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

Sunday, September 20th, 2026
	Heavy rains result in QCA flooding; Bettendorf park has raging waters After recent heavy rains, streets and rivers were flooded Sunday in the Quad Cities area. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Rock River near Joslin affecting Rock Island, Whiteside and Henry counties and the Rock River at Moline affecting Rock Island and Henry counties. Additional rainfall from Sunday through Monday [...]
	Crossing Keokuk’s sanctuary damaged in morning fire Early morning fire sets the Keokuk Crossing locations auditorium on fire.
	Jury convicts Illinois father of shooting and killing son A man faces decades behind bars for fatally shooting his 31-year-old son in 2025.
	About 250 rescued from Lee County campground following heavy flooding The O’Connell’s RV Campground, formerly Yogi Bear Campground, in Amboy is being fully evacuated, according to the Lee County Emergency Management Agency.
	Police arrest suspect after fatal Rock Island stabbing Rock Island police have arrested a 26-year-old suspect in connection with a fatal stabbing early Sunday, according to a news release. Shortly after 6:15 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a residence in the 2700 block of 13th Avenue for reports of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found a 43-year old man outside with life-threatening injuries. [...]
	Man charged with fatal stabbing in Rock Island Rock Island Police arrested a man in connection with a fatal stabbing.
	Man charged in fatal Rock Island stabbing It happened early Sunday, police said.
	Germany's Merz vows to press ahead with reforms after historic state election defeat German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has faced a major electoral setback in two state elections, with his center-right party losing ground. The far-right Alternative for Germany party made significant gains.
	Traffic Alert: Flooding closes River Drive near Howell Street River Drive near Howell Street is closed Sunday morning after heavy rain caused flooding in the area.
	4 the Record WEB EXTRA: Sorensen addresses affordability concerns before election year Thanks for clicking on this web extra. We didn't have enough time to bring you all of my conversation with Illinois congressman Eric Sorensen on 4 The Record. We pick up the discussion with arguably the biggest concern from Americans this election year. Affordability is the buzzword this election year from Democrats and Republicans. What [...]
	Breakfast Bankroll for week ending 9/18/26 Here's this week's update on retail prices for the breakfast staples of bacon, eggs and milk. This is the USDA's average price for a dozen of large Grade A eggs, a pound of bacon and a gallon of milk on January 20, 2025, compared to where the prices are now. To see the price, click [...]
	EPA makes controversial decision to rollback greenhouse gas regulations A couple of moves by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week get slammed by environmentalists and deliver wins for power plants known to contribute to pollution. The EPA got rid of rules adopted during the Biden administration that forced power plants run by coal and natural gas to cut greenhouse gas emissions or [...]
	Iowa farmers make push to break up what they call fertilizer monopoly Farmers in Iowa get angry about the rising cost of fertilizer drastically impacting their business. They're certainly not alone. Radio Iowa reports farmers brought their complaints to U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden on a recent trip to the state. They want the government to do something about what they call a monopoly in [...]
	Dysfunction in DC not deterring Sorensen from seeking third term on Capitol Hill A check of the calendar this morning puts us 44 days away from election day. You can tell by the ads running on television this is a bitter fight to see which party will control congress in the new year. Democrats hope to flip the House of Representatives. They will need to hold onto the [...]
	Trump says his D.C. arch will serve as 'military complex' with snipers and drones President Trump has claimed that military operations are needed at his proposed triumphal arch in Washington D.C., in order to protect national security. A federal court is weighing the arch's legality.
	The state panel handling labor disputes in Vermont is short on members at a critical moment State employees enter the state office complex in Waterbury as the Vermont State Employees Association opposes Gov. Phil Scott’s return to work mandate in October 2025. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger The Vermont Labor Relations Board, whose members are appointed by Gov. Phil Scott to resolve disputes between workers and their managers, has been down a third of its members for months — and hasn’t been at full strength in nearly two years. Scott’s office says the governor is making progress on getting the board filled. But labor leaders argue the persistent lack of staffing suggests his administration is not prioritizing what they describe as a key safeguard for unions in the state. “It’s not how good government should function,” said Jeff Fannon, executive director of the state’s largest union, the Vermont NEA, in an interview. “It’s somewhat disrespectful — or unfair — to working people and employers who deserve, really, to have their cases heard and have their questions and issues addressed fairly and quickly.” The board’s executive director, Judith Dillon, said not since the end of 2024 has the panel had all six of its seats filled. Dillon’s administrative role supports the board’s six appointees, who also oversee union elections, investigate complaints of unfair labor practices and intervene when contract negotiations deadlock, among other roles. In the same time period the board has had slimmed ranks, the number of cases it deals with have increased, Dillon said. There were 62 cases filed with the board in 2025, compared to 48 cases in 2024, according to its data. Among the board’s most high-profile recent decisions was an order in April rescinding Scott’s directive that state employees must return to work in-person three days a week. The panel’s order — which prompted Scott to accuse the board of bias against him — is now being reviewed by the Vermont Supreme Court. A ruling is expected soon. Beyond state workers, the Labor Relations Board also weighs in on disputes at the University of Vermont and the Vermont State Colleges, as well as at municipal governments, school districts and private employers around the state. Amanda Wheeler, a spokesperson for Scott, said in a statement that the governor’s office was in the process of appointing a new member to one of the board’s two current vacancies. The position, which has been open since June, should be filled by the end of next week, she said Tuesday. The other seat was vacated just last month. State law says the governor must fill seats on the board within 60 days after they open up, though the process is not entirely up to him. The law requires the governor to pick from nominees suggested by a separate body, the Labor Board Review Panel. Fannon, of the NEA, sits on the review panel and said in an email that even as someone who plays a role in the appointment process, “I don’t understand why the governor is taking so long.” Steve Howard, executive director of the Vermont State Employees’ Association, also questioned the timeline, saying in an interview that it shows fully staffing the labor board “hasn’t risen to the level of priority” for the Scott administration. Asked why the governor hadn’t kept the board full, Wheeler pointed to “the added layer of oversight” created by the separate panel and said it can be hard to recruit qualified candidates. “It’s also important to note that throughout this process, the Board has maintained a quorum and been able to continue to carry out its work,” she said. Beyond the two seats open right now, another recent appointment to the labor board took the Scott administration far longer to finalize. Wheeler said Tuesday that Scott had appointed Linda Joy Sullivan, the former mayor of Newport and a former state legislator, to the board effective Sept. 1. Sullivan was appointed to the seat previously held by a member who stepped down at the end of 2024. The seat is one of two on the board for members whose backgrounds aren’t closely tied to labor or to management, known as “neutrals.” Of the four other seats, two are for members who have more experience in organized labor and two are for those who have served in management. According to Fannon, the review panel finished interviews for that neutral seat in January, after which he said the Scott administration would have had candidates to choose from. Even though Sullivan’s appointment took effect Sept. 1, according to Wheeler, it wasn’t until Tuesday, Sept. 15, that the governor’s office informed Dillon that Sullivan had been appointed. That was the same day VTDigger first contacted the governor’s office asking about the status of labor board appointments. When VTDigger first spoke to Dillon last week, she was under the impression the seat was empty — and that the board had only three current members. The board has been able to get by with fewer than six members, Dillon said. It needs a bare minimum of three to function, she explained, with a goal of cases being heard by one panelist each from the labor and management perspectives, as well as one neutral. Still, she said the board members are regular citizens who work part-time and for modest pay. A post last year soliciting applicants cited members making $125 per day. Having fewer members, Dillon said, means more work for each. Citing the board’s increased workload, Dillon raised concerns to state legislators earlier this year that the board was able to dedicate just three days for hearings in 2025 compared to an average of 14 days over the decade prior. Operating with just one neutral member for the better part of two years also made it difficult for the board to get its work done, Dillon said. It meant the sole neutral member it had before this month’s appointment, Gwenna Peters, had to attend a number of more meetings and hearings than she would have otherwise. “We’re very excited,” Dillon said of the new appointment. “The statute was designed and created to have six people, and it’s best to have six people, and we’d love to have six people.” Read the story on VTDigger here: The state panel handling labor disputes in Vermont is short on members at a critical moment. Courtesy of VT Digger
	How many crashes will it take to build a roundabout? Dear Editor, I am discouraged by the discussions about possible roundabouts in Chittenden County. The intersection of Route 2 and Clay Point Road in Colchester, just off Exit 17 on the way to Grand Isle, has seen multiple fatal crashes in recent years. A study by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission suggested a roundabout as a solution. The cost was estimated at more than $5 million, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation thinks it would take 10 to 20 years to complete. At a recent meeting on the proposed change to a roundabout at the intersection of Route 116 and Route 2A in St. George, the Transportation Agency official running the project said it has been a high-crash area for a long time, although he didn’t know how many crashes specifically, which seems unprofessional to me. He added that construction wouldn’t start until 2030. What on earth is the holdup? How many crashes or deaths do we accept during a permit process for a roundabout? READ MORE It isn’t the high taxes that bother me. It’s that the value we get doesn’t seem to line up with the amount we are putting in. Roger BrownRichmond, Vt. Read the story on VTDigger here: How many crashes will it take to build a roundabout?. Courtesy of VT Digger
	PHOTOS: The precarious life of fisherfolk In the bustling heart of the southern Indian city of Chennai is a market that never sleeps, where residents from the poorest neighborhoods wage a battle of survival with the sea.
	Resignation, hirings and transfers from Bettendorf School District for Sept. 9 The following personnel items are from the Sept. 9 agenda of the Bettendorf Community School District. The School Board met at the Administration Center in Bettendorf.
	MARK-TO-MARKET: AI’s ripple effect on the construction and manufacturing sectors According to research and consulting firm Gartner, this year, global spending on AI is expected to reach $2.6 trillion.
	Resignations, hirings from United Township School District in September See the following personnel items from the Sept. 14 agenda of the United Township Board of Education in East Moline.
	Pleasant Valley School District resignations, hirings from Sept. 14 school board agenda The following personnel items are from the Sept. 14 meeting of the Pleasant Valley School District. The School Board met at the Belmont Administration Center.
	Judge orders Fox to hand over hundreds of documents in shareholders' case Fox Corp. must turn over hundreds of documents that could shed light on how founder Rupert Murdoch handled some of his media companies' biggest scandals.
	Flash Flood Warning until SUN 7:30 AM CDT Flash Flood Warning: Ongoing and Expected Flooding Until 7:30 AM CDT
	U.S. childcare costs are astronomical. More families are turning to grandparents Grandparents taking care of their grandkids is nothing new. But the surging cost of childcare in the U.S. has made familial support even more critical for some parents who struggle to afford it.
	Ukraine fires over 1,000 drones at Russia, including hundreds launched at Moscow Moscow's mayor described the wave of drones as the "largest ever" attack on the Russian capital and said there had been damage to a Moscow oil refinery and a residential building.
	NPR's College Podcast Challenge is back for 2026 Students: It's time to turn on the mic and hit 'record.' Send us your podcasts and we'll pick the best ones. It's $5,000 for our grand prize and $500 for our finalists.
	Thousands of planned launches, terms of deal, worry some near Louisiana SpaceX site State officials say the new SpaceX site will be a $100 billion investment and launch thousands of rockets. Lawmakers helped ease regulations and negotiations were covered under nondisclosure agreements.
	Flash Flood Warning until SUN 7:30 AM CDT Flash Flood Warning in Effect Until 7:30 AM CDT
	Flash Flood Warning from SUN 1:38 AM CDT until SUN 7:30 AM CDT Flash Flood Warning in Effect Until 7:30 AM CDT
Saturday, September 19th, 2026
	Special Weather Statement until SUN 1:00 AM CDT Strong Thunderstorms Bringing Gusty Winds Overnight
	Augustana falls to Illinois Wesleyan 17-10 Augustana football falls to Illinois Wesleyan 17-10. The Vikings are 1-2 on the season.
	No. 18 Iowa has three go over 100 yards rushing as Hawkeyes roll to 55-0 win over Northern Iowa Iowa had three running backs in Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil and Braeden Jackson rush for more than 100 yards apiece as the No. 18 Hawkeyes defeated Northern Iowa 55-0 on Saturday.
	John Buford This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.If you have ever visited the Battlefield of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, you may have seen the statue of John Buford at…
	After preschool closes, Davenport church holds sale After nearly 50 years, the preschool at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2363 W. 3rd St., Davenport, is closing, a news release says. Now the preschool items will be sold, with free books given away with every purchase. A large selection of items will include Sale hours: For more information, email here. Payment of cash, Venmo, [...]
	Saudi Arabia says Houthis tried to attack its capital Saudi Arabia on Saturday said that Yemen's Houthi rebels tried to attack Riyadh with a ballistic missile, the first time the Saudi capital has been targeted since the escalation in fighting with the Iran-backed rebels opened a new front in the Iran war.
	More heavy rain still for our Sunday After a lot of constant rain over this past week and for the start of the weekend, we are still not out of the woods yet. More heavy rain is expected through the rest of our Saturday night and more heavy rain moving in through Sunday morning with at least another inch of rain possible.
	Trinidad Chambliss leads No. 8 Mississippi past No. 7 LSU 32-24 in Lane Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss OXFORD — Lane Kiffin’s new team at LSU couldn’t deny Trinidad Chambliss — the quarterback Kiffin helped transform into a star after recruiting him from a Division II program to Mississippi last year. Chambliss passed for 363 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a tiebreaking score in the fourth quarter, and No. 8 Ole Miss delighted a crowd that was already revved up about Kiffin’s return, beating the seventh-ranked Tigers 32-24 on Saturday night. Mississippi running back Kewan Lacy (5) leaps between LSU safety Ty Benefield (2) and cornerback PJ Woodland (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. The play was called back. Credit: AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis READ MORE: The Grove, the crowds, the rivalry: Football fans party together, and taunt each other, on LSU-Ole Miss game day READ MORE: Shakespeare could have written this LSU-Ole Miss football plotLSU stormed back from a 24-7 halftime deficit to tie the game before Chambliss engineered a 75-yard touchdown drive without the services of top running back Kewan Lacy, who left the game with an injured left shoulder. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) attempts to fight off a arm tackle by Mississippi linebacker Luke Ferrelli (12) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis Chambliss faked a handoff and ran 14 yards against the grain, outracing LSU safety Ty Benefield to the left pylon, and Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) added a 2-point conversion to take an eight-point lead with 6:14 to go. Ole Miss drew LSU offside twice while lining up for the conversion before converting it from a half-yard out on a direct snap to JT Lindsey. LSU answered by driving 69 yards to the Ole Miss 6 before Sam Leavitt missed open tight end Zach Grace along the goal line with a third-down pass, and then had his fourth-down pass deflect off the helmet of defensive end Kam Franklin. Jaylon Braxton intercepted the ball in the end zone to seal it as Kiffin virtually collapsed to his knees. Leavitt passed for 153 yards and a touchdown and ran for 63 yards and a score for LSU (2-1, 0-1). The Tigers’ comeback bid began in earnest with pressure by Benefield, whose blitz forced Chambliss into a rushed throw that was intercepted by Ja’Keem Jackson and returned 10 yards to the Rebels 33. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin gestures towards an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis Leavitt took it from there, gaining 10 yards on a scramble up the middle that ended with the QB being flipped upside down by multiple tacklers before crashing down hard on the 4-yard line. Leavitt responded to the big hit with a tackle-slipping scoring run on the next play to make it 24-14. After Lucas Caneiro missed a 53-yard field goal attempt wide right, LSU pulled within 24-21 on Leavitt’s 26-yard pass to Ole Miss transfer Winston Watkins Jr., who made a leaping, twisting catch near the right corner of the end zone and touched one foot down. LSU was driving to potentially take the lead when star tight end Trey’Dez Green injured his right knee on a first-down catch in Ole Miss territory. The Tigers wound up tying it with a field goal before Ole Miss drove for the decisive score. Ole Miss has defeated LSU in consecutive seasons, with Chambliss starring in both games — the first with Kiffin as his coach. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who was instrumental in an LSU athletic department shake-up last fall that precipitated Kiffin’s hiring, smiled widely as he posed for a picture with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill on the field during pregame warmups. But they couldn’t have been happy about how the game began. Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) attempts to pass against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis Chambliss sparked Ole Miss to a 17-0 lead, highlighted by Lacy’s 5-yard power run through the middle of the line and Chambliss’ 21-yard pass to Traylon Ray. Ray, who finished with seven catches for 115 yards, was instrumental on the first touchdown drive, outleaping two defenders for a 36-yard catch along the right sideline. LSU trimmed the Rebels’ lead to 17-7 on Dilin Jones’ 2-yard run with 1:57 left in the half — enough time for Chambliss to direct another scoring drive. After eluding the LSU pass rush, Chambliss rifled a 20 yard pass to Deuce Alexander in the middle of the end zone to make it 24-7 just 7 seconds before halftime, and Ole Miss fans stood and roared in approval as the Rebels trotted to the locker room. The takeaway LSU: The Tigers will be disappointed by their slow start but encouraged by a strong second half that took a tough road game down to the wire in Kiffin’s third game in charge. But Green’s injury could loom large. The Tigers also lost linebacker-safety Dashawn Spears to a lower left leg injury in the first half. Ole Miss: Chambliss’ calm under pressure and dynamic play made the difference, especially after Lacy had to leave the game in the third quarter. The Rebels will have to hope Lacy’s injury doesn’t keep him out for too long. Up next LSU: Hosts current No. 9 Texas A&M next Saturday. Mississippi: Visits Florida next Saturday. Courtesy of Mississippi Today
	Faith and Freedom Coalition rallies Iowa Republicans ahead of November election More than 1,200 people gathered in Des Moines for the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual banquet, where Republican leaders urged voters to turn out in November.
	It's 'nothin' but a good time' at Circa '21's 'Rock of Ages' musical Wrapping up the Rock Island theater's 49th season of live entertainment, Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse invites audiences to travel back in time to the 1980s in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway smash "Rock of Ages." This charming and energetic musical comedy was hailed by NY1 as “an irresistible, offbeat trip of a show that hits all [...]
	US Sen. John Kennedy, in Iowa, predicts end of Iran war in 6 months U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, delivered a speech at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition fall fundraiser Sep. 19, 2026 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)U.S. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana told a crowd of Iowa conservatives Saturday he believes current high inflation is being caused by the U.S.-Iran war — but said he sees an end to the conflict within six months. Kennedy was the keynote speaker for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual fall fundraiser in Des Moines Saturday evening. The crowd of more than 1,300 expanded into an overflow room at the Airport Holiday Inn. During his address, Kennedy spoke in support of U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s campaign to join him in the Senate, while defending Republicans’ move to lower taxes through the “One, Big Beautiful Bill” Act. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. While praising 2025 tax cuts for small businesses and Social Security recipients, Kennedy also acknowledged high costs from recent inflation — though he claimed inflation was higher under former President Joe Biden. He said the 3.7% increase in inflation, referencing the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, is because of the U.S. war with Iran. Kennedy said, “That’s just a fact.” “There’s no sense bubble-wrapping it,” Kennedy said. “That is that is the genesis of the inflation that we have right now.” He said inflation caused by the conflict is because “oil is in everything, folks,” and fuel costs have gone up due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. According to data from AAA-Iowa, average prices for regular unleaded gas stand at $4.39 per gallon in Iowa, a 47% spike from the $2.98 average price per gallon a year ago. Diesel currently sits at $6.21 per gallon, the highest ever recorded average price in Iowa. “It’s affected the price of everything, but we’re going to get it down,” Kennedy said. “And I believe — I don’t get want to get off the subject — but I believe that that war will be concluded within the next six months. And I think you will see the price of oil come down and inflation come down with it.” In August, Kennedy said on “Meet the Press” that his stance on President Donald Trump making a deal to end U.S. military involvement in Iran was that, “No deal is just fine. Not preferable, but it’s fine. A bad deal isn’t.” He instead advocated for continued sanctions and a blockade against Iran. “I don’t know whether the president should start a new bombing campaign again, because I don’t have the military intelligence,” Kennedy said in August. “Now, that’s a problem too, because it’ll cause a lot of pain. It’ll cause energy prices to go up, and a lot of inflation for the American people. They’re all hellish choices. But for the moment, I’d maintain the status quo.” Kennedy’s visit also came in support of Hinson, who aims to join him in the U.S. Senate in the 2026 election. He praised Hinson as “temperate,” “thoughtful,” and “an adult,” while adding, “If you don’t like Ashley, you’re probably going to hell.” “Yeah, she’s charming, but if you get between Ashley and what is best for the people of Iowa, she will devour you like a light snack,” Kennedy said. “She will beat you. She will beat you like you stole Thanksgiving, man. Now, I don’t want to tell the good people of Iowa how to vote, OK? But I want to tell you: If you don’t vote for Ashley Hinson, you probably need to change your meds.” Hinson faces state Rep. Josh Turek, a Council Bluffs Democrat, in the general election. Political forecasters including Cook Political Report rate the race as a “toss-up,” seeing the seat as more competitive in the 2026 midterms than in previous election cycles. Kennedy is visiting Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska to attend fundraisers supporting GOP Senate candidates. According to the Washington Post, Kennedy told reporters Thursday: “If you told me six months ago I was going to be having to spend my time in those three states, I wouldn’t have believed you. Those ought to be fat guy layups for us.” Speaking to the group, Hinson called for Iowans to support her and Republicans’ track record in the November election. “I would echo what Senator Kennedy said — we’ve gotten some really amazing things done, despite some incredible headwinds in this country, not just from the Democrats but from the national media as well,” Hinson said. “But I can tell you this: we’re all fearless in this room, right? What they lie about us, what do we do? We tell the truth about them. We’re going to do that.” Earlier Saturday, Hinson campaigned in Ankeny with U.S. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, promoting the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime work including in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. [subed]GOP congressional candidates call for GOP voters to not be ‘demoralized’[/subhed] Republican 4th District candidate Chris McGowan, U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller Meeks, and GOP 2nd District candidate Joe Mitchell answered questions during a portion of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition fall fundraiser Sep. 19, 2026 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Three of Iowa’s four Republican congressional candidates — incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the 1st District, as well as Republican Joe Mitchell running for the 2nd District and Chris McGowan running in the 4th — introduced themselves to the crowd in a question-and-answer segment hosted by state Rep. Charley Thomson. Iowa currently has an all-Republican congressional delegation. But three of the state’s four U.S. House seats are considered “toss-up” races by political forecasters heading into the 2026 midterms. In addition to Miller-Meeks and Mitchell’s races, the 3rd District contest between incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn and Democratic state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott is also considered one of the most contentious races in the country. McGowan, who is running for the seat currently held by Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa’s longtime conservative stronghold, said his goal was to “maximize turnout” in the 4th District and beyond helping support other candidates like Hinson and gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn. He also said Republicans should not be discouraged by polls and political forecasters, highlighting the crowd of 1,300 who attended the fundraiser. “The media is going to try and tell us that we’re demoralized, that we’re battling headwinds,” McGowan said. “Well, I’ll tell you something. I got here about two hours ago, and I’m parked in another zip code. That tells me about the energy right now.” Miller-Meeks agreed, referencing her position in the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll published before the 2024 election. She joined the lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump against the Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer over poll results, which showed Trump behind former Vice President Kamala Harris. “Remember, they underestimate us every single time, every single time,” Miller-Meeks said. “Remember that poll? I was going to lose by 16 points. I’m still here. I’m elected.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	The Grove, the crowds, the rivalry: Football fans party together, and taunt each other, on LSU-Ole Miss game day OXFORD — A sea of red and blue tents filled the Grove at the University of Mississippi as tens of thousands of people converged on campus Saturday for the long-anticipated Top 10 game between LSU and Ole Miss. The longstanding rivalry became a grudge match after Lane Kiffin ditched his job as the Ole Miss head coach before the end of the 2025 season for a bigger paycheck in Baton Rouge. Ole Miss fans toted hand-lettered signs that mocked Kiffin, calling him a traitor and worse. ESPN broadcast its “College GameDay” from the Grove, and Ole Miss student James Whitehead won $1 million by kicking a field goal on air. Ole Miss student James Whitehead participates in Pat McAfee’s field goal challenge during “College GameDay” at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. The freshmen won $1 million after a successful 33-yard field goal. Credit: Richard Lake/Mississippi Today Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman — a Mississippi native and resident, and frequent front-row fan at Ole Miss basketball games — served as the celebrity guest picker for the weekend’s college football games, wearing an Ole Miss baseball hat and choosing the Rebels to win. “If I go for what’s his name,” Freeman said, as the ESPN hosts said Lane Kiffin, “I will not be able to go home tonight.” READ MORE: Shakespeare could have written this LSU-Ole Miss football plot The vibe varied widely on campus. Some families and friends who have opposing allegiances shared food and drinks at tailgate parties. “I’m not going to show up and not wear purple and gold,” Brock McGoogan said, sporting the Tigers’ colors as he stood with his girlfriend, Summer Huerkamp, who is an Ole Miss fan An Ole Miss fan holds a homemade sign above his head during ESPN’s “College GameDay” at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today In other areas, Ole Miss and LSU fans shouted at each other — some of them, after getting their fill of chicken fingers, potato salad and beer or bourbon. As kickoff drew closer and the Mississippi heat beat down even harder, the crowd was elbow-to-elbow and many partiers grew rowdier. Ole Miss fans erupted in cheers as their team walked through the Grove on the way to Vaught Hemingway stadium. The Rebels were led by two star players who declined to transfer to LSU with Kiffin and are now being being promoted by Ole Miss as Heisman candidates — quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy. An homemade sign referring to Lane Kiffin’s dog, Juice, is held above the crowd at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Ole Miss fans crowd the Grove at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today The front page of the student newspaper, The Daily Mississippian, depicts LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the university in Oxford. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today The Williams and Seal families tailgate together at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2026. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Ole Miss graduate Justin Sabb, left, and LSU senior petroleum engineer Carson Gillespe talk with reporters in the Grove at The University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2026. Sabb and Gilespe grew up together in Georgia. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today LSU and Ole Miss fans taunt each other before a football game at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Football fans crowd the Grove at the University of Mississippi before the LSU-Ole Miss game on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Ole Miss fans display a sign of previous head coach Lane Kiffin on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. From left, Ken Ford, Chris Kirk, Bo Jarrell and Timothy Ford. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy, in dark jacket, walks through the Grove at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, before the LSU-Ole Miss game. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss walks through the Grove at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2026, before the LSU-Ole Miss game. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss walks through the Grove at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2026, before the LSU-Ole Miss game. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour takes a phone call at the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, before the LSU-Ole Miss football game. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Fans fill the Grove at the University of Mississippi in anticipation for the LSU-Ole Miss football game on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: Aaron Lampley/Mississippi Today Courtesy of Mississippi Today
	Hinson, Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming highlight GOP tips, overtime tax cuts U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, running for Iowa's U.S. Senate seat, and Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, right, listened to Jacob Carnes, a McDonald's manager in Ankeny at a campaign event held at Whiskey River in Ankeny Sep. 19, 2026, focused on tax changes made by Republicans through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)ANKENY — U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and U.S. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming said Saturday that keeping Republicans in control of Congress was needed to ensure Democrats do not reverse changes made through the 2025 “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Act like tax cuts to tips and overtime. Barrasso joined Hinson, a Republican who is running for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat, at Whiskey River in Ankeny, where they hosted a group of local business owners and workers to talk about the impact of the OBBB Act. The speakers, who included people in the food and hotel industries, as well healthcare, said they and coworkers have been able to keep more of their income because of the tax law changes made by Republicans in Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Jacob Carnes, a manager at a McDonald’s restaurant in Ankeny, said removing taxes on overtime has helped him pay for expenses as a college student at Des Moines Area Community College and begin to save money for long-term expenses and retirement. “I’m lucky enough where I’m able to get those hours, those overtime hours, and I’m able to keep all that money for myself,” Carnes said. “And trust me, when that paycheck hits, it’s so much nicer when I know my work is really paying towards helping me in my future. I can hopefully help other people down the road with that as well.” Barrasso told the group Democrats running for election in 2026 want to reverse these tax law changes. “What we do see, a number of the Democrats who are running this year, they want to end all of this stuff,” he said. “They want to end it immediately, which we think would be hurtful to the economy, take the money out of your pockets.” At the event, Hinson repeated claims that her opponent, state Rep. Josh Turek, a Council Bluffs Democrat, would support removing the OBBB tax cuts to tips and overtime if elected. Turek has said he agrees with President Donald Trump that “we should have no tax on tips and overtime,” but has also criticized the measure for making cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Hinson said she supports public assistance programs but wants to ensure the assistance is going to people in need. “We want some of these safety net programs to be … to be robust, right,” Hinson said. “And they’re for people who need them — keyword, ‘for people who need them,’ right? And if you look at some of the changes we’ve made to ensure the long-term integrity of these programs, including requiring a little bit of work or even volunteer hours every day. … Of course, we know there are people who need them, and that’s why we want them to be there. But we don’t want people gaming the system to the point that we have here.” A majority of people receiving public assistance are working full-time, according to the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office. Democrats argue that work requirements and other eligibility restrictions serve mostly to cut off qualified recipients due to burdensome red tape. Other speakers like Kathy Sullivan, a practitioner working in acute dialysis, said she had previously used SNAP for food assistance. When Hinson asked how she felt about people “fraudulently taking these benefits,” Sullivan said the situation was “infuriating.” “I was a single parent for so long, and when I needed the food stamps, I was so grateful — but I’m also very a little bit prideful, and I did not want to live on the system,” Sullivan said. “… You’re embarrassed that you have to (use) the food stamps, but they came at such a great time for me and the kids. So I got them, I used them, and then immediately was able to go to school and better myself and get off of the system. So, yes, I’m grateful that it was there, but not to live off of, and that people game the system by living off my hard work.” Sullivan said she was “worried about socialism” heading into the 2026 election. Hinson said she believed America was facing a problem with increased dependence on government assistance. “I worked hard, I got to the next thing, I got to the next thing, because I wanted to build that safety and security now for my family, and I did not want to rely on the government to do that,” Hinson said. “I think that’s an Iowa value — I actually think that’s an American value. … I do think that we value hard work, and we value being able to achieve the American dream the right way. Equity is not better than equality. I think it’s about, you know, everybody gets the shot, and that’s what our country is built on, is the shot.” Barrasso said the Iowans at the event shared the same values as Wyomingites. “In Wyoming, we have this thing called the Cowboy Code,” Barrasso said. “And by that, you’re all cowboys, which is, you live each day with courage, you take pride in your work, you do what needs to be done. So that’s what that’s what you’re all doing.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Here’s how VP Vance visit could help Iowa GOP candidates Vice President J.D.
	The new lines of southern Lebanon The U.N. expanded the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's mandate 20 years ago to include monitoring adherence to a ceasefire in fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah — the militant group created in 1982 to counter a second Israeli invasion.
	Death Notice: Beverly McCreary Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Beverly "Bev" McCreary, 90, of Davenport, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Monday at the church. Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mrs. McCreary died Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at MercyOne Genesis East, Davenport. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. A full obituary will appear in the Sept. 23 edition of The NSP.
	CNN, MS NOW, Politico reporters denied access to White House following Trump ban Three reporters were blocked from the White House grounds Saturday morning, a day after President Trump said CNN, Politico, and MS NOW would be banned for reporting "FICTION and LIES."
	Donate, 'shop' for free art supplies at Rock Island Public Library The Rock Island Public Library will accept gently used or new art and craft items at all library locations now through Sept. 24, a news release says. Donated supplies will be available for free at the library’s 2nd Annual Studio Exchange Community Art Supply Swap on Saturday, Sept. 26. The free event runs from 10 [...]
	Free vaccine clinic for dogs to be held at St. Anthony's, downtown Davenport The Quad City Animal Welfare Center (QCAWC) and the Humane Society of Scott County are joining together once again to help keep dogs throughout the Quad Cities healthy and protected with Vax & Wags, a free vaccine clinic for dogs from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 417 N. [...]
	Dispose of hazardous waste at East Moline collection event The State of Illinois is hosting Fall Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) one-day collection events this year in eight communities throughout the state. These collection events give residents a way to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous products commonly found in homes at no cost. In the Quad Cities, Illinois residents can drop off HHW [...]
	Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club to present session on biology of cancer The Cancer Support Community Iowa & NW Illinois at Gilda's Club invites the public to join - in-person or virtually - an informative and supportive workshop to discuss the biology of cancer. Join Russ Dunn for a discussion about universal aspects of cancer in the context of how cancer cells differ from healthy cells. Dunn [...]
	Mississippi oyster industry rebuilds as reefs show signs of growth PASS CHRISTIAN — Mississippi’s oyster reefs are showing signs of growth ahead of the 2026-27 season, but for fishermen like James Miller, rebuilding the industry also means finding enough buyers to make getting on the water worthwhile. “We’ve just got to get our market moving again,” Miller said. “It’s going to happen. It will take time.” At a Sept. 8 stakeholder meeting in Pass Christian, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources estimated there are just under 400,000 sacks of oysters across surveyed reefs in the Mississippi Sound, up from about 275,000 last year. The growth follows a roughly 50,000-sack harvest during the 2025-26 season, which MDMR said was the largest harvest in more than a decade. Joe Spraggins, executive director of MDMR, said Mississippi is moving in the right direction. “We’ve got big oysters. That’s what started last year, right? That’s all that’s in Mississippi,” Spraggins said. “We can get that reputation back by bringing in 100,000 sacks of market-sized oysters.” Reef health Mississippi’s oyster industry is still rebuilding from the effects of the 2019 Bonnet Carré Spillway openings, which sent large amounts of freshwater into the Mississippi Sound and caused salinity levels to fall. MDMR estimated oyster mortality across major reefs in the western Mississippi Sound at nearly 97% following the openings. Since then, the department has used reef monitoring, cult placement and other restoration efforts to rebuild oyster populations. Jason Rider, director of MDMR’s Shellfish Bureau, pointed fishermen toward Henderson Point and St. Joe, where population estimates increased and harvest pressure was relatively low last season. Fishermen and Mississippi Department of Marine Resources officials gather for an oyster stakeholder meeting Sept. 8, 2026, in Pass Christian, Miss. Jason Rider, director of the MDMR’s Shellfish Bureau, walks up the aisle prior to his 2026 reef report. Credit: RHCJC News “We’re seeing the growth across nearly every size class with the spats. That’s picking up significantly,” Rider said. “That’s really encouraging for us. That’s a really good, strong sign of growth.” Other reefs did not see the same gains. According to MDMR, the density of market-size oysters at Pass Christian Dredging declined from 19 oysters per square meter, or per 10.76 square feet, in 2025 to 8.2 in 2026. At Pass Christian Dredging, density dropped from 2.7 to 1.2 oysters per square meter. MDMR officials said Pass Christian Tonging, Pass Christian Dredging and Pass Marianne were among the areas affected by heavy rainfall and lower salinity this summer. Rider said the department will continue monitoring the reefs and investing in restoration efforts. This summer, MDMR placed limestone and shell, known as cultch, across 236 acres of oyster habitat. Much of that work was concentrated on reefs affected by the heavy rainfall. Managing the harvest MDMR plans to maintain a 30% harvest quota for individual reef areas this season. Because the quota is based on oyster population estimates, the number of sacks available for harvest can increase or decrease as populations change. During the 2025-26 season, harvest exceeded the 30% quota in several areas. MDMR reported harvests of roughly 41% at Pass Christian Tonging, 37% at Pass Christian Dredging and 34% at Pass Marianne. Henderson Point and St. Joe were much lower, at about 8% and 1%, respectively. A pile of oysters sits on the deck of the vessel Royster in Pass Christian, Miss. The stateestimates nearly 400,000 sacks of oysters across surveyed reefs in the Mississippi Sound ahead of the 2026-27 season. Credit: Justin Glowacki/RHCJC Miller said he believes individual reefs should be closed once they reach the 30% quota to prevent too much harvesting in one area. “They keep the reef sometimes open too long in areas,” Miller said. “Once they meet their quota, they need to shut it down.” The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center has reached out to Rider for more information about why harvest exceeded the 30% quota in some areas last season and how MDMR plans to manage the quota this season. Rider has not yet responded. MDMR also plans to maintain last season’s daily commercial limits of 15 sacks per tonging vessel and 20 sacks per dredging vessel. Those daily limits are separate from the 30% seasonal harvest quota. Miller supports keeping the daily limits in place. He said allowing fishermen to bring in more oysters would do little good if there are not enough buyers. “If you can’t sell them, why bring them in?” Miller said. Rebuilding the market The 2026-27 oyster season is scheduled to open Oct. 1, nearly two weeks earlier than last year’s Oct. 13 opening. Miller, a lifelong fisherman from D’Iberville, supports the earlier opening because he said lower rainfall in the fall can give fishermen more opportunities to harvest before river conditions lead to reef closures. He said the commercial market remains another challenge after years of limited Mississippi harvests. “When you’re off for five years, your market is slowly progressing, coming back,” Miller said. He said oysters from other Gulf states, including Louisiana and Texas, have filled some of the demand that Mississippi fishermen previously served. “We’ve got a kind of show that we do have a good oyster for them to buy, and we can boost our market back up,” Miller said. “It’s going to take time.” Operating costs are another concern. Miller said fuel costs have cut into his income from fishing and shrimping. He estimated he has recently spent $3,500 to $4,000 a week on fuel while working on the water. Still, Miller said he believes keeping harvest limits in place while Mississippi rebuilds both its oyster populations and commercial market is the best approach. “We had a good thing last year,” Miller said. “It’ll be a good thing this year.” Courtesy of Mississippi Today
	Airplane banner will take jab at Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith before big Ole Miss game Ole Miss fans nursing bloody marys in the Grove before Saturday’s LSU game may notice something unusual overhead: a plane towing a “Cindy High-Prices” banner. The nickname is one Democratic Senate candidate Scott Colom has used for his Republican opponent, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. The plane is expected to fly over the Ole Miss campus starting at 10 a.m., then over Vaught-Hemingway Stadium from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. as more than 68,000 fans arrive for the 6:30 p.m. kickoff, according to a news release from public relations firm Downfield Strategies. It’s unclear who’s behind it, though it’s a third-party, likely a political action committee. A Colom campaign spokesperson said the campaign is not responsible. Nathan Calvert, communications director for the Hyde-Smith campaign, said the group behind the airplane is wasting their money just like Colom will “waste our tax dollars if he wins.” Courtesy of Mississippi Today
	Special Weather Statement until SAT 7:45 AM CDT Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Causing Minor Flooding This Morning
	Students leave their mark on Earl Hanson Elementary’s cafeteria mural Earl Hanson students helped transform their cafeteria with a food-themed mural, building creativity, connections and a lasting school memory.
	OneTable QC launches nonpartisan ‘Quad Cities Votes Together’ campaign, voter toolkit QneTable QC has launched a nonpartisan campaign providing free tools to help local nonprofits share reliable voting information with the communities they serve.
	Our Big Fat Greek Festival returns to Rock Island this weekend St. George Greek Orthodox Church will host the annual event on Sept. 18–19 in Rock Island, featuring Greek food, music, dancing, cultural activities and a drive‑thru dining option, with admission set at $2 for adults and free entry for children 12 and under.
	Free Rock Island sessions help explain Medicare, Social Security "Understanding Medicare for 2027" will be offered at two places and times. Insurance specialist Kara Wolf will break down what enrollees need to know before open enrollment arrives in October. The free information sessions can help current or future Medicare participants make more informed decisions. Understanding Medicare presentations will be offered at 2 p.m. Thursday, [...]
	Mr. Wings opens in Rock Island Mr. Wings serves southern style wings, catfish dinners, boneless and chicken tenders, chicken and waffles, sides and more.
	Public invited to attend QC Cycling and E‑Bike Connectivity event Visit Quad Cities will host AccelerateVQC on Sept. 22, a free public event at the Waterfront Convention Center featuring e‑bike demonstrations and a regional discussion on how cycling and shared mobility can improve connectivity across the community. It is set for 3:30 to 5 p.m.
	New ice cream store will open in East Moline Downtown East Moline is getting a new destination for ice cream lovers as Just Us & Treats celebrates the opening of its new shop at 820 15th Ave., a news release says. The community is invited to join Just Us & Treats and East Moline Main Street for an official ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. [...]
	Ancient teeth pose a mystery: What made those strange grooves? New research on ancient human remains suggests the habitual usage of betel nuts, a plant seed with mind-affecting properties that is popular in parts of Asia despite the health risks it presents.
	Betel nuts are a top mind-affecting substance. Now there's evidence of ancient use New research on ancient human remains suggests the habitual usage of betel nuts, a plant seed with mind-affecting properties that is popular in parts of Asia despite the health risks it presents.
	Here are 8 movies we loved at the Toronto International Film Festival A thoughtful comedy starring Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick, a haunting adaptation of Mrs. Dalloway set in Lagos, and a (possible?) swan song from acclaimed filmmaker Mike Leigh stood out at TIFF.
	An Alaska storm scattered artifacts. Archaeologists are racing to save what's left Last year, remnants of a typhoon damaged homes, infrastructure and an archaeological dig site. Now, archaeologists are trying to get as many objects out as possible before the next storm.
	Ever wonder how the Fed's interest rate actually works? We've got answers The Federal Reserve just raised interest rates this week for the first time this year. So how does it actually work? And what does it mean for the economy — and the rest of us? Here are some answers.
	Russia holds parliamentary vote in areas it seized from Ukraine in the war Russia's parliamentary election for the first time is being held in Ukraine's regions that Moscow illegally annexed after the start of its full-scale invasion more than 4 1/2 years ago.
	As Europe warms, Italy sees West Nile virus spread Italian health authorities see evidence that rising temperatures and longer warm seasons are helping mosquitoes spread West Nile virus across a wider area, during more months of the year.
Friday, September 18th, 2026
	US and Denmark reach deal to build US military presence in Greenland President Donald Trump says he has a deal with Denmark to bolster the U.S. military presence in Greenland. The announcement comes after months of threatening to take the island by force from the NATO ally.
	War Eagle vs. Itasca This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.The most famous steamboat race ever chronicled on the Upper Mississippi River was between a tortoise and a hare in…
	Traffic alert: Section of 230th Street in Muscatine to close for paving project The project is expected to be completed by August 27, 2027, weather permitting.
	St. George Greek Orthodox Church holds 'Big Fat Greek Festival' It's a celebration of music, dance and cuisine. If you don't have time to stop in, you can pick up a great meal at the drive-through.
	Judy's Family Cafe opens 3rd location in Aledo The restaurant started as just one cafe in Galesburg and has now grown into three locations, mainly due to its owner's large social media presence.
	Davenport 2nd Ward Alderman Tim Dunn resigning from office The resignation is effective immediately, according to city officials.
	Newsom vetoes bill to loosen work-from-home rules for state workers In summary Many California public employees want more flexibility to work from home than Gov. Gavin Newsom’s return-to-office policy allows. He vetoed a bill that would have encouraged departments to set their own policies. Gov. Gavin Newsom held firm to his return-to-office mandate for California state workers and vetoed a union-supported bill that would have given state departments more authority to set their own telework policies. In some ways the governor’s veto of Assembly Bill 1729 was unsurprising: Despite protests from public employees who contend they’re just as effective working at home, Newsom has maintained that he wants them in the office. The bill wouldn’t have nullified his policy completely, but it would have chipped away at the blanket four-day-a-week in-office policy for state employees that went into effect in July. The bill would have required agencies to provide written justification if employees must work in-office, and the state’s Department of General Services would have had to create a dashboard to display the cost-effectiveness and other benefits of state telework programs. Newsom in his veto message wrote that he “fundamentally” believes “in-person collaboration is an essential part of a productive and effective workplace.” “This measure, by limiting departmental flexibility and encouraging telework to be the default work arrangement, takes the state’s telework policy in the wrong direction,” he wrote. Newsom embraced remote work for public employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, when tens of thousands of state workers abruptly shifted to working from home. He called them back to the office two days a week in 2024. Many state workers enjoyed the flexibility after the pandemic receded. They also stressed that telework saved taxpayers money. A 2025 audit found the state would save $225 million a year by allowing more telework. The telework bill “would save on office leases and parking, it would save and reduce commute times and vehicle emissions, it would maintain and improve productivity, and it would improve worker recruitment and retention,” said Sen. Angelique Ashby, a Sacramento Democrat. Newsom’s veto comes as state government’s largest union, Service Employees International Union Local 1000, is asking its members to authorize a strike. It represents about 100,000 workers and is at odds with Newsom over pay and remote work. “A blanket mandate does not work for all the jobs that our workers do,” Local 1000 President Anica Walls told CalMatters in July about Newsom’s return-to-office policy. “Let the departments decide.” Besides Newsom, about a dozen Republican and Democratic lawmakers also opposed the remote work bill. Sen. Catherine Blakespear said that shifting telework as the default policy by requiring state agencies to justify when workers must be in the office was “going too far.” “We had a tremendous upheaval and difficulty around remote classrooms,” said the Encinitas Democrat during the bill’s final Assembly floor vote in August. “The reality is that … people think that remote work will improve their mental health. But it substantially increases isolation and worsens mental health.” Courtesy of Cal Matters
	Editor Rose Friedman, who helped shape NPR's cultural coverage, dies at 38 Friedman was in her early 20s when she landed her first position as an editorial assistant at NPR. She became an editor and reporter, and a co-creator of the annual Books We Love reading guide.
	Arminio misgendering of McBride upends Republican ticket unity Why Should Delaware Care?Joe Arminio and Sarah McBride are the candidates that will be running for Delaware’s only seat in the U.S. House in November. Arminio’s misgendering of McBride, a prominent transgender lawmaker, has sparked new Republican Party divisions as it aims to become more competitive in statewide races. Just days after the primary election, the state Republican Party is in revolt over its two most prominent candidates following one’s dismissal from a forum after repeatedly misgendering U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride. During a candidate forum held Thursday by the Siegel Jewish Community Center in Wilmington, U.S. House candidate Joe Arminio twice misgendered the incumbent Democratic congresswoman, who is the first openly transgender member of Congress. He was subsequently forced to leave the forum by organizers, and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mr. Mike Katz, who was on stage at the time apologized for Arminio’s conduct, saying he didn’t condone it. In a statement late that evening, Katz called on Arminio to drop out of his race. “We can disagree strongly about policy, politics, and the direction of our country. We can debate those differences vigorously. That is part of our democracy,” he said.”But disagreement is not an excuse for disrespect. When someone seeking public office is given an opportunity to correct his conduct, acknowledges his mistake, receives an explicit warning, and then repeats that conduct, it raises serious concerns about the standards we should expect from those who seek to represent us.” The state Republican Party, which had hoped that a reformation of leadership, policy platforms and fundraising efforts could resuscitate the party’s chances in the midterm elections after a decade of failures, will now have to contend with a serious division at the top of the ticket. Arminio and the party, which endorsed the more moderate Katz overwhelmingly this spring but backed an opponent of Arminio’s, has yet to comment on the episode. Arminio and GOP Party Chair Gene Truono did not respond to requests for comment Friday from Spotlight Delaware. What happened at the forum? In a recorded video livestream, Arminio is heard using the terms “his” and “he” to refer to McBride and was corrected by the audience, who loudly booed. Arminio responded, asking the crowd to show respect to him as the speaker, but then shortly afterward referred to McBride as a man again, and then thanked the crowd for the correction. After Arminio finished his speech, moderator Ken Grant stepped up to the microphone and said,“ This is your final warning. If you fail to show respect to anyone else on this stage, you’ll be asked to leave.” During the answer to Arminio’s next question, he was able to acknowledge his error and said: “It’s not the first error I’ve made in this campaign or at any point in my future life.” But a few minutes later, as Arminio was discussing private healthcare debt, he pointed at U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and McBride, referring to them as “gentlemen.” “Gentlemen like the two here on this up here with me on the Democratic Party …,” he said. The crowd began interrupting and yelling at Arminio. The moderator can also be heard speaking over Arminio, saying to cut his mic and that he had been warned. Despite all the boos and commotion from the crowd, McBride intervened to allow Arminio to still have a chance to speak despite the slights. “Listen, I don’t want this gentleman to not be able to have the ability…” McBride said, before Katz stepped in to repeatedly call for Arminio’s removal. After being kicked out of the panel, the conversations between the candidates continued, with McBride explaining that she has been focused on Washington and not engaging in “petty stupid things, and who doesn’t engage in petty personal insults. But this was not the first time that Arminio, who was an underdog candidate in the primary race and largely made his campaign about economic issues, has insulted McBride. Less than a week earlier, during a candidate forum on the popular “Rich Jensen” radio show on WDEL, the host had to correct Arminio’s misgendering there too. Jensen told Arminio that the policy of his program is to refer to McBride as “she” and to continue doing so. Mike Katz was able to rally Republican support around his campaign in the general election, but new splits with voters over LGBTQ+ issues are emerging that could hurt his candidacy. \| PHOTO COURTESY OF KATZ CAMPAIGN Recoil against Katz By calling for his colleague’s departure from the party ticket, Katz has perhaps earned a modicum of respect from centrist Democrats and independents, but he has also angered many conservatives. The comment section of his statement on Facebook was flooded by commenters who expressed disappointment in the Senate candidate and said he has lost their vote. It exposed the new face of the Republican Party to the new level of fractiousness of the modern GOP in Delaware. John Shulli, the retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel who ran against Katz in the Senate primary this week and had lambasted Katz’s former affiliation with the state Democratic and Independent parties before recently becoming a Republican, jumped on the criticisms, calling his former opponent “the Benedict Arnold of Republicans” in a Friday video. “Katz is a Democrat, and a coward, and a traitor to the Republican Party of Delaware. He should either withdraw from the race or change his affiliation to Delaware,” he said. What impact the division over LGBTQ+ issues may have on Katz’s electoral chances remains to be seen, but he already faced a Herculean challenge. Coons held nearly $4.8 million in campaign cash as of Aug. 26, while Katz had less than $100,000, according to federal campaign finance records. The senior Democratic senator just captured 78% of the primary election vote in a year when Congressional incumbents are frequently being challenged by progressive challengers. He has never captured less than 55% of the vote in a Senate election and Republicans’ best finish yet against him was 42% of the vote. Those issues only come atop the fact that Democrats have a roughly 130,000-voter advantage over Republicans as of Sept. 1. The post Arminio misgendering of McBride upends Republican ticket unity appeared first on Spotlight Delaware. Courtesy of Spotlight Delaware
	Iowa vs Northern Iowa - Chance for showers and storms Saturday in Iowa City It's another big game in Iowa city as the Iowa Hawkeyes host Northern Iowa on Saturday (September 19th.) And it's another day with the chance for showers and storms in Eastern Iowa. The chance is highest in the morning, but still stands around 40% during the game. In between showers, the high will reach the [...]
	Judy's Family Cafe opens new location in Aledo, Illinois After becoming a social media star, Judy Wang has been looking to expand her restaurant to cities other than Galesburg. Judy's Family Cafe opened on Friday in Aledo, at 1600 SE 3rd St. "We are super excited to be part of this community," said Wang. "Our goal is very simple: Make great food and good [...]
	Trailblazers in school desegregation will give free presentation in Muscatine Carlotta Walls LaNier of the Little Rock Nine and Dr. Leona Tate of the New Orleans Four are coming to Iowa for three evenings of conversations in October. Six-year-old Ruby Bridges is the most well-known child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South. On Nov. 14, 1960, she integrated William Frantz Elementary in [...]
	Riverside Park in Muscatine to have restricted parking during cruise ship stop The city of Muscatine will temporarily close a boat launch and parking lot from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
	Care Animal Center, Davenport, to hold food drive to help QCA shelters, rescues Care Animal Center, 1502 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, will hold a Furry Friends Food Drive from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, a news release says. The 13th annual food drive will help support Quad Cities shelters and rescue groups. "Our shelters are at full capacity and are desperately seeking help from our community members [...]
	Moss Landing battery storage fire flares up again, raising new safety fears in California The burned remains of the Moss Landing Power Plant battery energy storage facility caught fire again Friday morning, prompting Monterey County officials to issue a shelter in place order — less than two years after it became one of the largest battery storage facility fires in history. Workers for Vistra, the plant’s Texas-based operator, noticed a flare-up early Friday morning against the wall of a building that burned in the initial January 2025 fire. The cause: roughly 1,500 inaccessible battery modules, still charged, spontaneously ignited, said Chief Jess Cortez with the North County Fire Protection District. “They’re in the smoldering stage right now,” Cortez said at a briefing Friday afternoon, adding that at that point there was no active fire. “The incident is very dynamic. There could be possible flare-ups.” The fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Moss Landing on Sept. 18, 2026. Photo via Cal Fire Local authorities lifted the order to shelter in place later Friday afternoon. Still, the flare-up reignites fears about battery storage facilities — even as California comes to increasingly rely on them. The state now has “the nation’s largest battery energy storage fleet,” the California Energy Commission announced in August. “If we had only known the worst-case scenarios of how not to build batteries, we wouldn’t have built Moss Landing,” said Dustin Mulvaney, a professor at San Jose State University in the school of planning, policy and environmental studies. “Because it keeps coming back to haunt us.” The incident also sharpens the tension between Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push to shortcut permitting for energy and other projects, and the communities hosting these facilities. Fire, rekindled In January 2025, residents watched large plumes of smoke and ash spewing from Vistra’s 300-megawatt battery energy storage facility at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County. It was the facility’s fourth safety incident, the third on the Vistra property, since 2019, according to a letter Assemblymember Dawn Addis, a San Luis Obispo Democrat, sent state regulators last year. The fire continued for days before crews could control it, then rekindled briefly a month later. Newsom called for a state investigation. The California Public Utilities Commission began with a site visit that month. Nearly two years later, that investigation is ongoing, with a root cause analysis underway in coordination with Vistra and an independent consultant, said Terrie Prosper, a spokesperson with the Public Utilities Commission. Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church expressed frustration about the delay. “Why it takes a year and a half to come up with an answer when everything is just about near the end of being cleaned up, I don’t know,” he said. Before the state approves any more of these facilities, he said, “It’s a good idea to know what’s causing these fires.” Safety rules, too late Unlike facilities built more recently, the Moss Landing site was built in an enclosed, aging building with older battery technologies crammed closely together — allowing fires to spread quickly, Mulvaney said. Denise Grab, the Clean Energy Law & Leadership project director for the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, agreed: The site is “one of the earlier battery storage facilities in the state and in the country, even. And the design is not up to par with current safety designs.” Battery plants still carry less overfall harm than fossil fuel plants, Grab added. “There are risks from other types of energy generation as well, particularly fossil fuel,” Grab said. “Asthma, premature death, heart attacks, lung disease from fossil fuel plants is significant, and (battery plants pose) a different kind of risk.” California passed a series of safety laws both before and after the January 2025 fire, including several laws from State Sen. John Laird, a Santa Cruz Democrat, aimed at better planning for — and preventing — fires. A 2022 law by then-Sen. Ben Hueso required the California Public Utilities Commission to set new standards for battery storage facilities and boost oversight of their emergency plans. But the commission didn’t bring its proposal for implementing Hueso’s law to a vote until after last year’s Vistra fire. “We should have never built Moss Landing the way we did,” Mulvaney said. “We were too late with coming up with the standards and certifications, which make batteries much safer today.” Environmental health controversy Vistra says that the cause of last year’s fire is still unknown. The energy company commissioned a study finding that chemical concentrations in nearby soil or water posed no risk to humans or the environment. “As a result, no further human health or ecological risk evaluation related to the (Moss Landing fire) event is warranted,” the report read. But scientists’ findings and resident accounts suggest otherwise. As the fire blazed for days in January 2025, residents reported wheezing, coughing, headaches and eye irritation. Researchers presented additional findings at a symposium last month, including evidence from one UC Santa Cruz researcher of elevated exposure to battery-related materials in hair samples. Scientists with the San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories have found high levels of nickel, manganese, and cobalt in soil around the facility. Ivano Aiello, the scientist who led the study, said Vistra’s recent report examined potential contaminants months after the fire was contained. The long-term health impacts of potential exposure remain unclear, and researchers continue studying the incident. Richard Stedman, an Air Pollution Control Officer with the Monterey Bay Air Resources District, said regulators placed four monitors at the fence line around the Vistra facility, and two more nearby: None detected unhealthy levels of particulate matter as of Friday’s briefing. Brian Roeder, founder of the community group Never Again Moss Landing, said the public’s trust in regulators and politicians who are meant to protect them continues to erode. “We’ve had 20 months to prepare for this,” he said. “Here we are again, right back where we were before, knowing this could happen.” Courtesy of Cal Matters
	Where do Alaska’s four governor candidates stand on data centers? Former Attorney General Treg Taylor, at right, speaks at a Sept. 9. 2026, forum held by the Last Frontier Republican Club at the Petroleum Club of Anchorage. Next to him, from left, are two of the other three gubernatorial candidates: former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, and former state Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)On the day that his campaign announced it had accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from employees of a California-based artificial intelligence company, Democratic governor candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins said that if elected, he will seek to temporarily ban new computing data centers in Alaska. As Americans grow frustrated with artificial intelligence software and concerned about the side effects of data centers, they have become a major issue in this year’s midterm elections. Alaska’s gubernatorial race is no exception, particularly since the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority announced plans for a development that could include data centers in Southcentral Alaska. All four candidates — Republicans Dave Bronson, Treg Taylor and Bernadette Wilson and the Democratic Kreiss-Tomkins — have staked out different policy positions before Alaskans vote this fall. Data centers need reliable connections to the internet, cheap electricity and a cooling method. Currently, the North Slope is the most promising location for all three. One $500 million proposal on the North Slope intends to burn local natural gas for power and use the natural cold air of the Arctic. Another shipping-container-sized plan involves a gas-powered data center processing Bitcoin. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Current Gov. Mike Dunleavy has backed data centers, saying they could be an economic driver — they would create construction jobs and demand for infrastructure that would enable further development. Dunleavy is term-limited and cannot run again this year. Four candidates remain in the race to replace him. “I’m a big believer in data centers. I know that might be unpopular with some folks here,” said Bronson at a candidate forum hosted by Commonwealth North in Anchorage on Thursday. A former Anchorage Mayor, retired Air Force pilot and former director of the state’s largest airport, Bronson said he sees economic opportunity if data centers are built in Alaska, and he would like to encourage them. “The logistics (are) minimal, and there’s a lot of money in data centers, but you’ve got to deal with the noise. You’ve got to deal with the cooling, and you’ve got to deal — certainly — with the electricity. And the groups that I’m talking to, they said we’re not going to take your electricity because it’s not reliable. … We will produce our own, and we will move, and we will build our own data centers. That’s good for us. That’s a very strong revenue source,” Bronson said. At a Sept. 8 forum in Anchorage, Taylor — the state’s former attorney general — offered a similar perspective. “I think we need to embrace it,” he said of data centers. “We have all the makings of a great place for a data center to thrive and produce good-paying jobs for Alaskans,” Taylor said. He added that electricity costs are his biggest concern. Any data center must “bring their own energy,” he said, and if a data center then sells excess power it generates, it could be a benefit to Alaskans if it is cheaper than other power available nearby. “It doesn’t have to drive up costs if you do it correctly. It can produce a net savings to the ratepayers in Alaska,” he said. Bronson and Taylor each said they see data centers as the future and fear that Alaska will miss out if it doesn’t embrace them. “It’s a service everybody’s using and everybody has to adapt to and use, or you’re going to get left behind,” Taylor said. Kreiss-Tomkins is advocating a temporary pause on data center development in the state. “I support a moratorium on data center development in Alaska until the Legislature can pass a comprehensive regulatory framework for that development in Alaska,” he said during a Sept. 8 forum in Anchorage. Any limits on development would be decided by negotiations between himself and the Legislature, he said. While Kreiss-Tomkins’ campaign has received large donations from people employed by the AI company Anthropic, those employees have tended to recommend restrictions on AI development as well. This year, the Alaska Senate voted 14-5 to pass a data center bill, but the House failed to take it up before the end of the legislative session. That bill would have regulated how data centers can use electricity from public utilities and would have required them to create decommissioning plans. The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, will return to the Legislature next year, and the coalition majority that passed the bill is also likely to return, meaning that the next governor will likely be confronted with similar legislation. Kreiss-Tomkins has also endorsed legislation that would ban AI-generated fake images intended to mislead the public and a bill that would require political advertisers to disclose AI-generated content. Wilson, asked about her position by text message, criticized Kreiss-Tomkins’ campaign for accepting large contributions from AI company employees. “Unlike Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins — better known as Chat JKT — our campaign is not funded with hundreds of thousands of dollars from California AI companies hoping to own our governor and exploit our state,” she said before explaining her position. “Our administration will make independent decisions that are in the best interest of Alaska, not big donors from the Lower 48. I will never allow Alaska to be littered with hyperscale data centers that take our resources and spoil our lands. Our natural beauty, environment and quality of life matter to every person who calls Alaska home and my job is to represent them, not big tech liberals.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Alaska Beacon
	Veterans will leave on 67th Honor Flight Dozens of Quad Cities-area veterans are headed to Washington, D.C., on the Hy-Vee sponsored 67th flight of the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, a news release says. On the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 22, about 80 veterans will take a chartered flight from the Quad Cities International Airport to the nation’s capital. They will [...]
	State Police remind drivers, farmers to practice road safety during fall harvest As farmers continue harvesting their crops this fall, Illinois State Police remind you to stay alert and safe on the road.
	Two Davenport men enter pleas in connection with shooting that wounded bystander Two men involved in a July 2025 shooting incident in Davenport, during which a bystander was wounded, have tendered pleas in the case.
	FULL REMARKS: Vice President JD Vance speaks in Council Bluffs The vice president spoke in Council Bluffs on Friday, Sept. 18, campaigning for gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn ahead of the midterms.
	Concussion treatment is changing as football season gets underway Doctors emphasize concussion awareness as football season begins, highlighting misconceptions about CTE and changing treatment approaches to aid recovery.
	Geneseo 10-year-old throws out first pitch at Wrigley Field Cubs superfan Callen Moe not only loves watching baseball, he's also a gold-medal-earning adaptive athlete who competes in softball, track, tennis and sled hockey.
	Woman arrested after stolen trailer recovered A woman has been arrested after a trailer reported as stolen was recovered.
	Annual ‘Our Big Fat Greek Festival’ returns to Rock Island church The festival continues until 10 p.m. Friday and runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
	Doctors discuss proper concussion treatment in sports Treatment of concussions is changing over time. Doctors no longer encourage concussion patients to sit in a dark room while they recover.
	Highlight Zone: Week 5 Week 5 of Highlight Zone
	Getting to Know the Man Behind Knight's Pizza: Caden Knight Chief Meteorologist Andy McCray talks with familiar faces around the Quad Cities in the Getting to Know Podcast. Learn more about important people around our area and have a good time doing it. Each week will feature a new guest from restaurant owners, to area leaders, to Our Quad Cities News Staff. In this episode [...]
	Davenport 2nd Ward alderman submits resignation Davenport 2nd Ward Ald. Tim Dunn submitted a one-line resignation letter Friday, Sept. 18.
	Prosecution seeks contempt of court charge against Jamison Fisher Jamison Fisher is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in Trudy Appleby's 1996 disappearance.
	Geneseo 10-year-old throws first pitch at Chicago Cubs game Callen Moe of Geneseo threw out the first pitch at the Chicago Cubs game on Sunday. The Cubs superfan also competes in four sports, all from his wheelchair!
	Judy's Family Cafe opens in Aledo The cafe, which began in Galesburg, has become a social media sensation.
	Hancock County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Cato dies after training accident Cato “sustained a fatal neck injury after striking a glass door.”

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