BUILDING BRIDGES: New York Times Bestselling Author, Mental health organizations unite for 'Building Bridges To Hope' event wrex.com/nami-northern-…

THURSDAY VOTE: Power struggle over Winnebago County Board chairman's role intensifies, residents weigh in. wrex.com/news/thursday-…

BREAKING: Tragic shooting at Israeli Embassy in DC results in two staff members killed, suspect in custody. wrex.com/news/two-israe…

Cloudy skies greet us this morning with a few showers moving through. Any rain that we see today will be isolated with lots of dry time. Some areas may stay dry completely. Temperatures will slowly start to climb. Join us live for more: wrex.com/livestream/?ut…

Gloomy skies and a few showers are still with us this morning, but changes aren't too far behind. Temperatures reach back in the 60s today with some filtered sunshine expected later as conditions dry off. wrex.com/news/top-stori…

CRACKING DOWN: The supply of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and diabetes treatment is expected to tighten this week with a federal deadline to halt the sale and production of off-brand products that many patients in the U.S. have come to rely on. wrex.com/news/health/fd…

TAX BILL PASSES: The House launched debate before midnight and by dawn the vote was called, passing by a one-vote margin with two Republicans and all Democrats voting against the bill. It next goes to the Senate, with long negotiations ahead. wrex.com/news/politics/…

Treasured artifacts associated with Abraham Lincoln were on the auction block Wednesday, separated from a collection that was intended to be available for public display forever but wound up in the middle of an interagency feud amid a $8 million debt. wrex.com/news/illinois-…

DEVELOPING: Multiple people on board a private plane that crashed into a San Diego neighborhood early Thursday are dead, authorities say. wrex.com/news/national/…

COMING SOON: New grant funding to the Discovery Center Museum in Rockford will go towards adding a new multi-story exhibit in the summer of 2026 in addition to redeveloping other galleries to boost early childhood education opportunities. wrex.com/news/positive-…

CONVICTED: A Rockford man faces several years in prison after he was found guilty for starting a 2024 fire in a North Main Manor apartment while the tenant was in her bed. wrex.com/news/crime/roc…

LOCAL REACTION: Local lawmakers are reacting to the House passing the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" early this morning, which is a legislative priority for the Trump administration as it heads to the U.S. Senate. wrex.com/news/politics/…

PENNIES PINCHED: The US Treasury announced Thursday it is phasing out production of the penny and will soon stop putting new one-cent coins into circulation. The production of a penny costs more than the value of the coin, a similar problem to the nickel. wrex.com/news/national/…

New Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson praised Caleb Williams while the QB remained mum Wednesday in the wake of a book excerpt detailing how the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and his father wanted nothing to do with the Bears leading up to last year's draft. wrex.com/sports/bears-c…

The Dept. of Homeland Security says Harvard has created an unsafe campus environment by allowing “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to assault Jewish students on campus. Without offering evidence, it also accused Harvard of coordinating with the CCP. wrex.com/news/politics/…

NEW COACH: The Chicago Blackhawks hired Jeff Blashill on Thursday, giving him a second chance to prove himself as a head coach in the NHL. wrex.com/sports/chicago…

RATES GOING UP: The average rate on a standard, 30-year fixed mortgage is inching back toward 7%, the highest level since mid-February, according to data released Thursday from Freddie Mac, highlighting the ongoing strain on home buyers in the U.S. wrex.com/news/national/…

CONSTRUCTION ALERT: IDOT says non-emergency lane closures will be suspended to help keep traffic moving over what is expected to be a busy Memorial Day travel weekend. Here's where you can expect some slower travel locally. wrex.com/news/illinois-…

NEW DEVELOPMENTS: The Chicago man charged with fatally shooting two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington as they were leaving an event at a Jewish museum told police after his arrest, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.” wrex.com/news/national/…

The family of Beloit-native Kelsie Martin has set up a GoFundMe to help them honor her. Martin, who just graduated with a psychology degree from UW-Platteville, died Monday after suffering a gunshot wound at Wilgus Hall on the college campus. wrex.com/news/gofundme-…