MOLINE, Ill. — As 2024 comes to a close, we take a moment to look back on the stories that defined the year in the Quad Cities community.
From breaking news that gripped the region to uplifting moments that brought us together, WQAD News 8 has been there every step of the way. Join us as we revisit the top stories that shaped the past 12 months, highlighting the events, people and milestones that made 2024 unforgettable.
John Deere layoffs
In 2024, John Deere implemented several rounds of layoffs in the Quad Cities region, affecting both production and salaried employees across its facilities in Illinois and Iowa. The company cited a weakening farm economy, reduced demand for agricultural equipment and rising operational costs as primary reasons for these workforce reductions.
In August, News 8 spoke with lawyers from Michigan-based Pitt McGehee Palmer Bonanni & Rivers, who said that some former Deere employees are considering wrongful termination lawsuits. Those employees allege the company targeted older workers during the July layoffs of nearly 300 salaried positions at John Deere’s World Headquarters in Moline.
A Community Rising: Davenport Collapse a Year Later
On May 28, 2023, the Quad Cities community was shaken by the partial collapse of The Davenport apartment building in downtown Davenport, killing three men, injuring others and displacing dozens of residents. The tragedy, which many believe was preventable, followed multiple inspections and citations for structural issues in the months prior. The historic six-story building has since been demolished, leaving behind only a grassy lot, but the memories and trauma persist for those affected…