From Capitol News Illinois: A federal judge on Monday officially closed the book on a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration last fall when the White House ordered 500 National Guard troops to Chicago as the “Operation Midway Blitz” mass deportation campaign escalated

Franklin Houston was found guilty of the Class 4 felony offense of injuring a police officer while resisting arrest and the misdemeanor offense of disorderly conduct for an August 2025 incident at an Oregon school.

Here are Robin Rethwill's photos from Rochelle softball's game with Somonauk.

Here are Robin Rethwill's photos from Rochelle's baseball game with Sycamore on April 13.

A woman was hurt as she tried to cross over a train that was either stopped or traveling slowly in Rochelle on Saturday evening, according to a Rochelle Police Department news release.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and some teammates met with reporters at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Monday as the team started its offseason workout program. Here are four of the most interesting things the Bears said Monday.

The Chicago Bears will reportedly pick up the fifth-year option of right tackle Darnell Wright.

The Rock River Center is a resource center in Oregon.

The Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club tried out STEM activities March 21, when club members started with circuit cubes making different projects, from a flashlight to cars.

As part of its 80th anniversary celebration, Woods Equipment of Oregon is making financial contributions to agriculture programs at six universities and three local organizations across the Midwest.

Over 100 seventh grade students from Byron Middle School recently completed a community service project.

A rural residence in Stillman Valley that sold for $575,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Ogle County during the past week.

From Capitol News Illinois: An Illinois House committee got an overview this week of how data centers are driving up energy demand and threatening potential shortfalls in the second of three planned hearings on the matter.

The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department will conduct a residential tire collection event Saturday, June 6.

University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H youth development program in Ogle County honors over 100 volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 19-25.

The Rochelle softball team used a solid start and a five-run sixth inning to pick up a 10-7 victory over Somonauk/Leland on Friday afternoon in Somonauk.

Emergency crews from throughout northwestern Illinois were in Lena Friday night in the wake of a severe storm that rolled through the village around 3:40 p.m. Friday.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois House and Senate approved hundreds of bills this week ahead of a Friday deadline, including a plan proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker to limit cell phones in schools

Illinois youth turkey hunters set a new record, harvesting a preliminary total of 2,318 birds during the 2026 Illinois youth season.

State Rep. Tony McCombie is announcing dates for traveling office hours this month.

The Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society will present “The Orphan Trains - The Personal Side of the Story” by Carol Chandler on Monday, April 27.

The Chana Mother’s Club annual salad supper will be Monday, May 4, at the Chana Education Center.

The Chicago Bears could go in multiple directions with their first-round selection in next week's NFL draft. Here's Shaw Local’s Michal Dwojak second and final mock draft as he tried to figure out how the first round will unfold.

From Capitol News Illinois: Public school teachers in Illinois may soon have to add Latin Americans to the list of ethnic groups whose contributions to American history and culture must be taught in class

The show will be presented May 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 at PACT’s home in the Old Polo Town Hall.

From Capitol News Illinois: The bill would also require social media platforms to have default privacy settings for minors that would stop addictive feeds, location sharing and transactions with digital currency

A Rochelle man has been charged with battering a pregnant woman after an April 13 incident in Rochelle

A Mt. Morris man faces aggravated battery charges in connection with an April 15 domestic incident.

From Capitol News Illinois: Ad campaign highlights 2-year fight between retailer and finance lobbies

The 2025-2026 winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American History Video Contest for the Rochelle Chapter is James Chadwick.

The Illinois State Police is using grant money to combat vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes.

Floyd J. Tilton VFW Post 3878 of Rochelle presented a $2,500 check April 13 to the David Crawford Foundation.

The Chicago Bears hold the No. 25 overall pick in the first round of next week's NFL draft. But could general manager Ryan Poles trade up or down from that spot? Here are some possible options for Poles to make a trade in the first round.

From Capitol News Illinois: Chemring Energetic Devices, a Downers Grove-based company that engineers and manufactures devices for NASA, won the title of Coolest Thing Made in Illinois as part of the annual “Makers Madness” competition

From Capitol News Illinois: Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey has moved into an apartment in Chicago as he seeks to improve his outreach to voters in the state’s most populous region

From Capitol News Illinois: As the artificial intelligence industry rapidly expands, state legislators appear poised to continue imposing regulations on the technology

The Meridian Education Foundation hosted its 2026 draw-down fundraiser at PrairieFire on April 11, bringing together community members, local businesses and supporters for an evening of celebration, connection and giving back.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois lawmakers say the Illinois Department of Corrections must fix a slew of errors that were revealed in a recent audit. Eighty percent of the employees reviewed by auditors recorded overtime on the same days they also received paid leave

From Capitol News Illinois: The appellate judges indicated they would also grant a new trial for the pair, in part because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision narrowing the scope of federal bribery law

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch until 1 a.m. Thursday for most of northern Illinois.

A ceremony was held March 29 at the Ogle County veterans memorial to honor all veterans in all branches who served from 1955 to 1975 during the Vietnam War.

NFL mock draft season is almost over as the league is set to host its annual draft in Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23. Here’s a look at who analysts believe the Chicago Bears will select at No. 25 next week.

From Capitol News Illinois: State employee health care costs have been rising steadily for several years due to growth in the state’s workforce and general health care inflation

The Rochelle Lions Club will conduct its annual Rose Day fundraiser on Saturday, April 25, behind the Colonial Flower Shop in Rochelle.

From Capitol News Illinois: In its most recent version, the bill would require elementary and middle schools to implement a bell-to-bell ban, while high schools could allow students to use their cellphones during breaks and lunch

The Ogle County Historical Society’s next monthly meeting is Monday, April 27, in the carriage house annex behind the Nash House Museum.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois estate tax creates a heavy burden for families trying to pass down farms between generations. A bill in the legislature seeks to raise the tax exemption to $6 million, from $4 million

Here are Robin Rethwill's photos from Rochelle softball's game with Rockford Boylan.

Rochelle Municipal Utilities has been recognized with three honors from the American Public Power Association.

Shaw Local is taking a look at a number of potential prospects who could fit the Chicago Bears’ needs in the first round of the NFL draft later this month. Here’s how Alabama offensive tackle could be a fit with the Bears.