Good morning, Rockford.

Rockford will host the 90th Annual NAACP Illinois State Conference Convention from Sept.

24-26 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront. The three-day event will welcome about 250 NAACP members, community leaders and business partners+ planning for hospitality, marketing and local programming.

YWCA Northwestern Illinois will host Week Without Violence to promote youth safety from Monday, Oct.

19 to Friday, Oct. 23, featuring short videos and interactive activities that encourage local youth and families to join the effort (contact the organization for details).

Rockford owners of Tom & Jerry's and Candy Cloud began construction on Beef-a-Roo at 1680 N.

Alpine Road Wednesday night as the restaurant remains closed since June 29. They launched social media pages to update fans as they plan its reopening while honoring its legacy.

Rock band Daughtry will perform at Hard Rock Casino Rockford on Saturday, Feb.

20, bringing their hit songs to the venue at 7801 E. State St. Tickets are on sale now via the casino website + Ticketmaster.

Rockford schools unveiled new murals inspired by hope and belonging as students returned to hallways today.

The artwork, first displayed at McIntosh Elementary, was created in partnership among students, educators, and artist Eddaviel Montero with funding from a Healing Illinois grant.

Illinois high schoolers are increasingly earning college credit through dual credit programs that offer free or discounted courses, with options growing in both rural schools and at Rock Valley College.

Local colleges partner with high schools to boost readiness & save on tuition.

Rockford residents and nonprofits can earn ownership of vacant city lots through the city's Mow to Own program by maintaining properties with tasks like mowing, landscaping, leaf cleanup and sidewalk snow removal — the program has transferred 17 lots since 2015 and offers 42 additional lots.

South Beloit city leaders discussed plans for a 10-foot-wide shared-use path near Prairie Hill Road and Route 2 to connect local trails.

The city will submit its ITEP funding application soon and, if approved, expect construction to begin in 2028.

Illinois College of Medicine Rockford hosted a symposium yesterday where state health care leaders & National Rural Health Association representatives discussed rural care challenges and recruitment issues while proposing sustainable solutions to improve access for local residents.

Dr. Elisha Robinson at the Integrative Healing Center invites locals to a free wellness fair on Oct.

3 at 4773 Manhattan Drive—featuring health talks, movement activities and a hyperbaric oxygen therapy demonstration.

Local mental health leaders are addressing six suicides among youth and young adults in the area, which occurred over several weeks as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month ended.

The Tommy Corral Memorial Foundation (which offers teen counseling) and Four Corners Wellness Center urge anyone struggling to seek help.