Good morning, Rockford.

Dining In The Dark, a fundraising event for low vision services, will take place on Nov.

12 at the Radisson Convention Center in Rockford — guests will experience a cocktail hour, live music, an obstacle course, a four-course meal, and a live auction of original artwork.

Rockford News First has announced expanded local news coverage on WREX, WSLN, and WIFR with more than 60 hours weekly.

The new schedule includes a 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. morning newscast on WSLN, earlier midday news on WREX, and weekend broadcasts — changes designed to better serve local viewers.

Rockford will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with a parade at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept.

20 at Parmele Street and Broadway, followed by free festivities at the Sports Factory downtown from 2-8 p.m., honoring local veterans and community legacy.

Rockford Public Library launched Kids' Musical Storytime, a free early literacy program using music to build reading skills and funded by a grant from United for Literacy.

Sessions run monthly at Main, East, and Montague branches (no registration is needed) from Aug through May.

Rockford police officers are reading to preschoolers at Summerdale Early Childhood Center during safety week and giving each child a free book from United Way (visits run from Sept.

14-16).

Rockford Public School District 205 is working with Zum to address weeks-long transportation issues by adding a dedicated Rockford-specific customer service rep since Sept.

14. Two community feedback sessions are scheduled for Sept. 22 at The QUAD (next to Jefferson High) and Sept. 24 at RESA Middle School.

State health officials found Legionella bacteria in Luther Center’s hot water system on Sept.

11 in downtown Rockford — residents have faced strict water bans since Sept. 12 as remediation efforts are under way to address the contamination.

The Tommy Corral Memorial Foundation spreads hope this September by offering support groups for kids, teens, and adults and referring locals to 20 counseling agencies for affordable mental health care.

It partners with local schools and youth programs to help reduce the stigma around mental health.

Rockford was named the nation’s top housing market by Realtor.com in its August ranking as affordable homes and growing inventory drove buyers to 2.9 times the national average views with fast sales in 33 days; it is only the second time Rockford has topped the list since December 2024.