Good morning, Rockford.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan will perform twice on Saturday, Jan.

16 at Hard Rock Casino Rockford, with doors opening at 3 p.m. for the first show and 7 p.m. for the second (attendees must be 21+).

United Way Rock River Valley unveiled a new chapter of United for Literacy Tuesday, Oct.

20 at Rockford Public Library. The program will partner with Harlem School District and Rockford Public Schools to offer reading mentors and support targeted schools (aiming to raise proficiency to 75% by 2034).

On Oct. 16, 325 high school students toured 13 manufacturing facilities in the region and visited Rock Valley College's Advanced Technology Center in Belvidere to explore manufacturing careers as part of National Manufacturing Month.

Local manufacturers provided lunch and shared career pathway information.

Brookview Elementary School was named a 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon School for its exemplary achievement gap closing.

Governor Pritzker announced the honor Tuesday at a local school (Elmwood Park) to recognize strong community support for student success.

Rivers Christian Academy, a new preschool and daycare in downtown Rockford, cut its ribbon Tuesday at 323 N.

Second St. after enrolling children for five weeks, and the renovated space offers separate classrooms and a full kitchen (for fresh meals) to serve up to 77 students now and eventually 120.

Rockford Public Schools held a public input session that explained its state waiver for elementary physical education, maintaining the current schedule at (2-3) days per week.

The district will submit the waiver before December and review it at a school board meeting next month.

Environmentalist Bill McKibben will be the keynote speaker at Earthrise 815’s Sustainability Action Conference on Nov.

6 in Rockford+He brings over 35 years of climate advocacy experience and will address renewable energy progress and challenges in local policy.

Rockford launched a grant program offering up to $15,000 to help small businesses cover rent and deposit expenses for vacant storefronts in city corridors — applications for the Spaces to Places Program opened on Oct.

15 and remain available until Oct. 15, 2027 or until funding is committed.

Alsos Behavioral Health proposed converting the former River Crossing nursing home at 1660 S.

Mulford Road into a 128-bed locked substance use treatment facility. Neighbors raised safety concerns at the zoning board hearing and the plan now advances to the City Council’s Code and Regulation Committee meeting 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Rockford cafes will host the Coffee Crawl from Oct.

23 to 25 where visitors can win gift cards and prizes. Residents are invited to explore local spots and enjoy new flavors during this community event.

The opening of Ho-Chunk Gaming Casino in Beloit is expected to create about 1,500 permanent jobs and boost housing demand along the stateline, with local experts noting that nearby South Beloit could see more new home builds due to rising affordability shifts.