DAVENPORT, IOWA (February 18, 2026) — Common Chord, the Quad Cities’ community music organization, announced the addition of Margot Day as the new development director. In this new capacity, Day will lead the organization’s efforts to develop resources that advance its mission of improving our community with the power of music.

Day started in her new role February 4. She joins the staff at Common Chord in this newly-created position at their downtown Davenport offices.

MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS (February 17, 2026) — A festival of new plays will be showcased at Monmouth College February 20-22, as student playwrights and directors are featured in "Breaking Ground."

The production, which features four short plays written by Monmouth students, will be staged in the Hewes Library Studio Theatre. Monmouth theatre professor Vanessa Campagna is overseeing it all.

WASHINGTON DC (February 17, 2026) — In Iowa, where the First and Third Congressional Districts are among the most vulnerable Republican seats in the US House, a new statewide poll conducted by Global Strategy Group on behalf of Food and Water Action finds that clean water and cancer rates are top priorities for voters.

ROCK ISLAND, ILLiNOIS (February 17, 2026) — On February 5, 2026, ballots were mailed to all voters who requested a ballot for the March 17, 2026, Primary Election in Rock Island County. Due to the recent postmark changes at your local post office, we are encouraging voters that requested a vote by mail ballot to vote your ballot in a timely manner and return it as soon as possible. You have three return options: