Government & Politics

Iowa Congressman Dave Loesback has reintroduced legislation to establish a National Flood Center. The primary purpose of the center would be to research flood-related issues, including prevention.

Loebsack says the U.S. currently doesn't do any comprehensive flood research.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois says many cities in Illinois affected by the historic flooding along the Mississippi River are getting short-changed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

An Interim State's Attorney may soon be appointed for Rock Island County. Tuesday County Board Chairman Richard Brunk announced his choice of Dora Villarreal to replace John McGehee who started working as a circuit judge last month. 

Rock Island City Council members say they will explore making changes to how their expense accounts are run.

An industry group is asking Congress to start funding Mississippi River navigation improvements originally authorized more than ten years ago.

The Waterways Council represents shipping companies, agriculture, port authorities, and others.

This year, the council wants Congress to make sure the Corps of Engineers' Civil Works program includes expanding locks on the Upper Mississippi River. 

Bettendorf honored one of its former mayors on Friday. City officials dedicated Hutchinson Plaza in front of city hall, for Ann Hutchinson, the longest serving mayor of the city.

Tomorrow, a crew will begin adding a lane to the I-74 bridge off-ramp in Bettendorf.

For weeks, west-bound traffic has been forced to exit onto Grant Street, using only one lane.

Prospects are improving for the advent of passenger rail service between the Quad Cities and Chicago. During the just completed session of the Illinois General Assembly, $225 million was set aside for the proposed Amtrak service that has been in the works for many, many years.