The 2026 theatre season is off with a bang – literally. Playcrafters Barn Theatre’s second production is Charles Fuller’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize winning A Soldier’s Play, directed by Renaud Haymon and is a sterling example of Playcrafters’ conscious outreach toward inclusion in their theatre.

In this episode of Wellness Wake Up Call, we explore dysbiosis—an imbalance in the gut microbiome—and its potential impact on overall health. Learn about common symptoms, possible causes, and when to seek guidance from healthcare professionals. Understanding your gut health is an important step toward supporting your well-being.

Jim Mertens talks with Alexander Gibbs, Quad City National Weather Service Meteorologist, about what kind of weather we can expect in the weeks ahead this spring. Jim then talks with YouthHope Executive Director Esther Joy King about the 90th anniversary of YouthHope.

Liaquat Ahamed talks about his book Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World. He reveals history through biography--the lives of four central bankers whose decisions precipitated the Great Depression and led to World War II. Key topics include the gold standard, financial "bubbles," the role of tariffs (Smoot-Hawley Act), lessons for today, and Ahamed's new book coming out soon that is a prequel to Lords of Finance. This book was awarded the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for History.

Dozens of people gathered in central Davenport on Friday, April 24, to celebrate the ribbon-cutting and opening of Carol’s Village Gardens, a four-story, $10-million affordable rental housing complex.

In this episode of Talking Art, Monica Leo of Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre joins the conversation to explore the art and impact of puppetry. As founder and lead puppeteer of the West Liberty–based company, Monica has spent decades creating original works, building puppets by hand, and bringing stories to life for audiences across the country and around the world.

The Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP) is currently teaching 36 students at the East Moline Correctional Center (EMCC) in its fifth year. One student who was released from the EMCC is finishing their degree at Augustana College and will graduate in May, along with 10 other EMCC students.

Fans of the popular “Church Basement Ladies” franchise have a similar but “different” show to add to their compendium of favorites, that being Richmond Hill Players current production of Bo Wilson’s The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church directed by Mike Skiles.

In this episode of Wellness Wake Up Call, we build on the importance of fiber by exploring five key lifestyle habits that support gut health. From reducing added sugars and staying active to managing stress and prioritizing sleep, small daily choices can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Focus on one habit this week to support your overall well-being.