Updated: 5:12 PM It's a problem that's been accelerating in parts of Rockford.

Updated: 4:38 PM Many of us have a used tire or motor oil sitting at home in our garage. Instead of throwing it away, you can take advantage of a one-time cleanup offer in Ogle County this weekend.

Updated: 3:09 PM A Milton company that applies pesticides to farm fields has agreed to plead no contest to several violations for contaminating soil.

Updated: 3:07 PM Wisconsin officials say there's a new scam hitting voicemail and answering machines.

Updated: 3:06 PM The governor's attempt to mortgage the Thompson Center cost Illinois taxpayers more than a half-million dollars.

Updated: 3:04 PM Former Gov. George Ryan, who is awaiting trial on government corruption charges, was called to jury duty this week in Kankakee.

Updated: 4:43 PM The support workers at Harlem Community School Friday afternoon reached a tentative accord on a new contract.

Updated: 12:48 PM Computers are old hat to the class of 2008 and so are the viruses they catch.

Updated: 12:47 PM A Los Angeles Times poll shows President Bush and Senator John Kerry are running about even in Missouri and Wisconsin.

Updated: 12:46 PM A U.S. Census Bureau reports shows little good news for Illinois when it comes to the poverty rate and median household income.

Updated: 12:45 PM Gov. Rod Blagojevich says he would consider expanding gambling in Illinois to bring in new revenue for the state budget.

Posted: 10:45 PM With Harlem school canceled for a fifth straight day Friday, both support staff and Harlem district negotiators exchange proposals on Thursday night, while teacher and district talks go nowhere.

Updated: 5:47 PM It's often hard to teach our kids the importance of going to school and doing well, and unfortunately, some students decide they don't want to go to school at all.

Updated: 5:21 PM For those of us wondering more about the Rubloff Development Group, here's a little background on that company.

Updated: 5:18 PM The acquisition has the potential to create hundreds of jobs in the next few years, and it may also mean more scheduled service out of the Greater Rockford Airport.

Updated: 3:35 PM Midwestern spiders always get big as they prepare to lay eggs, but this year they're even fatter thanks to a cool, wet summer that produced a bumper crop of insects for them to eat.

Updated: 3:34 PM Talk show host Oprah Winfrey says she hopes she never has to serve as a juror in another murder trial.

Updated: 10:35 PM For those of us looking to make a difference, here's an opportunity.

Updated: 10:32 PM The public gets its first chance to see a task force's recommendation on downtown development, and so far, reviews are mixed.

Updated: 10:37 PM A contract agreement between Harlem teachers and the district remains unresolved, and class on Friday is in limbo.

Updated: 3:48 PM Every so often you meet someone who changes your life forever.

Updated: 2:05 PM Gov. Rod Blagojevich is calling for an overhaul of Illinois tollways that could reduce traffic jams while raising tolls for some people.

Updated: 2:01 PM Singapore Airlines has disclosed orders for 18 Boeing 777-300 jetliners and options to buy 13 others as part of a fleet expansion plan.

Updated: 2:08 PM Chicago police say a bus driver for the Dave Matthews Band told them he drove over a downtown bridge around the same time that waste was dumped on a tour boat filled with passengers below.

Updated: 1:22 PM ATA Airlines denies reports that it wants to sell its gates at Chicago's Midway Airport.