The Beecher softball team got a one-hitter from Taylor Norkus in its regular season finale Saturday, downing Lemont 3-1 to finish off the first undefeated regular season (29-0) for the program since 2006, and more in Saturday's Daily Journal roundup.

From Capitol News Illinois: A group of well-known Chicago journalists, podcasters and voice actors are behind nine class-action lawsuits filed this week alleging major tech companies used their voices without their permission in order to train AI products

Morris broke a three-year string of losses to Coal City with a rally that allowed it to cap its regular season with a 4-1 win on Saturday.

The Bradley-Bourbonnais baseball team scored an 8-3 win at Manteno Saturday, May 16, 2026.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek writes about how a certain cliff hanger movie and its star can teach us about surviving the moment.

Richard Schiltz, who has led Riverside Healthcare's finance department for 15 years, moves into the top financial role after the retirement of a 30-year veteran.

A list of recent births at Riverside Medical Center.

From Capitol News Illinois: A proposal that would expand access to a federal program that discounts the price of prescription drugs could end up costing Illinois employers an additional $89 million a year

The U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation into Illinois school districts’ policies and curricula related to gender identity and sexuality includes one district in Kankakee County.

The Bradley-Bourbonnais softball team wrapped its regular season with a 15-5 win over Stagg in SouthWest Suburban Conference play, giving the Boilermakers their most conference wins in a season since 2019, and more in Friday's Daily Journal roundup.

From Capitol News Illinois: Immigrant rights groups have filed federal tort claims against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over the Sept. 30, 2025, immigration raid on an apartment complex in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood

Hantavirus can spread through contact with rodent droppings. Here are ways to protect your property.

The Bradley-Bourbonnais baseball team will host a regional on its bid for a third straight plaque. Look at that and more in the Daily Journal's baseball regional preview.

FBI Special Agent Ryan Presley reminded the law enforcement officers who attended Thursday’s memorial service why they serve their communities.

The Illinois Municipal League has proposed the Reducing Expenses and Advancing Local Housing Act as an answer to Gov. Pritzker's housing plan that calls for relaxing zoning restrictions.

The annual Kankakee County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honored the area's fallen officers on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Kankakee County Courthouse. See photos from the memorial.

The NFL announced the Chicago Bears’ 2026 schedule Thursday night. Shaw Local’s Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar go over their thoughts about the schedule and how the season could unfold

Municipal Bank has hired Lori Keigher as Vice President, bringing more than 30 years of banking and lending experience to the organization.

The Kankakee Valley Park District Board of Commissioners has a vacancy and is looking for qualified residents to fill it.

The Chicago Bears will face a difficult path to return to the playoffs in 2026. Here is a ranking of the Bears’ 2026 schedule from hardest games to easiest.

Coal City Church Hosts Community Blood Drive June 2

From Capitol News Illinois: Advocates are calling for the General Assembly to pass the POWER Act to regulate data centers before the legislative session ends on May 31

Kankakee's Dominic White split the Southland high jump title and was joined by Kymani Billings, Phillip Turner and George Noble on the winning 4x100 relay team. At the SWSC meet, Bradley-Bourbonnais' Lyzale Edmon won the 200. That and more in Thursday's Daily Journal roundup.

Teams from Beecher, IC Catholic, Yorkville Christian, Westmont, Serena, Dwight, Somonauk, Seneca, Peotone, Earlville, Reed Custer, Marquette, Aurora Christian and Newark all competed in the Class 1A Sectional meet on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Seneca High School.

The Chicago Bears once again had some fun with their schedule release video on Thursday night to announce the 2026 slate. The Bears released their 2026 schedule by spoofing the Bob Ross show “The Joy of Painting.”

The NFL released its full 272-game schedule Thursday night. Here is the Chicago Bears' full schedule with kickoff times and the broadcast slate. The Bears will play on Thanksgiving at Detroit and Christmas Day against the Packers

Illinois Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who use their love and talents for gardening to share with others.Registration for the program ends Monday.

From Capitol News Illinois: With less than a month left in the spring legislative session, Senate Democrats introduced a package of bills aimed at regulating some artificial intelligence usage.

Besides those on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius where a deadly hantavirus outbreak occurred, there is a suspected case in Winnebago County, where Rockford is located.

The Chicago Bears will play during a primetime holiday spot in the 2026 season. The NFL announced Thursday morning that Chicago will travel to take on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26.

Marc Silverman explains why NFL schedule release day has become one of the biggest events on the sports calendar — and why this year’s daunting Bears slate makes it even bigger

A group of Kankakee County military veterans, mainly Marines, continue their call for service well into retirement years.

Milford/Cissna Park's Addison Lucht won three events and qualified for state in a fourth, Clifton Central advanced a plehtora of athletes and Bishop McNamara swept the spring relays at the Class 1A Salt Fork Sectional. That and more in Wednesday's Daily Journal roundup.

Mendota junior Mariyah Elam and Morris senior Ava Conley both put together strong efforts, qualifying for the state finals in three events in Wednesday’s IHSA Class 2A Mendota Girls Track and Field Sectional.

Area teams from Kankakee, Bradley-Bourbonnais and Lincoln-Way East, Central and West were among 18 teams competing in the IHSA Class 3A Chicago Heights Girls Track and Field Sectional on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

One of two seniors recognized pregame alongside Evi McIntyre, Bradley-Bourbonnais' Lydia Hammond hit a three-run home run and was brilliant in the circle as the Boilermakers blanked Sandburg in Thursday's senior night and SWSC finale.

Teams from Sterling, Rock Falls, Mendota, Princeton, Streator, La Salle-Peru, Ottawa, Coal City, Morris and Herscher all competed during the Class 2A Sectional track meet on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in the Jeff Prusator Athletic Complex at Mendota High School.

As of Jan. 1, 2028, it will be illegal to sell the invasive Bradford pear tree – also known as the Callery pear – in Illinois.

From Capitol News Illinois: Growing pessimism over the direction of the global economy is leading budget analysts for the governor’s office and Illinois’ legislature to temper revenue expectations

People may think they’re helping by taking possession of young animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned, but most often, human intervention does more to hurt animals than to help, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said.

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes there is one way to make a connection.

A 48-year-old St. Anne man died when his motorcycle collided with a SUV on Illinois Route 1 at 4000 South Road Tuesday.

The Kankakee County Museum will host the 36th annual Rhubarb Festival on Sunday, May 17.

The Daily Journal honors the everyday heroes making a difference in Kankakee County through their hard work, kindness and dedication.

From Capitol News Illinois: Chloe Park Medill Illinois News Bureau

Herscher's Gianna High tied the girls soccer IHSA single-game record with seven assists in a 9-0 Tigers win, Bishop McNamara's softball team defeated ranked Class 3A Providence Catholic with an 11-4 win and more in Tuesday's Daily Journal roundup.

The Manteno softball team stormed back from an early 5-1 deficit to top Herscher 10-8 at home Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Coal City senior Masyn Kuder threw a shutout in the final Illinois Central Eight Conference softball game of her career Tuesday, leading the visiting Coalers to a 3-0 win over Reed-Custer.

Illinois health officials are investigating a potential case of hantavirus in a Winnebago County resident who is believed to have been exposed while cleaning a home containing rodent droppings. The case is not connected to the recent MV Hondius cruise ship

From Capitol News Illinois: JB Pritzker sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday, urging the release of $1 billion in broadband infrastructure funds previously allocated to Illinois