DES MOINES (May 12, 2022) — The NFIB, or National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Optimism Index was unchanged in April, remaining at 93.2 and the fourth consecutive month below the 48-year average of 98. Small business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months decreased one point to a net negative 50%, the lowest level recorded in the 48-year-old survey.

BETTENDORF, IOWA (May 12, 2022) — On average, nearly 350 young adults, ages 16 to 18, are referred for detainment by Scott County law-enforcement each year. Safer Foundation Quad Cities’ Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) is focused on serving youth who have disengaged from high school and/or have been involved with the criminal legal system.

ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (May 11, 2022) — The Augustana Choir, under the direction of Dr Jon Hurty, will perform in Germany and the Czech Republic during a tour May 24-June 7.

The choir has six musical engagements during the tour, most at historic churches such as the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany, which is associated with several well-known composers such as Wagner, Mendelssohn and Bach, who is interred there.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA (May 10, 2022) — Olivia Kulick of Bettendorf, Iowa, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Kulick was initiated at University of North Alabama.