Hi Rockford! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
How much Rockford's Medicaid program really spends on radiology care
Which Rockford football standouts made—and missed—NFL rosters this week?
Also on today's calendar: Woodsong Summer Concert - Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner Today's Rockford Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Rockford Patch AM possible. Find a T-Mobile store near Rockford.
Monday: Warmer; a stray a.m. t-storm, with a high of 90 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
Tuesday: Hot with a t-storm in spots, temps: high: 90, low: 69.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 92 and low of 69 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Rockford Medicaid spending for radiology procedures reaches $3,117 in 2024 (rockfordsun.com) — Medicaid providers in Rockford billed $3,117 for radiology procedures in 2024, an 8% increase over 2023 but still only the 19th-largest local Medicaid category. Most of that spending came from ZIP code 61114, and radiology payments have nearly doubled since 2019. The report also notes broader state and federal Medicaid trends that could affect future local funding and coverage.
• Rockford native Dean Lowry released by the Pittsburgh Steelers (mystateline.com) — Rockford native and Boylan star Dean Lowry has been released by the Pittsburgh Steelers as NFL teams trimmed to 53‑man rosters, though he could land elsewhere or on a practice squad. Another local, former Rockford East lineman Robert Jones, was cut by the 49ers, while three other 815 standouts—Gennings Dunker, Vederian Lowe, and Keondre Jackson—secured spots on NFL rosters.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
MyChart pfishing scam alert: Health officials say if you get an unexpected message promising a MyChart reward, don't click the link. Just delete the message, and contact your health care provider directly. From 69 News WFMZ Mini News (Nextdoor Gregwood)
This cat has been around our alley for a few weeks. Camp and Ellsworth. When I first saw him he had a collar with what looked like a bell. Today I saw him with the collar around his waist. Could not… (Nextdoor Churchills Grove)
XPO Logistics, Inc. posted a job opening for Forklift Operator - Part Time in Rockford. Apply here.
Rockford Public Schools posted a job opening for 6th Grade Dual Language Teacher (26/27 School Year) in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.
🗞 Nearby News
Loves Park
Northeast Family YMCA hosts 'Dog Days of Summer' pool event for local pets (mystateline.com)
Nearly 200 participate in annual Loves Park 5K combating childhood obesity (wifr.com)
Winnebago
Check out 18 top performers from Rockford-area Week 2 football games (rrstar.com)
Drivers in Winnebago County see lowest diesel gas at $4.99 in week ending Aug. 22 (rockfordsun.com)
Analysis: South Beloit Community Unit School District 320 administrators rank 321st lowest in state for average salary in 2025 (rockfordsun.com)
Roscoe
Roscoe Fall Festival offers rides, games, parades and more (gazettextra.com)
Ok Rockford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!) Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!