Latest Illinois and Iowa news

More than 100 civilian employees could lose their positions at the Rock Island Arsenal.

Employees within the Army Sustainment Command and Joint Munitions Command received word that the U.S. Army is implementing its Army Command Matching Process (ACMP). The process is making them surplus workers with their positions open to transfer or termination. The Arsenal, which employs over 5,000 people, already lost over 300 employees during last year’s Deferred Resignation Program (DRP).

Illinois Senators Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, and Moline House Representative Eric Sorensen released a statement on Friday, March 27th: “The hardworking men and women at Rock Island Arsenal, many of whom are veterans, represent the very best of Illinois. It is completely unacceptable that the Army has decided to go back on its word by potentially moving some of its civilian workforce away from the Quad Cities on short notice. We are demanding that the Army pauses any efforts to relocate jobs away from Rock Island Arsenal immediately and work with Congress on any strategic realignment efforts. We will continue to work together to strengthen and protect the Arsenal as a vital part of the Quad Cities economy and our nation’s security.”

In a letter sent earlier this week to the Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, Iowa House Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks said in part "I have strong concerns with the recent news that Rock Island Arsenal could face workforce reductions. As I mentioned to you in 2025, the United States needs strong support for the continued investment in Rock Island Arsenal and have serious concerns with proposed changes to the workforce. Rock Island Arsenal is a key component in our national defense and is a key pillar of the Quad Cities region."

The realignment efforts could be finalized by April 7th, according to emails sent to the civilian employees.

Rep. Miller Meeks full letter is attached below.

UPDATE 1:54:00 p.m.: Communications and Community Relations Director Sarah Ott, in a press release, states there is no evidence that the bomb threat this morning was credible.

Full statement:

"This morning, Davenport West Administration was alerted by the Davenport Police Department of a bomb threat directed at West High School. Out of an abundance of caution, we immediately initiated our safety protocols and evacuated students and staff to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.

Our students and staff handled this situation with remarkable calm and cooperation, and we are deeply grateful for their patience and support in helping ensure that the evacuation proceeded safely and efficiently. Students were dismissed from the Fairgrounds once it was safe to do so.

District staff, alongside local law enforcement, conducted a thorough search of the building before allowing anyone to re-enter. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the threat was credible.

We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Davenport Police Department and all local law enforcement agencies who responded quickly and worked closely with us to keep our school community safe. Their partnership and professionalism are truly appreciated.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. The safety and well‑being of our students and staff will always remain our top priority."

Davenport West High School students are home early today, March 26th, following a bomb threat this morning.

According to a district Facebook post, around 11:40 a.m., students were evacuated to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds after Davenport Police received threats against the building.

Students were dismissed from the fairgrounds shortly after noon. No one was harmed during the evacuation.

The Davenport Police Department is investigating the threats.

The district cancelled all after-school activities for tonight.

The Rock Island Police Department is looking for a young man connected to a weekend shooting.

On Saturday, March 21st, a 46-year-old man was shot in the abdomen, allegedly by 21-year-old Anthony Hereford-Warren and 19-year-old Jkel Britt. The man is receiving treatment at Unity Point Trinity and is in stable condition.

Law enforcement arrested Hereford-Warren on Tuesday, March 24th, on charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm. He is being held at the Rock Island County Jail awaiting a formal hearing.

Britt has the same charges issued against him and is still at large. The Rock Island Police Department says he is known to be carrying weapons and should be considered a dangerous fugitive.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at (309) 732-2677, Crime Stoppers at (309) 762-9500, or use the P3 Tips app.

Rock Island Police Department

A train hit a semi on Monday afternoon, March 23rd, in Davenport.

Around 2:54 p.m., a semi at 245th Avenue and Great River Road was crossing the tracks when a train struck the rear section of the semi.

The 70-year-old driver and sole occupant, along with the railroad personnel, were uninjured.

The driver, Jonathan Turnage, was issued a citation for failure to properly stop at a railroad crossing. The citation without disposition is not an indication of guilt.

A man facing a mental health crisis on the I-74 bridge today is receiving treatment.

Bettendorf and Moline fire and police departments were dispatched to the bridge around 10:30 Monday morning. First responders de-escalated the situation and walked the man back down the pedestrian lane on the Illinois side.

The walkway was closed during the response but is now open again.

The investigation is ongoing, and officials will provide no further updates.

The city of Dubuque's Water Department is canceling its precautionary boil water advisory following a negative test for bacteria.

Water customers may return to normal water use. If water is cloudy and does not clear after allowing the water to run for several minutes, contact the City of Dubuque Water Department at 563.589.4291.

The City of Dubuque Water Department is issuing a precautionary boil water advisory following a water main break and a separate construction-related water main shut off.

The area impacting southern Dubuque consists of 5,500 addresses. The impacted area covers Dodge Street in the north and extends south to the city limits, to the airport, and west to Crescent Ridge Drive and east to the Mississippi River.

A water main break on Indian Ridge, combined with a construction-related water main shutdown in the area, resulted in a brief loss of pressure.

Residents are encouraged to boil all water before consumption. The city will send updates through its AlertIowa emergency notification system.

A map with the impacted areas can be found, as well as a PDF link below.

The Scott County Medical Examiner is identifying the victims of Sunday afternoon’s, March 22nd, fatal crash.

The driver, 21-year-old Fashawn McCann of Chicago, and her 20-month-old son, Sayvier McCann, died after their vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree in the 8500 block of 140th Street/Highway 61.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that left two people dead on Sunday afternoon, March 22nd.

Around 4:25 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 8500 block of 140th Street - Highway 61, for a reported crash. In an initial investigation, deputies report the vehicle left the roadway, rolled into a steep ditch, and struck a tree. The driver and passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.

Names are being withheld pending family notification.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that left one person dead on Sunday afternoon, March 22nd.

A 2017 Chevy Impala was driving north around 2:57 on 19th Avenue Northwest when 48-year-old Michael Vonderohe, in a 2015 RAM 1500 traveling east on Mills Creek Parkway, struck the vehicle, killing 57-year-old David Noble of Sterling, Illinois.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that left two people dead on Saturday night, March 21st.

Law enforcement says 61-year-old driver Scott Edwards of Fort Madison and 50-year-old passenger Shawna Hutson of Wever died after their car went into a ditch on Green Bay Road around 9:30 p.m.

Officials say the car hit an embankment, rolled over, and came to a stop in a field.

The Muscatine Sheriff’s office is investigating a fatal car crash on Wednesday night, March 18th.

Emergency crews responded around 9 p.m. to the intersection of Highway 61 and Zachary Avenue, where a vehicle left the roadway and crashed.

The driver, identified as 19-year-old Cameron M. Lewis of Muscatine, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A 19-year-old passenger, Riley Bornsen of Muscatine, was transported to Genesis Hospital in Davenport with minor injuries.

The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown remains under a temporary pause since halting production last week to remove lead azide from the site.

Lead azide is a chemical compound used in munitions production and is stored in earth‑covered, explosion-proof magazines.

The IAAP is coordinating with state and federal partners to determine the safest plan for removal. Officials say there is no immediate danger to the community and that the IAAP will notify the public in advance of any potential impacts.

There is no estimated completion date.

Iowa will receive $3 million as part of a settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The major antitrust case was brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and dozens of states.

The lawsuit alleged the company used its dominance in concert promotion, venues and ticket sales to limit competition and raise prices for fans and artists.

The settlement caps ticket service fees at 15% and allows competing promoters to sell up to half of venue tickets.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird called the agreement a win for Iowa, though more than a dozen states say the terms don’t go far enough and plan to continue the lawsuit Monday.

Illinois primary voters have chosen candidates for the November election. That includes over 17,000 ballots cast in Rock Island County, nearly a 19% voter turnout according to unofficial election results.

For Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, Republican Dillan Vancil garnered nearly 58% of the vote against Julie Bickelhaupt. He will face incumbent Moline Democrat Eric Sorensen in the general election.

In the race for Rock Island County Sheriff, Democrat Marcus Herbert faces Republican Jamie Shoemaker. Herbert received over 51% of the total votes cast in the three-person race.

And 94th House District representative Norine Hammond lost the Republican primary for her seat to Joshua Higgins. Hammond has represented the district, which includes parts of Rock Island and Mercer Counties, since 2010.

A billionaire with Iowa ties has been asked to testify before a U.S. House committee investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ted Waitt is a Sioux City native who co-founded the computer company Gateway 2000. He dated Epstein’s longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, for several years in the late 2000s. Maxwell was Waitt’s guest at former President Bill Clinton’s daughter Chelsea’s wedding.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for child sex trafficking.

Waitt is one of seven people asked to be interviewed by the committee next month. The group also includes Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Bettendorf’s eastbound Interstate 80 on-ramp at Middle Road is closing starting Monday, March 16th, for reconstruction as part of the I-80/Middle Road Interchange Project.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, a detour route will be available by taking westbound I-80 to the US 61 interchange and then taking the entrance loop to eastbound I-80. Bettendorf’s new eastbound I-80 on-ramp is planned to open mid-to-late April, weather permitting.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office has identified the pedestrian killed in a traffic accident Monday night just south of Blue Grass.

59-year-old Lisa Johannsen of Blue Grass was hit in the roadway by a red 2014 Jeep Cherokee around 6:30 p.m. on 65th Avenue. The driver's name is still being withheld pending the investigation.

The Rock Island Arsenal's power is back online following an emergency power issue on Monday, March 9th, in the afternoon.

In an email response, the Arsenal states that the issue was with a substation, and power was disconnected to facilitate further diagnosis and repair.

Earlier post on 03/09/26: The Rock Island Arsenal is without power Monday afternoon, March 9th, after announcing it is facing an electrical power emergency.

In a Facebook post, the Arsenal states that power was shut off at 3 this afternoon and could be out until 6 this evening. The loss of power caused the child development centers and youth services and the post exchange and commissary to close. All housing units are without power as well.

Buses will continue with the regular schedule for drop off at Building 150.

No information was provided as to what caused the electrical emergency.

The Pentagon has released the name of a second Iowan killed in an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait. 45-year-old Jeffery O’Brien of Waukee was killed on Sunday, March 1st, along with five other Army Reserve soldiers assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines. The Defense Department on Tuesday, March 3rd, identified four of the others killed. That included 20-year-old Sergeant Declan Coady of West Des Moines.

Iowa US Senator Joni Ernst praised the fallen soldiers on the Senate floor on Wednesday, March 4th.

“These young men and women gave their lives in support of a noble mission. Protecting their fellow Americans and keeping our homeland secure. Our nation owes them an incredible debt of gratitude. It is one that can never be repaid.

Ernst joined fellow Senate Republicans in blocking a bill that would have limited President Trump’s ability to order further military operations against Iran.

This will be the last school year for 26 employees at the Mercer County School District after the school board voted Thursday night, March 3rd, to eliminate eight teachers and 15 support staff positions, and to accept three resignations for the 2026-27 academic year.

The reduction in force is intended to offset a nearly $1.7 million deficit in the education fund. The board said they didn’t take the cuts lightly but that the district needed financial solvency.

The special meeting was packed with teachers and community members who said the cuts would hurt student engagement and increase the workload for the remaining staff.

In response to WVIK's request for comment on Wednesday, March 4th, the district spokesperson, Alan Boucher, replied by email. "The district currently has a $1.7 million deficit in our Education Fund. The reduction in force will save the district almost $1.1 million in the Education Fund and . The custodial RIFs will save the district almost $200,000 in the Operations and Maintenance Fund. The rest of the gap in the Education Fund will be filled with additional tax revenue and the transfer of some expenses to a different fund. There were twenty-six positions eliminated. Eight teachers and fifteen support staff members were affected. Three of the twenty-six positions had recent resignations, so no current staff members are affected in those positions."

The board also removed one teacher on Tuesday night in a separate matter and accepted the resignation of a custodial employee.

Update 03/05/26: The Thurgood Marshall Learning Center in Rock Island is reopening for in-person classes and activities tomorrow, Friday, March 6th.

The city has completed water line repairs work, however the building is under a boil order. The district is providing bottled water for students and staff, according to a district spokesperson.

The Thurgood Marshall Learning Center is closing for the day on Thursday, March 5th, due to City of Rock Island Public Works maintenance in the area, which will impact water services.

E-Learning will replace all in-person classes and school-related activities.

Water service is expected to be restored before the end of the day, but a boil order will likely remain until Friday, March 6th.

As more information becomes available, families and staff will continue to be updated on the school’s status.

The three school districts on the ballot in Scott County will maintain their Physical Plant and Equipment levies following a special election on Tuesday, March 3rd.

In unofficial election results, the Davenport, North Scott, and Pleasant Valley school districts will continue a 10-year levy of $1.34 per $ 1,000 in assessed property value within the district.

Funds can be used for infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades, and other district improvements.

In Walcott, the interim city councilman Joseph Quick will continue serving in the role. He received 143 votes, followed by Lynnette Tarchinski with 82 and Joseph Aubry with 9.

The voter turnout 2.38%. 2,485 voters cast a ballot out of 104,504 registered voters.

The Pentagon says one of the six US soldiers killed in retaliatory strikes by Iran on Sunday, March 1st, was an Iowan native. Three of the other soldiers were also members of an Iowa unit of the U.S. Army Reserve based out of Des Moines.

The Department of Defense reported on Tuesday, March 3rd, that four Army Reserve soldiers killed in Kuwait were with the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines

The Iowan native was 20-year-old Declan Coady of West Des Moines.

A total of six soldiers were killed. The identities of the remaining two are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Iowa agriculture officials have confirmed bird flu in a multi-species backyard flock in Washington County.

A spokesperson for the state’s department of agriculture says 48 birds are impacted, marking the fifth detection of H5N1 this year.

This comes after two backyard flocks totaling 130 birds in Keokuk and Van Buren counties tested positive for the virus in late February.

The department says poultry producers should contact their veterinarian immediately if they suspect the H5N1 virus.

Signs include a sudden loss of appetite, swollen heads and difficulty breathing.

Since the initial outbreak in 2022, over 30 million domestic birds in Iowa have been affected by the H5N1 virus, according to the USDA’s dashboard.

A Davenport man and woman are facing multiple charges after barricading themselves from officers on Tuesday morning, March 3rd.

Officers responded to a residence on the 300 block of East Locust Street this morning around 12:12 a.m. to take 45-year-old Anthony Nicholson into custody, who was wanted for outstanding warrants.

He barricaded himself inside the house, and information relayed to officers suggested he was armed. After hours of negotiations, Nicholson was taken into custody.

He faces charges of interference with official acts, firearm assault on persons in certain occupations, and display of a weapon on top of his outstanding warrants, which were not shared in the Davenport PD press release. No injuries were reported.

43-year-old Jessica Sage was also arrested on charges of accessory after the fact for attempting to prevent the apprehension of Nicholson.

The incident remains under investigation.

A Moline alderwoman is stepping down, citing personal and family considerations.

First Ward Alderwoman Debbie Murphy announced her resignation today, effective immediately, according to a city Facebook announcement on Monday, March 2nd.

Murphy was the first Black woman to serve on the Moline City Council. She took office in 2023 with a term running through May 2027.

She has served on the Moline Human Rights Commission and the Board of Directors for the Florence Aldridge Early Learning Center in East Moline. She also participated in the Western Illinois University Mentoring Program with Rock Island High School and contributed to the City of Davenport EEOC Media Roundtable.

Information on filling the vacant seat will be shared at a later date.

The Moline City Council is convening for its committee of the whole and regular meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 6 p.m. at City Hall in the council chambers on the second floor.

Iowans in three school districts, as well as Walcott residents, can cast their ballots on Tuesday, March 3rd, in a special election.

Davenport, North Scott, and Pleasant Valley school districts are proposing a ten-year tax levy of $1.34 per $1,000 in assessed value of property within the districts.

Renewing the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy will allow the districts to use funds for infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades, and debt repayment, among other uses.

Walcott residents will fill a vacancy on the city council. Voters can choose between Joseph Aubry, Lynnette Tarchinski, and Joseph Quick, who was appointed to the seat in the interim.

Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.

Vote Centers will be used for this election. Voters may vote at any of the following locations on Election Day:

• VC1  AG Donahue Fire Station
• VC2  B23 Bettendorf Library
• VC3  B53 TBK Bank Sports Complex
• VC4  BG Bluegrass Public Safety Building
• VC5  D11 Davenport Fairmount Library
• VC6  D33 Scott County Administrative Center
• VC7  D64 Duck Creek Park Lodge
• VC8  D72 C.A.S.I.
• VC9  D84 Davenport Eastern Library
• VC10           EL1 Scott County Library
• VC11           LC1 First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire
• VC12           PR Princeton Community Center
• VC13           PV Trinity Lutheran Church
• VC14          WC Calvary Church of Walcott

The University of Iowa is planning to discontinue seven programs to align with Board of Regents directives on workforce alignment. The programs include undergraduate majors in African American Studies and Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies — both of which have low enrollment.

University Provost Kevin Kregel said his office considered several factors besides enrollment in making its recommendations.

“For example: licensure and accreditation requirements for these programs, the program’s role in specific areas of study that are important, available faculty resources and then recency of the program in terms of its establishment,” he said.

There will still be courses and minors offered in some of the programs that have strong student interest, Kregel said.

Provosts at Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa said they also plan to propose program closures to the Board of Regents when they meet in April.

An 11-year-old child died due to injuries sustained after slipping and falling underneath a school bus this morning, Thursday, Feb. 26, in Davenport.

Medic EMS responded to the 1100 block of East 37th Street for reports of a child slipping and falling under a school bus traveling westbound around 7:17 a.m., according to a Davenport PD press release.

The child was transported to a local hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.

The Davenport Community School District released the following statement on Thursday afternoon. "The Davenport Community School District is deeply saddened by the loss of a Jefferson student earlier today. Our hearts are with the student’s family and loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy. This loss is felt across our entire school community.

In response, the District has activated its Crisis Response Team to support students and staff at Jefferson. Counseling and crisis support services are available to anyone in need, and additional support personnel will be on-site throughout the day tomorrow and for as long as they are needed.

We extend our sincerest condolences to the student’s family and to all who knew and cared for them. Our focus in the days ahead will be ensuring our students, staff, and families have access to the support and care they need during this difficult time."

Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have been detected in multi-species backyard flocks in two southeast Iowa counties.

According to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, around 130 birds tested positive for the virus.

Approximately 85 in Keokuk and 45 in Van Buren counties.

The department says poultry producers should contact their veterinarian immediately if they suspect the H5N1 virus.

Signs include a sudden loss of appetite, swollen heads and difficulty breathing.

These cases mark the state’s third and fourth detection of H5N1 in 2026.

Since the initial outbreak in 2022, over 30 million domestic birds in Iowa have been affected by the H-5-N-1 virus, according to the USDA’s dashboard.

The City of Rock Island is one step closer to establishing a tax increment financing (TIF) district to support its plan to revitalize the city’s western corridors along the Mississippi and Rock Rivers.

At the city council meeting this week, on Monday, Feb. 23, the council unanimously approved the first reading for the proposed North Rock Island Port District TIF ordinance.

During the meeting, Community Development Director Miles Brainard informed council members of an additional ordinance that would add parcels from another TIF.

At the north end of the North 11th Street TIF district, there are a collection of parcels representing maybe six, I think, blocks worth that will be removed from the North 11th Street TIF in order that they be added to the new Port District TIF.”

According to city documents, part of the move is because the area is an alternative location for the possible construction of a new U.S. 67 Highway bridge, and the parcels in the TIFF would allow the city to use that funding for any needed infrastructure improvements.

Before the vote, during public comment, some residents shared concerns about the imagined development and whether it will improve their neighborhoods, which they say have been neglected.

The North 11th Street TIF has a decade left in operation.

The second reading of the ordinance will come back in March.

Arconic Corporation is planning to build a new $131 million aluminum casting facility at its Davenport Works complex in Riverdale and Bettendorf. The new facility is expected to create 40 jobs and increase the Pennsylvania-based company’s capacity to recycle and process aluminum ingots for sheet and plate metal products.

The Iowa Governor's office announced on Friday, Feb. 20th, that the project will receive $6.5 million in tax credits from the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board. Four other companies are also getting tax breaks for expansion projects through the board’s Business Incentives for Growth program, which launched last month. The other projects are in Bondurant, Hiawatha, Vinton, and Waverly.

A daytime shelter in Rock Island is temporarily closing to reassess operations after a massive influx of guests and community support.

In a Facebook post published Thursday, Feb. 19th, The Third Place QC says they anticipated serving 30 to 40 people per week, but have been averaging about 100 people a day. The shelter will be closed Monday through Friday next week to restructure its space and operations.

During that time, guests will be referred to other warming shelters and community resources. The Third Place will still be able to accept donations of underwear, snacks, bottled water, juice boxes, hand warmers, and trash bags between 8 am and 4 pm during the week.

Davenport Police Chief Jeffery Bladel is retiring next month.

Chief Bladel has led DPD for over three years and has served in the department for 31 years. He said in a press release sent Friday, Feb. 20th, that serving the city of Davenport has been one of the greatest honors of his life.

Bladel is a lifelong resident of the city and previously served in the U.S. Army as an airborne military police officer.

His last day is Monday, March 2nd.

Major Greg Behning will serve as the Interim Chief until Chief Bladel’s successor is named.

Linn County supervisors have unanimously approved an ordinance regulating data center developments in unincorporated parts of the county. They say the ordinance builds on the mistakes of counties around the country and protects both the people of Linn County and its water and electricity.

The county’s ordinance requires large data center developers to complete a water study and sign agreements with the county setting out their water use and economic development plans.

Some members of the public have raised concerns about data centers using large amounts of water and electricity, but Planning and Development Director Charlie Nichols said Iowans would be better off if more counties had similar ordinances.

“I am very confident that no ordinance for data centers in Iowa is asking for more information or more requirements to be met than our ordinance right now,” Nichols said.

County supervisors say they have been approached by Google about building a new data center, but Google has not submitted an application yet.

Supervisor Sami Scheetz said Linn County is growing, and that’s good for its residents.

“This kind of growth, if it’s done responsibly, is just good for the county overall,” Scheetz said. “And I think this sets a really good framework for any company that wants to come and develop a data center that basically just says, ‘If you want to do business in Linn County, here is, kind of, the rules that we’re establishing.”

Deere and Company is reporting a net income of $656 million in its first quarter.

The Moline tractor manufacturer's net income is down $213 million from this time last year.

Factors impacting operations include tariffs, ongoing litigation involving state Attorneys General, including Illinois, regarding the right to self-repair, among others.

The company is estimating net revenue for fiscal year 2026 between $4.5 and $5 billion.

Also announced on Thursday, Feb. 19th, the company will bring back 27 workers at its Dubuque Works facility in March to assist with construction and forestry operations. This follows other callbacks last month, bringing the total to nearly 275. The company expects to bring more workers back this year.

Full 1st-Quarter Report attached below.

UPDATE: 02/20/26 11:30 a.m.

The city of Moline is lifting its boil order affecting residents in the area near 36th Avenue and 16th Street.

In a statement from the city, its utilities department will continue repairing a 16-inch primary distribution water main in the area of 36th Avenue and 16th Street.

At this time, the northbound lanes on 16th Street are open, while the southbound lanes will remain closed through the weekend.

Drivers are encouraged to take alternative routes to help reduce traffic.

Earlier announcement:

The City of Moline is continuing its Precautionary Boil Order in the southwest corner of the city after a water main break on Wednesday, Feb. 18th.

According to a press release, the city’s utilities department is repairing a 16-inch primary distribution water main in the area of 36th Avenue and 16th Street.

At this time, the northbound lanes on 16th Street are open, while the southbound lanes will remain closed through the weekend. Drivers are encouraged to take alternative routes around the area to help reduce traffic.

Residents should boil water for five minutes before usage. Residents on 30th Avenue and below to John Deere Road, including Target and Aldi stores, are affected.

For information on where the boil orders are located, visit the Moline Boil Order Map on the city’s webpage.

City of Moline

Democrat Nathan Sage is endorsing U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek after announcing the end of his own Senate campaign over the weekend, citing financial challenges.

Sage said that Turek, a Democratic state representative from Council Bluffs, understands Iowans’ struggle to pay bills amid rising prices and "comes from the same kind of working class family."State Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville is also running for the Democratic nomination.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst announced in September that she wouldn't seek reelection and has since endorsed 2nd District U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who will likely be the Republican nominee.

The primary elections are set for June 2.

The Rock Island Milan School District is clearing a deputy superintendent of any wrongdoing following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct.

Deputy Superintendent Jeff Dase will return to work on Wednesday, Feb. 18th. He was placed on administrative leave on January 28th.

In an email statement, the district says, “Mr. Dase is a valued member of our leadership team, and his commitment to our scholars and the district remains steadfast.”

St. Ambrose University has been granted full membership in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The university announced on Monday, Feb. 16th, the Fighting Bees’ will join one of the NAIA’s premier conferences with Mount Mercy University and 14 other institutions.

St. Ambrose currently competes as an affiliate member in football, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men’s wrestling, and esports. Starting this fall all Fighting Bees athletic programs will compete in the new conference including Baseball, Softball, Basketball, volleyball and wrestling.

The Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s office is investigating the drowning death of a high school student at the Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena on Friday. According to the department, the 17-year-old lost consciousness while swimming in a pool before 9 PM. He has been identified as Jack Zucco who attended Rochester High School in Sangamon County and was visiting the resort on a Boy Scout trip. The Jo Davies sheriff reports another juvenile pulled Zucco from the water before first responders arrived. Zucco died at the scene despite continuous life-saving efforts. A visitation is set for Friday in Rochester, followed by his funeral the next day.

The Rock Island Milan School District has placed a deputy superintendent on administrative leave pending a full investigation.

According to a statement, the district informed Deputy Superintendent Jeff Dase on Wednesday, Feb. 11th, of the decision due to an allegation of inappropriate conduct.

During leave, Dase is prohibited from working and from contacting staff and students. The leave is standard procedure for investigating allegations in a fair and impartial manner.

This is the second time Dase has been placed on administrative leave since being hired in 2024; the previous time was last May.

A 17-year-old student is facing a misdemeanor battery charge after a fight on Wednesday, Feb. 11th, morning at Rock Island High School.

School staff responded to the two students fighting just before 11 a.m., and immediately alerted emergency medical services. Family members say an 18-year-old student injured in the altercation is recovering at home.

Additionally, Rock Island Deputy Chief of Police James Morris says that after Friday, Feb. 13th, the school’s resource officer will be removed from regular patrol due to department staffing issues.

Morris says the department will staff the position again when possible and will conduct extra patrols and walkthroughs at the high school.

Davenport police are investigating a pedestrian fatality on Wednesday night.

Officials say a vehicle traveling west on Rockingham Road struck an unidentified man walking in the roadway. The 32-year-old was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

No other details have been released at this time.

The Rock Island Milan School Board is moving forward with a $6 million construction plan for Eugene Field Elementary School, which includes adding an additional story to the school.

At the school board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10th, members approved 16 bids for parking lot improvements, door and hardware replacement throughout the existing and new building, various wall repairs, and refinishing of the north soffit. The bids were reviewed by Russel Construction.

The district hopes to have the repairs and additions accessible to students by 2027.

Davenport Mayor Jason Gordon and Fifth Ward Alderman John Blunk were at the state capital this week to provide input in the legislative session.

At Wednesday night’s city council meeting on Feb. 11th, Mayor Gordon said property tax reform was the main issue discussed. Governor Kim Reynolds and House Republicans have proposed a 2 percent cap on total property tax revenue collections for local governments.

"I think we communicated our message well about what the impact might be, could potentially be to the city, with a 2% cap. I didn't get the sense that there was any desire to move off that 2%. If there's one thing that the governor and the two bodies seem to agree on is that 2% is the number.”

At-Large Alderwoman Jazmin Newton added that such a cap would kill municipalities' ability to fund services.

The City of Davenport is expanding its DREAM home revitalization program to the Ridgeview East and Central East neighborhoods.

According to a news release, 16 more projects, including 5 for new homeowners, may result from the expansion.

Last year, the City approved 41 out of 285 applications to fund home exterior improvement projects, such as windows, roofs, and painting.

Starting in 2019, $6.8 million has been awarded to 252 properties in the City’s heritage neighborhoods.

Applications for round 8 of the initiative will open this summer.

City of Davenport

The Moline Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating a collision between a school bus and a suspected drunk driver on Tuesday, February 10th.

According to a press release, the bus was transporting Rock Island High School cheerleaders and coaches along the 3600 block of Avenue of the Cities when a Hyundai Sonata crossed the center lane and sideswiped the bus.

The driver of the Sonata, 50-year-old Sean E Henson, and the bus driver went to the hospital with minor injuries, and the bus’ passengers remained unharmed.

Henson was cited for Improper Lane Usage and Driving under the Influence of Alcohol.

The Rock Island Milan School Board is moving to replace about $600,000 worth of musical instruments damaged due to mold infestation at Rock Island High School last summer. Board members Tuesday night, Feb. 10th, approved purchasing about 142 instruments for roughly $131,000 from the music vendor Sweetwater, based in Indiana.

It's the first phase of a three-year plan to restore the high school’s band and orchestra programs while staggering the financial burden. The school district’s insurance carrier previously denied its claim to replace the damaged instruments. Last August, a microbial growth spread through 15 rooms in the north wing of the High School, costing more than a $1 million to clean up.

The Iowa Attorney General's Office says it will not file charges against a Dubuque police officer who shot and killed a man early last month. The decision announced Tuesday, February 10th, is based on a review of the circumstances surrounding the death of 28-year-old Jai Ondrick Quin-Charles Lovely.

According to an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation report, patrol officer Austin Manders responded on January 4th to a fight outside of a local bar in Dubuque. Manders had just gotten out of his car when Lovely shot another man with whom he had been fighting. In response, Manders fired at the Lovely, who fell to the ground before getting up and going inside Odd Fellows bar. Both men died later from their injuries at the hospital.

The Moline Coal Valley School Board has selected a new principal for Jane Addams Elementary School.

The board picked Jamie Trost during its meeting Monday night, February 9th. She attended Jane Addams as a student.

Trost began at the Moline Coal Valley School District in 2021 as a middle school English Language Arts Teacher, then was promoted to Dean of Students at Wilson Middle School last year. She previously worked in Arkansas.

Trost will begin in her new position in the fall.

Former two-term Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch has died. A friend and former colleague confirmed he passed away Tuesday morning at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

Kilpsch served as Davenport’s mayor from 2016 to the end of 2019. Prior to that, he led the Scott County Family Y for 27 years, during which time the organization expanded to multiple branches. According to a media statement, he died from complications due to a stroke. Frank Klipsh was 76 years old.

YMCA statement on Frank Klipsch's passing: "The YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley was deeply saddened to learn this morning of the passing of former CEO Frank Klipsch, who died following complications from a recent stroke.

During Frank's lifetime of service to the YMCA, we were fortunate to have his leadership as CEO for his final 27 years of service, guiding the organization through a period of significant growth and expansion. His leadership and commitment to making space for everyone to participate left a lasting impact on our Y and the community.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Frank’s family and loved ones during this difficult time."

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations is filing attempted murder charges against two inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison for allegedly assaulting two guards.

29-year-old Dennis Lawson and 23-year-old Anthony Bauer are each charged with two counts of attempted murder, a class B felony, and one count of possession of weapons in a correctional institution, a class C felony. These charges stem from an assault on two Department of Corrections employees.

The injured employees were treated at a local hospital and have since been released.

Davenport Central High School alum, Roger Craig, will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.

Officials announced the 2026 inductees on Thursday, February 5th, including the former Blue Devil who graduated in 1979. Craig was a four-time Pro Bowler with Nebraska who played 11 seasons in the NFL, primarily for the 49ers. He was first in the league to reach 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving in the same season in 1985.

He also was the first to score three touchdowns in a single Super Bowl. This year’s Hall of Fame Class will be inducted on August 8 in Canton, Ohio

John Deere is bringing back 146 employees in Waterloo.

The Moline tractor manufacturer announced on Friday, February 6th, that the workers will return to work across four facilities, including Drive Train Operations, Tractor Operations, Engine Works, and John Deere Foundry, citing increased production demand and ongoing factory needs.

Employee callbacks will begin in March. The company has laid off thousands of employees since 2023. John Deere projects earnings between $4 and $4.75 billion this year.

The city of Davenport plans to cease financial support for the Humane Society of Scott County by the end of the year.

During Wednesday night’s city council meeting, Feb. 4th, 4th Ward Alderwoman Jade Burkholder announced the city will work to extend the contract, currently set to end in June, through the end of the year. She said the city cannot responsibly commit funds to the society’s requested budget.

"Including paying for vehicles, fuel, professional fundraising assistance, and allowing the Humane Society to collect all the licensing fees. Despite those efforts, the funding levels requested exceeded what the City can responsibly commit to without greater certainty and predictability for our taxpayers.”

However, in a press release, Humane Society Executive Director Erika Gunn says the society has been subsidizing the services for years while seeking stable funding for the future with the city. She says their request of nearly a million dollars is still below the total cost of 1.2 million to provide animal control and shelter services, citing other municipalities like Iowa City, which are covering most of the costs for their humane society.

"Throughout negotiations, HSSC provided our detailed annual budget and has shared our annual independent audits. HSSC also worked alongside specialized consultants with deep experience in animal welfare contracts and remains confident that HSSC’s costs to perform the services requested by Davenport reflect standard practice for these services."

Gunn says services will not be impacted at this time and will continue through the end of the year. They are awaiting an official agreement with the city for the extension.

The full press release is attached. Here is a link to the council meeting.

The city of Davenport sent out a press statement from Interim City Administrator Tim Gleason at 4:50 p.m. Thursday.

"The City of Davenport wants to take this opportunity to be clear about what a change in animal services means for Davenport. Animal services will continue in Davenport after the contract with the Humane Society of Scott County ends. The City is not cutting animal services. This change is not a shortcut or an attempt to save money. It is a deliberate decision to move forward with a new animal services model.

The City made every effort to maintain this partnership. In the City’s attempts to understand the dramatic increase in costs, the financial documentation provided by the Humane Society did not satisfy concerns that the City is subsidizing animal services for other municipalities and the nonprofit’s mission. Bottom line: Humane and effective animal control and sheltering services matter to us, they matter to our community, and we will make a successful transition."

The Muscatine Police Department has a suspect in custody following a stabbing on Monday night, Feb. 2nd.

According to a press release on Thursday, Feb. 9th, 19-year-old Kaleb Allen Sosa is facing charges of wilful injury, a class D felony, for allegedly stabbing 37-year-old Jason Cannon.

In an earlier press release, the department says officers responded around 7:35 p.m. to the 200 block of Walnut Street, where a verbal confrontation between two men led to one stabbing the other.

Cannon is expected to make a full recovery.

Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 9th, in most Illinois counties for the March 17 primary elections.

That includes Rock Island County, where voters can cast their ballots at the County Clerk’s office on 3rd Avenue. Today is also the first day when county clerks begin mailing out absentee ballots that voters will need to turn in by March 12 to be counted.

The statewide primary ballot includes Republican and Democratic races for US Senator and governor.

Linn County supervisors have approved the first of three readings of an ordinance addressing large data center development in unincorporated parts of the county. Some residents raised concerns that the proposed ordinance doesn’t draw a clear enough line between which developers might be approved and which ones won’t.

Supervisor Brandi Meisheid says if the ordinance feels broad, it’s to allow the county to address specifics that can vary widely based on the developer.

“We have to make sure that the ordinance that we’re writing not only protects our residents but also is broad enough that it captures anybody wanting to come and then we can dive down into those specifics to make sure we have further protections based upon how they operate.”

Supervisors say they will consider adding amendments addressing decommissioning, light pollution and residential well protection at their next meeting on Monday, Feb. 9th. The third and final reading is scheduled for later next week.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa is sending two Davenport residents to prison for cocaine trafficking.

According to a press release on Wednesday, January 28th, a judge sentenced Lloyd Demico Franklin to 25 years and Michelle Collins for 3 years for producing and trafficking more than 500 grams of crack cocaine.

According to public court records, the pair sold drugs in the Quad Cities for several years. Both also face terms of supervised release, as there is no parole in the federal system.

A downstate judge has sentenced a former police officer to 20 years in prison for the murder of a Black woman inside her Springfield-area home.

One-time Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson -- who is white -- was convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Sonya Massey in 2024 after she had called police to investigate a potential prowler. The case drew national attention as another instance of police brutality directed at a Black person.

The Rock Island Fire Marshal's Office is investigating an apartment complex fire that left 40 residents displaced.

According to a media release, fire crews arrived around 2:34 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28th, to find smoke coming from a single unit in a three-story apartment complex at 1820 30th Street.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and contained it to a bedroom, preventing the flames from spreading to other apartments.

The displaced residents were receiving aid from the American Red Cross and staying in a Metrolink bus as a temporary warming shelter.

No injuries were reported.

Nearly 100 employees will return to work at John Deere facilities in Davenport and Dubuque. The announcement comes one day after President Donald Trump praised the industrial manufacturer at a rally in Clive, calling it “a great company." John Deere laid off hundreds of workers in 2025, citing decreased demand and lower order volumes. The company said in a statement demand is now increasing, adding that the callbacks help ensure there are skilled teams in place to support production. The workers will return to the facilities in mid-February.

East Moline police officers are conducting a homicide investigation after finding a deceased woman in her home on Friday, January 23rd.

Officers responded to 1126 15th Avenue on Friday morning around 10:18 a.m., regarding a welfare check for a woman who did not show up to work. Officers found 56-year-old Bonnie Smith dead with stab wound injuries. Smith appeared to have been deceased for a few days.

East Moline Police Chief Jeff Ramsey said in a statement that the evidence points to an isolated incident.

The Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit assisted the department in investigating the crime scene. The Rock Island County Coroner is conducting an autopsy this week.

A Clinton man is behind bars following a chase with deputies Monday morning, January 26th.

According to a media release by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, 46-year-old Waylon James Koehler of Clinton was seen in the area of the 2600 block of 285th Avenue when deputies attempted to stop him. They confirmed Koehler had an active warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Injury. A car chase ensued in Scott County, where the suspect lost control of the vehicle near 20538 310th Street.

Koehler is facing an additional charge of eluding. He was transported to Clinton County Jail.

The NorthPark Mall Food Pantry is closed Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, due to a water main break impacting the mall.

According to a media statement sent Monday morning, Marketing & Communications Strategist Nicole Lauer says to connect with an available pantry, please enter your address at riverbendfoodbank.org/findfood for hours and locations near you.

They expect NorthPark Pantry to reopen on Wednesday, January 28th, at 10 a.m. as regularly scheduled. Additionally, NorthPark Pantry will be open from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30.

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the death of a pedestrian found on I-80 near Durant.

According to a preliminary minimal crash report, troopers arrived at mile-marker 277 around 5:46 a.m. on Saturday, January 24th, to find a person on the roadway showing signs of being struck by vehicles.

It is unclear if the person was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash report states they were transported to the DCI Lab in Ankeny.

The identity of the person is being withheld pending family notification.

A suspect in a weekend shooting at a bar in Moline has been arrested.

According to a media release by the Moline Police Department on Monday, January 26th, law enforcement arrested 18-year-old Fernando Gomez-Lule of Moline in Bettendorf on Saturday. He was charged with two counts of aggravated battery of a firearm by the Rock Island County State’s Attorney office. Gomez-Lule allegedly shot a 38-year-old and a 25-year-old man outside Chimies Taco Bar in the 1400 block of 5th Avenue Friday night, January 23rd.

The two victims sustained serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Gomez-Lule was initially held in Scott County Jail before being extradited to Illinois over the weekend. He is awaiting a pre-trial detention hearing.

Original statement on Saturday, January 24th, 2026: The Moline Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Friday night, January 23rd, around 10 p.m.

According to a Moline Police Department email statement Saturday morning, January 24th, the incident occurred at Chimies Bar in the 1400 block of 5th Avenue. Two people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident is still under investigation.

The USDA has confirmed a positive case of bird flu in Kossuth County in a mixed species flock of game bird pheasants and backyard chickens. This marks Iowa’s first detection of the H5N1 virus in domestic birds in 2026.

Governor Kim Reynolds authorized a disaster proclamation for the north central Iowa county on Thursday, January 22nd. That allows state resources from several agencies to assist with tracking, containment, and disinfection.

Iowa’s Department of Agriculture says poultry producers should contact their veterinarian immediately if they suspect the H5N1 virus.

Signs include a sudden loss of appetite, swollen heads and difficulty breathing.

7,000 pheasants and 200 chickens were impacted in this recent case.

Last year, Iowa had 10 confirmed bird flu cases with poultry, affecting over 750,000 domestic birds.

The Rock Island Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a Friday morning, January 23rd, house fire.

According to a media release, around 1:17 a.m., crews arrived at 3301 25th Street to find light smoke coming from the inside. Firefighters located a small fire in the bedroom and extinguished it without any injuries. Two residents were home at the time but were alerted by smoke detectors. The residents left the home without injury. They are displaced due to the fire damage and are being assisted by the Red Cross.

The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district pleaded guilty to two counts in federal court on Thursday, January 22nd.

Ian Roberts was arrested by ICE in September for being in the country without legal status. He was later charged with making a false statement for employment and possessing firearms while not having legal status.

Pleading guilty could jeopardize Roberts’ ability to challenge removal orders, according to the agreement. He could also be subject to “immediate removal” after serving his prison sentence.

Alfredo Parrish is Roberts’ attorney. “I will say this is not one of the happiest moment of my legal career, which has been pretty long. Dr Roberts has come up and accepted responsibility for his conduct.”

Parrish says he reviewed all possible defenses with Roberts, including claiming his possession of firearms was for self-defense reasons. Parrish said Roberts received threats while he was superintendent.

Another judge will decide whether to accept Roberts’ guilty plea and what his sentence will be. Roberts sentencing date is set for May 29, 2026.

The National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities is issuing an Extreme Cold Warning from midnight Friday, January 23rd, through noon. Following the warning, the service is issuing a Cold Weather Advisory from noon Friday to noon on Saturday, January 24th. Some colleges and universities are canceling or amending their schedules for tomorrow.

Western Illinois University in the Quad Cities is closing its campus from midnight to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. According to a media email, University residence halls will remain open, and the dining center will serve brunch and dinner.

Augustana College in Rock Island is continuing its J-term classes tomorrow. According to an email sent to students and staff on Thursday by the college's Dean of Students' office, "As a residential campus, Augustana rarely closes or cancels classes. In all weather situations, it is ultimately the personal responsibility of faculty, staff, and students to make their own decisions regarding attendance and to use their judgment concerning travel conditions."

Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport posted on its website, announcing, "All Main Campus facilities and services, including Palmer Quad Cities Clinics, will be closed Friday, Jan. 23. All classes are canceled."

Black Hawk College in Moline is closing its campus tomorrow. According to the college's website, "Due to weather conditions, all Black Hawk College locations will be closed on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, beginning at 12 a.m. All classes, events, and activities are canceled. Check myBHC for updates."

St. Ambrose University in Davenport is not changing its schedule for tomorrow at this time, according to the college's human resources department.

The Davenport Community School District is cancelling classes on Friday due to extreme cold.

According to the district’s website, evening high school events are still continuing.

Over in Bettendorf, classes will also be cancelled for Friday and all morning activities, according to the district's website.

In a media email on Thursday, January 22nd, East Moline School District 37 Superintendent Kristin Humphries announced that all schools will be closed tomorrow.

"Due to the extreme temperatures, the East Moline School District will be closed on Friday, January 23rd."

The Rock Island-Milan School District posted on its website that classes are moving online tomorrow.

"Due to the extreme cold weather conditions, the decision has been made to cancel in-person learning for tomorrow, January 23rd, and use E-learning or Full Remote Learning. Scholars will need to log onto Google Classroom at the beginning of the school day for their grade level. Scholars will be expected to answer the attendance question. If home Internet usage for a scholar goes down, scholars or parents should contact the building principal so that attendance is not affected."

More information on E-learning can be found here.

The Davenport Fire Department is investigating a house fire that displaced two people and four pets.

According to a media release, crews arrived at the 1900 block of Eastern Avenue on Wednesday night, January 21st, around 6:52 p.m. to find a two-story house on fire. One resident at home escaped with their dog before crews arrived.

Crews located and safely removed three cats after the fire was extinguished. The home was damaged by the fire and smoke.

No civilians or firefighters were injured during the response.

The National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities is issuing a Blizzard Warning for areas north of Highway 30 through midnight.

Meteorologist Matt Freidlin says the entire listening area is under a Wind Advisory until midnight, with some areas expected to see stronger wind gusts.

“So we have a wind advisory at least that area-wide, High Wind Warning here shown for a large chunk of our eastern Iowa counties, including Iowa City and the i80 corridor. That means some at least sporadic wind gusts to 60 mph. We think about the severe thunderstorm season. That's basically our damaging wind gust threshold. We're seeing those observations upstream. “

The greater Quad Cities should see the storm system pass through by 6 pm.

An Extreme Cold Watch is in effect tomorrow night, however Freidlin says if current conditions continue, they will raise it to a warning.

The Bettendorf Police Department is investigating after a man jumped off the I-74 bridge Tuesday night, January 20th.

According to a statement from the city, fire crews and police responded to the bridge around 7:36 p.m. for a report of an adult man preparing to jump. Once emergency crews arrived, the man jumped.

Bettendorf firefighters navigated the ice-covered Mississippi River to reach the man and brought him to land, where he was pronounced dead. City officials are in the process of notifying the next of kin.

Traffic was reduced to one lane heading towards Moline during the response. All lanes are back open.

A tech start-up company plans to move into Moline’s vacant elevator testing tower near the riverfront downtown. The Moline City Council on Tuesday, January 20th, unanimously approved entering a 10-year lease agreement for Hyprlink of Silicon Valley to take the tower and adjacent facilities.

Before the vote, the City’s Chief Economic Development Officer Christopher Parr described many benefits of leasing the city-owned property for $2,500 per month. He said the deal will help promote additional investment in Moline’s downtown riverfront area and ensure the tower’s place in the city’s skyline.

Hyprlink plans to test its next-generation self-propelled elevators in the tower built by Montgomery Elevator six decades ago. The venture is funded in part by an innovation grant from the National Science Foundation.

Coralville Police have identified the victim in Friday’s fatal stabbing as the suspect’s spouse. 41-year-old Amber Nicole Martin was pronounced dead at the scene around 6:40 a.m. on the 2800 block of Spring Rose Circle.

Police arrested James Martin of Coralville on Friday, January 16th. In a criminal complaint, officers say the 47 year old planned the murder hours before eventually stabbing her with a kitchen knife in a surprise attack.

The Clinton Police Department say that a woman who was reported missing over the weekend has been found safe and unharmed.

Officials said no foul play is suspected. The department had asked the public for help locating Hailee Norris who had been reported missing since Friday morning, January 16th. The investigation into the incident continues.

The Putnam Museum and the Davenport Public Library are launching a new podcast highlighting Quad Cities history in celebration of the US’s 250th anniversary.

The podcast, titled “Artifacts & Archives,” premieres Monday, January 19th, and will feature artifacts from the Putnam and archival materials from the library's Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center. The podcast will explore American history from the nation’s founding to modern times and connect local stories to major moments in U.S. history, including items on display at the museum and materials typically kept in archives.

The first episode is titled “Thomas Jefferson, the American Mastodon and Nation Building.” A second episode, “Black Hawk Treaty and the LeClaire Family,” is scheduled for March 16.

The Moline fire department is investigating a house fire that left one person dead and two people displaced on Friday, January 16th.

According to a press release, crews responded to the 4200 block of 47th Street around 5 pm to find two people outside the residence, claiming one person was still inside. Crews rescued an 87-year-old man and extinguished the fire.

The rescued occupant was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the man passed away due to his injuries on Saturday, January 17th. One of the occupants who had self-evacuated was later treated at the scene and also transported to the hospital for further care.

A water main broke during the response, but it did not impact the crews. The fire was contained in 15 minutes, the house is now uninhabitable, and the Red Cross is assisting the surviving residents.

Bettendorf Police are investigating a semi-tractor-trailer crash overnight that closed a portion of Middle Road and westbound Interstate-80.

According to a press release, law enforcement responded to the crash around 1:37 a.m. Friday, January 16th, and found the tractor engulfed in flames.

Crews speculated the semi was heading eastbound on I-80 when it went into the median, down the embankment between two overpasses across Middle Road, and up the other embankment, catching fire underneath the westbound I-80 overpass.

The driver was not injured. The overpass was inspected by the Iowa Department of Transportation before reopening this morning.

The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal car crash on Thursday night, January 15th.

According to a press release, deputies were alerted around 9:21 p.m. to a two-vehicle collision on Illinois Route 84 near Spring Valley Road. Deputies found three occupants between the two vehicles. Fire and EMS personnel extricated them and transported them to MercyOne Hospital in Clinton.

One driver died at the hospital because of their injuries. The others sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, and their identities are being withheld pending family notification.

Illinois 84 was closed for around five hours while an on-scene investigation was conducted.

Davenport City Council is postponing an ordinance citing concerns of losing city authority in approving future wholesale establishments in the city’s C-3 districts.

The ordinance was brought forward by petitioner Leverage Holdings LLC and one of its employees, Thad DenHartog, to allow developers who focus on bulk goods sold to retailers or to industrial, commercial, institutional, or other professional business users.

During the ordinance’s third and final reading at Wednesday night’s council meeting, January 14th, At-Large Alderwoman Jazmin Newton vented frustration that there were some concerns on the Planning and Zoning Commission and within city staff on allowing blanket approval of wholesale businesses that could sell bulk materials, including hazardous or flammable/combustible materials, and it wasn’t brought to council’s attention.

“It's unfortunate that this didn't come forward sooner. I think that if in the green notes, it would have been made clear that, 'Hey, these are concerns that Planning and Zoning had,' it would be something that I would have addressed a lot quicker than today's meeting. But I didn't watch the Planning and Zoning meeting prior to...and quite frankly, most of us don't go back and watch every meeting before preparing on an item. So I just, from my perspective, in the future, having a more thorough briefing I think would be helpful, and I think petitioners would appreciate that as well.” 

Newton also noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission or city staff never notified the public of the extent of the rezoning change. The Council unanimously agreed to postpone the ordinance by 2 months.

Investigators have identified the remains of a person discovered near a creek southeast of Geneseo sixty years ago.

The DNA Doe Project and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release on Wednesday, January 14th, “Geneseo John Doe” as 19-year-old Ronald Joe Cole of Fillmore, California.

The sheriff’s office brought the case to the volunteer investigative genealogist program last year, which identified him through relatives listed on an online genetic database. Six decades ago, the FBI determined Cole’s death was a homicide.

The Moline Police Department is investigating a vehicle rollover that left one teenager injured early Thursday morning, January 15th.

According to a media release, three passengers were headed eastbound on 4th Avenue when the 2008 Chevy Trailblazer ran off the roadway to the right and crashed.

The driver, a 19-year-old male from East Moline, and a 19-year-old passenger fled on foot, but were detained by police.

A third passenger was ejected from the vehicle and injured. Authorities responded to the crash just before 2 a.m. and transported the 17-year-old to a local hospital for treatment.

Former Des Moines schools Superintendent Ian Roberts plans to make a deal with federal prosecutors.

Roberts was arrested by immigration enforcement agents in September. He was also charged with federal weapons violations for owning guns when he does not have legal status in the U-S.

Roberts’ trial was set for March but other filings showed his attorneys were negotiating with prosecutors.

Court filings do not disclose the terms of the plea deal. A hearing is scheduled for next Thursday, January 22nd.

An Iowa House committee is already advancing a new eminent domain bill in the first days of the session

The proposal has cleared the House Judiciary Committee that would ban the use of eminent domain for pipelines carrying carbon dioxide. It mirrors a law passed in South Dakota where state regulators twice denied a permit for Summit Carbon Solutions to build part of its carbon dioxide pipeline.

Jake Ketzner is a lobbyist for Summit and is against the bill. He says the bill would kill the company’s project and hinder Iowa’s ethanol industry.

“Unfortunately, this bill would eliminate new and emerging low carbon markets for Iowa ethanol, like sustainable aviation fuel. Iowa was the best place in the world to produce corn and ethanol. Now that honor goes to our neighbor, Nebraska.”

Iowa regulators have approved Summit’s request to use eminent domain but construction can’t begin until the company has approval from the Dakotas. Summit requested an amendment in September to remove the state-specific language.

Last year, an anti-eminent domain bill passed through the House and Senate but the governor vetoed it.

The legal battle surrounding an Iowa law that includes a ban on books with sexual content in school libraries continued Tuesday in a federal appeals court in St. Louis, MO.

The law passed in 2023 also prohibits lessons that have to do with gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through sixth grade. A federal judge blocked most of the law that critics say is too vague and unconstitutional.

“I can tell you that we will never stop fighting for the rights of Iowa students and for the rights of Iowa teachers and for the rights of everybody to be subject to laws that have clear standards and not be subject to the arbitrary decision-making of elected officials,” said Thomas Story, an attorney with the ACLU of Iowa who argued against the law’s LGBTQ provisions.

A lawyer for the state says prior court rulings support the law, and parents have a right to know what their children are doing in school.

An appeals court ruling could take months.

Many Eldridge residents are asking their city council to reconsider closing its Community Center and Rollerskating Park. During its meeting this week, residents vented frustrations over losing the center, while acknowledging the financial strain on the city. That included resident and co-owner of the Eldridge Preschool, Alisa Haedt.

“The community center is more than just a building. For decades, it's been a gathering place for families, neighbors, and community groups of all ages. It's a space where children put on their first pair of skates, where families celebrate milestones, where seniors can find connections, and where organizations such as mine create meaningful experiences, core memories that benefit our children and strengthen the sense of community.”

Another resident who spoke during public comment is Paula Del Fabro.

“The community impact and residents deserve more consideration than I feel we're being given by the council. I'm not alone. There's a petition. I have copies here with me. With over 2,000 signatures. These people do not want the community center or skate park to close.”

The Council and Mayor Scott Campbell added an amendment during the meeting to allow the Quad Cities Rollers to continue using the rink until the end of May. The rink will officially close to the public on January 31st. Although select city/school events will continue at the center over the next few months.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office rescued three people from an inoperable boat on the Mississippi River on Monday, January 12th.

According to a sheriff’s office press release, the boaters called for help around 3:49 PM due to a disabled engine as they were floating down the river.

A drone was deployed to locate the boat drifting down the river, and a rescue boat worked to break the ice surrounding it to attach a tow strap. The boaters were brought back to Bulger’s Hollow, and no one, including a dog on board, was injured.

The Moline Police Department is investigating a vehicle-pedestrian collision that left one woman injured.

Around 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, January 13th, law enforcement arrived in the 5600 block of 34th Avenue, after a 39-year-old man from Moline in a 2007 Toyota Camry sedan struck a 37-year-old woman just east of 56th Street Place.

According to a Moline police press release, the woman was walking mid-block on the north sidewalk before abruptly going southbound into the roadway, where the Camry struck her.

The woman suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Moline High School will have Jeff Whitaker as its new principal starting next year. The Moline-Coal Valley School Board on Monday approved the promotion of Jeff Whitaker to lead the school beginning next fall. In a news release, the district says Moline alumnus has served as the high school’s assistant principal of curriculum, instruction and assessment since last July. He was also principal for Rock Island High School. Whitaker succeeds Chris Moore, who has been with the district for 34 years. His last day will be June 30.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is nominating a former chair of the Rock Island County Democratic Party to serve as a member of the Illinois Finance Authority. Doug House worked for Pritzker as a deputy secretary in the state’s transportation department from 2018 to 2022. He previously served as the city of Moline's general manager of public works. Illinois’ 15-member finance authority administers access to low-cost funding for public and private institutions that are aligned with the state’s mission of fostering economic development and improving the quality of life for Illinois residents. House’s nomination still needs approval from the Illinois Senate.

Former Arizona political candidate and broadcaster Kari Lake is making moves that may signal a return to her roots in the Quad Cities.

MS NOW reported on Wednesday, January 7th, that the Rock Island native recently purchased a $60,000 condo in Davenport. Scott County property records show Lake’s family trust bought a two-bedroom unit in a brick apartment building. Lake ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate and Governor in Arizona, pushing unfounded claims of election fraud. She has been seen as a potential candidate to replace senior US Senator Chuck Grassley in 2028.

A key Democrat in the Iowa House said Democrats will propose a constitutional amendment aimed at preserving the Iowa Public Employee’ Retirement System (IPERS). It comes after the governor’s Iowa DOGE Task Force recommended studying whether the state should offer new public employees the choice of a 401(k)-style retirement plan.

House Minority Whip Sean Bagniewski of Des Moines said letting new employees opt out of a pension would undermine the whole system. He said the proposed constitutional amendment would prevent changes to IPERS.

“We’re going to make Iowa Republicans put their money where their mouth is. That if they really want to preserve IPERS, then they’re going to have to do it,” Bagniewski said.

Republican leaders have said they’re not planning changes to IPERS this year. But Democrats say that leaves the door open to changes in future legislative sessions.

Bagniewski made his comments Thursday at a forum hosted by the Iowa Capitol Press Association.

The city of Dubuque is moving forward with a storm sewer repair and extension project.

During its city council meeting on Monday, January 5th, City Manager Michael Van Milligen recommended that the council approve the Tanglewood Court Storm Sewer Extension Project, costing nearly $132,000.

“The city has identified a failing stormwater sewer outfall. It has caused significant erosion along city property located behind residences along Thornwood Court, Thornwood Drive and Tanglewood Court. The increased erosion along the outfall has created potential hazard that requires the outfall to be reconstructed and stabilized.” 

Milligen says the project will include the extension of storm sewer, additional stormwater intakes, and building an outfall stabilization structure to restore the eroded areas.

The project could cost $160,000 , including engineering and contingency funds. The city plans to award the contract later this month, with work completed by the end of June.

Third District Congressman Zach Nunn has joined a handful of Republicans to break with party leaders and pass a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, in a 230 to 196 vote Thursday afternoon, January 8th.

The proposal passed the US House with support from Democrats and 17 GOP representatives.

Nunn said in a statement that Iowans who rely on the enhanced tax credits should not suffer because of what he called “bad prior policies.”

Iowa’s three other Republican House members voted against the extension.

Second District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson said in a statement she would not support the “status quo.” But she said talks in the Senate about a temporary extension that would include income caps are encouraging.

Over in Illinois, Democrat Moline Congressman Eric Sorensen (17th) voted for the measure. In a statement, Congressman Sorensen blamed House Republicans for not passing the extension sooner: “I’m proud I was able to help deliver lower health care costs for my neighbors, and I hope the Senate will quickly take up and pass this critical bill to keep health care affordable.”

Illinois House Republicans Darin LaHood (16th) and Mary Miller (15th) voted against the extension.

The Senate is mulling its own version. At this time, no date has been provided for a possible vote in the upper chamber.

The Moline Fire Department is investigating a house fire early Thursday morning, January 8th.

According to a media release, fire crews responded to a single-story family residence under construction in the area of 4th Street and 18th Avenue around 5 a.m.

Heavy fire showed from the rear of the structure, and crews worked to extinguish the flames while keeping them away from neighboring homes. Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours to ensure all smoldering areas were fully extinguished.

No injuries were reported during the response.

Moline Fire Department

The Illinois Community College Board is awarding over $9 million in grants to support community colleges and partner organizations across the state. That includes nearly $300,000 for the Safer Foundation in Rock Island. Black Hawk College in Moline and Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg are also receiving funding from the Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant Program.

The grants will expand access to bridge programming, adult education pathways, wrap-around supports, and transition services designed to meet the needs of today’s learners and employers.

The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) is the state coordinating organization for the Illinois Community College System - the third largest in the country and the leading public workforce development trainer in the state.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports the monthly jobless rate in November remained unchanged at 4.4%, from two months before. There was no unemployment data reported for October due to the federal government shutdown. Total nonfarm payrolls in November lost about 9,700 positions. In Iowa, the state’s workforce development agency reports the November unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a point to 3.5%. The state added 4,600 jobs in November.

The Davenport Police Department is releasing the identity of a December stabbing victim.

In a news release Wednesday night, January 7th, officers identified the deceased as 52-year-old Bettendorf resident Bobbie Carpenter. Last month, Carpenter and a 35-year-old man were allegedly stabbed by 54-year-old Adrian Moreno of Davenport inside a residence in the 700 block of East Locust Street.

Moreno is facing charges of Murder in the First Degree and Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.

Public discourse at the Moline City Council meeting on Tuesday night, January 6th, included opposition to the use of automated-license plate reader systems in the Quad Cities.

During public comment, resident David Stoner said the company, Flock Safety, claims its system is only accessible to law enforcement.

“Yet security researchers have found dozens of cameras open to the entire Internet, publicly available live feeds of Telegram parks as close as Cedar Rapids. We're handing powerful surveillance tools to a company with a track record of security failures and broken promises. [inaudible] putting the bottom line above everyone’s safety.”

Stoner told the council he has been circulating a petition to remove the cameras. A preliminary review of publicly available information totals nearly 60 cameras in the Quad Cities. The total number of cameras provided by Flock Safety in the Quad Cities is unknown.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulis reported last year that Flock was sharing its camera feeds with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, violating a state law. A report by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world, showed Texas deputies used the technology to track a woman they suspected of traveling to receive an abortion.

Those interested in learning more about the petition can visit this website.

The Davenport Fire Department is providing an update on two fires from last month.

In a press release on Wednesday, January 7th, Fire Chief Jeff VanderWiere states a house fire on the 3200 block of Rockingham Rd on December 17th was caused by discarded smoking materials in a plastic bin. The other fire, which happened the next day at the Barrel House restaurant downtown, was caused by a malfunction in mechanical equipment in the basement.

The Bettendorf City Council is considering language updates to its city code regarding broken sewer lateral repairs and the property owner's cost responsibilities.

During the committee of the whole meeting on Monday, January 5th, city staff discussed an ordinance and resolution that will cement the policy that homeowners are on the hook for making repairs to their structures’ connections to the city’s sewer system.

Here is City Attorney Chris Curran providing an explanation of the language change.

“...to clarify or make explicit the longstanding practice and policy of pavement restoration and surface restoration whenever there is a broken sewer lateral issue at hand. Really, this is just…the ordinance is just to simply clarify what's always been the case. It's been the understanding. It's been the policy and practice. And this is just making that explicit.” 

Council is mulling whether to include rental properties in the policy. Staff is also crafting a Residential Sanitary Sewer Lateral Assistance Program to assist homeowners with repair costs. They’re allocating $75,000 dollars to the city’s Sanitary Sewer Fund CIP (Capital Improvement Project) fund. Additional funding will be calculated out of the sewer rates, making up point-zero-five of the total sewer use rate.

The council will move forward with the first reading, while tabling the program resolution to allow more time to refine the policy and assistance program.

The city of Bettendorf is working on a new assistance program for homeowners who need to repair their sewer lines.

Under the current city code, residents are required to cover the costs of repairing their sewer connections to the public line, including all surface restorations. According to a city memo, staff recognize that this creates a financial burden on residents.

The council wants to create a Residential Sanitary Sewer Lateral Assistance Program to assist owner-occupied single-family properties and duplexes offset some of the costs to repair or replace their sanitary sewer lateral.

The program has $75,000 set aside in the city’s Sanitary Sewer Fund CIP (Capital Improvement Project).

Staff is working on a related ordinance clarifying property owner responsibilities regarding sewer lateral and asked the council to table the program resolution for one cycle as they refine the ordinance.

Dubuque’s Housing and Community Development Department is reminding residents of its Urban Revitalization Program, accepting applications until February.

Residents who made any property improvements in calendar year 2025 are eligible to apply. This initiative provides property owners with a 10-year property tax exemption on the increased valuation of the property, if the improvements made to the structure result in an increase of 10 percent or more to the property’s assessed value.

Improvements to eligible commercial properties may receive a three-year property tax exemption on the increased valuation, if improvements made to the structure within the calendar year increase the property’s assessed value by 15%.

More information can be found on the city of Dubuque’s website. Applications are due Monday, February 2nd, by 5 p.m..

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a rollover accident on Highway 30 on Monday, January 5th, morning.

According to a sheriff’s office release, emergency crews arrived at the 3400 block of Highway 30 around 8 a.m. to find a 17-year-old lying on the ground near the vehicle.

The 17-year-old man was the only occupant of the vehicle and was transported to Mercy One Genesis Hospital in De Witt before being airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics by Iowa Air Care.

His condition remains unknown at this time.

The Davenport Fire Marshal is investigating a Monday night, January 5th, house fire.

According to a media release, fire crews responded around 10:29 p.m. in the 4400 block of Ripley Street to find smoke coming from the structure’s garage and front door.

All occupants were outside when crews arrived. The fire was located in the kitchen area and extinguished. Two people were displaced due to smoke damage but declined assistance from the American Red Cross.

Anyone with information should contact the fire marshal at 563-326-7906.

The city of Galesburg is seeking a resident to represent Ward 3.

Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman is requesting applications to replace Evan Miller, who stepped down at the end of December.

The application and Ward 3 map can be found on the city’s website.

The term would end in May 2027.

The deadline to apply by email is Thursday, January 15th at 10 p.m.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is setting up an Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force. Reynolds signed an executive order on Monday, January 5th, to create the task force that will advise her, the General Assembly, and other state agencies on the development of the state's nuclear energy technologies and infrastructure. The task force will include at least 11 members from utilities, local governments, the Iowa Utilities Commission, and other backgrounds. Doctor Mark Nutt will serve as chair of the task force.

Linn County supervisors are signaling their support for NextEra Energy to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant. They have approved the first reading of NextEra’s application to rezone nearly 400 acres of land from agricultural to a new designation for nuclear production and storage.

During a public hearing on the plant’s potential restart, many people showed their support, including John Zakrasek who worked at Duane Arnold for over a decade.

“I’ve been around the people that worked out there, lots of really great people who had good jobs, well-paying jobs. Our electricity demand is really going up right now, and to think about refurbishing and reusing that massive infrastructure out there to produce over 600 megawatts of power, 24 hours a day is just fabulous to me.”

County supervisors will consider NextEra’s rezoning application two more times. The project will need final approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is waiting for permits from multiple state and federal agencies.

The Davenport Fire Marshal is investigating a partial building collapse on Monday night, January 5th.

Around 5:25 Monday evening, fire crews responded to a collapsed structure at 920 East 6th Street. The northwest corner of the brick building had fallen.

According to a press release from the city, the property owner told officials the building had been vacant. Fire crews did not find anyone in the building.

The fire marshal and the development and neighborhood service department determined that an emergency demolition was appropriate. The home directly to the west was evacuated as a precaution.

No one was hurt during the response.

A Dubuque police officer is on Critical Incident Leave following a fatal shooting at a bar on Sunday morning, January 4th.

Around 1 am Sunday, the officer witnessed two people fighting outside the Odd Fellows bar located at 481 Locust Street from their vehicle. When attempting to exit, one of the men fired a shot, hitting the other patron, before the officer fired at them, fleeing into the bar.

According to a police department statement, both individuals were transported to Unity Point Finley Hospital and were pronounced dead. The names of the victims are not being released pending family notification.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

A new report found that Iowa has one of the most affordable housing markets in the country.

The report, by Common Sense Institute Iowa, ranked the state eighth in the country when factoring in property taxes. It ranked it 11th in the country for affordability relative to what its residents earn.

“There are states that are very affordable in absolute terms, but wages are very low and affordability doesn't help them as much. Whereas in Iowa, we have pretty good earnings relative to what housing costs,” said Ben Murrey, with the Common Sense Institute Iowa.

Murrey said the report also found that Iowa is on track to eliminate its housing shortage by the end of 2028.

According to the report, the average Iowan needs to work 38 hours a week to be able to afford a new mortgage payment for a single family home as of September, which is 14 hours a week less than the national average.

Galesburg Fire Department investigators say the cause of a weekend house fire was unintentional.

According to a news release, fire crews responded to a fire on Sunday, January 4th, around 11:42 in the 1000 block of Lincoln Street. Flames and smoke were visible from a first-floor window on the north side of the structure. Crews entered the home and located a victim. The victim was transported to OSF St. Mary Medical Center.

Two cats were also located, and efforts to resuscitate the animals were unsuccessful. The fire was extinguished, and damage was found throughout the structure.

The release did not state the victim's identity.

The Davenport Fire Department is investigating a garage fire that occurred on the 2800 block of Fillmore Lane on Sunday morning, January 4th.

According to a news release, the department responded to a two-car detached garage fire around 6:15 a.m. that was spreading to a neighboring garage.

Crews extinguished the fire without injury to firefighters or civilians.

Top Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate say they’ll work to address concerns about the potential use of eminent domain for a carbon capture pipeline.

Last session, 12 Senate Republicans refused to vote on the state budget until they got to vote on a House bill limiting the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines. Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed that bill.

New Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh also opposed that bill. For the upcoming session, he says he’s working on a bill that wouldn’t limit eminent domain but could remove the need for it. Klimesh says he wants to give pipeline companies more flexibility to go around landowners who don’t want a pipeline on their land.

"And I think that’s how we find a place in Iowa where we all but eliminate the need to use eminent domain ever again.”

House Speaker Pat Grassley says House Republicans will keep working on the issue as they have for years, and he wants to see bills that are narrowly focused on eminent domain.

Dozens of dead Canada geese at two state parks in southwest Iowa tested positive for bird flu, according to state wildlife officials.

Local DNR staff collected carcasses from Green Valley Lake and Lake of Three Fires after reports started coming in last week.

Testing at Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab confirmed they had H5 avian influenza.

“We are getting reports of influenza activity across the western half of the state, and, for the first time, mass mortality events impacting southwest Iowa which has remained fairly insulated since 2022,” said Dr. Rachel Ruden, state wildlife veterinarian with the Iowa DNR in a press release.

The DNR encourages people who see 20 or more carcasses in a small area to call their local wildlife staff.

According to the USDA, waterfowl hunters can limit their exposure by cooking meat to an internal temperature of 165° F. Bagging and disposing carcasses helps prevent exposure to scavengers.

Avian influenza has circulated for decades in certain waterfowl and shorebirds. But the H5N1 strain that arrived in North America in 2022 has caused massive outbreaks in wild birds and has jumped to other species, including dairy cows and people.

The Moline City Council is setting aside money to assist residents facing homelessness.

During its meeting on Tuesday, December 16th, 7th Ward Councilwoman Anna Castro and 6th Ward Councilman Dan McNeil motioned to send $25,000 in contingency funds to the city’s Community and Economic Development departments.

“This funding is not a path to a complete solution. It does provide the flexible funding that we think staff needs at this time' Councilman McNeil said. "And I know staff has been working daily to find pathways to support our own shelter.” 

City Administrator Bob Vitas says the city gave $2,000 to the MLK Center in Rock Island to help support unhoused people. Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati is holding a listening session on Thursday night, December 18th, at MetroLINK Centre Station, where residents can also hear more about social service initiatives. The session starts at 6.

Polk County officials say they have identified the state’s ninth case of measles this year.

The case was confirmed in an infant who is too young to be vaccinated.

Officials say the child recently traveled to an area where the highly contagious virus is spreading. There are no known local public exposure locations.

Juliann Van Liew is the director of the Polk County Health Department. She says anyone experiencing measles symptoms should call ahead to their doctor’s office or emergency room.

"Those first initial symptoms are often the fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, which are often followed by that typical rash that we see and hear about for measles."

State officials confirmed eight cases this summer between May and June.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends children get their first dose of the MMR shot starting at 12 months of age. Children as young as six months traveling abroad can get an early dose.

According to state data, 87 percent of Iowa’s 2-year-olds had received the MMR vaccine in 2024.

A Rock Island man is facing arson charges following a house fire Thursday morning, December 18th.

Rock Island Police arrested 21-year-old Aime Iranyibutse after fire crews responded to a house fire on 37th Street around 4:52 a.m.

A fire was found on the upper floor involving a bed and surrounding materials, and crews extinguished the fire by 5:15. Six people, including three adults and three kids, are now displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. No one was injured.

Iranyibutse was transported to the Rock Island County Jail.

The Davenport Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating a house fire on Thursday morning, December 18th.

Fire crews responded to a structure fire in the 3200 block of Rockingham Road around 8:21 a.m. According to a press release, crews extinguished the fire in under 20 minutes. When they arrived, all occupants, including a woman and her young child, escaped the blaze.

No one was injured. The occupants are now displaced, receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

The Davenport Fire Marshal is investigating a basement fire at a restaurant downtown on Wednesday morning, December 17th.

According to a press release, fire crews arrived at Barrel House, on East 2nd Street, around 6:21 a.m. after a fire alarm was tripped. Crews found an active fire in the restaurant’s basement and were able to extinguish it. Barrel House suffered significant smoke damage, and preliminary findings indicate the fire was caused by mechanical equipment in the basement, which appeared accidental.

According to a Facebook post, the owner states the restaurant is closed until further notice as they assess the damage.

The Davenport Skybridge is now showcasing a new lighting system in time for the holiday season.

Light displays have been extended end-to-end across the bridge, featuring more intense colors and programmable light shows. The system was paid in part by a Destination Iowa grant package and city funding totaling $408,000 for Crawford Company to complete the work, according to a city release.

The light shows are scheduled to follow the daily sunrise and sunset times, beginning 30 minutes before sunset and transitioning into white lights 30 minutes after sunrise.

The Rock Island County Board on Tuesday, December 16th, approved the appointment of Cindy Ramos to District 6 to replace board member Porter McNeil, who passed away in September.

County Board Chair Richard Brunk said he has known Ramos and her family "for decades and I am confident that she will bring value to the county in her service." According to background provided by Brunk, Ramos was born and raised in Moline. The 49-year-old graduated from Moline High School and attended both Black Hawk College and St. Ambrose University.

Daily flights between the Dubuque Regional Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport will end early next year.

This week, the Dubuque City Council directed the Dubuque Airport Commission to terminate its service agreement with Denver Air Connection, effective January 15, with schedule changes to flights beginning January 2.

City officials say the decision follows the exhaustion of federal and local funds used to support the route, which could not operate without financial guarantees. Passengers booked after that date will be eligible for refunds or re-accommodation through their airline or travel agency.

Mayor Brad Cavanagh says commercial flights have actually increased steadily in recent months, and the city will continue seeking funding and airline partners to meet local travel needs.

Towhead Island, a 129-acre stretch of green along the Mississippi River in downtown Muscatine, will soon be permanently protected. The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine announced Tuesday, December 16th, plans to acquire the island and place it into community ownership.

The foundation did not disclose the value of the acquisition, which is funded by the Joe W. and Betty L. Rauch Memorial Fund, honoring a Muscatine couple for their lifelong civic involvement. The gift represents one of the largest conservation-focused investments in the region’s history.

Towhead Island, which has been privately owned for generations, carries deep historical roots, with recorded use dating back to the early 1800s.

Early stewardship plans focus on preserving the island while creating opportunities for youth programming and outdoor education.

Get Covered Illinois says residents now have until December 31 to enroll in health insurance coverage that begins – the next day – on January 1.

This year marks the first open enrollment period for Get Covered Illinois as a fully state-run marketplace, operating independently from HealthCare-Dot-Gov.

The extended deadline comes as states navigate uncertainty in federal health care programs and rising costs across the insurance market.

Free assistance is available statewide online or by phone at 866-311-1119.

The Duane Arnold Energy Center in eastern Iowa is one step closer to reopening in 2029. The Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to send NextEra Energy’s rezoning application to the Board of Supervisors. If the application is approved, it would rezone nearly 400 acres of land from agricultural to experimental use to support the nuclear power facility’s reopening. The Board of Supervisors will review NextEra’s rezoning application as early as January 5th. NextEra is also expected to have a Host Community Agreement drafted with local stakeholders by that time.

The emergency shelter at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center is closing after serving the community over the weekend. During the Rock Island City Council meeting Monday night, December 15th, Project Now Chief Operating Officer Ron Lund provided an update on the temporary operation that assisted 55 people.

“94% of them Illinois residents, 2 veterans, 49% of those in the shelter had a physical or mental disability, 31% were fleeing domestic violence. And the most important number, zero fatalities due to the weather.” 

The emergency shelter was a collaboration between the MLK Center, Project Now, Christian Care, The Third Place, and the City of Rock Island.

A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that the property sales still needed final council approval. The council, in fact, suspended rules and approved all seven purchase agreements

The City of Rock Island is moving forward with the purchase of seven vacant lots from Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities. The City Council on Monday night, December 15th, agreed to purchase four properties located along 3rd Avenue between 10th and 11th Street, and the three other lots along 10th Avenue between 10th and 11th Street.

Community Development Director Miles Brainard says some of the land could be affected by construction to replace the Centennial Bridge someday.

“By purchasing the set to the north, we help to set the stage for possible different scenarios of infrastructure change. With the properties to the south, we have an opportunity to do some site consolidation as well as clear some nuisance vegetation.”

Rock Island plans to pay $21,000 for the seven properties, with funding coming from the North 11th Street Tax Increment Financing district. In addition to the purchase price, the City would be responsible for the recording fee at closing and any taxes billed after the closing. Staff estimate the cost at around $1,200 for all properties.

The River Bend Food Bank is accepting a gift from the Chicago Bears.

In a media release on Monday, December 15th, Bears Care, the Chicago Bears' charitable organization, donated $25,000 to River Bend Food Bank. The release states the match made through the Quad Cities Community Foundation River Bend Food Bank Hunger Relief Fund, will be doubled to provide $50,000, or 250,000 meals, for River Bend Food Bank’s 23-county service area.

River Bend Food Bank NorthPark and SouthPark pantries are extending their hours before holiday closures.

According to President and CEO Chris Ford, this extension is thanks to volunteers and staff who “ensure our shelves are filled, and our doors are open to our neighbors who need it.”

At NorthPark, Iowans can visit the pantry on Monday, December 22nd and Monday, December 29th, between noon and 6 pm for food assistance. Over at SouthPark, Illinoisans can visit on Tuesday, December 23rd and Tuesday, December 30th between noon and 6 pm for food aid.

The pantries are closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

Regular pantry hours restart on Monday, January 5th.

Quad City area Congresswoman Marianette Miller-Meeks is leading a Republican effort to curtail soaring insurance premiums expected for Affordable Care Act plans next year. Iowa’s First District Representative has introduced a bill that would, among other things, allow small businesses to join together to buy insurance plans for employees

“We give small businesses and self-employed workers access to association health plans so that they can group together, have larger numbers, and they can get the same benefits through Obamacare that larger companies have.”

The bill would also set new requirements for pharmacy benefit managers in an effort to lower drug costs. It does not extend enhanced subsidies for ACA plans which are set to expire this month. A vote on the package is expected this week.

Communities across Iowa are mourning the deaths of two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria on Saturday, December 13th. Authorities have identified the two Iowans as Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard, 29, from Marshalltown, and Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar from Des Moines, who was 25 years old.

During a press conference alongside the Iowa Governor, Major General Stephen Osborn said the ambush by a lone ISIS gunman, also killed an American interpreter and wounded three other Iowa guard members.

“US personnel were conducting a key leader engagement. Their mission was in support of ongoing counter ISIS and counterterrorism efforts in the region, and this incident remains under investigation."

Osborn said about 250 Iowa National Guard troops are currently deployed in Syria.

A Republican from western Iowa is ending his campaign for the U.S. House.

Douglas Jensen is a veteran from Silver City. He joined the 4th District primary race in October, saying he wanted to be a problem solver in Congress.

Now Jensen is dropping out. He says his wife, who is active in the military, will be sent overseas. He wants to focus on caring for their two children instead of trying to manage a campaign.

There are four other Republicans still running for the House seat. It’s currently held by Randy Feenstra who is running for governor.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (MLK Center) in Rock Island is accepting scholarship applications and nominations.

Opportunities include the M.L. Lockhart Scholarship, Youth Expression Contest, and “I Have A Dream” Award.

Submissions through the MLK Center website, under the “Memorial Service & Awards in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” event tab, are due by Friday, December 19th

Recipients and honorees will be recognized exactly a month later during the Service and Awards Celebration, in the Ida Robinson Banquet Room.

Both the length and intensity of drought can work together to have cumulative, negative effects on grasslands, according to a new global study published in Science.

An international group of scientists ran the same drought study across six continents, including sites in Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas. They imposed extreme drought conditions for four years in a row to find out what these conditions do to a diverse array of grasslands and shrublands.

“With changing climate, particularly atmospheric warming, we're expecting to see more extreme events such as droughts, but those events are likely to be longer in duration,” said Colorado State University Professor Melinda Smith, who co-led the study and worked on multiple sites, including one near Manhattan, Kan.

Smith and her team brought together a network of scientists from around the world to study drought, using a research coordination grant from the National Science Foundation. The International Drought Experiment, as it’s known, was born from that work and involved sites around the world.

A local high school was under lockdown on Thursday afternoon, December 11th, after a staff member thought they heard gunshots.

Around 12:50 p.m., the Rock Island County Sheriff’s office responded to Rockridge High School while the school was following lockdown procedures. The school resource officer determined there was no active shooter threat.

According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, the noise was confirmed to be the sound of a collapsing table that struck the floor and echoed through the hallway.

The sheriff’s office is not releasing additional information at this time. There is no threat to Rockridge High School.

Iowa’s longest-serving Governor has received the state’s highest citizen award. Governor Kim Reynolds presented the Iowa Award to her predecessor Terry Branstad at the state capitol Thursday, December 11th.

Iowa US Senator Chuck Grassley also praised Branstad on the Senate floor Thursday morning.

“Like me, Terry grew up on a family farm. Throughout his lifetime of public service, Terry applied the bone-deep work ethic of an Iowa farmer with extra elbow grease, fiscal conservatism, and rock-solid tenacity.”

Branstad had two turns in the Governor's office, serving from 1983 to 1999 and from 2011 to 2017. He also served as US Ambassador to China during the first Trump administration.

Previous recipients of the award include former President Herbert Hoover in 1951, former first lady Mamie Eisenhower, and scientist George Washington Carver in 2002.

A longtime broadcast voice in the Quad Cities has died.

WQAD reports Jim Albracht passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 9th. He hosted a show on WOC for years, was part of the Iowa Hawkeye Radio Network, and did play-by-play for the Quad City Steamwheelers. Jim Albracht was 75 years old.

The Davenport City Council is not divesting its named distribution in a Davenport man’s will.

James W. Victor, a financial advisor who died in 2018, bequeathed 5% of his estate to cover the cost of a fountain in the city, managed by the Quad City Arts and Davenport Parks Department.

The estate and Victor’s brothers said they were unable to find a suitable location, so they approached the Figge Art Museum to fund two digital art installations and signed an agreement in August.

The council was made aware in November. City Attorney Sam Huff informed the council in November that if they vote no, the Figge won’t be authorized to pay for the artwork.

In a 7-2 vote on Wednesday night, December 10, the council voted against releasing the estate's obligation to pay any gift to the city, citing litigation concerns. 3rd Ward Alderwoman Marion Meginnis and At-Large Alderman Kyle Gripp voted to divest from the will's named distribution.

The Quad Cities is seeing another clipper system move in, bringing snow Thursday night, December 11th, into Friday.

The National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities is forecasting 2 to 4 inches of snow.

National Weather Service

Meteorologist Timothy Gunkel says a dangerous cold front is coming through this weekend.

“We are currently forecasting the potential for below-zero temperatures, especially Saturday night into Sunday, being the coldest with the minus teens in play. There will be a little bit of a breeze, which can give us some much colder wind chills, where we're looking at the potential between minus 25 to minus 35 and maybe even colder for some areas.”

National Weather Service

Gunkel says to limit time spent out in the cold and cover all exposed skin on Sunday, December 14th.

The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees is putting the Quad Cities Complex Building C at its Moline campus on the market.

The board unanimously approved the resolution during their quarterly meeting on Wednesday, December 10th, in Macomb, allowing university administration to negotiate the sale of Building C for fair market value.

WIU President Kristie Mindrip, in a statement, says “Western’s commitment to the Quad Cities and surrounding communities is further strengthened by the leadership of our Board of Trustees. The potential sale will allow WIU to generate revenue that will support student and programmatic initiatives in the Quad Cities and throughout the University.”

The university has consolidated its on-campus academic programs into Riverfront Hall, located at 34th Street and River Drive. WIU is leasing its Buildings A and B of the complex to the Moline-Coal Valley School District through June 2027.

The board of trustees approved a 2% tuition increase for undergraduate and graduate students. They also passed a resolution allowing the university to borrow up to $2 million from the WIU Foundation to assist with educational needs over the next five years.

The board will meet again on March 12th, 2026.

Automated license plate readers (ALPR) have become widespread across the state, according to a report released Wednesday by the ACLU of Iowa. The readers collect a car’s license plate number, make, model and color, and often feed that data into a network of shared databases along with the time and location it was collected.

Researchers at the University of Iowa filed open records requests with 48 law enforcement agencies to learn more about their use of ALPR cameras. Only four granted the researchers access to audit logs of their system.

Pete McRoberts, policy director for the ACLU of Iowa, said the widely varied responses and documents they received from agencies is a telling sign that there is a patchwork of regulations overseeing the technology.

“This issue of the varied responses, even to as something as established as an open records request, is a good example that cities who have engaged in these contracts are either not equipped to deal with the consequences of them or to protect the privacy of their residents, or they’re unwilling to."

Out of the 48 agencies, 10 said audits of their ALPR systems were confidential, and 23 said they had no audit records. None of the local policies that the researchers reviewed required a warrant to access the data.

When bird flu spilled over into dairy cattle last year, researchers discovered high concentrations of the H5N1 virus in the raw milk and udders of infected cows. A new study shows the mammary glands of other livestock — and humans — could be suitable hosts for the virus.

The authors said their findings show “a potential health risk for farm workers” and consumers of raw milk and cheese from goats and sheep.

Todd Bell, professor of veterinary pathology at Iowa State University, contributed to the study.

“Those particular milk products could end up on the shelves of your local grocery store, so we wanted to try to get ahead of it,” he explained.

Bell said more research and widespread testing are needed to understand how the virus spreads across species and through the environment, which could help prevent bird flu from evolving into something more dangerous for people.

An advocate for immigrants in northwest Iowa says the president’s comments about Somali people have gone too far.

Last week, President Donald Trump called Somali people “garbage” and sent immigration enforcement agents to Minnesota, which is home to the nation’s largest Somali population.

“Everybody should do their research before they judge people,” said Abdikadir Moalim, with the Siouxland Global Community Center in South Sioux City, Neb. “I would advise the president to do the same, you know, because I am sure he doesn't understand anything about immigrants and refugees. I mean, if he did, then I think his perspective would change.”

Maolim is Somali and a native of Kenya. He came to the U.S. three years ago and is a permanent resident.

Maolim estimates up to 3,000 Somalis live in the Sioux City area. He said even immigrants with legal status are fearful of being targeted by ICE agents.

“Right now, the lights are on the Somali community, but he targets every refugee or immigrant, and his administration has been doing this for a very long time, and right now it's just getting out of hand,” he said. “I mean, they're also targeting citizens.”

He said despite the president’s comments, he finds people in the tri-state area of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota to be kind.

President Donald Trump has announced a $12 billion bailout for farmers hurt by tariffs, low prices and high input costs.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said most of it – $11 billion – will go to the USDA’s new Farm Bridge Assistance Program for crop farmers.

Rollins said eligible farmers will know by the end of the month how much they can expect to receive to plan for next year.

“So just in the next couple of weeks, every farmer that is able to apply for it will know exactly what that number looks like, so as you are going to your lender, as you are working to ensure in understanding what you can plant next year, you will have that number in hand,” she said.

Rollins said the one-time payments will move by the end of February.

An additional $1 billion is being held back until the USDA decides how to allocate the funds for specialty farmers.

The farmer aid program draws from the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation fund, which Congress replenished with nearly $14 billion through the continuing resolution passed in November.

A Moline man is facing armed robbery charges for allegedly stealing a tip jar from a Chinese restaurant on Saturday, December 6th.

Moline police report 22-year-old Shaheem McNight had attempted to pay for take-out with two credit cards at the China Inn on the 3600 of Avenue of the Cities around 1:51 p.m. When both cards were declined, police say McNight pepper-sprayed the clerk and ran away with the money. Two employees and a customer chased the robber on foot and recovered the money nearby. Police arrested McNight later that afternoon and booked him in the Rock Island County Jail.

McNight faces two counts of armed robbery. He is currently awaiting further court proceedings and a detention hearing.

Update at 2:35: The heating issue at Rock Island City Hall has been repaired, and the building has reopened. The City Council meeting is still scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

Older version:
Rock Island City Hall is closed until further notice due to a heating issue in the building.

According to a news release, technicians are currently on site working on the boiler system, but it is unknown how long it will take for the building to regain heat. Rock Island City Manager Todd Thompson is evaluating whether to cancel tonight’s City Council meeting. Another update will be provided this afternoon.

Iowa museums and libraries have regained access to federal funding after the Institute of Museum and Library Services reinstated grants terminated under a federal order earlier this year.

The Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the IMLS was permanently blocked by a district judge last month.

Some institutions, like the Science Center of Iowa, feared they would never see reimbursements for the programs they had planned using the grants they’d been previously awarded. Others, like the Dubuque Museum of Art, were able to get their grants reinstated before the reversal decision.

Library leaders are calling the reinstatement a major win, but warn that future funding isn’t guaranteed.

Immigration advocates said an Afghan man in Des Moines was detained, questioned and released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this week.

Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (MMJ), a group that provides legal services to immigrants, said the man was apprehended by ICE on his way to work on Tuesday, December 2nd.

The group also said the individual is in the country legally and has maintained legal status since arriving in the U.S. in 2021.

“Our client also does not know why he was detained. That is something that he's made clear to his attorney. He does not have a criminal record,” said Elena Casillas-Hoffman, a communications specialist with Iowa MMJ. ”Again, he's an individual that has been in status, and he asserts that he's done nothing wrong.”

Last week, the Trump administration announced it would stop issuing visas to Afghan nationals and freeze the visa program for Afghans who helped U.S. forces during the war.

The National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities is issuing a Winter Weather Advisory.

Senior meteorologist Andy Ervin is tracking the storm system and recommends that residents try to travel during the day, as the clipper system is expected to intensify overnight on Saturday, December 6th.

"We are looking for snowfall amounts generally in kind of a 2 to 4 inch range through the Quad Cities, and that will bring snow-covered roads for sure,” Ervin said in a phone interview Friday, December 5th.

The advisory is active from Saturday at 6 PM until Sunday at 6 AM. It is affecting east/central Iowa counties, the Quad Cities, and Mercer County, Illinois.

Ervin says to bundle up and seek warm shelter, as Sunday, December 7th,is expected to be the coldest night of the weekend, with temperatures dropping as low as three below zero.

There is a low chance of a freezing drizzle on Friday night, mainly north of I-80, which could cause icy conditions on streets and sidewalks.

The Quad Cities’ annual Battle of the Mayors is returning this Saturday, December 4th.

According to a press release, the QC leaders, including the Mayors of Rock Island, Davenport, and Bettendorf, will raise funds for The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities Area’s Red Kettle Campaign.

Earlier this week, the city of Davenport approved a $100,000 contract with the Salvation Army. During the meeting, Salvation Army Program & Operations Director Kelle Larned says the funding will help house families.

“We currently right now have 156 families waiting to come into shelter and 132 of those are identifying to be in debt in this Scott County that are literally homeless, meaning that they are staying in their car or they're on the street streets. And so it is a desperate need that these people need somewhere to go," Larned said at the Davenport City Council meeting held on Wednesday, December 3rd.

Continuing through December 24th, the Red Kettle campaign raises funds for the nonprofit’s year-round programs and services.

Mayor Locations – Saturday, December 6

• Bettendorf:
  Council Member Lisa Brown, ringing on behalf of Mayor Bob Gallagher
  Hy-Vee, 2900 Devils Glen Rd., Bettendorf, IA10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Davenport:
  Mayor-elect Jason Gordon
  Hy-Vee, 1823 E Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Rock Island:
  Mayor Ashley Harris
  Hy-Vee, 2930 18^th Ave., Rock Island, IL6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The Iowa Supreme Court is ruling that the state’s auditor has the right to represent themselves in litigation against the city of Davenport regarding settlement payments to three employees in late 2023.

The case stems from settlements agreed to behind closed doors in October 2023, ahead of a general city council election in November. Former City Administrator Corri Spiegel and two other employees claimed harassment from city officials and staff. The settlement was voted on in December, prompting public backlash over the lack of transparency and its impact on residents' tax dollars.

The payments totaled approximately $1.9 million; one settlement—with the city administrator—was for $1.6 million.

In a ruling issued Dec. 4, 2025, the court said there is a conflict of interest on the state’s attorney general’s counsel, as they moved to strike language in the appeal brief that stated the auditor has a right to view attorney-client privileged material, something the attorney general’s office declined to include, citing concerns the brief wouldn’t succeed and that it would damage the state’s interests.

The ruling, written by Justice Edward Mansfield, says in part: “This is not a mere disagreement over strategy, as suggested by the Attorney General. The Attorney General doesn’t want the Auditor’s view of his own authority upheld on appeal. That is a conflict of interest, and it justifies the Auditor’s appearance through other counsel.”

Auditor Rob Sand filed a motion on appeal objecting to the Attorney General’s representation of his office and seeking to be represented by his own general counsel. Because of the Attorney General’s conflict of interest, the Auditor may be represented by his general counsel, the new court decision says.

Some Justices disagreed with a portion of the ruling that allows the Auditor’s office to select alternative counsel, since he already had a suitable person in mind who wouldn’t cost the state any funds in representation within his office.

Justice Christopher McDonald says the statute states the state executive counsel should decide on alternative counsel and that state officers can recommend but not choose. He disagrees with the majority opinion that suitable free counsel within the same office would circumvent the need for the executive counsel.

In an email statement, Auditor Rob Sand says, “The Iowa Supreme Court’s decision affirms what the State Auditor’s Office has emphasized all along – that taxpayers in Davenport, and across the state, deserve transparency and accountability. It also reinforces that the Iowa Attorney General cannot unilaterally silence other constitutional officers or deny them access to the courts.”

In an email response on Friday, Dec. 4th, a spokesperson for the Attorney General's office says: "Today the Court recognized the Office of the Attorney General’s concerns are legitimate and the Auditor’s position on attorney-client privilege, if he later prevails, will impact other state officers and agencies, and ultimately, Iowans in general. It is a long-standing legal principle to seek legal advice and have candid communications with attorneys without fear that those discussions will be disclosed. We remain committed to our role of legally representing entities of the state of Iowa and to the checks and balances that make our government one of the people, by the people, and for the people. We will continue to work diligently for Iowans."

The Attorney General’s office has 30 days to file an amicus brief. WVIK reached out to the city of Davenport. A city spokesperson said they will not comment on ongoing litigation.

Akwaaba Quad Cities is giving away over 500 winter coats tomorrow, Saturday, December 6th.

The local nonprofit says they have coats for babies, kids, and adults as well as 437 hats, 447 gloves, 100 socks, and 99 blankets. Akwaaba QC is asking interested persons to visit their website and register for the giveaway.

The giveaway will be held at the nonprofit's office at 1531 47th Avenue, Suite 2, Moline, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Nearly 60 immigrants representing 22 countries became United States citizens last month at the Central District of Illinois naturalization ceremony hosted at Augustana College’s Brunner Theatre on Thursday, Nov. 20.

Among those sworn in was Augustana’s Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Gauri Pitale. Instead of taking her oath in a courthouse or convention center, Pitale became a citizen in the place where she has built her career and community.

“The journey is long and it is exciting and at the same time nerve-wracking…But to end it all at the place where you work, on the day you actually become a citizen? That’s such a rare circumstance,” Pitale said in an interview on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Pitale says the ceremony and her citizenship brought a new sense of connection to the campus she serves.

“Something has shifted… I feel a greater sense of belonging,” Pitale said.

Standing among her colleagues and fellow immigrants from across the Quad Cities, Pitale says she was reminded of why she chose to join the Augustana community nearly two years ago.

“It reminded me why I wanted to work at Augustana in the first place, because this is a community that truly cares,” Pitale said. “[Augustana] cares not just about people in the Augustana community, but people around the Augustana community.”

As she begins her new chapter as a U.S. citizen, Pitale says she looks forward to continuing local social-justice work and participating in civic life, including voting and, she says, even jury duty.

The Bettendorf Fire Department is investigating a pole barn fire that occurred on Wednesday night, December 3rd.

Crews arrived at 25300 195th Street to find a barn filled with machinery and hay bales engulfed in flames around 7 p.m. According to a press release from the department, crews and neighboring agencies extinguished the fire without injury.

The owners were not home at the time of the fire, and they told crews that there were no livestock in the barn. 195th Street was temporarily closed but has since reopened.

Iowa State Treasurer Roby Smith is running for a second term in 2026. The Republican from Davenport announced his bid for re-election on Tuesday, December 2nd. Smith is a former state legislator and banker. In 2022, he defeated Democratic incumbent Mike Fitzgerald, who had been the longest-serving state treasurer in U.S. history.

The city of Davenport is introducing four electric buses to its fleet. The new zero-emission buses will replace diesel buses the city has used for 20 years. Davenport received nearly $5 million in total grant funding from the federal government, MidAmerican Energy, and the Regional Development Authority to make the purchase. The city said in a statement it is trying to both improve its air quality and reduce operational costs for public transit.

Iowa City also has electric buses in its fleet, but the Cedar Rapids Gazette reports they have been out of commission since the manufacturer went bankrupt.

Silvis Police Chief Mark VanKlaveren plans to step down after leading the department for a decade.

VanKalvern has been with the force for 23 years, including assignments on patrol, narcotics investigations, and directing a drug task force. Geneseo’s Deputy Chief of Police Gene Karzin is set to replace him in early January. The public is invited to celebrate VanKlaveren’s retirement at Silvis police headquarters on Friday from 1 to 3 PM.

The Rock Island Fire Department is investigating the death of a 94-year-old resident who died after first responders rescued him from a house fire and transported him to a hospital early Monday, December 1st.

The fire broke out before 6 AM at a home on the 1100 block of 15th Avenue. Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson later identified the man to The Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus as Richard Newton. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2nd.

In a news release from the city of Rock Island, the estimated damage to the property, which was deemed a total loss, is around $30,000.

The Moline Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating a crash that killed one woman Sunday afternoon, November 30th, in Moline.

Rock Island County Coroner, Brian Gustafson, identified the woman as 33-year-old Kaytlyn Hill of Moline on Monday afternoon, December 1st. According to a news release from the Moline Police Department, Hill was preparing to make a left turn south on 41st Street into an apartment complex before a 46-year-old man from Moline rear-ended her Chevy Spark. Hill suffered serious injuries and was later pronounced dead, according to a news release from the Moline Police Department.

The driver of the Ford F350 and a child in the truck were not injured.

The road was closed for three hours while traffic crash reconstruction investigators processed the scene. Preliminary findings indicate road conditions were not a factor in the crash; the roadway was clear of snow.

The Davenport Police Department has arrested two men accused of two murders during a shooting early Friday, November 28th, at a Davenport lounge.

According to Davenport law enforcement, Raymond Robinson and Danny Howard are charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Police responded to the Chill Vibez Lounge on Myrtle St. to investigate a report of shots fired. Officers found a man with a gunshot wound who later died at MercyOne Genesis Medical Center.

Another victim was taken by private vehicle to the hospital, where he died as well. Initial investigation indicates a physical disturbance escalated to shots being fired. The shooting does not appear to be a random act of violence.

An Iowa midwife is opening a birthing center after a law passed earlier this year that lowered barriers to create new maternal facilities.

Heaven Sent Homebirth in Adel, located in Dallas County, is owned by midwife Sarah Sorvillo. She said expecting mothers have told her that they didn’t feel cared for in medical settings.

“People are just looking to go back to basics, because what has been working isn't working,” Sorvillo said. “I think that's just forced people to think outside of the box.”

Many of them also have to drive more than an hour for an OB-GYN. That’s why Sorvillo wanted to establish her own birthing center in the community she was already serving.

Since 2000, 41 birthing units have closed in Iowa. Over the last 10 years, the number of home births in Iowa has almost doubled. Nearly 850 people gave birth outside of a hospital last year.

A new poll placed Iowa at the top when it comes to people’s experience with the health care system nationwide. The poll was conducted by Gallup and the nonprofit West Health. It asked nearly 20,000 Americans their opinions on their state’s health care system’s cost, quality and access.

Iowa ranked the highest in the survey, but it only received a “C+” grade overall. The nation received a “C.”

West Health CEO Tim Lash said some of the state’s investments in rural health and Medicaid expansion have helped, but it still received a barely passing grade.

“Iowa performing better than the bottom states shows us there are things you can do to do better, but we need to do more of that,” Lash said.

The survey found that 1 in 4 Iowans reported distance to medical professionals delayed or prevented receiving care in the past 12 months. More than 50% said long wait times for appointments affected their care.

A 24-year-old man from Mount Pleasant was deported this week after spending months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

Noel Lopez De La Cruz was brought to the U.S. when he was two years old. In June, he was arrested for possessing marijuana and was later handed over to ICE.

Over the weekend, De La Cruz was deported to Mexico.

Kayla Alberding, the sister of De La Cruz’s fiancé, said he was “ripped away” and sent to a place he has never known as home.

“You see the comments from the hateful people, people that don’t know the whole story at all,” she said. “They just automatically think he’s a criminal and a bad person, when that is far from the truth.”

De La Cruz sued the Trump administration in September for denying him a bond hearing. He was then granted a hearing in front of an immigration judge, but was given a final order of deportation.

The federal court records filed after the judge granted him the hearing have been sealed.

Now is the time of year that Iowa farmers begin talking with lenders about borrowing money to finance operations or buy land and equipment. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City reported that loan demand among farmers in the region trended up in the last quarter, while loan repayment rates went down as the ag economy slowed.

Ty Kreitman, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank, said the situation is bleakest in the crop sector, where farmers have been at or below the break-even mark for the past couple of harvests.

He said crop farmers had strong years in 2021 and 2022, when most operations grew their operating capital. Kreitman said land prices are near historic highs, meaning many operations have strong equity.

Kreitman said younger farmers and those who rent most of their land have been the hardest hit by the downturn in the ag economy because they haven’t built equity like more established operations.

There have been 18 farm bankruptcy filings in Iowa so far this year. That’s the largest number since 2020.