. These “are some of the things that touch everybody's lives that live in Scott County,” he said. “But it's a reality that you can't fill a square peg in a round hole without shaving some of it off. And that's exactly what will happen under this condition.” Further concerns Revenue caps aren’t the only concern for Farmer as he looks over proposed bills. A top-line item in the governor’s bill would limit a government’s unassigned general fund balance to no more than 10% of its operating expenses, or little more than one month’s reserves. Any excess would limit the government’s future levying authority. Farmer said that policy directly contradicts best practices outlined by the Government Finance Officers Association, which recommend a minimum of two months reserves, or at least 17%. “To see that recommendation against that best practice is very concerning,” Farmer said. “We at Scott County know that that reserve is very important in the month of August, and other times throughout the year,” he said. “If you don't have the money on hand to pay the fund balance, then you're either borrowing or you're delaying bills to be paid. You can't pay your expenses.” “We would probably be talking about bond rating downgrade. And if you get downgraded, guess what? That costs you more money to borrow,” he continued. A similar law passed forced the Eastern Iowa mental health region to cut $2.5 million out of a $14 million budget, Supervisor Ken Beck said. The House bill also restricts governments’ and schools’ ability to issue certain essential bonds without voter approval. The county most recently used those bonds to support local 911 emergency dispatch services without raising the property tax burden, Farmer said. Meanwhile, bills from the Senate and governor would tighten governments’ debt limits and potentially restrict the county’s ability to sign multiyear contracts. Those contracts range from software procurement to union agreements.  Only the Senate bill gives governments the opportunity to diversify its income as property tax revenue drops. It would allow for an optional, voter-approved jump in the Local Option Sales Tax from 1% to 1.5%, a one-time growth of about $3 million in Scott County, Farmer said. Nearly every bill includes new tax “exemptions” for groups such as veterans, seniors, or all residential homeowners. When these exemptions replace preexisting “credits,” Scott County will lose money previously backfilled by the state, Farmer said. “When exemptions are applied, it changes the taxable value, but we are not compensated for that change,” Farmer explained. Farmer also said that none of the property tax proposals address the county’s longstanding concerns about unfunded mandates, which place service obligations on local governments without providing the state funds necessary to support them.    

Utility questions for Fellner's residents

With Fellner’s Addition scheduled to have roadway repairs soon, residents will also be asked if they are interested in additional city amenities. At the Jan. 27 meeting, the Eldridge Utility Board approved a draft of a letter that was sent to residents in the subdivision regarding sump pump lines. The letters were mailed Jan. 30, and residents in Fellner’s Addition may expect to receive them this week. One of the goals of the roadway project, which was approved by the city council in December, is to help with stormwater runoff, and a pipe will be installed along the edge of the road. Residents can opt to hook their sump pump lines into this pipe, which will deposit directly into the storm sewer system. Many of the current sump pump lines deposit directly into the street. If residents do choose to opt into this system, the cost to redirect the line will be done at their expense. There is also a second amenity residents will be asked about: hooking up to the city water system. The homes in Fellner’s Addition are currently served by private wells. If there is sufficient interest, the city would be responsible for the initial cost of connecting to the water. Homeowners would carry the expense of any disconnection and abandonment procedures for their existing wells. At the Jan. 27 meeting, city council member Ryan Iossi, who serves as liaison to the utility board, told the board the question was being asked because if the roads are already being torn up, there would be a cost-savings to doing the utility work at that time. He said the city will not know if the option is feasible until bids for the roadwork come in, adding that the city wanted to see if residents were even interested before offering city water to the subdivision. “If you’ve got growth coming into Fellner’s Addition, at some point, you’re going to want it, right?” asked board member Jeff Hamilton. Water superintendent Cegan Long said development was proposed going east from Hunter Lane towards Cody Road.    “That 100 acres just north of the addition will be on the market sooner than later, if it doesn’t get sold soon,” added Iossi. “So, this would just help us loop Fellner’s,” said Long. “If we have it now, it’s easier for us to extend into newer additions.” He said waterline stubs already exist in the vicinity of Fellner’s Addition that could be extended into the subdivision. Iossi said the letter was primarily for fact-seeking purposes. Residents who do not wish to switch over to city water can keep their wells if they choose. Long said he also planned to talk to officials with the Scott County Health Department, which issues well permits, to see if there is any additional information residents will need to be aware of when considering the switch. He said residences within 200 feet of existing municipal waterlines may be required to hook into city water, because the county might not issue a drilling permit if the residence is considered to be within a “reasonable distance” to the utility. Private wells in Fellner’s Addition were grandfathered into the agreement when the subdivision voluntarily annexed into Eldridge in the 1970s. In December, the city council approved a two-phase plan for the roadwork in Fellner’s Addition. South 25th and South 26th avenues are proposed for FY2027. East Lomar Street would then be done, either in FY2028 or FY2029. A bid schedule has not been finalized, but the city hopes to begin that process by March.

Glenn staff improve peer-coaching experiences

Over the last year, teachers and staff at John Glenn Elementary School have been working to implement an overall goal for the building: improving peer-coaching experiences. Principal Erin Paysen shared their progress at the North Scott School Board’s Jan. 27 meeting, which was held at the Donahue elementary school. Assisting Paysen were PreK-5 teacher Megan Delaney; reading recovery interventionist Sherry McAleer; instructional coach Shanna Robinson; and counselor Brooke Kruse. Paysen said she was proud of the staff, including the building leadership team (BLT), for their willingness to grow and collaborate. She said as a building, staff are constantly striving to improve in three key areas: fostering a collaborative culture, refining systems and structures to maximize resources, and improving instruction to increase student achievement. Ways the BLT has worked to achieve these goals include building trust, being mindful of maintaining an energetic presence, realigning committees and layered intervention meetings, and making data-based systematic improvements. Paysen said staff also did a collaborative study on Jon Gordon’s book, “The Energy Bus,” which provides tips on maintaining positive energy. Regarding the peer-coaching experiences, Paysen said the process began last year, with intentional efforts to create opportunities during the Friday early outs and on professional development days. “Teachers were paired up together, watching themselves through video clips and listening through audio clips, of delivering instruction that was specific to the professional learning that we were engaged with as a staff,” she said. “For instance, we focused a lot on engagement, and we focused a lot on the language used during explicit instruction, and talked about how we give effective feedback … those were the things we would then ask teachers to come back with the next time we met together with a clip of, for example, them providing effective feedback. They would then partner up with someone they felt comfortable with – we were mindful of that – and engage in a protocol to give each other feedback.” Robinson said the BLT spent much of the last school year learning how to study data about building systems and were tasked with creating goals for the school improvement plan. “As we were on that journey, one thing that came up was the notion of peer-coaching and being able to get back to that as a way to build our capacity and being able to see what others are doing,” she said. “Because that’s a very powerful practice.” She said members of the BLT formed three-member triads and went around each other’s classrooms so they could watch each other teach. During the spring of the 2024-25 school year, they started to pull other teachers in the building into that process, “so we’re building these little blocks along the way,” said Robinson.  Eventually, the BLT developed the goal of having 100% of staff engage in two peer-coaching rounds for the 2025-26 school year.    Kruse said, in order to create even more enthusiasm for the program, the BLT developed a theme centered around growing together and collaborating. They incorporated a garden theme, with several bulletin boards near the school entrance decorated with a floral motif. During the school’s annual Halloween parade, teachers and staff dressed as flowers, ladybugs and bees, and carried signs about growing together. “Through our parade, our community was able to see what our goal was looking like within our building,” said Kruse. Paysen also created “forever flowers” and gifted them to each staff member for the holidays. Delaney said one of the first intentional practices staff established was an open-door policy during the first trimester, allowing anyone to come in and watch during instruction time. She said this was especially helpful as the new math curriculum was rolled out this year. During the second trimester, Robinson said teachers were also asked to create pairs, making sure to match up with someone they felt comfortable going on the peer-coaching journey with. BLT members then joined the pairs to create triads. A matrix form was created for the experience, along with reflection forms. During the two-day peer-coaching experience, the school also brought in substitute teachers to ensure all classes were covered. “We were very careful about which subs we recruited, so they were familiar,” said Paysen. Delaney said that, despite the daunting task of having to cover so many classrooms, the substitutes “rocked it.” Another round of peer-coaching will take place during the third trimester, McAleer said. The same protocols will be used for the most part, although McAleer said the reflection forms may give the BLT some insight into how to improve the system. Delaney said her triad included kindergarten teacher Kourtney Mannall and third-grade teacher Vinnie Smith. “Just from my experience, it was so good to get back into other people's classrooms and see their passion for kids and their passion for meeting learners where they’re at.” She said all three teachers worked at math, which gave Mannall a chance to see where Delaney’s PreK students are at now, and gave everyone a chance to see how the foundational skills developed for Smith’s third graders. Delaney said so far, there have been a lot of positive comments about being able to observe other teachers building relationships. “It’s kind of odd, when you think about it, that we work next to these people every day, and yet the opportunity to actually see someone in action in the classroom hardly ever exists,” said Paysen. Robinson said the BLT had also gotten positive feedback for allowing the opportunity for staff to hear other teachers use intentional instructional language that they could then adapt for their own classrooms. Kruse said she’d had an opportunity within her triad to have discussions about instructional language, which she said was “really cool.” Paysen said that Glenn staff had engaged in some peer-coaching activities prior to the pandemic, which predated her time at the school, “but I know that this was something that we wanted to get back to. We’re really happy to have had the opportunity.” Board president Tracy Lindaman praised the staff for having enough trust in each other to allow themselves to be vulnerable and accept criticism and compliments. Board member Joni Dittmer asked about the time commitment, and Delaney said there was a certain element of difficulty in developing the logistics of the peer-coaching sessions. “Once the teachers partnered up and decided what area of instruction they wanted to focus on, then it was looking at our master schedule and looking at when is that chunk of time in their day, and then coordinating it with the BLT members and also adding coverage. It was a lot of logistical things, but at the end of the day, it was worth every minute.” “You’re building culture in a very positive way,” said Dittmer. “I love what you’re doing. When you get that kind of energy, you take it to your classrooms, and they can feel it.” Board member Carrie Keppy said that, with the number of new staff, the peer-coaching sessions were also a great way to bring them into the fold. Delaney said it was also helpful, because Glenn shares some staff with other buildings in the district, and this gave those members a chance to strengthen their connection to the school. In response to a question from Lindaman, Paysen and Delaney said the early outs on Friday have been extremely helpful in allowing staff to work on the peer-coaching process. Delaney said the BLT will use some of that time to review the reflection forms from the first round of coaching. Paysen said the First Friday times have also given them momentum in establishing building-wide learning and achieving goals.  Board member Molly Bergfeld asked if there had been any discussions about implementing peer-coaching at any other buildings within the district. Paysen said that each building has a comprehensive building improvement plan, and peer-coaching was part of Glenn’s plan. She said she was hopeful that, when the district admin team meets over the summer, she can share some of the things that Glenn staff learned to help build capacity across the district. “I’m hopeful that some of the things that we have worked through here can also be used for all teacher leaders at the elementary level.” “We prioritize investing in people,” said superintendent Joe Stutting of the district’s goals. “Even as budgets get tighter, we’re in the people business, so we have to continue to prioritize investing in our people. It would be easy to go, ‘There’s a shortage of subs,’ or ‘Money’s getting tight, we’re not doing this. Stay in your classroom.’ “You’ve got to remember, their results for their kids have dramatically gone up in this building. All the things they’re doing, this being one of them, have had an impact. What we want is, how does this impact student success? They’re showing how they’re impacting student success. Good job.” Paysen shared something she had learned from education academic John Hattie, who analyzed ways teachers and buildings can implement strategies to positively impact student achievement. “The highest, all the time, is collective efficacy. That is what we are building together as a staff. The belief that together we can impact every child. And that belief, in and of itself, is always at the top of (Hattie’s) list.”  PPEL update Stutting will host an informational presentation on the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Regional Innovation Center. He’s working on a presentation and also wanted to clarify the amount of the PPEL request. The district is not looking for a $1.34 per thousand increase. The amount requested would go to $1.34 from the current PPEL amount of 97 cents, which was approved in 2017. More information will be available from the district, including information sent home to families. Day on the Hill The rare Tuesday meeting was held after Stutting and board members attended Day on the Hill at the Iowa Capitol on Monday, Jan. 26. “Clearly the pipeline and property tax is taking up most of the time down there,” Stutting said of the legislature’s energies. He said many bills are being considered on education, but that doesn’t mean they will all come to the floor. Among the bills is a proposal to require a year of government classes. “The problem with that is, it sounds good – all kids should take a year’s worth of government – OK, what are they not going to take then?” said Stutting. “You can add here without adding staff, and nobody’s really in a position to add staff, which means something else has to be taken less. So it isn’t as easy.” Reminding the board that the legislature has 30 days from the time of the governor’s Condition of the State speech to approve Supplemental State Aid (SSA), the amount of money per pupil provided to each district by the state, Stutting said he wasn’t necessarily optimistic leadership would come to an agreement. “I don’t think we’re going to see SSA very quickly before either property tax or eminent domain goes through,” board member Frank Wood agreed. “The governor came out with 2% in her speech, which was better than it was last year,” said Stutting. “But as far as I know, the House or the Senate has not really come out with a number. “We’re hearing the (House) is going to go over 2% and the (Senate) is going to zero. The House will probably go 3% and they’ll end up settling on 2%, which is what we’ve settled on for I don’t know how many years in a row. The question is, when will they get to it?” He said there always seems to be a major priority bill that pushes SSA to a lower priority, even though there is supposed to be a mandated deadline. As far as the district’s budget was concerned, Stutting said they would budget for a 1% increase, as they have for the last several years. Stutting also said the state is down 7,700 students across all districts, private and public, combined. “They know this year’s senior class graduating will be 10,000 more than the kindergarten class coming in. That’s the birthrate… that’s just the fact of Iowa’s younger population right now.” Student-built home As the board approved a $3,135.73 bid from Elite Lighting for the student-built home, Stutting said the home has been sold, and the build team is working with the owner. Board member Stephanie Eckhardt asked if the owner could change design elements. Stutting said so far, some changes have been made, but the owner is paying for the higher-end changes, such as adding hardwood flooring. The owner is in the flooring business and will show the students how to install the flooring. “It’s great to sell the house, it just gets a little more complicated,” Stutting said. “Well, even more learning that the kids are going to have to do when they get older anyway, as homeowners,” said Bergfeld. Bills District director of business affairs Jill Van Roekel presented $981,087.55 in bills for approval. Highlights included $85,262.80 to the Mississippi Bend AEA for the district’s 90% flow-through payment for special education services; $62,509.92 to the Bettendorf Community School District for first semester open enrolled out students; and $12,129.55 to the Iowa Department of Human Services for the December Medicaid match. The board also approved the district’s annual audit, which was conducted by Bohnsack & Frommelt LLP. Prior to the regular meeting, the board held a finance work session with Sarah Bohnsack to review the findings of the audit. Closed session The board went into closed session pursuant to Chapter 21.5(1)(i) of the Code of Iowa “to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential.” No action was taken upon the board coming back into open session.  

No injuries reported after deputy-involved shooting in Rockford

A deputy-involved shooting Tuesday afternoon is under investigation, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.

EICC receives grant to cover tuition for veterans seeking CDL training

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) grant will cover the $5,700 cost for at least 14 students.

Team USA ‘rock star competitors’ ready for Winter Games, physician says

Dr. Thomas VonGillern is a Quad City orthopedic surgeon. He's also one of the physicians for Team U.S.A. Skiing and Snowboarding.

How is AI being used?

A survey developed by University of Iowa business researchers and sent across the U.S. has yielded surprising results as to how people are using artificial intelligence tools in their personal and professional lives, prompting a drive to dive deeper. Ken Brown, a professor of management in the UI Tippie College of Business, worked with UI College of Education professor Brian An and management doctoral student Drew Jauron to create a survey asking people in the U.S. where and when they use AI tools, if at all, what tools they were using and for what purpose. While the survey provided some answers as to how AI is being used and by whom, Brown said it generated just as many new questions. “It’s such an important phenomena, it’s become integrated into our lives, but also lots of the research in this area has been very spotty, only focusing on work or home or one program,” Brown said. “We polled 1,000 people to understand, across programs and across contexts, how people were using them.” Brown said the team worked with the UI Center for Social Science Innovation to connect with national survey company Verasight, which handled sending out the survey and getting the data to the UI researchers. The team is still working on analyzing the data, Brown said, but even initial responses have surprised the researcher. Of those who responded that they do use AI tools, more than 50% said they use it for personal activities and projects and one-third said they use it at work. The likelihood of personal use remained higher than that of professional use even among full-time employees. When it comes to professional settings, Brown said AI usage could be impacted by the requirements and restrictions of the employer. Those who run businesses may not be looking for replacements to the processes and programs that currently work, he said, seeing AI as an investment of time and money rather than a quick-help tool as it may be seen by those who use it for personal projects. Just over one quarter of the survey respondents were retirees, Brown said — the second-largest surveyed group behind full-time employees. Only 16 out of the 264 retiree respondents said they had not heard of or used any AI tools — just 6%. ChatGPT and Gemini were the most popular tools for retirees, Brown said, with 71% of respondents saying they used one or the other. Brown said An told him that his own retired parents use ChatGPT almost like a search engine, from checking recipes and the news to looking up more information on things they hear and see. “It’s become, I think … part of the reason that we’re seeing massive utilization and data centers going up,” Brown said. “It’s become a daily tool for quite a few people, not just at work, but at home, to answer personal questions, work on little projects, do some learning to try to learn more about something they’re interested in.” There wasn’t any “huge disparity” between the respondents who use AI for home over work, but one trend Brown said he wonders if he’s seeing in the data is of younger people acting as “conscientious objectors.” Retirees were found in the survey to use AI tools for personal activities more than students, he said. Brown said he believes there is a population of young people who hold concerns about AI’s accuracy and environmental impact, and who may prefer to use a Google search or Reddit forum to find the answers to their questions over ChatGPT. “This is not a huge thing coming out of our data, but I think it may also explain the idea of retirees sort of jumping in even more than young people and students, because it’s readily available, it provides pretty easy, digestible answers,” Brown said. The survey did not prompt respondents who indicated they don’t use AI tools to explain their reasoning, something Brown said he expected would have brought about “extremely interesting” results. He doesn’t believe that lack of access is as big of a barrier now as it could have been in the past, with free accounts available and readily accessible technology. Objections to the technology, as well as plain disinterest, are more likely factors driving nonuse, Brown said. As the group continues to look at the data they’ve gathered, Brown said he wants to dive deeper into student use of AI in schools and the impacts it’s making on the school environment and their learning and relationships. Like social media before it, Brown said AI chatbots and other tools have the potential to detract from real-world relationships and other connections, a possibility he wants to study. “I would love for technology to be a tool that helps people lead better lives, but … if it becomes a sort of black hole of time and energy, you may be learning things but becoming more disconnected from people around you, which could be detrimental to your mental health,” Brown said.

Cake Auction to scare Feb. 6

One of the most anticipated events on the North Scott athletic calendar is set for this Friday, Feb. 6, with a kooky, spooky theme. The 49th North Scott Athletic Boosters Cake Auction theme is “The Lancer Family,” a spin on the upcoming Lancer Productions spring musical “The Addams Family.” And this year’s event features more than a few familiar things, but one big change. There will be no live auction this year during the halftime of each game. Instead, all bidding will be silent auction style in the cafeteria. The Boosters are also bringing back auction baskets and other fun items to bid on. Among the big-ticket items will be a grill, donated by Diamond Builders. Bidding opens at 4:30 p.m. and will end following the third quarter of the varsity boys’ game. In addition to cakes for bidding, there will be cake available for purchase by the slice. The Music Boosters will also be selling food at the concession stand in The Pit. Donated cakes may be dropped off at the high school main office on Friday afternoon. To learn more about how you can donate, visit tinyurl.com/NSAB2026, email nshsathleticboosters@gmail.com or call Tori Kelley at 563-529-5552. The Boosters welcome donations of cake or baskets, as well as monetary donations. All proceeds from the Cake Auction support North Scott student-athletes and allow for the funding of equipment and uniform purchases, travel and other team needs. As for the games themselves, North Scott will host Davenport Assumption in a girl-boy doubleheader. The girls’ varsity game will begin at approximately 6 p.m. in The Pit, followed by the boys’ varsity game.      

Supervisors okay $1.2m for time and attendance software

Software contracts continue to roll through the Scott County Board of Supervisors. Last week supervisors approved a ten-year, roughly $1.2 million with TimeClock Plus for time, attendance, and scheduling software. The time and attendance program will cost the county $203,416.46 its first year. That sum includes new timeclock hardware across county buildings. Procurement manager Stephanie Macuga told the board Tuesday, Jan. 27 that that annual service fees will remain flat, at approximately $96,000, for each of the first five years of the contract. The per-employee cost will rise 3% annually for the next five years of the contract. “We were pretty excited about that… knowing exactly what our uplift is going to be for that contract is very helpful,” Macuga said. The exact fee may vary based on the number of county employees, she clarified. The annual fee is a 40% increase over the current time and attendance software expense. Macuga said the new program offered advance functionality, including 24-hour scheduling, that would allow all county departments to use the same program. “All of our 24/7 teams, with this new product, would have access to scheduling, which is something that many of those teams do not have today,” she said. Supervisors also approved a $53,800 contract with Crowe for professional services that will help the IT department search for a service management (ITSM) program. Macuga told supervisors that after 15 years with their current ITSM vendor, the department needed a new program that handles service requests and project and asset management. Crowe will assist the IT department as they develop a procurement plan, identify vendors, and negotiate contracts.

Maxwell, Dickson seek reelection

Scott County supervisors John Maxwell and Jean Dickson will both seek reelection this fall. Maxwell, a rural Scott County farmer, was elected to the five-member board of supervisors in 2018. Dickson, a lawyer in private practice, was elected in 2022. Both are Republicans. Supervisors named Maxwell board chair and Dickson vice chair in January of 2025 and reappointed them to those seats this year. Three four-year terms on the board will be on the ballot this fall. Republican Ross Paustian, who holds the third open seat, does not plan to seek reelection. Maxwell said he hopes to continue “keeping taxes down and services high” if reelected. He wants to “make Scott County a great place to live.” Dickson said she is proud of her “commitment to transparency and communications with constituents,” a commitment she hopes to keep if reelected. “The most important thing” for supervisors moving forward will be adapting county services to property tax reform passed by the state. Absent standards set by the state, supervisors will have to decide how to prioritize cuts to county personnel and services, Dickson said.    “We know by the end of the legislative session, there’s going to be tax reform,” Dickson said. “We’ve got to just deal with it.” Both Maxwell and Dickson cited the county’s decision to assume control of ambulance service MEDIC EMS as a leading accomplishment. County funds and federal Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (GEMT) reimbursements have helped stabilize the financially imperiled service. Dickson called the decision a “shining moment.” It “ensures that it will be a viable entity and ensures that people will be taken care of and be safe,” Maxwell said. Maxwell previously served on the North Scott School Board, the Scott County Extension Council, and the Rotary Board. He represents supervisors at Visit Quad-Cities and the Scott County Emergency Center. Dickson served on the Pleasant Valley School Board from 2013–2021. She represents the supervisors at the Urban County Coalition and has helped supervisors oversee the consolidation of the Iowa Mississippi and South Central Workforce Development Boards. She also serves on the Bettendorf Civil Service Commission and as a member of the St. Joan of Arc Foundation. Partisan primaries for Scott County offices will take place June 2. Election day follows Nov. 3. Candidates for county office must file paperwork between March 3 and March 20.

Bettendorf police asking for information on a 2017 missing man

David McAllister was 22 years old when he was last seen on May 11, 2017. Bettendorf police are asking for help locating him in honor of National Missing Persons Day.

Hay producers to meet March 19

Regional hay producers are invited to attend the 41st annual Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association Annual Meeting and Conference on Thursday, March 19, at Buzzy’s in Welton. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the program scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. This year’s program will feature three new Iowa State University staff: Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and extension forage specialist, Aimee Lutz, Iowa Beef Center director and extension feedlot specialist, and Joseph Lensing, extension farm management specialist: Gruss will address the management of alfalfa diseases and bring a grazing trailer, which displays fencing and water systems. Lutz will speak on ration balancing based on 2025 forage quality. Lensing will discuss Livestock Gross Margin and Livestock Risk Protection, cost of large round bales and the economics of silage versus balage. Virgil Schmitt, extension field agronomist with Iowa State, will talk about fertilizer decisions amid high input costs and low commodity prices. Following lunch, there will be a brief annual meeting to elect officers and directors.  A drawing for prizes will be held at the end of the day. The registration fee for the conference is $30, which includes a membership to EIHPA and a meal. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Certified Crop Advisor credits are also available. This conference is sponsored by EIHPA, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Beef Center. The Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association provides educational workshops and field days for forage producers in Jackson, Jones, Clinton, Cedar, Scott and Muscatine counties. Forage producers from other counties are also welcome to participate. For more information, contact Kevin Brown at brownfarm10@gmail.com or 563-872-4475.

Adventures in Wonderland

Fourth grade students from across the North Scott School District paid a visit to Wonderland on Thursday, Jan. 29, as they saw a special performance of Lancer Productions, "Alice in Wonderland Jr." Following the show, there was also a special surprise. Thanks to a $1,000 donation from the North Scott Kiwanis Club, Lancer Productions was able to present a copy of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll to every student. The cast and crew also answered questions from students in a special "talk-back" session. NSP photos by Erin M. Gentz.