DES MOINES, IOWA (June 13, 2023) — The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index increased 0.4 points in May to 89.4, which is the seventeenth consecutive month below the 49-year average of 98. The last time the Index was at or above the average was in December 2021. Small-business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months declined one point from April to a net negative 50%.

Left to riht: Vera Luka, Serhii Luka, Steve Hueser, Nadiia Luka, and Dave Klockau

DAVENPORT, IOWA (June 13, 2023) — In September 2022, the Luka family escaped war-torn Kyiv with their twin daughters, Vera and Nadiia, to start a new life in Muscatine, Iowa, thanks to efforts by the Muscatine Action Committee for Ukraine.

WAVERLY, IOWA (June 12, 2023) — Wartburg College has recognized 442 students who were named the 2023 Winter/May Term Dean's List.

Those on the list include:

Jackson Bevans of Davenport.

Amber Brewer of Blue Grass.

Delaney Coffman of Eldridge.

Brody Condon of De Witt.

Rachel Green of DeWitt.

Leia Hagerman of Davenport.

Mya Jansen of Muscatine.

Zoey Long of Muscatine.

Carter Markham of Eldridge.

Easton Necker of Bettendorf.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO (June 9, 2023) — Elle Beeler, from LeClaire, Iowa, graduated from Cedarville University in spring 2023 with an undergraduate degree in Visual Communication Design.