Jim Mertens talks with Rev. Dwight Ford, Executive Director of Project NOW, about Rock Island's new ordinance that severely affect the houseless and also talks with Bill Churchill from the Friends of Veterans Memorial Park about the next steps in finishing the park.

After years of dreaming, planning, lobbying, and negotiating, the reality of Chicago-to-Quad Cities passenger rail service is much closer, as the Illinois General Assembly early Friday morning, October 31st, approved about $400 million for the required track upgrades.

Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-17), who represents the Illinois QuadCities region, talks about the shutdown, it's impact on those facinghealth insurance premium increases and cutoff of food stamps, prospectsfor a negotiated compromise, the ongoing debate about the future of theDemocratic party, and more.

After years of study and planning, pending any weather delays, 3rd Street in Davenport will become a two-way road (one lane in each direction and center turn lane) between Marquette and River Drive beginning at 5 a.m., Thursday, November 6.

The Rock Island City Council approved selling the nearly ten-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Milan Bottoms wetlands to developers A Hana Illowa LLC. The council also overrode a veto by Mayor Ashley Harris that would have removed the city manager's license authority. Council also approved a development agreement with Crawford Company for a metal machine shop during its October 27th meeting.

Community Development Director Miles Brainard spoke with WVIK News on Tuesday, October 21st, about the social service license process and how exemptions could change for existing social service organizations.

Claire Ainsley, Director of the Project on Center-Left Renewal at the Progressive Policy Institute, discusses a new publication she co-authored, Build Back Belief, which focuses on how center-left parties in the West can win back working class voters.

The social service ordinance, passed on Monday, October 13th, regulates homeless shelters and related services by setting up a licensing procedure. WVIK News spoke with 5th Ward Alderman Dylan Parker about the ordinance's intention on Monday, October 20th.

WVIK News spoke with Iowa House State Representative Democrat Ken Croken of the 97th District about his upcoming fundraiser for gender-affirming care and 2026 legislative priorities. The interview was recorded on Thursday, October 16th.

Paul Glastris, editor of the Washington Monthly, talks about the magazine's criteria for ranking American colleges and universities, how it differs from other ratings including US News, how they rate their "Best Bang for the Buck" colleges to help students and parents examine schools based on marketable degrees at affordable prices, and more.