Freeport is home to a lot of Chicago Cubs fans. And two of the biggest sat down to talk about a gem of the Freeport area: Little Cubs Field.

Freepod host Tim Connors speaks with Denny Garkey, the man behind Little Cubs Field, about the history of the park and the potential that lies unlocked in this beautiful, one of a kind landmark here in the Pretzel City.

1. Freeport RIF
2. Pickleball Courts Renovations and Lights
3. Steven and Kam Meet the Governor
4. Academic Interventions – ACT
5. Academic Interventions – Grades
6. Journalism Minnesota Field Trip
7. Dylan Colberg Star Farmer
8. Keondre Jackson Visit
9. Treyden Diduch Champion
10. 1000-point Athletes
11. Girls Soccer F/S Team
12. Boys Tennis
13. Girls Track Returners
14. Showtime Update
15. Probation Presentation

Northwest Illinois has a plethora of service organizations for our community to both serve and find help.

Freepod host Alan Wenzel speaks with Lions Club District Governor Marcia Meyers about the upcoming Service Carnival the Lions are putting together to help inform the community and recruit for those organizations working to help our neighbors.

1. FSD Announces Reduction in Force
2. City Announces New Road Plans for 2026
3. Freeport Names New Fire Marshal
4. Groundbreaking for New Well and Water Treatment Facility
5. Deininger Floral Closes Its Doors
6. Shannon Woman Implicated in Human Trafficking Operation
7. SSM Health Monroe Names New President
8. Warren Elementary Receives Blue Ribbon Award
9. Farm Bill Advances in US House
10. Police Agencies to Step Up Safety Campaign for St. Patrick's
11. Certified Food Production Manager Training Offered
12. NIBNA Banquet
13. Cost of Living With Climate Change
14. Gatsby Gala
15. Day of Racial Healing

Our region is full of outstanding educators. But most of them do not get the recognition they deserve. For Susan Bookless, an English teacher at Galena High School, getting honored by the state of Illinois is flattering, but far from the reason she continues to teach.

Freepod host Tim Connors sat down with Susan to talk about what it's like to teach in northwest Illinois and Susan's recent honor of being given an Award of Special Recognition by the Illinois State Board of Education.

1. HCC Raising Tuition
2. HCC Juried Art Exhibit Winners Announced
3. Freeport Art Museum Looking for Artists
4. Krape Park Art Walk Seeking Artists
5. Boys & Girls Club Receives State Grant
6. Freeport Fire Department Upgrading Protective Gear
7. SSM Monroe Named Top Community Hospital
8. Galena Student Heading to National Spelling Bee
9. SRC Expands Programming to Galena
10. Soybean Farmers Face Challenges Amid Trade Wars
11. Illinois Joins WHO
12. Harvey Set to Open at Winneshiek
13. YMCA Holding Silent Auction
14. Foundation for Northwest Illinois Offering Scholarships
15. Conserving Land and Legacy Program
16. Stephenson County Farm Bureau Hosting Fun Run
17. Better Balance & Strength for Older Adults Returns

Highland Community College is in a period of transition. President Chris Kuberski is set to retire in June and the college is in the early stages of building a new athletics and learning center on campus.

Freepod host Alan Wenzel spoke to Kuberski about the progress that has been made on the new facility so far, as well as what the future looks like for this undertaking.

1. Diocese Considering Closing Aquin Academy
2. Demolition Bid Approved for Old Holiday Inn
3. Freeport Awarded Enrollment in Downtown Revitalization Program
4. Stephenson County Sheriff's Office Gives Out Awards
5. City Completes Leaf Cleanup
6. Stephenson County Home Show Looking for Vendors
7. Tessa Janecke Wins Gold
8. Oregon Teacher Receives Honors
9. Friends of the Pecatonica River Looking for New Board Members
10. Pritzker Announces New State Budget
11. Illinois Schools Challenged by School Psychologist Shortage
12. Joys of Gardening Program Through U of I Extension
13. HCC Chamber Ensemble Concert
14. SRC Launches Science Series for Older Adults
15. United Way of Ogle County Hosting Adult Prom
16. Kiwanis Club Pancake Day is Here

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone in Freeport who hasn't been to the Wagner House. Whether it be for a special event or dinner and drinks, the Wagner House has become a stalwart institution for downtown Freeport.

Tim Connors spoke to owner operator Bill Green about how the Wagner House started and what they are looking forward to as they continue serving the Freeport community.

1. Freeport Could Get Its First Marjiuana Dispensary
2. Freeport Library Names New Executive Director
3. Top Cop and Top Firefighter Awarded by City of Freeport
4. FPD Reveals Key Figures for 2025
5. Applications Open for Downtown Façade Improvement Grants
6. GFP Names a New Chair
7. YMCA Receives Grant for Free CPR Training
8. FEMA Rejects Illinois Requests for Disaster Relief
9. Illinois Early Childhood Education Programs Face Challenges
10. Andrew Chesney Introduces Bill to Define Transgender Identity as Mental Illness
11. Early Voting in Illinois Begins
12. League of Women Voters Hosting a Meet the Candidates Event
13. SRC Hosting "Professional Women, Firsts"
14. Adventures in the Big Sky Read Aloud
15. Savanna Farm Represented During Super Bowl