1. FSD Cuts Bus Routes Due to Budget Deficit
2. Freeport Beef-a-Roo Is Only Location Still Operating After Mass Layoffs
3. YMCA Purchases New Facility
4. Tickets on Sale for Freedom on the Rocks
5. GFP Selected for Illinois Economic Development Pilot Program
6. Audition Call for Winneshiek Theater
7. Stephenson County Sheriff's Office Arrests Two Women on Drug Charges
8. Drug Search in Jo Daviess County Yields 3 Arrests
9. Mount Carroll Holding Fundraiser for Police K-9 Program
10. Lake Carroll Fest Returns
11. Pritzker Signs AI Regulation Bill
12. Illinois High School Students Could Swap Technical Education for Foreign Language
13. Farm Bankruptcies Continue to Rise in Illinois
14. German Valley Days
15. LWV of Jo Daviess County Hosting Forum on Data Centers
16. 23rd Annual Lincoln-Douglas 5K

Freeport is Pretzel City USA. But why can't you buy a pretzel in Freeport?

That riddle is over now as Freeport Pretzel Company has launched. Proprietors Alex Lavoilette and Dylan Shipley spoke to Freepod host Tim Connors about what brought the Freeport Pretzel Company to fruition and what they plan on rolling out in the future.

1. Freeport City Council Meeeting Devolves into Chaos
2. Stephenson County Gets Disaster Proclamation from State
3. Tree Removal Underway with Mixed Response from Community
4. Krape Park South Entrance Improvement Underway
5. New Study Highlights HCC's Economic Impact on Region
6. SRC Expanding Services to Jo Daviess County Thanks to FNWIL
7. United Way Announces More than $250,000 in Local Grants
8. Canyon Camp Celebrates 90 Years
9. Special Interview with Congressman Eric Sorensen
10. U of I Extension Programs in Carroll County
11. Stephenson County Fair is Coming Soon
12. Tutty Baker Weekend Festivities

The Stephenson County Fair is one of the longest running county fairs in the state of Illinois. And this year's event is fast approaching.

Freepod host Alan Wenzel speaks with Kate Boyer, Executive Manager of the Stephenson County Fair, about new offerings, old favorites, and some returning events for the 2026 Stephenson County Fair.

1. Electronic Recycling Event Brings in More than 20,000 Pounds of Waste
2. Kuberski Named President Emeritus of Highland Community College
3. Pearl City Names New Superintendent
4. Freeport Art Museum Previews Façade Improvement Grant Project
5. Northwest Illinois Safe Streets Plan Moving Forward
6. Area Farmers Optimistic After June Rainfall
7. 3 Injured in Grand Detour Bridge Crash
8. Illinois Route 2 Roadwork Underway in Ogle County
9. Cyberbullying Now Includes AI Images
10. New Laws Regarding Renewing Driver's Licenses for Elderly Drivers
11. Regenerative Ag Gets New Focus in Illinois
12. Music on Chicago This Weekend
13. Where to See Fireworks Locally
14. The Science Behind Fireworks at SRC
15. The Importance of Protein and Physical Activity in Aging Event in Galena
16. 100 Women Who Care Lunch & Learn at SRC
17. Rodeo Returns at Stephenson County Fair

Freeport is full of talent. And one of the biggest names in town is Blackcat Manor.

Freepod host Tim Connors speaks with Kris Valkema, lead singer of Blackcat Manor, about the journey he's taken to national recognition in the music world.

1. FPD Launches Safety Campaign
2. Land Bank Transforms Formerly Blighted Property
3. Stephenson County Unemployment Rates Dropped in April
4. Volunteers Needed for Prairie Stewardship
5. Ag Olympics Registration Coming Due
6. Egg Prices Create Shock for Farmers
7. June is Dairy Month
8. Pec Playhouse to Break Ground on New Theater
9. Former Mine Near Galena Cited as Health Risk
10. Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation Receives State Praise
11. Major Resurfacing Project Underway in Carroll County
12. Illinois Libraries to Expand Database Access
13. ISBE Focuses on Improving Math Education
14. Pritzker Signs $56B Budget
15. 24th Annual Gran Fonda Bike Ride Against Cancer
16. Freeport Concert Band to Hold Patriotic Concert
17. American Son Performance at Winneshiek
18. Tutty Fest to Honor Veterans

In its 64 years of serving northwest Illinois, Highland Community College has only ever had 9 people serve as President. But next month, that number goes to 10.

Alan Wenzel spoke with outgoing President Chris Kuberski, incoming President Dr. Jamal Scott, and Chair of the Board of Trustees Doug Block about the legacy Chris leaves behind, the future envisioned by Jamal, and the hopes and needs of the community Highland serves.

1. Neighborhood Watch Meetings Moving to Central Location
2. Freeport Fire Requests an Increase in Ambulance Fee
3. Carroll County Deputies Honored for Bravery
4. DeMeester's Greenhouse to Go Up For Auction
5. Major Bridge Construction on US-20 Heading to Iowa
6. NIBNA Releases Crane Count Numbers
7. Highland Releases Dean's List for Spring 2026
8. Stephenson County Fair Books Available Now
9. CFNIL Grants Opening Soon
10. Small Food Pantries Get Access to a New Grant
11. Carroll County Continues to Shine in Agriculture
12. Illinois Ranks 7th In Education
13. Music on Debate Square Schedule for Summer 2026
14. Sick Summer Motorsports Making a Stop in Freeport
15. First Ever Quad and Side-by-Side Racing at Stephenson County Fairgrounds
16. Food with Friends Dinner
17. Little Ninjas Program at Krape Park

The St. Vincent de Paul charity is probably best known for its second-hand stores across the country. Even though the charity does not have a storefront in Freeport, it is still doing good in our community.

Freepod host Becky Connors speaks with Barb Eberle of the Freeport St. Vincent de Paul to learn more about what services the charity offers to all of Stephenson county.