The end of June marked the end of Pride Month 202. While June is over, the LGBTQ community is still here.As we look back on Pride Month, 13 WREX wanted to talk to members of Rockford's LGBTQ community about their struggles and experiences that exist yearlong, not just in the month of June. Hear from Dr. Joel Filmore, a professor and licensed therapist; Meg Hastings, a facilitator with Rockford's DiversCity Youth Group; James Maples, drag performer and educator at Tricoci University; and 13 Meteorologist Justin Ballard in this episode of the 815Live Podcast. WARNING: this episode contains discussions on sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and drug abuse.

Nearly six months ago, the FDA approved the first COVID-19 vaccine for emergency-use authorization. A light at the end of the tunnel for millions of Americans. To understand more about this new vaccine, many turned to less-than-reliable sources to get their questions answered. Does the COVID-19 vaccine cause infertility? Can I get sick from the vaccine? How do I know it's safe?On this episode of the 815 Live podcast, Dr. James Cole from SwedishAmerican joins us to set the record straight.

The 2020 NFL Draft was a draft like no other. Set in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic, the draft looked different from years past, much like the rest of 2020.But that doesn't mean the 2021 NFL draft was without its fair share of drama and difficulties especially from our two area teams, the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.In today's episode of 815 Live, hear from the 13 Sports Authority, Sports Reporter Sam Knox and Sports Director Derek Bayne, about their takeaways from the 2021 NFL Draft.

In the 1980s and 1990s, women accounted for less than 20 percent of TV weathercaster positions; Today, that number remains largely unchanged. It's one thing to hear the data, but it's another thing to hear directly from these women. In this episode, of 815 Live, hear from the 13 Weather Team: our newest meteorologist Claudia Olech, 13 Today meteorologist Justin Ballard and Chief Meteorologist Alex Kirchner about their experiences.

For years, the violent crime rate in Rockford has steadily been going down, but 2020 was the deadliest year for crime in city history. What happened? How is the Rockford Police Department fighting back?We're digging deeper into the influx of illegal guns in our area and the new technology detectives use to track down criminals.

Welcome back to the 815 Live Podcast from 13 WREX!On the very last day of 2020, we published a special podcast called "Dear 2020." In that episode, staff members from 13 WREX shared their deeply personal and professional experiences from what was likely the most challenging year of their lives.And since that podcast first aired, several more members of our team were inspired to share their stories too. So, we wanted to make sure they had a chance to be heard, and you had a chance to hear them.This bonus pod has it all. Perspectives from our news, weather, sports and engineering departments!It might be February, but the impact of 2020 will never be forgotten. We hope you enjoy, Dear 2020.

The COVID-19 vaccine is here, but after decades of unethical experimentation, the Black community has its reservations. We talk to local experts and 13 News Reporter Lauren Baker about the history and trauma behind Black Americans' fear of the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is a special episode of the 815 LIVE podcast! In this episode, we look back on the profound impact 2020 had on people's lives. And while this podcast usually involves members of the 13 WREX team interviewing experts, in true 2020 form, we wanted to flip that idea on its head.So instead, you will hear directly from the members of the 13 WREX staff about their personal and professional experiences in 2020.It's not often you get to hear their perspective, after all, the story is never supposed to be about us. But that doesn't mean we aren't human too. 2020 was the hardest year of our lives and it really wasn't close.So we wanted to share those experiences from a first-person point of view. You will hear from the people at 13 WREX who came to work each and every day this year to make sure you had the information you depend on from a television station that has served its community for more than 60 years.We're calling it... "Dear 2020."

As COVID-19 began its assault on the United States, summer was on the horizon. Plans were made and tickets were bought. But for many people, the threat of the virus was too much and this became a lost summer for traveling. However, others, like Winnebago County Board Member Dan Fellars, instead changed the way he vacationed. Fellars joins 13 News reporter Richard Bodee as he recounts what it's like to visit one of America's most popular tourist attractions in the midst of a global pandemic.

Dr. James Cole is a trauma surgeon with a background in critical care at SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford, Ill. He also serves as the medical specialist in the hospital’s incident command center, which oversees operations related to COVID-19. Dr. Cole joins 13 News Reporter Richard Bodee to discuss some of the medical disinformation he’s seen and to set the record straight on a variety of topics related to the coronavirus. He also answers questions about vaccines, herd immunity, and school reopening.

Johanna Cronin is a survivor of COVID-19. She joins the podcast to talk about her symptoms, the difficulties surrounding getting tested and her overall experience. Johanna lives in Los Angeles, CA and details what it was like going into Cedar Sinai Medical Center in the middle of the night after waking up gasping for air. Now recovered, she hopes by sharing her story, people will be more careful and take the coronavirus seriously. 13 News Reporter Richard Bodee, who is Johanna's cousin, hosts this episode of 815 Live.

As the rest of the sports world is at a standstill, the National Football League has decided to move forward with the 2020 NFL Draft.  The first round of the draft is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m.But before the first names are called, we wanted to get you prepared for what you can expect when the Cincinnati Bengals officially go on the clock Thursday night.We're joined by three special guests on this week's episode, including 13 Sports Director Derek Bayne, 13 News Digital Director Andy Carrigan and 13 News Multi-Media Journalist Will Ingalls.  All three guys are huge NFL fans and provide great insight into the top of the draft, where the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers may be focusing and the chances of one familiar local player has at hearing his name called this weekend.Join us for 815 Live's special NFL Draft preview pod!

Rockford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett and Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara join the podcast to share their expertise on the COVID-19 pandemic.  As part of 13 WREX's commitment to "Facts Not Fear" during this pandemic, we launched a new campaign called 8 Minutes of Expertise.  These 8-minute interviews are meant to provide answers for you on some of the biggest questions you have about the pandemic.In this Bonus podcast, Kristin Crowley interviews both men as part of this new campaign.

Winnebago County Board Chairman Frank Haney and Crusader Community Health Physician's Assistant Jordan Vold join the podcast to share their expertise on the COVID-19 pandemic.  Both are on the front lines, but in two very different roles.As part of 13 WREX's commitment to "Facts Not Fear" during this pandemic, we launched a new campaign called 8 Minutes of Expertise.  These 8-minute interviews are meant to provide answers for you on some of the biggest questions you have about the pandemic.In this Bonus podcast, James Stratton interviews both men as part of this new campaign.