Freepod

1. Updates on FSD Reductions in Force
2. Freeport PD Works with DHS, FBI, and IRS For Local Operation
3. JCWIFI Withdraws Zoning Appeal
4. Municipal Parking Lot Closed for Construction
5. Shawnee/Hancock Viaduct Construction Resumes
6. Civil Constructors Wins Nearly $12M Contract for Roadwork
7. Route 20 West of Stockton To Close for Repairs
8. Jo Daviess County Gets a New Sheriff
9. Area Ticks Test Positive for New Virus
10. Galena Library Offers Free Seeds
11. School Cell Phone Ban and Social Media Regulations Advance in State Legislature
12. Community Colleges Could Soon Offer Baccelaureate Programs
13. Cost of Living with Climate Change Presentation
14. Showtime 46 Opens
15. United Way Celebrity Dinner

The city of Freeport has undertaken some large projects in the last year. And even more are on the horizon.

Freepod host Alan Wenzel speaks with Freeport City Manager Rob Boyer and Randi Kohlbauer, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance Officer for the city, about major infrastructure projects both underway and coming soon.

1. JCWIFI to Host Townhall About Proposed Tower
2. City Prepares to Take Demolish Vacant Downtown Building
3. Dillan Vancil Wins GOP House Primary
4. HCC Signs Transfer Agreement with ISU
5. Freeport Student Garden is Now Taking Orders
6. Pollinator Seeds for Sale by Stephenson County Farm Bureau
7. Paint the Port T-Shirt Contest for Kids
8. Reminder About Dropping Off Woody Debris
9. Carroll and Ogle County Among State Leaders in Wheat Production
10. IHDA Asks for Feedback on Housing Needs
11. Proposed Bill Would Require High Schools to Offer Voter Registration
12. Pritzker Calls for Higher Numbers of Postsecondary Degrees
13. State and Local Lawmakers Examine Rules for Data Centers
14. Boyer Colloquium Announced
15. Polkafest Tickets On Sale Now

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.