4,000 Area Students Just Got Behind the Controls
East Moline, IL · November 14, 2026
A sharp freeze settled over our rooftops overnight, leaving clear blue skies for the weekend. Grab an extra layer before heading out to run errands or catch a show tonight.
The Lead
Roughly 4,000 eighth-grade students from 29 regional schools gathered at the Bend XPO as Junior Achievement wrapped up its fifth annual Inspire Career Expo. Rather than collecting pamphlets from folding tables, students got their hands on actual work: wiring small conveyor-belt control panels with River Cities Engineering, testing precision equipment, exploring healthcare simulations, and trying forensic fingerprinting with area police.
The two-day gathering put the region's industrial core on direct display, showing middle schoolers how local manufacturing, trades, and engineering operate up close. Regional employers and trade representatives guided students through modern vocational paths long before graduation. Area eighth graders return to their classrooms on Monday to translate their expo field notes into four-year high school course tracks.
Local Pulse
Shelter Pet Supply Drive Wraps Monday Community Residents can drop off pet food, blankets, and cleaning supplies at the City Hall Annex through Monday.
Council Takes Up Enterprise Zone Amendments City Hall Aldermen review proposed boundary adjustments Monday night to steer tax incentives toward redevelopment corridors across the city.
School Health Link Expands Campus Outreach Health Regional clinic leaders are broadening preventive wellness and mental healthcare services to East Moline public school students.
Today's Outlook
- High 44°F · Low 23°F — Clear
- Bundle up in heavy layers today, as sub-freezing overnight chill lingers despite full sunshine.
What's On Around Town
Today
Sensory Playtime East Moline Public Library (745 16th Ave), 10:00–11:00 AM · Free Tactile exploration and quiet activities crafted for young children and families.
Second Saturday Free Admission Figge Art Museum (225 W 2nd St), Davenport, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM · Free Tour four floors of world-class regional art collections at zero cost.
Cheap Trick in Concert Capitol Theatre (330 W 3rd St), Davenport, 7:00 PM · Paid Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends delivering five decades of hits.
Mitchell Tenpenny: Speed of Light Tour The Rust Belt (533 12th Ave), 8:00 PM · Paid Multi-platinum country chart-topper brings heavy guitar anthems to the riverfront stage.
Tomorrow
- Quad Cities Card Show Rhythm City Casino Resort (7077 Elmore Ave), Davenport, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Chamber Music Quad Cities: Swan Song Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Parish Hall (121 W 12th St), Davenport, 3:00–5:00 PM · $5–20
Monday
- Lego Lab Moline Public Library (3210 41st St), Moline, 4:00–5:00 PM · Free
- Adventures in Storytime East Moline Public Library (745 16th Ave), 5:30–6:15 PM · Free
- East Moline City Council Meeting City Hall Council Chambers (915 16th Ave), 6:30 PM · Free
Spotlight & Story
- Alley Cat Boxing Club
- Founded in 2002 by coach Jeff Perez in his home garage, this amateur boxing club grew entirely by neighborhood word of mouth. Among the first to pedal his bicycle to training was future Chicago Golden Gloves champion Limberth Ponce.
East Moline Daily Digest — compiled from local sources every morning. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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