Estefanía Pinto Ruiz
Water, Ag, and Environment Reporter
Davenport, Iowa
Estefanía Pinto Ruiz covers the environment and the policies and regulations impacting the Mississippi River Basin, exploring potential solutions to ensure its sustainability.
Before joining KWQC-TV 6 in Davenport, Iowa, Estefania interned as a culture reporter in Colombia’s most widely read newspaper, EL TIEMPO. She holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Florida and worked as an editor at WUFT News, focusing on their Spanish content. She also mentored students in reporting Latin American news in Spanish.
Estefania is a proud Colombian, so she is always looking for Colombian food and hosting a listening club for her favorite podcast, Radio Ambulante, to speak her native language to stay connected to her roots.
Tom Ritter and his son, Cory, had worked together with their families every harvest season for the past 20 years. But last year’s harvest was different; instead of Tom and Cory working together, tragedy hit the family on Aug. 20.
The city of Silvis hosted a Memorial Day ceremony at Hero Street U.S.A., honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
The West Liberty Fire Department lost one of its ambulances, leaving it with just one to cover a service area of over 100 miles.
The surgery was made possible through donations raised on GoFundMe. Nahant Marsh collected about $8,000 to cover her CT scan, surgery, and ongoing recovery care, which is going very well.
The Quad Cities marked St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday with a race, a parade, and post-event gatherings in downtown Davenport.
A local Facebook group is helping connect people who find injured or underweight wild animals with licensed rehabilitators who can provide care.
One person died in a grain bin accident in Granville, Illinois, last month. Now, new data suggests these types of accidents are on the rise — and experts say 95% of them are preventable.
Around 250 students from middle, junior high, and high school competed Saturday at the Western Illinois University Regional Science Olympiad in Macomb.
or 23 years, Fresh Films has helped young people in the Quad Cities produce film projects — from early concepts through completion. Now, the organization is planning a $12 million production studio in Rock Island to expand that work on a larger scale.
Being just a train ride away from Milan, Dipti Sharma jumped at the chance to see the Olympics with her own eyes.
The 4-H program in Scott County is helping youth develop leadership and communication skills through a partnership with the Iowa State University Extension Office in Bettendorf.
The FFA chapter at North Scott is making an impact on students through innovative projects and scholarship opportunities.
A Venezuelan judge now living in the Quad Cities survived two assassination attempts for defending citizens’ rights against the government before fleeing to the United States.
The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine is working with partners across the city to use technology to build more sustainable housing in the area.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Moline is partnering with Cellular Tracking Technologies to track small pollinators like bees using new radio tag technology.
The Mississippi River handles about 60% of the nation’s agricultural exports, but before crops can reach the river, truck drivers must transport them from farms to shipping facilities.
For almost 45 years, Snowstar has been delivering smiles to the Quad Cities community.
Experts said the main water quality issues in the Quad Cities are nitrates and lead pipes affecting drinking water, which can cause health issues.
Augustana College environmental studies seniors wrapped up a three-year wildlife study at Duck Creek this fall, partnering with Davenport officials to track how people and animals use the popular park.
Market conditions made worse by a trade war and inflation are adding to the regular stress of farming. Mental health professionals are thinking outside the box to get producers care.
The Nature Conservancy has expanded its Swamp White Oak Preserve in Letts, Iowa, adding another 400 acres of protected land.
The annual Christmas tree sale at Brady Street Stadium parking lot opened this week, offering real Christmas trees while raising money for youth programs and charities in the Quad Cities area.
LivWell CARES delivered 400 meals to seniors across Scott County on Thanksgiving Day to brighten their holiday.
Jennifer Mayares, who works helping parents with their kids’ attendance issues, wrote and self-published her own book, “Every Day Counts,” to encourage kids to go to school.
Scattergood is a boarding school and working farm where students take regular classes while getting hands-on experience running a farm.
Daisy Moran, a community leader in the Quad Cities, received special recognition for her contributions to the Latino community.
Día de los Muertos is a Mexican celebration observed on November 1 and 2 — a time when families honor their loved ones who have passed away.
Former student completes daily push-ups to remember beloved Quad Cities instructor John Morrow.
The cold weather is settling in, and while snow and icy roads cause the majority of issues on roadways, cooler temperatures can also cause fog to form.
Farms in Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota are part of Fendt’s harvest tour, which visited a farm in Kewanee on Tuesday, where farmers tested technology in the Fendt Ideal combine harvesting corn.
Donahue community rallies to support 1-year-old with rare brain disease.
Corn and soybeans dominate Iowa’s crops, but farmer Suzan Erem is growing something different: chestnuts, Asian pears, and heartnuts.
Many residents have been up since the fire started around 10:30 p.m. last night, when flames and smoke turned everything dark.
Fifth-generation farmer Ross Paustian sold 10,000 bushels at a $2-per-bushel loss, while experts warn current tariff levels haven’t been seen since before the Great Depression.
Agriculture-related calls up 5% as farmers face storage issues, tariffs
The cattle wear GPS collars that keep them in designated grazing areas, which could prevent them from going into wetlands or bird habitats and control invasive species.
QCAD has visited every business, and if they meet the criteria as an inclusive space, they add them to an online list that includes places like churches and therapy offices.
The Environmental Learning Center in Muscatine is one of the stops on the Great River Road, offering an opportunity to learn about the Mississippi River and the plants and animals living around it.
A group of women in the QCA who, after losing loved ones to suicide, turned their grief into action with an Out of the Darkness walk this Sunday at Wharton Field House in Moline.
The main events included aerobatic stunts, fireworks, and a drone light show — all for free.
The Mississippi River stretches for around 2,400 miles from central Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Every year, 30 to 50 paddlers attempt to travel its length.
The event will be a fiesta full of the green, white, and red of the Mexican flag — along with traditions in food, live music, and dance.
The project ideas were created by Augustana students and professors, focusing on social and environmental needs in the neighborhood.
A mom and daughter duo are growing sunflowers and lavender, along with corn and soybeans, while offering a day experience surrounded by the beautiful flowers.
Experts say the biggest impact on Iowa’s economy comes from the tariffs between the U.S. and China.
For 55 days, Shawn Hamerlinck spent an average of 12 to 14 hours a day paddling the Mississippi River — but that wasn’t even his biggest challenge.
Iowa is known for corn and soybean farms. But one farmer is focusing on a sweeter-smelling crop: lavender.
Kearnice Overton wants to give children the opportunities he didn’t have by creating the foundation, helping kids, and writing children’s books — all dedicated to helping youth so they don’t repeat his story.
Last year, $300,000 was given out to 12 organizations to help bring green spaces to the QCA. The Floreciente Community Garden was one of last year’s winners. The grant took their project to the next level.
Monkeys, birds, fish, and otters are some of the animals finding a home at Niabi Zoo after being victims of the illegal wildlife trade.
