Latest Illinois and Iowa news

The Rock Island Police Department is searching for a 20-year-old connected to a shooting Thursday morning.

Rock Island PD issued an arrest warrant for Antonio J. Jones-Kirk Jr. - charging him with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm, both Class X felonies.

The shooting occurred around 10 am at the 1600 block of 12th Street. A 22-year-old was hit in the leg while sitting in their car and drove themselves to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening wound.

The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Rock Island Police Department, Crime Stoppers, or the P3 Tips app.

A traffic collision with a pedestrian Thursday night, May 1st, at the 2500 block of 16th street in Moline left a 61-year-old woman dead.

In a news release Friday, May 2nd, the Moline Police Department says a 33-year-old woman driving a 2021 Toyota Camry struck a woman who was in the middle of the road near the intersection of 25th Avenue around 9 p.m.

The driver remained on the scene, and the struck pedestrian was transported to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries.

The incident remains under investigation.

Community members are invited to be medical students for a night at the University of Iowa Health Care’s Mini Medical School.

The event is open to the public on Tuesday, May 6th, evening at 5:15 at the Medical Education Research Facility on UI’s medical school campus in Iowa City.

It’ll begin with dinner and activities, before moving into interactive programming and lectures, unraveling cancer-related research. Attendees will look at cancer trends in the state, exploring how researchers and doctors are collaborating to combat Iowa’s second-highest and fastest-growing rate of cancer in the nation.

Registration for the event is required at the Carver College of Medicine’s website.

Immigrants, Catholic priests and local leaders protested against the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies in Iowa City Thursday, May 1st.

People in the march were calling for an end to the state’s agreement with U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement. The task force agreement allows some specially trained state troopers to perform immigration enforcement.
Alejandra Escobar is with Escucha Mi Voz, a nonprofit that helped organize the event.

“We’re all together. We’re united. We’re here. We’re staying. I mean, we’re building the country. We’re staying. We are a force.”

The protest was part of a National Day of Action in support of immigrant workers with marches held across the country.

It also came after a state trooper held seven Latino construction workers for over an hour in a traffic stop outside of Dubuque, leading Escucha Mi Voz to file a civil complaint.

Starting Monday, May 5th, in Moscow, Iowa, the Iowa Interstate Railroad will close Moscow Road, Crossing 54, for rail crossing repairs. Depending on the weather and the contractor's schedules, the repairs are estimated to take about two days to complete.

This closure will be between Cedar Street and 112th Street.

The City of Bettendorf is asking residents what they think of a proposed project to build a new police station on Devil's Glen Road near the city’s post office.

Assistant City Administrator Jeff Reiter says the current station is too small, lacks proper security and is not centrally located. After discussing expanding the current building or purchasing a private parcel the city determined building on city land is the most cost effective option.

“Today, based on the construction costs and our construction manager that we've worked with at Estes Construction, we are very confident with the contingencies that have been built into the potential cost that it would arrive at about a $27 million scenario. So our ask of the city, the residents, would be to vote in November to support a referendum to fund that.”

The bond would be a 20-year cycle. The referendum will be in November, and 60% of residents will need to vote yes for it to pass.

Residents can visit the city’s website to calculate what the referendum would mean for their annual taxes. The survey deadline is Monday, May 5th.

A traffic collision in Whiteside County involving a dirt bike and an SUV left one teenager dead.

In a news release Thursday, May 1, the Whiteside County Sheriff’s office says deputies were dispatched to the 18000 block of Lomax Road Wednesday afternoon in response to a traffic crash.

They located an unresponsive 13-year-old male who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation.

The City of Davenport is ending its AmeriCorps program after the Trump administration terminated nearly $400 million in grant funding nationwide.

In a news release Thursday, May 1st, Chief Communications Officer Denise Hnytka says the funding loss will affect 22 AmeriCorps members working in Davenport.

The grant funding and city match amounted to nearly $920,000, but is no longer available for the six members who were supposed to start their summer contracts.

Over the last 14 years, members supported programs in the Parks and Recreation Department, including the Davenport Junior Theatre. The grant funding supported two Davenport city employees. Outside partners affected by the loss of grant funding include Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley, Common Chord, and the Putnam Museum and Science Center.

The city has hosted 870 members on year-round and summer contracts.

The Quad City River Bandits and the University of Iowa’s independent newspaper, The Daily Iowan, announce that Brad Schultz is the recipient of the 2025 Steve Batterson Memorial Scholarship.

This scholarship is in honor of the late Steve Batterson, who was a 38 year old reporter at the Quad City Times. This scholarship is awarded to students attending the University of Iowa within the Journalism and Mass Communication program, who have a love for sports.

Batterson, passed away in June of 2023 and was a graduate of the University of Iowa, along with being a reporter at The Daily Iowan and serving on the Student Publications Inc. Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2023. While working for the Quad City Times, he covered local high school sports and Hawkeye athletics, and is estimated to have reported on over 2,000 River Bandit Games.

On top of the $1,000 scholarship, the recipient will be able to write for The Daily Iowan during the school year, and they will also be awarded a paid summer internship with the River Bandits.

Disability advocates worry proposed cuts by the Trump administration will eliminate their organizations.

A leaked budget proposal shows Health and Human Services plans to no longer fund several programs that help the vulnerable.

This includes the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, where Brooke Lovelace is the executive director.

“It's really scary that that might all go away, that all of that advocacy work that we've been doing in the last 50 years, we might take, you know, several decades steps back by eliminating our programs.”

If the cuts go through Congress, Lovelace says two other groups, Disability Rights of Iowa and the University Center for Excellence, would also be impacted.

The council is also warning about potential cuts in Medicaid funding, which Lovelace says would harm Iowans with disabilities and their families.

State Senator Li Arellano Jr. is continuing his Mobile Constituent Service Program in the 37th Senate District, with ten stops scheduled in May.

Although the Senator will be in Springfield throughout May, his staff will be in attendance at each of the Mobile Constituent Service events to hear from residents and the issues they care about.

Senator Arellano Jr. says he will begin attending these events in June.

These events will take place on:

• Tuesday, May 6th at the Pankhurst Memorial Library and Graves-Hume Public Library, 
• Wednesday May 14th at the Mineral-Gold Public Library, Neponset Public Library, and Sheffield Public Library,
• Tuesday, May 20th at the Earlville Public Library and Paw Paw Public Library, and on
• Tuesday May 27th at the Lillie M. Evans Library District, Dunlap Public Library District, and the Chillicothe Public Library. 

Senator Arellano Jr. represents constituents in Geneseo, Rapids City, and Sterling.

Starting Wednesday, April 30th, 120th Street will be closed in Muscatine for a bridge replacement and grading project over Mud Creek. The closure spans from Western Avenue to Vine Avenue.

Construction for this project is anticipated to take approximately three to four months, depending on the weather.

The SouthPark Mall in Moline is now in new hands.

The real estate investment trust Macerich sold the property to Kohan Retail Investment Group, based in New York, on Wednesday, April 30th.

In a news release, Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati says, “City of Moline Economic Development staff have been working diligently with prospective developers and businesses to bring the mall area back to life. We look forward to getting to know the new owners and working together to transform this important business district.”

The trust had owned the property since 2012.

K through 12 students at school districts across Iowa won’t be able to access their phones during instructional time starting next school year. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law on Wednesday, April 30th.

Schools could set tougher policies around cellphones but the law would set a baseline ban. There would also be exceptions for students with disabilities and who have individualized education plans.

Mike McGrory is the superintendent of Ottumwa Community School District, which already has a bell to bell cell phone ban in place. He says since the school district limited phone usage, grades and behavior have improved, as well as interactions outside of the classroom.

“It allowed, first, for our students to refocus on their learning, focus on their mental health, and also, and this is so important, building meaningful face to face relationships with each other”

Under the law, parents and guardians would also be able to request exceptions for their child due to mental or physical health reasons.

Iowa Second District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says she is not running for governor in 2026.

There has been speculation about which Republicans will be in the running for the GOP primary ever since Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she is not seeking reelection.

In a statement, Hinson said she will to stay in D.C. where she says Republicans have a once-in-a-generation chance to make lasting change with President Donald Trump.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks from Iowa’s First District has also ruled out a run for governor.

Former State Rep. Brad Sherman is the only Republican who has announced a campaign so far.

Dubuque residents can now communicate with the City through Report-2-DBQ. The online platform is accessible online and available for download on the App Store and Google Play, allowing residents to report concerns and request services from their mobile devices.

The app offers a “Knowledge Base” page that addresses frequently asked questions, program and policy descriptions, and provides other information helpful to residents and stakeholders.

Users can also upload their own photos and attachments, with the app automatically recognizing the location of a request, as well as receive updates on their reported concerns.

Democrats held onto a Statehouse seat in a special election in eastern Iowa. Democrat Angel Ramirez defeated Republican Bernie Hayes in a landslide victory, earning roughly 80 percent of the vote. She’ll represent House District 78, which includes part of Cedar Rapids.

Ramirez works as a peace facilitator with Kids First Law Center and co-founded a fellowship nonprofit in the area. She says seeing her blowout victory was an amazing moment for her.

“You know, we always try to move cautiously and be cautiously optimistic. But it’s a great number because we see it as support for a progressive movement, support for a progressive candidate, candidates of color, candidates who represent marginalized communities.”

Ramirez will fill the seat vacated by Democrat Sami Scheetz, who resigned from the House to take a new role as Linn County Supervisor.

Three new administrators are taking their seats for the 2025-26 school-year, after the Davenport Community School District made its selections.

Ellen Weishaar has been selected at Williams Middle School, having served in the school’s assistant-principal position. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s in education.

Dr. Tia Stevens-Hicks will succeed Tom Green as principal of Harrison Elementary School. She formerly held an administrative job in Killeen, Texas.

Michael Vukovich is slated to take over as director of secondary learning and results. He’s been serving as the district’s career-and-technical-education curriculum specialist, bringing two decades of experience as an educator.

All three individuals await board approval.

The home appliances manufacturer Whirlpool is delaying layoffs of more than a third of its employees at its Amana plant, located west of Iowa City.

The 650 layoffs were supposed to go into effect June 1st, but Whirlpool says they will now happen later in the year.

The corporation did not give a specific date or a reason for the delay, but says it is committed to keeping its employees updated on developments.

When Whirlpool first announced the layoffs, it said they are a necessary response to meet a drop in demand for refrigeration appliances.

Quad City residents can directly preserve their environment, and a local farmers’ market will help them do so.

“Trash Travels” tote bags will be available to shoppers at the Freight House and QC Farmers Market on Saturday, May 3. They’re part of an effort to reduce litter and pollution in the region.

The reusable bags feature messages of encouragement on how to protect waterways and were paid for as part of a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, starting in 2022.

Davenport, Scott County’s waste commission, and Rock Island’s waste management contributed to this initiative, and the totes are available at no cost while supplies last.

Dubuque residents can now communicate with the City through Report-2-DBQ. The online platform is accessible online and available for download on the App Store and Google Play, allowing residents to report concerns and request services from their mobile devices.

The app offers a “Knowledge Base” page that addresses frequently asked questions, program and policy descriptions, and provides other information helpful to residents and stakeholders.

Users can also upload their own photos and attachments, with the app automatically recognizing the location of a request, as well as receive updates on their reported concerns.

Western Illinois public school libraries are receiving more than $27,000 through the Secretary of State’s School District Library Grant Program. Fifteen school districts in Illinois’ 36th District are being awarded funding, including East Moline, Moline-Coal Valley, and Rock Island-Milan school districts.

Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin says this funding will ensure libraries have the funding they need to support students. Senator Halpin said in a press release, Thursday, April 24th, “Our children’s educations warrant access to the very best resources, reading materials and technology we have available. This money will bolster Western Illinois schools and help nurture bright young minds.”

The grants will fund updated resources and services, including library books, multilingual materials, and student programs.

Parents in a northeast Iowa school district are calling for stronger school policies after a group of students allegedly circulated AI-generated nude photos of their classmates.

Forty students’ faces were attached to nude bodies using AI and circulated throughout Cascade High School in the Western Dubuque School District.

At a special meeting on Monday night, April 28th, parents and officials discussed proposals to revise school policies.

Superintendent Dan Butler says he is working on prevention policies.

“It’s a challenging situation for us as school officials, it’s a challenging situation for our students, the victims, and it’s a challenging situation for our families.”

School officials discovered the photos at the end of March. The school is cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct an investigation.

Monmouth College is receiving nearly $1 million to help low-income students pursue STEM degrees.

Illinois’ 17th District Congressman Eric Sorensen is celebrating the federally funded grant as a win for Illinois colleges.

Congressman Sorensen said in a press release Tuesday, April 29th, “The best way to grow our economy and create good-paying jobs is to ensure we prepare our next generation with the tools necessary to succeed in a competitive world. This funding will ensure that everyone – no matter their financial situation – has a chance to pursue a high-paying career in a STEM field.”

Over its six-year duration, the grant will fund scholarships for 15 students pursuing their undergraduate studies in science, technology, engineering, or math.

The City of Moline’s Community and Business surveys are now open. This survey is available online for both residents and business owners.

This survey is an opportunity for people who live and work in Moline to provide feedback to the city, helping it determine priorities and long-term planning initiatives.

This survey is the second part of the City of Moline’s survey effort. The first part was sent out to randomly selected individuals to gather data. Now, everyone is invited to fill out a survey. Responses will directly inform the upcoming Moline Strategic Plan.

Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer has filed paperwork to launch a campaign for state auditor in 2026.

The filing was first reported by the Des Moines Register. Cournoyer was a Republican state senator until Governor Kim Reynolds appointed her to be lieutenant governor in December.

Reynolds has since announced she won’t run for reelection in 2026.

Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand is expected to run for governor, which would leave an open position for Cournoyer to pursue.

Trinity Muscatine Public Health is now offering free measles vaccinations to residents. The two-shot series is 97% effective and gives most people a lifetime of protection.

To make an appointment, call the Trinity Muscatine Public Health at (563) 263-0122, located at 1609 Cedar Street, Muscatine, IA, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All Muscatine County residents are eligible.

Illinois’ senior senator and Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins are leading a Senate delegation to Pope Francis’ funeral, occurring this Saturday, April 26.

Senator Dick Durbin in a media release says “We have lost the messenger, but we must hold fast to the message of Pope Francis to love and respect one another.” <end quote>

Durbin is attending with colleagues from Massachusetts, Missouri, and South Dakota.

The senator, who announced he is not seeking reelection, attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

Local grocers could see greater financial assistance from the state under a proposal passed out of the Iowa House on Thursday, April 24th.

The bill would establish a program to help small-town grocers pay for things like renovations and equipment upgrades.

Priority would be given to stores that accept SNAP benefits, provide jobs, sell local foods, and are located in the least-populated communities.

The legislation also creates a grant program for boosting local food processing.

Republican Representative Shannon Latham of Franklin County says the bill will help bridge the gap between local producers, processors, and consumers.

  “Grocery stores are truly the heart of our communities and local neighborhoods. They're vital for healthy Iowa communities. Not only do they provide nutritious food for residents, but these businesses add to our local economies.”

Lawmakers broadened the definition of grocery stores so small businesses in food deserts would qualify.

The proposal passed unanimously and next heads to the Senate for consideration.

The Illinois Commerce Commission is authorizing public safety upgrades to highway rails in Rock Island, Henry, and Bureau Counties.

Multiple crossing points will get automatic flashing light signals and gates, including 1st, 6th, 34th, and 41st streets in Moline.

The Grade Cross Protection Fund pays for this construction. The GCPF has increased funding for highway improvements, upgrades to current traffic signals, and the creation of more pedestrian crossings.

All work will be completed within eighteen months.

A federal district court judge has granted a temporary restraining order to four international students at the University of Iowa whose statuses were revoked by the Department of Homeland Security. The order calls for DHS to restore their status information and prevents DHS from arresting or deporting the students.

Court documents filed by their lawyers say the students experienced irreparable stress and educational disruption after their statuses and visas were terminated without any explanation. A preliminary injunction hearing was also set for May 5.

A three-part film series aiming to start the conversation about end of life kicks off on Sunday, April 27, at the CASI-Center for Active Seniors in Davenport.

The first two films in the “Let’s Have a Conversation” series are “Caregiver: A Love Story”, about a husband taking care of his terminally ill wife in her final days, and “Taking Care”, about Seth and Lauren Rogen looking after her mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

End of Life Doula Becky Nakashima Brooke chose the motion pictures to ease people into the end of life.

“People think they have plenty of time to think about all of these things, and they are hard conversations to have, but if we don’t start talking about it, we can’t start making changes in health care and care takers. It is affecting people at younger and younger ages.”

The final film screening May 18th is “The Last Estatic Days”, about a terminal brain cancer patient who livestreams his dying journey.

All the films will be shown at the CASI-Center starting at 1:30 p.m.

The Bettendorf Board of Education is setting its property tax levy for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

In a news release sent Thursday, April 24th, the Bettendorf Community School District says the rate is now $12.40 per $1,000 of property valuation.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Morse says, "Our goal is to provide the resources our students need to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally—while being conscientious about the impact on our taxpayers”

Iowa Second District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson held a town hall in Mason City Thursday, April 24. She faced pushback from some constituents on several of her positions.

The Republican congresswoman fielded questions about her support of possible Medicaid cuts, deportation policies, and the recent defunding of USAID programs by the Department of Government Efficiency.

Hinson reiterated her defense of DOGE, saying that she believes those tax dollars can be meaningfully rerouted toward economic expansion.

“I would much rather see that go to places that are going to incentivize that trade access and market development which are going to make us more competitive. I think the point of DOGE is to make sure those services are available to Americans long term, and we can strengthen those programs.”

The town hall was a follow-up to a virtual town hall held earlier this month.

The Dubuque City Manager, Mike Van Milligen, has appointed Joe Pregler as the city’s next chief information officer, replacing Chris Kohlmann, who is retiring after working in the IT department for 42 years.

Pregler was serving in the position on an interim basis when the city ended its national search. Pregler has been working at the city as the Chief Information Technology Security Officer since 2023 and has been with the city since 2001.

Pregler will manage the city’s IT office, leading the technology vision outlined in the city’s strategic plan and overseeing the city's IT infrastructure.

The Rock Island Public Library Foundation PALS (People Advocating for Library Services) volunteers are holding a “pay what you want” book sale on Friday, April 25th, and Saturday, April 26th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rock Island Downtown Library.

The book sale will have a variety of different genres available for both children and adults. Buyers are able to set their own prices unless marked otherwise.

There will also be specialty-marked tables selling puzzles, comics, vintage books, textbooks and homeschooling books all starting at $1.

Cash, checks, cards/ debit cards payments are accepted. All proceeds go to the Library Foundation.

The 2025 book sales will be held on the 4th Friday and Saturdays of April, July, and October.

Eight youth-lead projects in Dubuque are receiving microgrants to further their climate solutions. The city is one of 90 selected to participate in Round 2 of the Youth Climate Action Fund program, awarding Dubuque $100,000 from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The program helps young people ages 15 to 25 design and produce climate action plans.

Each microgrant recipient will receive up to $5,000 to achieve their project proposal goal, with efforts including pollinator-friendly gardens, sustainable 3D printing solutions, and a study of E. Coli in Dubuque’s waters.

Rock Island County has secured over 370,000 dollars in state funding to expand its job training program.

Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin said in a press release Tuesday, April 22, “This program gives folks a shot at hands-on experience with the financial support and guidance to get their foot in the door of a respectable career. If we want to rebuild our Western Illinois economy, we need the workforce to do it.”

Program participants attend tuition-free, receiving stipends and support services to enter the construction industry.

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, the number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges increased by 16 percent between 2022 and 2023.

Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati is bringing back Listening Posts, where community members can gather in an informal setting and meet with the mayor to discuss city matters and ask questions.

These Listening Posts are part of the City of Moline’s strategic plan, helping to keep the city on track with its priorities and investments over the next couple of years. Resident feedback helps to “shape the vision and goals of Moline’s future.”

These Listening Posts are open to the public. The first meeting will be held on Thursday, April 24 from 6-7 p.m. at the Butterworth Education Center. The second meeting will be held on Thursday, May 1st from 6-7 p.m. at the Moline Public Library.

A Johnson County Democrat has announced he is running for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.

Travis Terrell is a patient access specialist with University of Iowa Health Care in Johnson County. He’s running to unseat Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks in 2026, who he says has abandoned the district by refusing to talk to her constituents.

Terrell says health care, immigration, and campaign financing are areas he wants to see reform.

“When I'm in Washington and  you're wondering who I’m working for, you’ll never have to guess, because my family is still going to be here, and I’m going to be doing everything I can to protect them and every family like mine that got left behind.” 

So far, Terrell is the only Democrat who has announced a run for the seat.

The Bettendorf Community School District has selected Scott Martin as the new Director of Operations for the school district.

Martin has previously served as the Director of Operations for the Davenport Community School District and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation in Indiana. Martin has also served as the Chief Operations Officer and Deputy Superintendent for Indianapolis Public Schools.

Martin will step into this role with Bettendorf Community Schools on Monday, April 28.

After over 36 years with the City, Muscatine Fire Chief Jerry Ewers is set to retire on April 30.

Joining the department in 1988, Ewers has held every rank within the fire department, serving as fire chief since 2009. Ewers is the eighth Muscatine fire chief since the station became a paid department in 1916.

During his time, Ewers has been recognized as firefighter of the year by the Muscatine Journal, Career Individual of the Year by the Iowa EMS Association, and served terms as President, Vice-President, and Immediate Past President for the Iowa EMS Association.

His retirement follows Assistant Fire Chief Mike Hartman, who left the Muscatine Fire Department on April 1, but will return to lead the department in the interim.

Farmers are planning to grow fewer acres of soybeans this year in what's become a national shift away from the export-driven crop.

Federal data shows producers intend to plant about 4 percent fewer acres across the U-S than in 2024.

Bernt Nelson is an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation. He says the soybean market has been hurt by escalating tariffs between the U-S and China.

"We cannot talk about soybeans without thinking about China, and that's because they are such a massive buyer of U-S soybeans."

Nelson says many farmers are planning to shift acres to corn. That crop's prices have been improving in recent months.

The American Soybean Association released a statement earlier this month saying escalating tariffs are not only a threat to this year's growing season, but to the industry long term.

Hundreds of people packed into the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds Starlight Ballroom in Davenport Tuesday night, April 22, to discuss the effects of the Trump administration’s attempts to downsize federal agencies.

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride says the White House is trying to destroy unions by stripping federal employees of their collective-bargaining rights, but can’t take away the right to fight.

“In the labor movement, we believe in solidarity, that an injury to one is an injury to all, and so we're going to link arms and stand up for our rights to collectively bargain to make a better life for ourselves and our families.”

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, who also spoke at the event, says the hearings, in part, are to collect records of public sentiment to share with Congress and the executive branch.

“Whenever democracies are under threat the first person, the first people they come after is the organized labor union, the voice of workers.”

The hearing is one of many across the country held by the Department of People Who Work For A Living, created by AFL-CIO, in response to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency cutting jobs in various federal agencies.

Four University of Iowa international students are suing the government for terminating their student statuses. The graduate students say the federal government unlawfully terminated their F-1 statuses without any explanation and are challenging the actions under the Fifth Amendment.

Court documents say the students have not committed any criminal offenses and remained in good academic standing. Three are chemical engineering students and one is an epidemiologist for the state. Two are from China, and the other two are from India. The students are asking for their statuses to be restored.

The City of Moline is celebrating Earth Day with community spring cleaning. Keep Moline Beautiful is seeking volunteers to remove litter and debris near the I-74 ramps on Saturday, April 26th, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Volunteers will meet at the old Spiegel Building at 202 20th Street. The City will provide all cleanup supplies.

The Rock Island County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution backing a passenger rail that would connect the Quad Cities to Chicago.

In 2010, the US Department of Transportation awarded funds for the construction of a passenger rail line.

According to the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, the railway is projected to bring in $250 million over the next 10 years and create over 800 jobs.

The resolution has been approved by the City of Moline, METROLink, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, and other regional and community partners. It now awaits the approval of Governor J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois General Assembly, and other stakeholders.

The City of Moline is honoring late Mayor Stan Leach with a tree planting memorial Tuesday, April 22nd. The ceremony starts at 3 p.m. at the Moline Public Library.

Leach served from 1993 to 2005, making history as the first Mayor of Moline to be elected for three consecutive terms. He died in February at 90 years old.

Republican State Senator Mike Bousselot announced Monday, April 21st, that he’s exploring a run for governor.

He’s the first to announce a potential campaign since Governor Kim Reynolds said she won’t run for reelection in 2026. Former state representative Brad Sherman had previously announced he’s seeking the GOP nomination.

Bousselot has represented Ankeny in the Iowa Senate since 2023, and he served in the Iowa House for two years before that. He owns and operates real estate development and land investment businesses.

Bousselot worked as state budget director under Reynolds, and as chief of staff to former Governor Terry Branstad. Several other Republican elected officials are considering running for governor.

A Rock Island school’s weapon detection system went off this morning, Monday, April 21st, after a student brought a loaded gun to Rock Island High School.

Staff discovered a 17-year-old had arrived on campus with a loaded firearm and were able to confiscate the weapon without incident before Rock Island Police detained the teenager.

The student faces charges for Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of Firearms and Firearm Ammunition by a Person Under 18.

The case is currently under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Rock Island Police Department or Crime Stoppers.

A charity created in part by the speaker of the Illinois House is collecting donations from lobbyists, businesses, and unions that could benefit from his decision-making in Springfield.

That’s according to an investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times. Democratic House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has a charity called Black Excellence in Bleu.

Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout says donations to charities are recorded differently than from campaign donations.

"Just once a year, they have to tell the public how much money they’ve raised, but they don’t necessarily have to say who was giving them that money."

Armentrout says those who have given to the charity stand to benefit from Welch’s legislative decision-making.

Catholic leaders in Iowa are remembering Pope Francis for his attention to caring for people who are poor or vulnerable.

Francis died this morning, Monday, April 21st, at the age of 88.

Archbishop of Dubuque Thomas Zinkula said in a statement Pope Francis was humble and compassionate, and was especially committed to helping people on the margins of society.

Bishop Dennis Walsh of Davenport called Francis “a great champion for the rights of migrants and refugees.”

Francis served as Pope for 12 years and was the first to come from Latin America.

The Linn County jail has started housing a small number of people for U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement as part of a new contract signed in January.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office renegotiated a longstanding agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service, which included housing some federal inmates. Recently, it began taking in a small number of ICE detainees.

Sheriff Brian Gardner says ICE had been reaching out to his office, asking the jail to house detainees, leading up to the renegotiations.

“With the agreement with the Marshals Service, we provided them up to 70 beds. Last, when I checked, they were at the 50-ish range, so that left about 20 additional spaces that they could have filled and haven’t. And so, we told ICE that they were able to make up that difference if necessary.”

Gardner says Linn County is currently holding one or two people for ICE.

At a town hall in Lee County in southeastern Iowa on Tuesday, April 15th, Senator Chuck Grassley heard concerns from an overflow crowd of constituents frustrated with his response to actions taken by the Trump White House.

Inside the crowded city hall in Fort Madison, Grassley took questions from audience members on tariffs, immigration, and veteran affairs. He was interrupted by shouts and jeers, criticizing the Trump administration’s economic policies and its deportation of a Maryland man due to an “administrative error.”

One audience member said the Trump administration's deportations violate the constitution and urged Grassley to do something about it.

"These people have been sentenced to life imprisonment in a foreign country with no due process! Our government cannot do anything? Why won’t you do your job, Senator?”

Grassley said decades of Democratic leadership in the twentieth century are to blame for executive overreach.

Quad Citizens may decide the fate of the Centennial Bridge, which has connected Rock Island to Davenport for decades, as the Illinois and Iowa Departments of Transportation offer an open house for attendees to share their ideas.

The two transportation departments launched the U.S. 67 Corridor Project to explore options for the river crossing. Illinois DOT District 2 Studies and Plans Engineer Michael Kuehn says the bridge’s age has inspired conversations about its future.

“What the meeting is going to entail is trying to get public feedback on what they would like to see with respect to that bridge structure, whether it's maintaining it as is and continuing to do improvements every few years, or whether we should be pursuing some sort of alternative, such as a bridge replacement or large rehab on it.”

The Quad Cities public is invited to Rock Island’s Holiday Inn Thursday, April 17, at any time between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. to contribute input regarding one of its architectural gems.

Residents unable to attend can submit comments online. All comments sent in before May 1st will be included in their report.

A new pilot program in Davenport is putting off-duty police officers on foot patrol in the downtown area.

Fifteen officers will check in with downtown businesses and coordinate with local agencies like the Vera French Mental Health Center and Humility Homes and Services to make sure individuals can get the help they need.

Kyle Carter is the executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership, the city’s downtown management organization.

He says a similar program exists across the river, in Rock Island, Illinois.

“We're not reinventing the wheel. I mean, this model has been done all over the country. It’s new to us, but certainly something that other downtown organizations like ours are very engaged in all over the country.” 

The pilot program is scheduled to run for one year and has been given $65,000.

Carter says it may scale up in the future, and that the early response from businesses and people on the street has been positive.

Hundreds of international students across the nation are at risk of detention and deportation after having their visas revoked by the Trump Administration, now including students in the Quad Cities.

As of Friday, April 11th, three students at Augustana College have had their S-E-V-I-S status cancelled by the Department of Homeland Security. SEVIS, or the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, maintains the legal status of nonimmigrant students after their initial entry visas are approved.

In an email statement on Wednesday, April 16th, Augustana College Vice President of Enrollment & Communication Kent Barnds says, “Given the fast-moving situation and the fact that we are still assessing impact and implications, we are not able to speak about this at this time. As we learn more, and as the situation becomes clearer and more certain, we may be able to share more information at a later date.”

WQAD reports that two international students at St. Ambrose University had their visas revoked.

Last Friday, April 11th, Quad City area Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) visited a local child care organization to discuss the impacts of federal cuts on programs.

Support Advocacy Learning (SAL) Family and Community Services offers Head Start and Early Head Start programs and assists roughly 1400 families in the local area. Sorensen met with staff and parents at SAL’s Skip-A-Long center in Milan, located on 20th Avenue.

While SAL officials say their funding has yet to be affected, the organization remains uncertain about what is to come, following the closure of the regional office of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Chicago.

“But it is that threat. It is that possibility. It’s that risk, right? That in an administration that wants to cut costs everywhere, that it will come home here. And we’re already seeing that in Chicago, where a regional center has closed.”

In response to recent cuts, Sorensen said he led a letter to the Secretary of HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

High schoolers would have to pass the US citizenship test in order to graduate, under a bill passed out of the Iowa Senate on Monday, April 14th. The requirement would apply to students at public schools, as well as charter and private schools.

Students would be given multiple choice questions taken from the list of questions used for the US citizenship test. They would have to answer at least 60 percent correctly to pass.

Democratic Senator Art Staed of Cedar Rapids voted against the proposal. He says requiring the test won’t ensure students have an in-depth understanding of the material.                                             
“Students should not have to pass an immigration test to graduate, as these exams rely on rote memorization with minimal critical thinking. This approach does little to prepare young people for thoughtful civic and political engagement”

Supporters of the bill say requiring the test will make sure students understand how the government works and help them make informed decisions.

The bill passed 38 to 7 and next heads to the House.

International students nationwide are receiving notice that their student visas have been revoked.

In Illinois, an unknown number of international students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Northern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were told their visas had been revoked by the Trump administration.

In an email statement on Friday, April 14th, Augustana College says no international students have been impacted.

"Augustana College is aware of national reports regarding international student visa status. At this time, no international students at Augustana have had their visas revoked. We continue to monitor all federal updates closely and are committed to ensuring our students receive the support they need. Our international students remain an essential part of our community, and our focus is on their safety, well-being, and success."

Iowa Public Radio reports that an unknown number of international students at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University also received word that their visas have been revoked.

The second competition of the Quad Cities’ Tech Challenge was held at Bettendorf High School on Friday, April 11th.

Nineteen local high school teams had fifteen minutes to present their trebuchet design to a panel of engineers and thirty minutes to throw eggs at field targets.

Sanchia Sommer, Quad Cities engineer and science coordinator, says the trebuchet tests students’ engineering skills.

“Some of the teams are going through the design process, and they built it and done some testing, but now that it's out on the field, they’re getting real hands-on knowledge as to working through and solving problems and using critical thinking to come up with a solution if it’s not quiet working right how they came make adjustments.”

Lauren Hoffman

/

WVIK News

One of the participants, Pleasant Valley senior Jace Page, explains his team's strategy.

“Our trebuchet, what casts us out from the other ones, it's much thinner than the others. Basically, the wider you go, you got that weight pushing down, it's going to be more stress in the middle basically. The thinner it is, less chance for that bar to bend and got more accurate shots.”

Students also competed in a Battle of the Bridges last month, and are preparing for a cardboard boat race in May.

The individual winner will receive a scholarship sponsored by the Quad Cities Engineering and Science Council, and the top-scoring school will receive a traveling trophy.

Gov. Kim Reynolds is not running for reelection, setting up a wide open race in 2026.

Reynolds first became governor in 2017 after Gov. Terry Branstad was appointed as ambassador to China. She was reelected twice in 2018 and 2022.

In a video statement, Reynolds said she is stepping aside at the end of her term to give back to her family that has supported her political career.

Now it’s time for me to be there for them. To help them through the next stage of life. To see every track meet and basketball game. To see them grow before they’re all grown.”

Reynolds has led a Republican trifecta in state government since becoming governor. She has used it to enact a broad restructuring of state agencies, to expand charter schools and education savings accounts and to establish a flat income tax.

Former state representative Brad Sherman is the only Republican who has previously announced plans to run for governor. On the Democratic side, Paul Dahl of Webster City is the only candidate who has announced plans to run for governor so far.

State and federal officials have detected bird flu in a backyard flock in Hardin County.

A department of ag spokesperson says the flock included roughly 250 chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and guineas.

This marks Iowa’s seventh detection of the H-5-N-1 virus this year within domestic birds.

H-5-N-1 detections are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames.

The Centers for Disease Control continue to believe the threat to the general public remains low.

Eggs and poultry meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Iowa DNR is asking those who find five or more sick or dead wild birds within a week to report their findings to their local wildlife biologist or state conservation officer.

Rock Island drivers should be on the lookout for upcoming road closures beginning Monday, April 14. A detour will be set up at the intersection of the city’s 17th Street and 23rd Avenue.

The closure allows crews to perform an emergency sewer repair for sanitation purposes. Delays in drivers’ commutes can be expected, with normal traffic patterns returning within one week.

City officials encourage commuters to follow posted construction signs to recognize detour routes.

Dubuque Police are investigating a general threat of violence at the city’s Hempstead High School.

School officials notified officers about the threat shortly after 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 10, which led to increased security for students and staff through the regular time of dismissal.

A press release from the department says that the threat does not seem credible, but clarifies that Dubuque Police take these kinds of warnings of potential violence seriously.

The incident remains under investigation.

A Davenport man is now in custody in Rock Island in connection with the death of 19-year-old Alexis Roelandt at the 11th Street American Motor Inn last weekend.

Rock Island detectives, working with Davenport Police, took into custody 28-year-old Butch E. Roberson on Monday, April 7, after obtaining two arrest warrants. Roberson was then extradited from Iowa to Illinois.

He is being held in the Rock Island County Jail for two charges: first-degree murder and aggravated domestic battery. This development comes after Tuesday’s news that an autopsy ruled Roelandt’s death a homicide.

Twenty-one Moline high school seniors are heading to East Peoria on Saturday, April 12th, to compete in the Midwest Technical Institute’s annual welding competition.

MTI high school recruiter Carla Arnold says the annual competition brings prospective MTI students together to test their skills.

“So they're doing various types of welding. So it'll be a combination of different types as well as various angles and positions. When they come in, they're going to go over the plan with them, let them know what they'll be doing, and give them the timeframe.”

75 high school seniors are participating, each receiving a $500 scholarship. The top three welders will win an additional $5,000; $2,500 and $1,000 respectively.

Some students may also receive welding equipment in a raffle, donated by various businesses.

The competition begins Saturday morning at the MTI’s East Peoria campus.

The Rock Island Arsenal is preparing for the upcoming storm season with another exercise drill Friday, April 11th. The Installation Protection Exercise aims to test the U.S. Army Garrison staff on their procedures and plans based on a tornado strike scenario.

All public messaging will be identified as part of the exercise.

Some services at the Arsenal may be impacted throughout the day.

Construction of U.S. 20 in Galena is set to begin Monday, April 14th, between Gear Street and Industrial Drive. Pavement patching and inlet repairs will require daytime lane closures and flaggers controlling traffic. The project is expected to be completed in mid-June.

Quad Cities citizens came together at Bechtel Park in Davenport on Wednesday, April 9th, to protest the recent leaked messages from the Trump administration on the Signal app.

The organizers say this protest is to draw attention to the disregard for safety they feel the Trump administration has for veterans.

An attendee, Leslie Dupree notes that the Quad Cities is impacted by this lack of security, because of the veterans and active duty at the Arsenal, and in the Quad Cities area.

“We’re standing in front of the Rock Island Arsenal, and there are active duty troops there and many veterans in the Quad Cities area. And along with this, the national secruty problem, they’re also cutting veterans benefits and the staffing at VA hospitals, which is going in the wrong direction. I mean, if we really love our veterans, the Trump administration is certainly not showing it.” 

Many of the protesters brought brooms and signs to show the community that they are not going to “sweep this issue under the rug.”

Allie Lewis

/

WVIK News

Bett Menard helped bring this protest together and stressed that this issue impacts those on both sides of the aisle.

“We decided to focus on the Signal issue because it’s something non-partisan. People on either side of the aisle want our troops to be taken care of and want people who are making decisions to make good decisions and take their role seriously.” 

Protestors marched down to Joni Ernst’s office to deliver comment cards regarding this issue.

Layoffs took place across the state of Iowa for a non-profit that helps serve immigrants and refugees. Officials say they still plan to provide services to help people acclimate to a new country.

Lutheran Services in Iowa laid off about a third of the 100 employees (at the end of March) who help immigrants and refugees at offices in Des Moines, Waterloo and Sioux City. The nonprofit lost federal funding in January after President Trump took office.

"It's really sad and there's a huge blow and loss for the community.”

That’s LSI’s Nick Wuertz, who says donations are helping keep about half of the impacted employees on the job through April.

“People in local communities really value their immigrant refugee neighbors and value the diversity and the contributions they bring to the community.”

Wuertz says the organization is still looking for money to help immigrants and refugees with higher rent and utility costs.

He adds that travel has stopped for all new arrivals, even people vetted and screened to come into the country.

LSI employs about 400 people in Iowa and says programs focusing on foster care, adoption and early childhood are still operating as normal.

The Junior Achievement of the Heartland announced on Tuesday, April 8th, the upcoming retirement of President and CEO Dougal Nelson. Nelson is finishing his time at JA, starting in 2001 as a volunteer, before taking on a leadership position in 2016. In 2018, Nelson was appointed to his current role.

During his time as president, Nelson oversaw the opening of the JA Inspiration Center in October 2024, and was awarded in 2022 for his leadership within the organization with the Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award.

The Board of Directors are launching a national search for the next President and CEO in preparation for Nelson’s retirement, effective September 30th

Governor Kim Reynolds is setting a special election in Iowa House District 78 on April 29th, after the resignation of state representative Sami Scheetz.

Scheetz, a Cedar Rapids Democrat, resigned April 1st. He left his seat to fill a vacant position on the Linn County Board of Supervisors.

House District 78 covers downtown Cedar Rapids, as well as surrounding areas east of the Cedar River and a part of the west side. Whoever wins Scheetz’s former spot will serve the remainder of his term, which concludes in November 2026.

Students wouldn’t be allowed to use their phones during instructional time in schools, according to a proposal passed by the House and sent to the governor on Tuesday, April 8th.

School districts could adopt tougher policies but would have to keep the state’s baseline ban.

If the bill becomes law, schools would have to adopt the ban in time for the next school year.

The plan was first proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds. In a statement after the vote, Reynolds said she’s looking forward to signing the bill. She says digital distractions in the classroom are at an all-time high and students deserve to learn free from the disruption of personal devices.

The Rock Island County Coroner is ruling the death of a woman who was found in a Rock Island motel over the weekend a homicide.

Rock Island Police were dispatched to the American Motor Inn on 11th Street Saturday morning for a wellness check. Officers discovered the body of 19-year-old Alexis Roelandt upon arrival.

The incident remains under investigation.

The Bi-State Regional Commission is seeking input on their Andalusia Road/Indian Bluff Road Corridor Study at an open house Wednesday, April 9th, afternoon from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Camden Centre on 2701 1st Street East, Milan.

Residents have the opportunity to offer input on potential strategies for the project corridor, spanning from Turkey Hollow Road to U.S. 150. Project team members from Rock Island, Milan, Moline, Rock Island County and the Bi-State Regional Commission will be available to offer more information about the project.

The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court is changing this fall.

In a press release on Tuesday, April 8th, Judge Linnea E. Thompson announced she is not seeking retention this fall.

Judge Thompson has served on the circuit court since 2013, when the Supreme Court appointed her to fill a vacancy. She was elected in 2014 for a six-year term and retained her seat in 2020.

She serves as a Supervising Probate Judge in Rock Island County, presiding over civil cases.

The general election is November 3rd, 2026.

The Rotary Club of Clinton, Iowa, has created a network to address food insecurity after a Food Security Summit.

The summit had two workshops where different organizations and volunteers focused on finding solutions. Initiatives are forming more corporate relationships and creating different gardens within the community.

The Clinton community has already begun to see an increase in donations and information referrals.

Rotary Club President Carrie Donaire says this summit is just the start.

“When I had the idea for this project, I thought the event would be the culmination of everything and really sort of tie a bow on it and get everyone together. And now I’m looking at it through a different lens because I see it as a beginning. And I think this summit is kicking off what is going to be an important sustainable initiative for Clinton and for our community.”

Donaire is working on hosting quarterly meetings.

They’ll be keeping in contact for the next two years about addressing food insecurity. Resources from the event will be on the Rotary Club website.

Johnson County supervisors sent a letter to Governer Kim Reynolds objecting to a bill that would change the county’s election procedures. If signed into law, the bill would require the three counties with a Regents University to elect their supervisors by equal-sized districts, rather than at-large.

In the letter, the county supervisors say the bill is a “targeted interference” and urge Reynolds to be evenhanded to all of Iowa’s 99 counties.

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is made up entirely of Democrats and supporters of the bill say it would reduce voter suppression in rural areas. It is currently awaiting the governor’s signature.

The Illinois State Police are asking the public for any information regarding nails being scattered along Interstate 80.

On Saturday, April 5th, two troopers found a large amount of roofing nails across the emergency crossovers between Geneseo and Atkinson on Interstate 80. Further investigations found that nails had been scattered across several other crossovers in I-80, some inside plastic Easter eggs.

Troopers are also checking crossovers near the Iowa border on I-80, along with other interstates as well.

If anyone witnessed this incident, heard about the incident, or has any information that may aid in the investigation, contact ISP DCI Zone 2 Special Agent Nicholas Rubino at 309-752-4915, ext. 4931.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is holding an announcement event for the continuation of improvements to the city of Dixon’s pathways.

Project Revitalizing Opportunities for the Community and Kids or (ROCK) is building a pedestrian bridge across the Rock River, creating new walking paths, and improving Page Park. Last summer, the project built a path connecting Dixon’s south end to downtown.

IDOT will announce the project at the Page Park Bandshell, Chuck Vail Drive and Page Drive, on Tuesday, April 8th, at 10:30 a.m.

The entire project is expected to wrap up in June 2026 by connecting the riverfront, Dixon High School, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts.

A 19-year-old Davenport woman found dead in the Rock Island American Motor Inn has now been identified.

Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson says the victim is Alexis Roelandt of Davenport. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8th.

In a Rock Island Police Department news release, Roelandt was found during a welfare check late morning Saturday, April 5th. The incident remains under investigation.

A hit and run in Davenport on Friday, April 4th, left a seven-year-old child with serious non-life-threatening injuries.

In a Davenport Police Department media release, a domestic disturbance between two adults at the 4300 block of North Division Street ended with 31-year-old Damazio Moore allegedly fleeing the scene after striking a child with his vehicle Friday afternoon. The child was transported to a local hospital.

Moore was located by Iowa State Patrol and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault Resulting in Bodily Injury; Criminal Mischief 4th Degree; Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Injury; Reckless Driving; and No Insurance Involving an Accident.

The incident remains under investigation.

Construction has kicked off in downtown Davenport on a multi-million dollar riverfront project.

City leaders broke ground Thursday, April 3rd, on the Main Street Landing development next to the SkyBridge and Dam 15. The 10 acre park will include playgrounds, restrooms, water features, and a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks.

Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said the green space is also designed to endure periodic flooding.

“This will be a state of the art riverfront destination place that works with one of our gateways in the Midwest, our friend the Mississippi River. So that's a big part of this.”

The Main Street Landing is estimated to cost about $24 million and be completed in 2026. It’s funded by a state tourism grant as well as federal pandemic recovery dollars and settlement money from the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern rail merger.

New traffic barriers are up on the I-74 bridge to protect pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the Mississippi.

IDOT workers began pouring concrete Thursday, April 3rd, and installed concrete bollards on both sides of the walkway on Friday, April 4th. The bollards come nearly three years after a drunk driver drove onto the walkway, killing 21-year-old Ethan Gonzalez and 18-year-old Anthony Castaneda. A third person was also injured.

The Moline and Bettendorf city councils approved plans to install the traffic barriers earlier this year.

Iowa’s US senior senator is cosponsoring legislation to rein in President Trump’s authority on tariffs.

Senator Chuck Grassley and Democrat Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington say the Trade Review Act of 2025 would require the executive branch to notify Congress within 48 hours of any new tariffs or tariff increases.

The bill also includes an expiration date after 60 days unless Congress approves the tariffs. Senator Grassley posted video online Wednesday saying he is wary of the President’s trade plan.

"I am a free and fair trader. If President Trump is successful in reducing tariffs in other countries, I'm going to say, amen. Praise the Lord. But if he's unsuccessful, I'll say I told you so."

Grassley’s bill would also allow Congress to end any tariff at any time by passing a resolution of disapproval.

The Dubuque City Council is discussing its fiscal year 2026 budget tonight, April 3rd, and the public is invited to provide input.

Residents can find presentations on budget items on the city’s website under the council agenda.

That includes information on Dubuque health services, library operations, housing, and community development.

The city council is set to also vote on loan applications for Catfish Creek Sewer improvements, Middle Fork and South Fork projects as well as the track line sanitary sewer reconstruction project.

The meeting begins at 6:30 at the Historic Federal Building on 6th Street.

Iowa Second District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson defended layoffs and federal funding cuts led by Elon Musk and DOGE in a virtual town hall on Wednesday, April 2nd.

The Republican Congresswoman fielded questions on the Farm Bill, tariffs, and was met with some resistance to her support of the Department of Government Efficiency.

A constituent who called in to the town hall said they felt as though federal budget cuts would negatively impact the district.

Hinson defended her position, arguing the cuts freed up more resources for programs in Iowa.

"I think that taxpayers last year spoke very, very clearly, and they said they want us to hold the federal government accountable," Hinson said. "And it's unfortunate that obviously we have this much waste that we're finding. But what I do want to see happen is that we make sure we make services more effective for Iowans."

Hinson also reiterated her support for passing voter I-D laws at the federal level.

Bettendorf residents will see a two-percent increase in their Solid Waste Fees over the next couple of months.

Finance Director Jason Schadt says the additional funding will go towards the Spencer Creek lift station project and help pay for improvements at the wastewater treatment plant in Davenport. Bettendorf shares the plant with Panorama Park, Riverdale, and Davenport.

“So the city, Bettendorf's share of that $30 million is somewhere around $6 or $7 million. Things like digester replacements, bar screen replacements, these are critical to the operation of the wastewater treatment plant and pretty important to all of us that utilize the sewer system.” 

Schadt says the average resident’s bill will go up about four dollars over the year. The city is also raising its sanitary sewer fee by 22 cents. The rate increase took effect April 1st.

The Illinois Deparment of Transportation is closing Illinois 84 in Fulton starting Monday, April 7, to repair the Union Pacific Railroad crossing located south of U.S. 30.

There will be a traffic detour available while the project is being completed. Construction is anticipated to last for approximately one week.

Drivers should expect delays, allow for extra time when traveling through this area, or consider alternate routes. Drivers are also urged to pay close attention to road signs, conditions, and workers in these construction areas.

Former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Mark McCormick has died.

McCormick served on the court for nearly 14 years starting in 1972 before returning to private practice. He later entered politics and narrowly lost in the Democratic primary for governor to Tom Vilsack in 1998. He also ran for Des Moines mayor.

In a statement, Chief Justice Susan Christensen said McCormick’s “keen intellect, steady wisdom and generous spirit” left an impression on the people who knew him.

McCormick was 91.

The Rock Island County Clerk reports Ashley Harris has defeated incumbent Michael Thoms in the race for Rock Island Mayor.

Unofficial results from Tuesday’s election, April 1, show Harris garnered 51 percent of the beating Thoms by less than 200 votes. Harris is an Army veteran, local theater actor and a career machinist for John Deere. Mike Thoms was vying for his third term since first taking office in 2017.

Meanwhile, the new Mayor of Silvis will be Robert Cervantes who ran unopposed and was endorsed by incumbent Matt Carter.

In the race for Colona Mayor, Brian Johnson defeated Donald Ropp Junior with 65 percent of votes cast.

In Galesburg, incumbent Peter Schwartzman secured another term as mayor after a close race against former mayor John Pritchard.

The home appliances manufacturer Whirlpool announced mass layoffs Tuesday morning, APril 1st, at its facility in Amana. 650 people will be laid off, roughly a third of the plant's employees.

A spokesperson from Whirlpool says the layoffs are a necessary measure to meet a drop in demand for some of the appliances made in Amana, particularly refrigerators.

Charlie Wishman is the president of the Iowa Federation of Labor. He says recently announced tariffs and state legislation cutting unemployment benefits will hurt people impacted by the layoffs.

“In a town like Amana, this is truly going to devastate that community. And when a company like Whirlpool is making 17 billion dollars in sales last year, that’s nothing compared to what the residents in that area are going to be facing.”

The layoffs will go into effect June 1.

The federal Institute of Museum and Library Services has placed all 70 members of its staff on administrative leave, and some Iowa organizations are concerned about how it could affect their funding.

The federal agency awards grants to museums and libraries across the United States. It allotted the State Library of Iowa over $10 million dollars over the last five years for various projects, including funding technology and resources.

Last year, the Dubuque Museum of Art was awarded nearly $75,000 dollars to hire and train staff and facilitate school visits. But because the money is paid on a reimbursement basis, Executive Director Gary Stoppelman says the museum may end up footing the bill on its own.

“We've made the hire. We were about to begin the training, and we will not be able to submit those invoices because there's no one to process them.”

Last month, President Trump gave an executive order to dismantle seven federal agencies, including the I-M-L-S.

A Monmouth resident is facing multiple charges after allegedly carjacking a vehicle in Rock Island Sunday night, March 30th.

The Rock Island Police Department reports, 32-year-old Tory Schultz approached a driver sitting in his vehicle around 9:20 PM, cutting into his neck and pulling him out of his car. The victim was treated and released from a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police located the vehicle in Galesburg using a license plate reader system. Monmouth police officers later found and transported Schultz to Knox County Jail.

Schultz faces charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking, armed robbery, aggravated battery and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

The City of Moline is seeking public input to help inform its upcoming strategic plan, with two separate surveys: one for residents and one for Moline business owners. Feedback on issues, including government services and quality of life will be considered within the plan.

Randomly selected Moline households are receiving invitations to complete the National Community Survey, with access to all residents opening in the coming weeks.

Business owners are encouraged to share their experiences, challenges and priorities in the National Business Survey.

Residents can sign up to receive a notification when the survey is available at the City of Moline’s website.

Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities is building accessibility ramps for Rock Island and Scott County residents. Applications to have a ramp installed are available at the non-profit’s Davenport office at 3625 Mississippi Avenue, or for download at habitatQC.org. 

Homeowners selected will pay a sliding fee based upon household income and project size, with applications selected throughout the year.

Bryan Renfro is joining Eastern Iowa Community Colleges this summer as its next chancellor.

Renfro, who brings more than 20 years of experience in academic leadership and instruction, is currently President of John Wood Community College in Quincy, Illinois.

As he takes on the new role, Renfro said he will steward the college and its public resources.

In a press release Tuesday, April 1, Renfro said, “I will work to ensure that education remains accessible and affordable, and I will strive to foster innovation that expands partnerships, develops new academic programs, and enhances the support systems our students need to succeed.”

Renfro will begin his new role on July 1, succeeding Interim Chancellor Liang Chee Wee.

Illinois voters are heading to the polls today, April 1st, for the 2025 consolidated election.

Several mayoral races are on the ballot in the Quad Cities area including Rock Island, Moline and East Moline.

Voters are also deciding numerous ballot measures concerning local schools and public safety. Illinois polling places are open until 7 p.m.

Any eligible voter in line by then will still be allowed to vote. More information on polling locations and what kinds of ID are accepted to vote can be found online at elections.IL.gov.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins made her first official visit to Iowa on Monday, March 31st.

It came just days before President Trump has promised to roll out more tariffs.

At the Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner in Ankeny, Secretary Rollins said the previous administration sat on the sidelines in trade negotiations, which gave other countries an advantage.

Rollins said Trump’s plan includes balanced trade deals and increased market access for US exports.

“As you remember from President Trump’s first term. He will not forget our farmers when he’s negotiating with our foreign leaders. He is the ultimate deal maker, and he is going to ensure that our farmers are being treated fairly by our trading partners.”

But many ag groups worry that escalating trade wars could harm export markets for American farmers.

The trade war in Trump’s first term resulted in an estimated loss in ag exports of more than 27 billion dollars.

To offset losses, the USDA distributed $23 billion dollars to farmers.

Funding for two local food production programs was cut in early March. Now, some farmers in eastern Iowa are sitting on surplus produce they need to figure out how to sell.

The Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs were approved under the Biden administration, but the USDA’s new leadership cut the programs.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said they were COVID-era programs. Emma Johnson is an owner of Buffalo Ridge Orchard in Central City.

“Local food is going to be more expensive. Because currently, we’re at a stage where every farm is having to do every single part of production—sales, distribution, all of it. And this is why it was so important to actually build the infrastructure for local food.”

Johnson says her orchard has roughly 50,000 pounds of apples that she needs to find a new way to sell.

The Illinois Arts Council is hosting an informational session for local artists.

Program Director Jerome Grand will discuss the IAC’s mission, the grants available to fund creative projects and tips on applying for future applications.

The session is this Wednesday, April 2nd, at 1 p.m. at the Quad City Arts in Rock Island.

For more information and RSVP link, contact jerome.grand@gmail.com.

A bill passed by an Iowa Senate committee on Monday, March 31st, would take out the requirement that says bullying has to target a particular trait or characteristic of a student. It would also remove a section from law that gives examples of traits, such as age, color, disability and political beliefs.

The new definition would say bullying has to be repeated and targeted. Democratic Senator Sarah Trone Garriot of West Des Moines says requiring behaviors to be repeated could make it harder to catch some situations of bullying.

“That’s saying that ‘if it happens once or maybe twice, it’s okay’ – we’re not going to report it, we’re not going to take it seriously, but it has to be repeated efforts. That’s a problem for me. ”

Supporters say the bill would make it easier for schools to spot and address all kinds of bullying, including some that might not involve a specific trait.

The bill next to heads the Senate floor.

Road construction kicks off this week in downtown Davenport to convert a few one-way streets into two-way thoroughfares.

The $14 million project will reconfigure 3rd and 4th Streets between Harrison and East River Drive. The first phase of the plan begins with resurfacing 3rd Street between Telegraph and Harrison.

Travel will be reduced to one lane and drivers should expect delays or consider alternate routes downtown. Work to resurface 4th Street may begin as early as this fall and is expected to be complete by fall 2026. The Davenport City Council approved the project in 2023.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who died in a car crash near Blue Grass on Monday night, March 24th.

The victim was 71-year-old Bruce Walter of Muscatine.

According to the Sheriff’s office, Walter was driving south on 70th Avenue when his 2018 Nissan Rogue hit a ditch, went airborne and crashed into a utility pole.

The sheriff’s office has closed the investigation.

Davenport Police are investigating a fatal car crash early Friday morning, March 28th, close to St. Ambrose University.

According to the department, a 25-year-old driver died after his vehicle smashed into a building near Harrison and West Pleasant Street.

It appears the vehicle was traveling northbound on Harrison, in the opposite direction of the one-way street. Police say the victim was the only one in the car and no other vehicles were involved.

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities says a mixture of strong southwest winds, unseasonably warm temperatures and low humidity raises the threat of fires this afternoon and evening.

Our entire WVIK listening area is under an elevated fire danger until 8 tonight, March 28th.

People should avoid burning, leaving cigarettes on the ground, and using farm machinery cautiously. Due to the dry vegetation, fires could spread quickly.

East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman is touting the start of the city’s Greater Downtown Revitalization Project. During his state of the city address on Thursday, March 27th, Freeman said the project is funded with nearly $24 million from the Department of Transportation and $9 million from state and local funding.

Director of Engineering Tim Kammler added that after a year of public input and design, construction is set to begin from the Bend Event Center to 15th Avenue.

“The first project will be the addition of multi-use paths, landscaping, and other amenities along the existing road network at the Bend. This is scheduled to start April 14th, in a couple weeks, weather permitting, and this project has already been awarded to a local contractor.”

The city expects to start construction from 15th Avenue to 9th Street in June, including the festival area. Phase one is expected to finish by the end of the year. Improvements include wider pedestrian areas with more sitting options, landscaping and walking paths.

Also, during the mayor’s State of the City address, Mayor Freeman announced the East Moline Business Improvement Grant program.

City Administrator Mark Rothert explained the initiative will offer a half-million dollars annually, funded by a three-quarters percent business district sales tax approved last year.

“So all East Moline businesses located in business districts will be eligible to apply. The overall purpose of the BIG program is to support rehabilitation and preservation of commercial properties, encourage new business relocation and development, and retain, revitalize, and expand existing businesses in East Moline's major commercial corridors.”

Rothert said the program will officially open in a few months and applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Grant funding will be limited to up to 60 percent of a project's total cost.

Firefighters responding to a house fire in Moline Wednesday, March 26th, afternoon rescued a child who had not evacuated with family members.

In a press release, the Moline Fire Department says it contained the fire to an area inside the home at 2103 15th Street A. However, the occupants who escaped could not locate a small child from the household. First responders searched the residence and located the kid unharmed in an unattached garage.

The American Red Cross is assisting the 10 residents who were displaced due to smoke and fire damage to the home.

The department’s bureau of investigations is looking into the cause of the fire.

The Iowa House has passed a bill that would prohibit the use of eminent domain for the construction of pipelines to carry carbon dioxide.

If passed, it would apply to new pipeline proposals. It would not apply to Summit Carbon Solutions’ plan to collect CO2 from ethanol plants in Iowa to store the emissions underground in North Dakota.

House Speaker Pat Grassley says the Senate has not committed to passing any of the House bills dealing with eminent domain and carbon pipelines.

“There’s a significant majority of our caucus that feels that that is something we have to continue to push forward for and for us to just say, well, that we don’t know whether the senate will do it or not, I don’t think is a good enough reason for us not to continue to push.” 

Summit’s pipeline was approved by the Iowa Utilities Commission last June but it can only be built after it’s approved by other states on the route.

Approval in South Dakota is uncertain after a law was passed there banning the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines.

Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport has been named the Best Minor League Ballpark in America by USA Today for a third year in a row.

The newspaper published its rankings on Wednesday, March 26th, noting the venue’s unique features, including a mini amusement park and a view of the Centennial bridge spanning the Mississippi River.

The home of the Quad Cities River Bandits is the fourth-oldest ballpark in Minor League Baseball built in 1931.

The QC River Bandits' home opener is set for Tuesday, April 8, against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

The Rotary Club of Clinton County is teaming up with local organizations and food pantries to coordinate help for people facing food insecurity.

The Food Security Summit will meet Thursday, March 27th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with workshops to explore challenges and find lasting solutions.

Rotary Club President Carrie Donaire explains the summit’s importance.

“Most of these organizations are working on many different issues so being able to focus specifically on hunger and food insecurity is just making sure that that issue gets the spotlight for a day and that we really work creatively and work together.”

Participants are encouraged to bring their own resources on food and education, which will later be available online after the summit. The event is open to the public but space is limited.

The event is at the Clinton Community College Career Advancement Center, 1210 11th Ave. South in Clinton.

The city of Galesburg is alerting residents about a water service line replacement project that will close a portion of Losey Street on Thursday, March 27th, and Friday, March 28th.

Weather permitting, the city will close Losey Street between Harrison and Rio Street from 7:00 a.m. to noon on Thursday.

On Friday, the work continues from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Iowa Senate is considering a bill that stems from efforts to access records held by the City of Davenport. The Iowa House on Monday, March 24th, unanimously passed the measure filed in response to Davenport paying former city employees nearly $2 million to settle harassment allegations.

Bettendorf Republican Gary Mohr is sponsoring the bill. He says Davenport residents also deserve more transparency related to the deadly apartment building collapse in 2023.

"Three people died. One leg from a fourth was amputated," Mohr said. "Taxpayer funds were channeled to former city employees and no answers after two years. To the people of Davenport and the Iowa Quad Cities, we in this room hear your disgust and frustration.”

Mohr’s bill would require transparency law training for public officials and increase penalties for violations. The Legislature approved similar legislation last year but it was vetoed by the Governor.

Iowa’s law aimed at removing all books with explicit sexual content from school libraries has been blocked for a second time by a federal judge.

The law faces ongoing legal challenges from groups including major book publishers, teachers, students and LGBTQ rights advocates. Judge Stephen Locher said in a ruling released on Tuesday, March 25th, that the law would likely be found unconstitutional. He said the law covers a small number of books that may be reasonable to remove from schools, but it also forces out dozens more titles that have educational value.

The ruling prevents the state from enforcing the law as the case goes forward. In a statement, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said she will continue to fight to uphold the law. She says it ensures that books in schools are age-appropriate.

Authorities are investigating the origin of a bomb threat called into Monmouth-Roseville High School on Tuesday afternoon.

Police were notified of the threat around 2 p.m. and the school at 200 S. B St. in Monmouth was evacuated, following protocols practiced during routine safety drills.

According to a release from the city, the response included the maximum deployment of local officers, as well as support from other agencies.

Multiple K9 units trained in explosive detection were also deployed to the school.

No explosive or harmful devices were found on school grounds.

Authorities believe the call likely originated in Chicago, according to the release.

The Monmouth Police Department continues to investigate the source of the bomb threat, in collaboration with federal and state authorities.

Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Monmouth Police Department at (309) 734-8383.

Candidates on the Rock Island ballot will share their visions during a candidate forum this Wednesday night, March 26th.

The Rock Island NAACP is partnering with the West End Revitalization of the Martin Luther King Center to host a student-led forum. The students are from the Thurgood Marshall Learning Center’s Revitalization Club.

Candidates attending include: Glen Evans, Linda Barnes, Sarah Wright, Mark Sikes, Laurie Figley, Dylan Parker, William Healy, Ashley Harris and Mike Thoms.

The forum begins at 6 p.m. at the YWCA, 513 17th Street, Rock Island.

The consolidated election is set for Tuesday, April 1st.

The Iowa National Guard is hosting a town hall this Tuesday evening, March 25, to discuss the deployment of the 224 Brigade Engineer Battalion to the Middle East.

Over 1,800 guardsmen are traveling to Fort Johnson in Louisiana for a 21-day training rotation at the fort’s Joint Readiness Training Center before deploying to the Middle East to assist Operation Inherent Resolve, a military campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

The town hall is open to the public, and there is an opportunity for a Q&A. It starts at 6 p.m. at the Davenport Readiness Center, 5300 Kimberly Road.

MidAmerican Energy crews are shutting down a portion of State Street in Bettendorf for project work starting at midnight Wednesday, March 26th.

The twenty-to-forty-minute project is occurring east of Devils Glen Road. To ensure worker safety, the road will be shut down entirely at 4077 State Street. The public will need to find alternative routes during this time.

A 71-year-old man from Muscatine died Monday night, March 24, after driving into a ditch near the intersection of 165th Street and 70th Avenue.

Around 9:30 Monday night, the driver passed the center line into a ditch, causing the Nissan Rogue to go airborne until it hit a utility pole. The driver was wearing their seatbelt.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident with assistance from Scott Emergency Communications Center, Blue Grass Fire Department, Blue Grass Police Department, Walcott Police Department, Scott County Medic EMS and MedForce.

The sheriff’s office is not releasing the driver’s identity at this time.

Two Davenport students are facing a first-degree harassment charge after allegedly threatening violence to students and staff at the Sudlow Middle School.

In a press release sent Monday, March 24, the Davenport Police Department says the threat was not credible, but because of the seriousness of the possible threat - a 12 and 13-year old were arrested.

On Monday morning, law enforcement and the middle school placed additional security measures out of an abundance of caution. The incident remains under investigation.

Construction is set to begin next month on a new museum campus for historical artifacts in Galena. That’s despite delays in federal grant funding earmarked for the project. Galena-Jo Daviess Historical Society Executive Director Tessa Flak says, after a nearly two month delay, a one-point-eight million dollar grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration has cleared a second review. But she says another half-million dollar grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services has likely been lost after President Trump signed an executive order cutting the agency’s funding.

“It has not been released. It's not looking positive at this point. All of that funding was to go towards this last phase for the transportation of artifacts, new museum-grade cases, and then the archival room.”

Flak says the society still needs to raise two-point-five million dollars to cover those costs, including the transfer of fourteen-thousand artifacts. The Society is building a new museum campus to move from the current location it shares with the U S Grant Museum in Galena.

The estimated opening is summer 2026.

Illinois State prosecutors are charging a former Carroll County Sheriff's Deputy for the death of 18-year-old Jackson Kradle. The charges announced Monday, March 24, come nearly eight months after Kradle’s body was found on a rural highway near Mount Carroll. 44-year-old Matthew Herpstreith of Savanna is facing multiple counts including reckless homicide, obstructing justice, and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Kradle was fatally struck by a vehicle on Route 78. Herpstreith as well as a police dispatcher, called the non-emergency line to report the young man’s death. Herpstreith is set to appear in court on April 17th.

Galesburg has removed its police chief Russell Idle after a two-week investigation into sexual harassment allegations. In a statement Monday, March 24, Galesburg Mayor Eric Hanson said Deputy Chief Kevin Legate will continue to serve as the Acting Police Chief. Idle was placed on paid administrative leave on March 6th. He worked for the department for 30 years and had been chief since 2019.

The deaths of two Bettendorf residents found in their home last week are now being investigated as a murder-suicide. Bettendorf Police announced Monday that the two people whose bodies were discovered last Wednesday were long-time residents of the home on Hopewell Avenue. The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office is still conducting autopsies to determine their official causes of death. Next of kin have been notified, but identities are still unknown.

The League of Women Voters of the Kewanee Area is partnering with WKEI radio to host a Henry County candidate forum on Wednesday, March 19th.

Voters will hear from candidates running in the April First elections for Kewanee City Council, Wethersfield School Board, Black Hawk College Board of Trustees, and Kewanee Township Trustees.

The forum starts at 7 PM at the Kewanee City Hall, 401 E 3rd St.

It will also be broadcast live on WKEI 1450 AM and 102.1 FM. Sample ballots can be found online at Henry County’s website.

The Augustana College’s men's lacrosse team has suspended its season after just three games. The college’s athletic department announced the suspension on Monday, citing a small roster size and injuries.

Athletics Director Mike Zapolskisays the team will continue training through the end of April and he’s confident that the program will increase its recruitment numbers over the next few seasons.

The Iowa Senate passed a bill on Monday that would prohibit cities with a civil service commission from having a citizen police review board.

Five cities in Iowa, including Dubuque, currently have boards that allow members of the public to review police misconduct and discipline.

The bill would also change procedures for civil service commissions when employees—including police officers—appeal their firing, suspension or demotion.

Republican Scott Webster of Bettendorf says the bill is needed to make the disciplinary process fair for police officers.

“These review boards have the ability to talk about officers, worry about what happened on a particular case. That officer because of his legal requirements can’t come in there and defend himself in any way shape or form. That’s not what this state is about that’s not what this country is about.”

Some Democrats say the bill will hurt some cities’ efforts to be responsive to their communities in terms of policing. An identical bill is eligible for debate in the House.

Quad City area Congressman Eric Sorensen visited the Rock Island County Veterans Assistance Commission Monday to learn more about their services and pledge his support for local veterans.

The Moline Democrat serves on the House Armed Services Committee and met with Superintendent Todd Harlow and staff. Harlow said the Veterans Assistance Commission aims to ensure all veterans receive necessary benefits.

“We do outreach at the Arsenal for retiring vets or retiring soldiers that are over there. Part of our outreach for that is to touch those folks and let them know that we’re here, you know. We can help you with what they call a BDD, which is a before-discharge disability claim.” 

Harlow said he’s hoping to gain additional staff as he and three other Veteran Service Officers are currently working on around a thousand veterans’ claims in Rock Island County.

Quad City Arts has named Brian Allen as its new executive director. The organization announced his appoitment on its website Monday.

Allen previously served for more than two years as executive director of the German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport.

Allen also worked as the studio school and education galleries coordinator at the Figge Art Museum.