MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University alumnus has partnered with a WIU faculty member to co-author their second children’s book, which will be released later this year. “The Adventures of Darrius; The Hall Monitor,” follows the pair’s first book together, “Princess and the Power of Melanin,” which has a goal of combating bullying, colorism and uplifting young girls around the world. Alumnus Jeremy McCool received his bachelor’s degree in broadcasting in 2015 and his master’s degree in communication in 2017. He is currently working on his doctoral... Read More

Sept. 30, 2016 was one of the best nights of my life. At the Boho Chic Gallery in downtown Davenport’s Bucktown Center for the Arts, I was surrounded by friends, samples of Front Street beer (including its Bucktown Stout), and copies of my first book, “A Brief History of Bucktown: Davenport’s Infamous District Transformed.” It was because of this quirky collection of art galleries and studios – which had a brief, busy, vital life from 2005 to this past March – that I was commissioned in August 2014 by The History Press to write the definitive story of the colorful east end of downtown... Read More

MACOMB, IL – A student of Western Illinois University Assistant Professor of Voice Penelope Shumate was recently one of only 14 singers in the United States chosen to compete in his division in the upcoming National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) vocal competition. Joshua Pitt, a sophomore vocal performance and music education major, of Racine, WI, initially won first place in the regional NATS vocal competition in Fall 2019. He won the award in the Lower Classical Tenor/Baritone/Bass Division to be eligible to compete at the national level. Because of the coronavirus, Pitt competed... Read More

We continue our journey to find the best Instagram walls in the Quad City Area! Here are six more top spots to make your Instagram pop. Ike’s All American Cafe Burger Wall – 635 15th Ave – East Moline, Illinois. Dude… it’s a burger… on a wall! Need I say more? Cabana’s Sea Wall – 2120 4th Ave – Rock Island, Illinois – Located across an alley from the now vacant bar that was once Cabana’s (you cant miss the shark on the roof!), this 2 story wall of sea creatures is a one of a kind in the QCA. Freight House Wall – River Drive – Davenport,... Read More

America in late May 2020 turned into a dystopian hellscape of grief, loss, and rage. A relentless global pandemic has killed over 100,000 U.S. citizens just since March; 40 million are on unemployment; a nation has been tense, restless and confused in shutdown, and 75 cities were plunged into chaos and violence this past weekend as thousands protested racial inequality and police brutality – including looting, rioting and death in Davenport late Sunday night. So, it is oddly comforting to find calm, methodical distraction in a new Netflix documentary that recalls a different kind of terror and... Read More

Have any pent-up anger right now? Looking for a way to therapeutically rage? Well, you’re in luck! Patty’s Pummel Palace (3217 Avenue of the Cities Moline) celebrated their Rage Room Re-Opening this past Friday May 29. You once again have the option of the package options of Hissy Fit, Tantrum and Furious Rage, depending on how the past couple of months have gone for you. Worried about your safety when venturing away from home? Well, have no fear. The following statement was released on Patty’s Pummel Palace’s Facebook page: “Someone sent a question in messenger relating to our safety... Read More

Isabel Bloom has decided to consolidate its Quad-Cities retail locations into its East Village location, cutting its Moline store after 30 years in business and its LeClaire shop after six years. The company released a statement late Friday that read as follows: Dear Friends, On behalf of our entire team at Isabel Bloom, we thank you for your loyalty and support, especially during these past few months. Your support, whether it be through online orders, curbside pickups, or local deliveries, has meant the world to us. Thank you for your words of encouragement through social media, phone calls and... Read More

There won’t be any bi-state fireworks along the river this year. The annual Red, White and Boom fireworks display in downtown Davenport and Rock Island has been canceled due to concerns and regulations tied in with the covid-19 pandemic. The date for next year’s event has been set for July 3, 2021. According to the event’s facebook, “Red, White and Boom always has been a bi-state event, and in the spirit of regionalism, we felt it was the right thing to do to move the event to a time when both states can participate.”  Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL –Western Illinois University’s virtual summer orientation experience kicked off Wednesday, May 27, and will continue throughout June. Incoming new first-year students on the Macomb campus can sign up for their virtual summer orientation day by logging into their STARS account. Several dates remain available in June. During virtual summer orientation, students will meet their orientation leaders and begin to learn how to be a successful student at WIU. New students will continue to have opportunities to engage with staff and have opportunities through the summer to take... Read More

MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University Hoof N Horn Club will host its first ever virtual livestock show Friday-Sunday, May 29-31. The “Western Illinois University Change of Pace Jackpot Show” will be hosted on Walton Webcasting. The first day, May 29, will be dedicated to sheep and goats, and May 30-31 are reserved for hog showing. WIU alumni and students will help with setting up the show. WIU School of Agriculture alumni serving as the event’s judges include 2015 agriculture alumnus Tyler Homann, of Charleston, IL – sheep show; 2008 agriculture alumnus James Thompson,... Read More