ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (February 10, 2026) — We are excited to present our 4th Annual Rooting Out Poverty Conference being held April 9 — please join us at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center.

It’s a day of exploring affordable housing, justice issues, education, health-care, and economics that impact all of us but, particularly low wage earners.

The day-long event features state and regional leaders doing the work to promote human dignity for all.

CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS (February 10, 2026) — Ava Hartman, of Milan, Illinois, has been named to Eastern Illinois University's Fall 2025 Dean's List in recognition of outstanding academic achievement.

Majoring in Environmental Biology, Hartman is among more than 940 EIU students honored for their hard work and dedication in the classroom last semester.

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA (February 6, 2026) — Michael Henderson of Muscatine has been named to the Deans' Commendation List at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year.

Henderson, a junior majoring in PGA golf management, was named to the Dean's Commendation List for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

More than 400 students at Nebraska were named to the Commendation List for the fall semester.

DAVENPORT, IOWA (February 6, 2026) — A chocolate trend that’s been capturing attention for its rich flavor and Middle Eastern roots has found a home in the Quad Cities — and it’s being handcrafted by refugee neighbors rebuilding their lives.