MOLINE, ILLINOIS (June 18, 2026) — When Brandis Clayton Virgial and Halema Townsend first met through Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in 2023, they quickly bonded over their shared commitment to service.

During a private conversation, they discovered something even more meaningful: Both were living with sickle cell disease.

“Halema came to me in confidence and told me that she also had sickle cell,” Brandis recalled.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN (June 18, 2026) — Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative applauds the Trump administration’s announcement of new guidance for dairy use of the H-2A program. The guidance, released on Wednesday, now allows dairy operations to use the work visa program if they can demonstrate a temporary or seasonal labor need. Prior to this announcement, dairy farms were not eligible to use the H-2A program due to the year-round aspect of dairy farms.

ALEDO, ILLINOIS (June 18, 2026) — The Windborn Group and Quad City Arts are pleased to announce that artist Madeline Dieters has been selected to create a new public mural on the South side of 112 E Main St in historic downtown Aledo.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK (June 18, 2026) — The following local students were named to the University at Buffalo's spring 2026 Dean's List.

William Cox of Port Byron, Illinois.

Kailey Detloff of Moline, Illinois.

UB is New York State's flagship university and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system.