Top-notch musical performances, health education, Black authors, and youth activities are part of the 12th-annual Bill Bell Jazz and Heritage Festival, August 21 and 22 in Rock Island.

What you eat can play an important role in protecting your vision. Discover key nutrients that support eye health and the colorful fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds, and other foods that can help you get them.

Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities conducted groundbreaking ceremonies Saturday, Aug. 15, on its 149th and 150th homes. These two are at 745 21st St. in East Moline and at 1117 12th St. in Moline.

State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-16) talks about his role as lead negotiator for the state in keeping the Bears in Illinois, the latest on the talks, his diverse background and how it shapes his approach to key issues, the partisan divide in the nation and ideological divide in the Democratic party, actions taken by the legislature to address cost of living concerns, data centers and much more. Buckner, first elected in 2018, is a former aide to Sen, Dick Durbin and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landreiu, was governmental affairs advisor to the Chicago Cubs and is the lead budget negotiator in the Illinois House.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren delivered the keynote address at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association annual brunch in Springfield. She called on Democrats to unite behind all the party’s candidates in the November midterm elections to take control of Congress and check the power of President Donald Trump.

Democrats slammed President Donald Trump as their common enemy during State Fair festivities in Springfield on Wednesday. The state’s top leaders lined up to highlight ways they’ve fought Trump’s agenda, arguing voters should give them another term to continue executing their anti-Trump platform.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a proclamation Tuesday designed to bring relief to communities affected by storm damage in recent months. Fifteen counties are eligible for relief, which could include funding reimbursements up to $250,000 for debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure.

McLean, Champaign, Ford, Marshall and Tazewell counties are included in the proclamation, which makes additional state resources available to assist response and recovery efforts.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn met with cancer survivors and advocates to discuss Iowa's growing cancer rate three weeks after Democratic opponent Rob Sand.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited the Iowa State Fair on Monday to tout support for U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn and to promote his $1.5 trillion defense budget proposal. Hegseth called Nunn an ally in Congress for military spending and the department's war efforts.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in central Iowa to discuss the Trump administration's emphasis on fitness in K-12 schools.

With most foreign students paying full tuition, campuses will lose out as the numbers of international students decrease. Meanwhile, students worry as new restrictions about how long they can stay in the U.S. are set to go into effect.

Shades of red extracted from an ancient corn variety held up to heat and other conditions typical of food processing and storage. Researchers are exploring whether this natural dye alternative could open new markets for Midwest farmers.

More farmers are opting to repair old tractors, combines and other machinery instead of buying new upgrades. A tough farm economy and historically-high equipment prices are at least partly to blame.

Fewer people are buying cotton thanks to the rise of synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester. Now, the U.S. cotton industry wants to boost demand for American-grown cotton with tax credits and marketing campaigns.

U.S. Geological Survey researchers developed models to better understand the timing and sources contributing to nutrient pollution in streams and rivers. They say their findings can help guide efforts to improve water quality.