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3 days ago | 
b100quadcities.com | Sarah Stringer
It's waterpark season!Nothing says summer like spending a hot, sunny day at the waterpark, playing with your kiddos and letting them get energy out of their systems.
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5 days ago | 
b100quadcities.com | Sarah Stringer
Weird weapon of choice, but okay. Something must be up with people getting into fights over food in Illinois lately. I understand getting snippy when you're hungry. After all, remember this Snickers campaign:But there's been a wave of weird food crimes in Illinois lately. That includes what Patch is calling the 'hot salsa felony'. On April 25th in Joliet, at the Los Comales Mexican restaurant, Jennifer Casillas sprayed another woman in the eyes with salsa.
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5 days ago | 
b100quadcities.com | Sarah Stringer
Illinois lawmakers barely passed the budget before the deadline. The Illinois state legislatures had a constitution-mandated deadline of June 1st to pass the state's new budget for the next fiscal year. According to NBC Chicago, they passed the new budget, which includes $55.3 million in estimated revenue. Governor Pritzker is praising it as the state's 7th consecutive balanced budget. As with many things in politics, state Republicans and Democrats didn't agree on this one.
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6 days ago | 
koel.com | Sarah Stringer
The new law will be in effect before we know it. , one of the new laws Governor Reynolds signed is one dealing with texting and driving. It's already illegal to text and drive in Iowa, of course. But this one is an expansion of it. It bans drivers in Iowa from using phones while driving, unless it's in the hands-free or voice-activated modes. Starting July 1st, officers in Iowa will issue warnings for violating the new law through the rest of the year.
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1 week ago | 
967theeagle.net | Sarah Stringer |Connor Kenney
The place is an entire experience. If you've seen social media at all in the last several months, you've probably seen people rave about Texas-based convenience store Buc-ee's. I can confirm the accolades are merited. It's not just a convenience store, but it has a bunch of good snacks, clean bathrooms, and shopping. It's as expansive as a Walmart with insanely good brisket and their beloved 'Beaver Nugget' snacks.
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1 week ago | 
b100quadcities.com | Sarah Stringer
As of now, the state hasn't passed Governor Pritzker's 2026 budget. I've seen a lot of chit-chat this spring about Illinois' budget for the 2026 fiscal year, as proposed by Governor J.B. Pritzker. The new budget hasn't been passed yet and we're wondering how much time legislators are getting to read it all. We do know the budget as it's presented doesn't include tax increases and it doesn't address the fiscal cliff in regional public transit.
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1 week ago | 
b100quadcities.com | Sarah Stringer
The restaurant industry is a hard one. We've seen restaurants come and restaurants go. It's a cycle that never stops. Now, according to the Des Moines Register, a restaurant that held quite the title in 2024 is shuttering. Once deemed Iowa Beef Industry Council's Best Burger In Iowa, JJ’s Tavern + Grill (which is at 1975 N. Ankeny Blvd., Suite 117 in Ankeny) has announced that they are permanently closed.
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1 week ago | 
b100quadcities.com | Sarah Stringer
He's called 'da pope'. You can't deny that it's a big ol' deal to be home to the Holy See. The Illinois legislative session is still keeping on and there's a new proposal from one lawmaker. The Facts: Illinois Native Becomes First American PopeThe Entertainment: The Most Midwest Social Media Reactions To Illinois' First PopeAccording to the Chicago Sun Times, State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R, Lake Barrington) proposed building a statue of Pope Leo XIV on the grounds of the Illinois state capitol.
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1 week ago | 
kdat.com | Sarah Stringer
Because flying is apparently risky this year. Even before the litany of airborne incidents this year, folks traveling via bus rides was . This year, so far, research shows Americans are afraid to fly after . If you're traveling domestic this summer, there are pros and cons to taking the bus instead. A Greyhound bus can get you to where you're going for cheaper than flights will run you, but it also takes longer to get to your destination. And often, there are multiple transfers.
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1 week ago | 
b100quadcities.com | Sarah Stringer
Because flying is apparently risky this year. Even before the litany of airborne incidents this year, folks traveling via bus rides was . This year, so far, research shows Americans are afraid to fly after . If you're traveling domestic this summer, there are pros and cons to taking the bus instead. A Greyhound bus can get you to where you're going for cheaper than flights will run you, but it also takes longer to get to your destination. And often, there are multiple transfers.
