This week on Talking Art, host Ben Gougeon sits down with Brian Baxter, Executive Director of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, to discuss the orchestra's upcoming season, its role in the Quad Cities arts community, and the experiences that bring audiences together through music. From classical performances to special events like Disney's The Lion King in Concert and Elf in Concert, Brian shares what's ahead for the QCSO and how the organization continues to connect audiences with live orchestral music.Learn more about upcoming performances at qcso.org.

Republican Jamie Shoemaker, a detective with the Geneseo Police Department, and Democrat Marcus Herbert, deputy sheriff at the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office, are running for the open seat, as incumbent Sheriff Darren Hart is not seeking re-election.

Incumbent Republican Tom Determann and Democrat Randy Meier, a retired Clinton Police Department detective commander, are vying for the House District 69 seat. The district covers eastern Clinton County.

Joe Chonto, a passionate, 70-year-old Davenport native is starting his next chapter as director of musical activities for The Deanery School of Music.

This week, learn how to take a more active role in conversations with your healthcare providers. Discover simple ways to prepare for appointments, ask questions, communicate concerns, and make sure you understand your care plan before you leave. Good healthcare communication starts with making sure your voice is heard.

To help prevent more pregnant women from dying, the Pritzker administration promised that private insurers would cover the cost of doulas to support families. But in many cases, they’re turned away or forced to pay thousands out of pocket.

The pilot program would help determine the future of autonomous vehicles in Illinois.

Aadam Jacobs talks about his massive archive of taped concert recordings from recent decades and the grassroots effort to get them digitized.

As a resource conservationist at the county Soil and Water Conservation District, Kara Downin’s goal and passion is to protect natural resources and support the agricultural community as she advises landowners about the resources and programs best suited to their needs.

As the Cedar Rapids Landfill runs out of space, it's looking to haul trash to neighboring regions. Waste from a data center building boom in Linn County is tightening the timeline.

This year's recipient of the $500,000 award is Dutch scientist and humanitarian Huub Lelieveld. The World Food Prize Foundation's three-day event in Des Moines has drawn in scientists, philanthropists, farmers, heads of state and Hollywood actors – including one who played the ukulele.

County auditors around the state are warning voters of a social media post that falsely claims paper ballots marked by poll workers will be disqualified in the midterm elections. Under Iowa law, an election official is required to initial each ballot issued to a voter.

Iowa's 1st Congressional District is seeing Democrat Christina Bohannan challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for the third time in a row. But an unpopular foreign war, independent candidate Michael Bridgford and new campaign strategies are making this year's race a little bit different.

Schools in the U.S. serve almost 30 million lunches every day. But rising food costs, regulations and cuts to food assistance mean school kitchens have to do more with less.

Farmers are cutting less hay this year due to persistent drought, the soaring price of fuel and a new pest. That’s driving up the cost for livestock producers, who often rely on hay to feed their animals during the winter.

Sargento has developed a natural American cheese, hoping to give consumers classic melt without added ingredients.

Researchers recently traced the birthplace of the world’s dominant cotton species to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Their sleuthing also uncovered a treasure trove of genetic diversity in wild populations, which could eventually make the crop more resilient.