WIFR - News

District 205 Unveils "Visualize 2015"
Superintendent Dr. LaVonne Sheffield and the rest of District 205 Unveil "Visualize 2015," a strategic plan for the direction of Rockford Public Schools, as part of the Education Summit.
Motor Home Maker Winnebago Posts Profits
A year after motor home manufacturer Winnebago Industries hit its lowest shipment levels in decades, it is now posting profits.
0 Comments
NDK Update
The NDK explosion is still being investigated, and it could take until the end of this year until we know what caused it.
0 Comments
Harlem Students Protest the State of Illinois
Students at nearby Harlem school district are now joining in the fight to keep their teachers.
1 Comment
Behind the Scenes of District 205's Education Summit
Hundreds are expected take part in a special summit tomorrow aimed at improving Rockford Public Schools. It's called Visualize 2015 and parents are looking forward to giving their input.
0 Comments
The Bank Centre Closing Its Rockford Branch
The Bank Centre will close on June 11th.
0 Comments
Five More Busted for Prostitution in Mid-Town
Undercover sting nets five more men in Mid-Town prostitution busts.
2 Comments
Ellen Presents $30K to Miss. Lesbian in Prom Flap
A lesbian high school student embroiled in a legal flap over her school's prom policy has received a $30,000 scholarship on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
0 Comments
Deadly Hit & Run
A bicyclist was killed Thursday after investigators say he rode in front of a dark colored pickup. The driver of the truck, possibly a Chevrolet, sped off. It happened in McHenry County and the Sheriff's Office is offering a reward.
0 Comments
Democrats Closer to Picking Lt. Governor Nominee
The list of people interested in becoming the Democratic nominee for Illinois lieutenant governor just keeps growing.
0 Comments
Oprah South Africa School Lawsuit
Students to testify at defamation trial after alleged abused at Oprah Winfrey's academy in South Africa.
Dan "Danimal" Hampton at MELD Fundraiser
A Hall of Famer and former Chicago Bear stopped by Giovanni's last night, for a good cause.
0 Comments
District Fires Drunk Bus Driver and Boss
The school board in Mount Prospect Elementary District 57 has fired a school bus driver accused of driving dozens of students home while drunk, as well as its director of transportation, who allegedly let her drive despite warnings from co-workers.
1 Comment
Illinois to Launch "Grant Tracker" Online
Illinois taxpayers now have a new way to track state-funded grants.
0 Comments
Early Morning Fire Rips Through Rockford Home
Three people escape after an early morning fire rips through a Rockford home.
1 Comment
U of I College of Medicine Students FInd their Matches
After four long years of hard work, 55 students finally learn where they will spend the next 3-6 years of their medical training.
0 Comments
"This is Madness" Asks for Underwear Donations
About 4,500 children in the Rockford school district lack underwear or socks every year, and now a non-profit organization is trying to reduce that number.
0 Comments
Galapagos Charter School Hiring
A handful of teachers will soon be starting their first day at a local charter school and you could be one of them.
0 Comments
Two MetroCentre Board Members Resign
Two members of the MetroCentre Authority have resigned, citing a recent venues report as the source of their contention.
0 Comments
Potholes Be Gone!
Streets in Rockford are getting some much needed maintenance now that spring is rolling in.
2 Comments
Galapagos Charter School Seeking Teachers
Newest charter school seeks teachers for Kindergarten through fourth grades.
0 Comments
Girl Sent to Juvenile Court in Overdose Death
JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) -- A 14-year-old girl accused of providing the prescription drugs that killed a 13-year-old boy will be sent back to juvenile court.
Beloit Police Nab Man With Drugs, Money and Guns
24-year-old charged with selling and dealing drugs.
0 Comments
NIU Releases Report on 2008 Shooting
NIU has released a comprehensive report on the 2008 deadly shootings.
2 Comments
New Report Shows More Wisconsin Hate Crimes
(AP) -- A new report says Wisconsin saw more hate crimes in 2008.
2 Comments
Government Orders 1.2 Million High Chairs Recalled
(AP) -- The government is announcing a recall of some 1.2 million high chairs, saying they pose a fall hazard to children.
0 Comments
UPDATE: Two Serious Accidents, Drivers Walk Away
The drivers of two seperate accidents are lucky to walk away with minor injuries.
0 Comments
Freeport Schools Better Off Than Peers
In a time when thousands of teachers across the country are without job security, Freeport School District 145 is avoidng a "reduction in force".
0 Comments
Putting A Price Tag on Job Loss
With more and more of us losing our jobs each day.. the pink slips are adding up... And it's costing all of us.
3 Comments
Jobs Bill Passes in the Senate
A bill aimed at boosting* jobs cleared the senate this morning by 68 to 29 vote .
0 Comments
Hospital Offers New Way to Detect Heart Disease
Patients at Rockford Memorial are being offered a different way to detect heart disease.
0 Comments
Gas Prices Expected to Drop for Summer
Gas prices shot up in some areas, but some experts said the days of paying more at the pump are numbered.
2 Comments
Biofuel Plants Face Threat
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- University of Illinois researchers say that a common crop parasite called a nematode has been found in large numbers on two plants being grown to make biofuels.
0 Comments
Illinois Moves Primary Again
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- The Illinois primary is going back to March. Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Wednesday at the state Capitol to move the primary back to the third Tuesday in March.
2 Comments
Indiana Moves Ahead in Gambling
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- Mississippi has dropped from its third-place perch as a gaming destination in 2009 to fourth -- after Indiana.
0 Comments
UPDATE: One Suspect in Rockford Kidnapping in Custody
Rockford police have found one of the suspects who allegedly kidnapped a mother and her child.
5 Comments
Filling Out 2010 Census Brings In Money
Some say it would be senseless not to fill out the 2010 U.S. Census. Every 10 question census not returned can cost a community up to $2,000.
1 Comment
10 Teachers Laid Off in Oregon School District
Students in Oregon took to the streets protesting nearly a dozen cuts in their district.
9 Comments
More Protests at Belvidere Schools
Protests continue as Belvidere students show extreme oppostion to cuts made as a result of the state's financial unrest. This time more schools participate.
4 Comments
Elgin-Based School District Outlines Major Cuts
(AP) -- Elgin-based School District U-46, the state's second-largest, has outlined nearly 1,100 potential cuts, including 732 teaching positions.
0 Comments
Jackson Resigns from Chicago Urban League
(AP) -- Former U.S. Senate candidate Cheryle Jackson has stepped down as president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League.
Beloit Brothers Plan Trip To Washington For WWII Vets
Two brothers in Beloit are working to help over a hundred World War veterans make a trip their father never had a chance make.
0 Comments
Chicago Homes in Foreclosure Up in 2009
The National People's Action's 2009 Chicago Foreclosure Report says more than 23,000 homes in the area were in foreclosure last year.
0 Comments
Tiger Woods Returns to Golf
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) -- Tiger Woods will return to golf at the Masters next month. In a statement Tuesday, Woods said he will play at Augusta National after a four-month hiatus because of a sex scandal.
1 Comment
Illinois School Bus Driver Charged with DUI
(AP) -- A suburban Chicago school bus driver is accused of driving dozens of students home from school with a high blood alcohol level.
0 Comments
Audit: ISU Lax in Protecting Sensitive Information
(AP) -- Illinois State University has been lax about keeping sensitive information out of the wrong hands.
0 Comments
Earthquake Shakes Southern California
(AP) -- Millions of southern Californians have been shaken awake by an early morning earthquake.
0 Comments
Man Shot in Arm in Rockford
A 30-year old man is recovering after being shot in the arm.
1 Comment
Developer Eyes Downtown Buildings
A private developer wants to turn the Amerock and Tapco buildings into a Hotel
3 Comments
Cutbacks in Winnebago Schools to Save District $400K
The Winnebago School Board has approved several teacher cutbacks that is expected to save the district $400,000.
0 Comments

	Text Alerts Breaking News, School Closings, 3-Day Forecast, Severe Weather
	iPhone App Download the WIFR iPhone App
	23 Instant Alert Weather, alerts and more on your desktop
	E-News Local news, weather and sports delivered to your inbox
	Pix & Flix Share your photos and videos with us
	YouTube Watch WIFR videos here