Freepod

Freeport Could Get Its First Marjiuana DispensaryFreeport Library Names New Executive DirectorTop Cop and Top Firefighter Awarded by City of FreeportFPD Reveals Key Figures for 2025Applications Open for Downtown Façade Improvement GrantsGFP Names a New ChairYMCA Receives Grant for Free CPR TrainingFEMA Rejects Illinois Requests for Disaster ReliefIllinois Early Childhood Education Programs Face ChallengesAndrew Chesney Introduces Bill to Define Transgender Identity as Mental IllnessEarly Voting in Illinois BeginsLeague of Women Voters Hosting a Meet the Candidates EventSRC Hosting "Professional Women, Firsts"Adventures in the Big Sky Read AloudSavanna Farm Represented During Super Bowl

For new or expecting parents, the questions and challenges that are faced seem to be never-ending. But for those in Jo Daviess and Stephenson County, the Regional Office of Education 8 have a program that can help.Alan Wenzel spoke to Beth Johnson and Marci White from ROE 8 about the Family Enrichment program and what it offers for families in our community.

Freeport Fire Department Promotes New LeadershipCity Gives Awards to Employees for Life Saving ActsCity of Freeport to Address Fire Hydrant UpdatesOSHA Presents Award to City of FreeportPretzel City Area Transit Seeking Input on Fixed RoutesGFP Gives Out Annual AwardsBlack History Month at FHSPat Norman Named Jane Addams Legacy Award WinnerSam Schaible Named New President of Foundation for Northwest IllinoisUnited Way Opens Funding Applications for 2026-2027 CycleIowa Considers Push for Jo Daviess County to Join the Hawkeye StateIllinois Sees Worst Flu Season in YearsLocal Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Combat Medical MisinformationSpeaker Series: The Health Impacts of Climate ChangeSRC Hosts Free NASA PresentationArctic Ale and Art Walk Readies for Another Year

The small town barbershop is more than just a place to get your haircut. Since the 1950s, barbershops have been social institutions. And James Rivas of Pretzel City Barbershop is hoping to keep that tradition alive in downtown Freeport.Tim Connors chats with James about how the Pretzel City Barbershop is connecting Freeport's cherished past with its promising future.

Residential Fire on Clark StreetPearl City Co-Op and Stephenson Service Company Shareholders Approve MergerNew YMCA to Feature Field House and Aquatic CenterCity Waiving Late Fees for Some ResidentsROE 8 Gets a New Regional SuperintendentPolo Superintendent Receives Statewide HonorsByron Man Convicted of Murder & ArsonLocal Dairy Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with State and Foreign DignitariesPartial Offset for Medicaid Cuts to Rural Communities AnnouncedComEd Seeks $15B Grid Plan ApprovalElectrical Transmission Line to Illinois Clears Legal HurdleNew Data Centers Could Lead to Ballooning Electricity Costs in IllinoisCity of Freeport Holding Graphic Design ContestFebruary Lunch & Learn on “The Rise and Fall of the Western as an Art Form and Moral Messenger in the U.S.”Lectures in American History at the Freeport Public LibraryFHS Speech Team to Put on Performance Open to the PublicHCC Announces Auditions for Summerset

Global climate change has been a controversial area of discussion in our community for decades. But a new speaker series at the Freeport Public Library aims to educate us all on the significant and real impacts of climate change on the northwest Illinois region.Alan Wenzel sat down with Dr. Jack Hermann, Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, to talk about global climate change and the speaker series currently underway.

Pecatonica School Board Votes Not to Retain Teacher Over Pronoun UseLena-Winslow Staff Member Charged with ObscenityFreeport Schools Welcomes New HR LeaderHCC announces Dean’s ListArea man named President of Illinois Association of Agricultural FairsFreeport Animal Shelter Holding a Fundraiser to Expand ServicesStephenson County Farm Bureau Holding Freezer Meal FundraiserIllinois Plans to Withhold $500M in SpendingIllinois Medicaid Faces Looming Funding CrisisAmerican Red Cross Calls for Donors Amid Severe ShortageOSF HealthCare Names New PresidentSorensen Announces $33M for Water and Sewer UpgradesNew Illinois Law Seals Non-Violent Convictions After 3 YearsGreater Freeport Partnership Announces Annual Dinner & AwardsSenior Resource Center to Host Outreach in Jo Daviess County in FebruaryDolly Parton’s Imagination Library Comes to Northwest IllinoisTake Part in the 42nd Annual Bald Eagle Watch

If you've been to an event in downtown Freeport, then you've seen Lance Ferguson. Whether he is hosting as the owner operator of Davis & Company, or volunteering, Lance is a constant presence in his community.Freepod host Tim Connors speaks with Lance about running an entertainment business in Freeport, as well as the importance of volunteerism in Freeport.

City of Freeport Releases Strategic PlanFreeport Park District Gets IDNR GrantHCC Awarded Grant for Training Future EducatorsDarin Stykel Receives Community Impact AwardGalena Approves Demolition of Historic Police Station to Build Parking RampCrimeStoppers Asks for Help in Solving Storage Unit TheftsChanges to SNAP Rules Begin February 1Health Insurance Plan Enrollment Deadline ExtendedUSDA Reports Growing Gap Between Costs to Produce and Price Received for US CropsHighland Accepting Submissions for Juried Art ExhibitShowtime Fundraiser at Cannova'sPark District Dances Registrations Now OpenSensory Science at Severson DellsGreat Backyard Bird Count BeginsIllinois Poet Laureate Presenting in GalenaNew Mental Health Office in Mt. CarrollU 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.

Freeport Fire Chief Announces RetirementKrape Park South Entrance Improvement ProjectSC Health Dept is a Drug Overdose Prevention ProgramIllinois AG Uses Illinois Hate Crimes Act for Carroll County CrimeGov. Pritzker Signs Historic Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability ActEnvironmental Study Group Presents "Our Changing Climate: The Science, Risks, and Getting to Solutions"Trump Administration Attempts to Freeze $1B in Federal Funds for Illinois Child Care & Social ServicesElizabeth Business Receives Economic Development GrantTerry and Bonnie Sueltman Scholarship Fund Established to Support Freeport High School GraduatesHCC 2025 Excellence Award RecipientsAudition for the Pitmen Painters at HCCWinter Trails and Naturalist TalesDriftless 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.

FREEPORT AWARDED $31 MILLION FOR NEW WELL AND CLEANER DRINKING WATERLIBRARY TO HOST LECTURE SERIES ON COST OF LIVING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IN NORTHWEST ILLINOISFREEPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS MORE TO OFFERFLU CASES SURGING AND LIKELY TO GET WORSEFHN IS NOW MERCYHEALTH FHNLOCAL LAWMAKERS SHOW BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR NEW NICU LEAVE LAWNEW LAWS FOCUSING ON EDUCATION IN ILLINOISSENIOR RESOURCE CENTER HOSTS MONTHLY OUTREACH IN JO DAVIESS COUNTYPARK DISTRICT HOSTS FIT FOR LIFEORANGEVILLE NATIVE MAKES IT TO OLYMPICS ROSTERFREEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT SWEARS IN NEW OFFICERSCHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSALEAGLE VIEWING IN CARROLL COUNTYWEE NATS PROGRAMMING FOR JANUARYHIGHLAND BEGINS A NEW SEMESTERINDOOR 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.

New FPD Police ChiefNew Laws in IllinoisDOJ sues Illinois’ GovernorIllinois Ramps Up Holiday Road PatrolsSenior Resource Center Medicare Open Enrollment Program Sets New Savings RecordTony McCombie Ranked as ‘Most Effective Republican Lawmaker’ in Illinois HouseFormer FHS Athlete of the Year Passes UnexpectedlyBASE Camp RegistrationGet Fit with FHNAsian Copperleaf Found in Stephenson CountyChristmas Trees to be Used as Fish Habitat in Illinois lakesPollinator PresentationAdult 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.

Miller appointed to national positionCity update on EV chargersHCC President receives recognitionPearl City Elevator and Stephenson Service mergePropane tank tips for winterFreeport High School speech team posts winsIcicles are pretty, but….Two Freeport businesses closingDeadline extended for Marketplace health insurance enrollmentFACC now a site for UIC residency trainingAT&T ending landlines in IllinoisGirls Scouts receive grantFormer Freeport student hits BroadwayReminder: REAL ID needed for some activities in 2026Feed the birdsWe miss The Red Apple Tree too!The week ahead…Vote for your favorite tree at the FHN Festival of Trees at the LibraryChristmas tree trivia

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

City newsRe-Fresh bulk trash program continues in 2026Snow removal parking reminderPartnership Cash makes a great gift!Temporary break coming in ComEd pricingLady Pretzels atop the NIC-10Deadline near for HCC Spring registrationHCC Call for Entries in Juried Art ExhibitFreeport Art Museum receives grantSpring 2026 Art Explorers registration openPesticide Applicator Training beginsAnnual Christmas Bird CountSmart salting tipsFreeport area Posada celebrationBells are still ringing!Holiday movie at Winneshiek PlayhouseFamily history as a holiday giftHoliday decorations to enjoy from your car!The week ahead…Luminaria NightFHN Community Festival of Trees

Freepod Host Tim Connors sits down with John and Kate from Freeport Martial Arts to talk about what they have to offer Pretzel City. Freeport Martial Arts is in its third of operation and offers classes for adults and children in jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, and women's self-defense.