Covid-19 numbers in Illinois are soaring as post-Thanksgiving infections begin surging in, with infection numbers doubling and record-high death tolls reported. Illinois had 238 people die from covid-19 over the past 24 hours, marking the deadliest day for the virus since the beginning of the pandemic. The previous high had been 192 deaths on May 13, during the first wave of the pandemic. The total number of deaths in the state recorded is now 12,639 deaths since March. Over the past week, numbers have spiked dangerously, with 116 fatalities per day over the past week, near the record high... Read More

Santa Claus is arriving in the Quads this week for pictures with kids at SouthPark Mall in Moline. Santa wouldn’t miss this visit for anything! Santa will be here starting December 4 and is located in the Von Maur Court. Rest assured, he and his elves have made every effort to provide a memorable – and contact free – experience. A visit with Santa is always free and available without a reservation as social distancing requirements allow. What to Expect During Your Visit with Santa Masks are required to be worn by Santa, the team and guests ages 2 and above or by local mandate. Hand sanitizer... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – When Western Illinois University graduate student Tom Reagan began taking classes for his second semester in the University’s College Student Personnel (CSP) program, he wanted to develop a program to help student veterans make informed decisions about where to attend college. Reagan, a retired captain from the East Moline Police Department and a Marine veteran, is now the coordinator of veterans’ services at Black Hawk College in East Moline, IL. He began taking classes in WIU’s CSP program in Summer 2020. This semester, as a student in Assistant Professor... Read More

MOLINE, ILLINOIS – WQPT, Quad Cities PBS is focusing on educational outreach using the PBS documentary The Gene: An Intimate History for a special Teacher Training session on Thursday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Nadine Vincenten, a Research Fellow for the Personal Genetics Education Project working with the Harvard Medical School’s Department of Genetics pgEd (Personal Genetics Education Project), will be facilitating the training event.  The Department of Genetics consists of a team of scientists, social scientists, educators, and community organizers, who talk about genetics in every... Read More

It’s time to apply for the Thomas K. Evans Memorial Scholarship, a $5,000 award that will help one student pursue higher education in science, technology, engineering or math. Deadline to apply is noon March 1, 2021. Complete information about the scholarship, including application materials and directions, is available online at www.americanpowerinc.com/scholarship. To be eligible to apply, a student must be graduating from a school located in Bettendorf, Davenport, East Moline, Eldridge, Moline, Pleasant Valley or Rock Island. In addition, he or she must plan to matriculate for the first time... Read More

Jason Platt, an author/illustrator from Davenport, has once again made the Texas Library Association’s 2021 Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List for his “Middle School Misadventures: Operation Hat Heist.” The TLA is the country’s largest state library association and Platt’s 2019 debut graphic novel, “Middle School Misadventures,” was named to the 2020 list as well. Released on Dec. 1, the list is a recommended reading list of 83 graphic novels nationwide designed for children in grades K-5. The books were selected by public and school librarians who are members of the Texas... Read More

UPDATED: Illinois will remain under tier 3 covid mitigations for at least two to three more weeks, and could elevate to a more restrictive level if numbers get worse, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said during his press conference today. Illinois covid numbers leapt back up after a few days of numbers getting better. After yesterday’s report of just 6,190 new cases, today’s report listed 12,542 new cases in Illinois and 125 new deaths over the past 24 hours. It should be noted that today marks six days from “Blackout Wednesday,” that traditional unofficial day of inebriation... Read More

MOLINE, IL – Storm owner John Dawson announced this morning that former Director of Communications and Operations Brian Rothenberger has been promoted to the role of Team President. “Brian has a proven track record of success in every position he has held, both with the Storm and previous companies he has worked for,” said Dawson.  “He has proven his abilities in managing our day-to-day operations through all the challenges of the pandemic, and now with our season being canceled for 20/21.  I am proud to promote Brian to President of the Quad City Storm and have complete confidence that... Read More

During a period of time when the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting virtually every activity nationwide, faculty and students in Western Illinois University’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) are finding a variety of ways to reach the populations they are learning to serve. RPTA Instructor Julie Eggleston is working with students in her classes to create programming for the McDonough County Special Recreation Association (MCSRA) and residents at Macomb’s Bickford Cottage. The MCSRA, housed in the Macomb Park District, provides recreational experiences, including... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Statewide tier 3 mitigations put in place Nov. 20 will remain in place ‘for the foreseeable future,’ Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said during his press conference today. “We have got to take the time to evaluate any Thanksgiving effect before we make any premature adjustments,” Pritzker said. “I spoke with Dr. Fauci last week, and he said the massive number of indoor gatherings will likely bring another post-Thanksgiving surge, and this is no time to pull back on mitigations.” Pritzker spoke to a number of other doctors and experts, and all agree the... Read More