Freepod - The news you've been missing

10/04/2025

Learn more about the Doug Firebaugh Observatory by checking out our in-depth interview with Jim Dole. Then visit tonight for their regular open house which also happens to occur on Observe the Moon night!

Here's your in-depth interview for September 30, 2025!

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Becky Connors visits with Jim Dole, director of the Doug Firebaugh Observatory, to talk about the observatory and how they’ll be celebrating International Observe the Moon Day on October 4!

Listen here: https://freepod.org/podcasts

10/02/2025

Here’s your newscast for October 2, 2025!

1. FHN and Mercyhealth announce affiliation agreement
2. City leaf collection program
3. Highland Community College President announces retirement
4. Oakdale Fall Festival!
5. 100 Women Who Care reach $500,000 milestone
6. Understand your property taxes
7. Walk to Remember
8. Salvation Army needs your help!
9. U of I Extension hosts invasive species program
10. Wee Nats returns for young nature explorers
11. Flu shot clinics begin
12. Local resident Rita Koch inducted into Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame
13. The week ahead…
a. Birdseed sale reminder
b. Cub Foods Brat Stand - Freeport Alano Club
c. Farmers Markets
d. Re-fresh trash disposal on Saturday

Here's how to listen:
https://freepod.org/podcasts
or find both English and Spanish audio/script at https://www.northernpublicradio.org/freepod

¡Aquí está el noticiero del 2 de octubre de 2025!

1. FHN y Mercyhealth anuncian un acuerdo de afiliación
2. Programa de recolección de hojas en la ciudad
3. El presidente de Highland Community College anuncia su jubilación
4. ¡Festival de Otoño de Oakdale!
5. 100 mujeres que se preocupan alcanzan la meta de $500,000
6. Entienda sus impuestos prediales
7. Camina para recordar
8. ¡El Ejército de Salvación necesita su ayuda!
9. La Extensión de la Universidad de Illinois presenta un programa de especies invasoras
10. Wee Nats regresa para jóvenes exploradores de la naturaleza
11. Comienzan las clínicas de vacunación contra la gripe
12. La residente local Rita Koch es incluida en el Salón de la Fama 4-H de Illinois
13. La semana que viene…
a. Recordatorio de venta de alpiste
b. Puesto de salchichas Cub Foods - Freeport Alano Club
c. Mercados de agricultores
d. Renovación del sistema de recolección de basura el sábado

Cómo escucharlo: https://freepod.org/podcasts o encuentra el audio/guión en inglés y español en https://www.northernpublicradio.org/freepod

09/30/2025

09/30/2025

Here's your in-depth interview for September 30, 2025!

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Becky Connors visits with Jim Dole, director of the Doug Firebaugh Observatory, to talk about the observatory and how they’ll be celebrating International Observe the Moon Day on October 4!

Listen here: https://freepod.org/podcasts

09/25/2025

Here’s your newscast for September 25, 2025!

1. 911 system upgrade complete
2. Freeport police department receives grant
3. Brewfest is this weekend!
4. New Pilates studio (Studio Élan) opens in downtown Freeport – plus bonus interview with Laura Pierce and Jenna Alderks
5. Free child safety seat check
6. A Slice of Time – and Pizza! – with FHN
7. Autumn Leaf Run at Oakdale
8. Feed the birds this winter with help from the NWIL Bird and Nature Alliance
9. The week ahead…
a. Rockford-Freeport Illinois Kennel Club Dog
b. Cub Foods Brat Stand - Freeport Elks Lodge 617
c. Farmers Markets in the area
d. Play Misty For Me at the Lindo
e. Slow cooker program with Senior Resource Center
f. FREEPOD is on YouTube!

Here's how to listen:
https://freepod.org/podcasts
or find both English and Spanish audio/script at https://www.northernpublicradio.org/freepod

¡Aquí está el noticiero del 25 de septiembre de 2025!

1. Actualización del sistema 911 completada
2. El departamento de policía de Freeport recibe una subvención
3. ¡Este fin de semana es el festival de la cerveza!
4. Nuevo estudio de Pilates (Studio Élan) abre en el centro de Freeport; incluye una entrevista extra con Laura Pierce y Jenna Alderks
5. Revisión gratuita de asientos de seguridad para niños
6. Un poco de tiempo (¡y pizza!) con FHN
7. Carrera de Hojas de Otoño en Oakdale
8. Alimenta a las aves este invierno con la ayuda de la Alianza de Aves y Naturaleza de NWIL
9. La semana que viene…
a. Club Canino Rockford-Freeport, Illinois
b. Puesto de Brat de Cub Foods - Freeport Elks Lodge 617
c. Mercados de agricultores de la zona
d. Juega a Misty For Me en Lindo
e. Programa de ollas de cocción lenta con el Centro de Recursos para Personas Mayores
f. ¡FREEPOD está en YouTube!
Cómo escucharlo: https://freepod.org/podcasts o encuentra el audio/guión en inglés y español en https://www.northernpublicradio.org/freepod

09/25/2025

FREEPOD is now on YouTube!

The program is currently all audio and no video, but having it on the YouTube platform now gives you another way to listen.

You can find both English and Spanish versions as well!

Find the link in the comments!

09/24/2025

We’re thrilled that so many in our community have already explored the inaugural Downtown Sculpture Walk — and we want to be sure you’re getting the full experience!

🎧 Don’t forget to check out the free, self-guided audio tour on the Otocast app to hear the artists and local experts share the stories behind each piece.

For more information about the Sculpture Walk and links to download the app, visit our website: https://www.freeportartmuseum.com/downtown-sculpture-walk

Prefer to browse from home? Check out the walk through our new interactive online guide! https://app.otocast.com/guide/FreeportSculptureWalk

Chicago Ave | Spring St to the Arts Plaza

09/23/2025

Here's your in-depth interview for September 23, 2025!

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Tim Connors visits with Kurt Steffen, Cub Foods store manager about how it takes a village to make a supermarket great.

Listen here: https://freepod.org/podcasts

09/20/2025

Check out the downtown Freeport Sculpture Walk!

Featuring seven new sculptures throughout the downtown, the Sculpture Walk is a collaboration between the Freeport Art Museum and the Arts and Culture Commission with the City of Freeport and does not use any tax dollars. The not-for-profit Freeport Art Museum is the organization to thank for the Sculpture Walk as well as the downtown Arts Plaza, which contains a splash pad water feature, the Ferguson Pavilion and stage, and the large red Gateway sculpture.

The not-for-profit Freeport Art Museum was able to secure the donated artwork from two local artists, as well as individuals from Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Maryland, and New York. The new pieces of art will stand along Chicago Avenue for an entire year and then be available for purchase. There is also an audio tour via QR codes at each of the sculptures.

Jessica Modica, Executive Director of the Freeport Art Museum said that the Walk is a dynamic extension of the museum’s mission to create experiences that spark imagination and engagement in the arts. You can hear one of our recent interviews by Alan Wenzel with Jessica on our website or other streaming apps!

09/18/2025

Here’s your newscast for September 18, 2025!

1. Sculpture Walk opens in downtown Freeport
2. Demolitions scheduled
3. Bridge construction on Route
4. League of Women Voters Presentation on immigration law with Sara Dady
5. Brewfest is next weekend!
6. Fall exhibit at The Highland Gallery
7. Highland Lifelong Learning program
8. YMCA Blood Drive
9. Family Enrichment Program family playgroup event
10. Big O's On The Hollow on America's Best Restaurants
11. Strategic planning underway at FSD 145
12. Lena Memorial receives final touches
13. Choose your apple!
14. The week ahead…
a. Youth Aviation event
b. Friends Forever mums and pumpkins sale
c. Cub Foods Brat Stand - Freeport Elks Lodge 617
d. Farmers Markets
e. Eats & Beats success

Here's how to listen:
https://freepod.org/podcasts
or find both English and Spanish audio/script at https://www.northernpublicradio.org/freepod

¡Aquí está el noticiero del 18 de septiembre de 2025!

1. Inauguración del Paseo de las Esculturas en el centro de Freeport
2. Demoliciones programadas
3. Construcción de un puente en la Ruta
4. Presentación de la Liga de Mujeres Votantes sobre la ley de inmigración con Sara Dady
5. ¡El Festival de la Cerveza es el próximo fin de semana!
6. Exhibición de otoño en la Galería Highland
7. Programa de Aprendizaje Permanente de Highland
8. Donación de Sangre de la YMCA
9. Evento de grupo de juego familiar del Programa de Enriquecimiento Familiar
10. Big O's On The Hollow sobre los Mejores Restaurantes de Estados Unidos
11. Planificación estratégica en marcha en FSD 145
12. El Monumento a Lena recibe los toques finales
13. ¡Elige tu manzana!
14. La semana que viene…
a. Evento de Aviación Juvenil
b. Venta de crisantemos y calabazas Friends Forever
c. Puesto de Brat de Cub Foods - Freeport Elks Lodge 617
d. Mercados de Agricultores
e. Éxito de Eats & Beats

Cómo escucharlo: https://freepod.org/podcasts o encuentra el audio/guión en inglés y español en https://www.northernpublicradio.org/freepod

09/16/2025

Here's your in-depth interview for September 16, 2025!

FREEPOD host Alan Wenzel chats with Jessica Modica, Executive Director of the Freeport Art Museum about the Sculpture Walk being installed in downtown Freeport.

Listen here: https://freepod.org/podcasts