Freepod

1. City of Freeport Releases Strategic Plan
2. Freeport Park District Gets IDNR Grant
3. HCC Awarded Grant for Training Future Educators
4. Darin Stykel Receives Community Impact Award
5. Galena Approves Demolition of Historic Police Station to Build Parking Ramp
6. CrimeStoppers Asks for Help in Solving Storage Unit Thefts
7. Changes to SNAP Rules Begin February 1
8. Health Insurance Plan Enrollment Deadline Extended
9. USDA Reports Growing Gap Between Costs to Produce and Price Received for US Crops
10. Highland Accepting Submissions for Juried Art Exhibit
11. Showtime Fundraiser at Cannova's
12. Park District Dances Registrations Now Open
13. Sensory Science at Severson Dells
14. Great Backyard Bird Count Begins
15. Illinois Poet Laureate Presenting in Galena
16. New Mental Health Office in Mt. Carroll
17. U of I Extension Offers Free Family Life Program in Ogle County

In this ever expanding multimedia world, media production services are becoming more and more essential for businesses and non-profits.

In this week's interview, Freepod host Alan Wenzel talks with Will Clark, founder & creative director of 815 Natives, a media production company based in Freeport, Illinois. Will shares the story of his business, as well as what the future holds for multimedia and what its like being a young entrepreneur in our community.

1. Freeport Fire Chief Announces Retirement
2. Krape Park South Entrance Improvement Project
3. SC Health Dept is a Drug Overdose Prevention Program
4. Illinois AG Uses Illinois Hate Crimes Act for Carroll County Crime
5. Gov. Pritzker Signs Historic Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act
6. Environmental Study Group Presents "Our Changing Climate: The Science, Risks, and Getting to Solutions"
7. Trump Administration Attempts to Freeze $1B in Federal Funds for Illinois Child Care & Social Services
8. Elizabeth Business Receives Economic Development Grant
9. Terry and Bonnie Sueltman Scholarship Fund Established to Support Freeport High School Graduates
10. HCC 2025 Excellence Award Recipients
11. Audition for the Pitmen Painters at HCC
12. Winter Trails and Naturalist Tales
13. Driftless Region Beef Conference

Theraplay is a local children's therapy operation focusing on helping kids with a range of needs by offering occupational, physical, and speech therapy.

Freepod host Becky Connors spoke to Kelsey Grove about what treatment looks like at Theraplay.

1. FREEPORT AWARDED $31 MILLION FOR NEW WELL AND CLEANER DRINKING WATER
2. LIBRARY TO HOST LECTURE SERIES ON COST OF LIVING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IN NORTHWEST ILLINOIS
3. FREEPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS MORE TO OFFER
4. FLU CASES SURGING AND LIKELY TO GET WORSE
5. FHN IS NOW MERCYHEALTH FHN
6. LOCAL LAWMAKERS SHOW BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR NEW NICU LEAVE LAW
7. NEW LAWS FOCUSING ON EDUCATION IN ILLINOIS
8. SENIOR RESOURCE CENTER HOSTS MONTHLY OUTREACH IN JO DAVIESS COUNTY
9. PARK DISTRICT HOSTS FIT FOR LIFE
10. ORANGEVILLE NATIVE MAKES IT TO OLYMPICS ROSTER
11. FREEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT SWEARS IN NEW OFFICERS
12. CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL
13. EAGLE VIEWING IN CARROLL COUNTY
14. WEE NATS PROGRAMMING FOR JANUARY
15. HIGHLAND BEGINS A NEW SEMESTER
16. INDOOR FARMER’S MARKET THIS SATURDAY

Mort's Bar & Grill in downtown Freeport has been a local institution for decades. Freepod host Tim Connors sat down with owner and manager Mike Marten to talk about the bar's history, the role he's played in the downtown community, and Mort's Dinner Theater.

1. New FPD Police Chief
2. New Laws in Illinois
3. DOJ sues Illinois’ Governor
4. Illinois Ramps Up Holiday Road Patrols
5. Senior Resource Center Medicare Open Enrollment Program Sets New Savings Record
6. Tony McCombie Ranked as ‘Most Effective Republican Lawmaker’ in Illinois House
7. Former FHS Athlete of the Year Passes Unexpectedly
8. BASE Camp Registration
9. Get Fit with FHN
10. Asian Copperleaf Found in Stephenson County
11. Christmas Trees to be Used as Fish Habitat in Illinois lakes
12. Pollinator Presentation
13. Adult Basketball League at the Y

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 hosts Tim Connors and Becky Connors and FREEPOD host Alan Wenzel recall highlights of their 2025 interviews.

1. Miller appointed to national position
2. City update on EV chargers
3. HCC President receives recognition
4. Pearl City Elevator and Stephenson Service merge
5. Propane tank tips for winter
6. Freeport High School speech team posts wins
7. Icicles are pretty, but….
8. Two Freeport businesses closing
9. Deadline extended for Marketplace health insurance enrollment
10. FACC now a site for UIC residency training
11. AT&T ending landlines in Illinois
12. Girls Scouts receive grant
13. Former Freeport student hits Broadway
14. Reminder: REAL ID needed for some activities in 2026
15. Feed the birds
16. We miss The Red Apple Tree too!
17. The week ahead…
    1. Vote for your favorite tree at the FHN Festival of Trees at the Library
    2. Christmas tree trivia

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Becky Connors visits with LaFrancine Baker about Kwanzaa.