Good morning, Rockford.

David is an affectionate 8-year-old dog available for adoption at Winnebago County Animal Services (4517 N.

Main St.) today in Rockford. The shelter offers him at a 50% reduced fee as part of their Golden Whiskers Club.

On Monday, the Rockford Park District celebrated the first season of Buddy Baseball and All Stars at new Home Base Sports Fields at Lindberg Park, which features accessible baseball diamonds + ADA parking + paved paths.

The district plans to add Buddy Kickball and Buddy Flag Football to the program.

Local business owners are using artificial intelligence to quickly create promotional graphics for daily specials and events, as discussed in a digital piece streaming today at 3:30 p.m. on the Rockford News First app (the report examines both efficiency gains and creative concerns).

Rockford’s school children experienced bus delays, missed pickups, and route inconsistencies in the first week of using Zum Services as RPS 205 implemented a $17M transportation contract.

Parents reported issues that disrupted daily routines since Aug. 13 & raised concerns about the reliance on new technology amid a union dispute.

A report by the Illinois State Board of Education found that in 2025, administrators in Harlem Unit School District 122 earned an average salary of $113,993—a 1.8% increase from 2024 that ranked them 404th statewide, with 146 students per administrator compared to 136 statewide.

Free Lifescape Senior Expo runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept.

19 at Rock Valley College Physical Education Center (3301 N. Mulford Road); seniors and caregivers can access wellness checks, flu shots, mobile health clinic tours, and information on laughter's health benefits.