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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Crusader Health begins demolition on former Walgreens location (wifr.com) — Crusader Community Health has begun demolishing the former Walgreens at 1201 E. State Street to build a much larger women's health center in Rockford. The new site will more than double exam rooms, add ultrasound and other antenatal testing with UW Health SwedishAmerican, and is expected to open in summer 2027, significantly expanding local care options for women and families.
2. Rockford confirms ICE activity following reports of agent presence in community (mystateline.com) — Rockford officials have confirmed that federal immigration agents recently operated in the city, stressing they had no advance notice and that Rockford Police will not assist with civil immigration enforcement under Illinois' TRUST Act. The report follows a year of anxiety over rumored ICE activity, canceled cultural events, and a few confirmed targeted operations that have left many immigrant families on edge.
3. Rockford Brake Manufacturing Wins Illinois Impact Award (thebrakereport.com) — Rockford Brake Manufacturing has been honored with Illinois' Governor's Award for Local Impact – Northern Illinois after reviving the former Gunite foundry in Rockford. In its first year back in operation, the company reports $20 million in direct economic impact, including more than $7 million in wages and benefits for over 130 employees, highlighting manufacturing's growing role in the local economy.
4. 815HORTS Film Festival Turns Five, Passes On Sale For Expanded Three-day Event (screenmag.com) — Rockford-area film lovers can start planning now for the expanded three-day 815HORTS Film Festival, running November 12–14, 2026 at City Stage Studios. With a locally produced feature preview, Sundance and Tribeca-connected programming, and passes starting at $20, organizers say the growing event aims to strengthen the region's creative community, with discounted stays at Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront for out-of-town guests.
5. The Rockford Public Library Has a New Exciting Partnership! (mystateline.com) — Rockford Public Library is teaming up with the Barack Obama Presidential Library and National Archives to offer free workshops that teach residents how to use powerful government and historical records. Sessions later this month and in November will walk you through digital research tools and explain your rights under the Freedom of Information Act, making it easier to dig into everything from family history to public policy.
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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: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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