Governor Kim Reynolds today announced the opening of another round of funding opportunities for employers, nonprofits, educational and community groups seeking to provide high school youth with internship opportunities. Now available for the fourth consecutive year, Future Ready Iowa’s Summer Youth Internship Project grants are designed to help youth explore and prepare for high-demand careers while gaining work experience and developing the personal attributes necessary to succeed in the workplace. A total of $250,000 will be available for programs this summer. Applications must be submitted... Read More

There’s literally no place in the Quad-Cities like Rozz-Tox. After marking its 10th anniversary in 2021, the quirky café has been closed for renovations for the past couple of months. It will reopen with its dazzlingly diverse lineup, Asian-inspired menu, and offbeat charm on Feb. 11. During a traditionally slow time of year anyway, the remodel will make the place feel smaller and more intimate, Rozz-Tox owner/manager Ben Fawks said recently. “I think it’s going to feel a little more comfortable, a little more cozy,” Fawks said, noting there will be fewer live shows. “We’re... Read More

The Rock Island Coalition of African American Stakeholders is insisting that the City of Rock Island return The African American Civil Rights Grant to the federal government. The Rock Island Coalition of African American Stakeholders released a statement today insisting that the City of Rock Island return the African American Civil Rights Grant to the federal government for the following reasons: To the City of Rock Island, this is merely $33, 500 thousand dollars and a means to expand their economic development plan, simply a funded means to an end. However, to us, the Black Community, this is... Read More

Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati, Western Illinois University Vice President of Quad Cities Campus Operations Kristi Mindrup, Lindsay Meeker of the WIU College of Education and Human Services, and Ron Clewer of Gorman & Associates have opened up a new partnership that will expand childcare options in an effort to return more people to the workforce and fill long-vacant commercial space in downtown Moline. WIU-QC will establish the Spanish Bilingual Early Learning and Family Empowerment Lab in the first-floor commercial space of the Enterprise Lofts building. Bolstering childcare options in Moline... Read More

In 2021 Moline Fire Department personnel responded to more than 7,880 requests for assistance — ranging from structure fires and motor vehicle accidents to emergency medical responses to river rescues and searches for missing individuals. To maintain a consistent and professional response, the department relies on comprehensive, up–to–date policies. Recently, the department was recognized by the Lexipol Connect program for achieving Gold level for consistent and effective dissemination of policies to firefighters, issuing timely policy updates as laws change, and ensuring firefighters... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois will drop its indoor mask requirement starting Feb. 28, but the mandate will remain in place for all Illinois schools, Gov. JB Pritzker announced in a press conference today. “We’re seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began,” Pritzker said, “Our daily total of patients has fallen…66 percent. Our ICU bed care has seen a 63 percent drop… as a result of that, if these trends continue, as we expect them to, then on Monday, Feb. 28, we will lift the indoor mask requirement for the State... Read More

WQPT announced today that it is now live streaming on DIRECTV STREAM. A dedicated live channel for WQPT is already available to all local DIRECTV STREAM customers, supplemented with additional PBS on-demand programming that will continue to expand PBS’s digital footprint and offer viewers additional ways to stream PBS content. “As viewer habits continue to evolve, PBS remains committed to making our award-winning, national and local content available to all Americans across as many platforms as possible. This partnership will allow PBS and our member stations to expand our digital footprint... Read More

Chicagoland Equipment & Supply (CES), a portfolio company of Cooper Management, LLC, and a leading supplier of equipment, supplies and service to the food industry, has acquired United Fast Food & Beverage Service, a leading supplier of equipment and service to convenience stores and fast-food restaurants. The transaction closed on January 5, and an official announcement was made to UFFB’s employees at the company’s Elk Grove headquarters the following day. The acquisition is a continuation of CES’ efforts to expand its equipment offering and service capabilities. Cook M&A (cookma.com)... Read More

After 4 years of leading the Quad Cities Chamber, Paul Rumler will become Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President of CCIM Institute. Headquartered in Chicago, CCIM Institute is a global membership association serving the commercial real estate community through networking, technology and providing the industry’s gold standard in education. “It has been a privilege to serve the Quad Cities region and work with a talented Chamber team to help create a more prosperous regional economy,” said Rumler. “I’m excited to join CCIM Institute and help guide this world class organization.” Under... Read More

If you blink, you’ll miss this stop, and that is kind of unfortunate. Today, we are talking about Rocks Rocks Anchor Grill. I am going to start this one out a little rough, but stick with me. I promise it gets better. Typically, my reviews end with a score on a scale from 1 to 10. So maybe we Tarantino this one a little bit. My score for Rocks Anchor Grill is 6.2 Of course this is a lower than average score, and some of you may be upset with my opinion but let me explain before you come with the pitchforks. Let me preface this by saying I am not a professional food critic. I am just... Read More