Opening Statements Begin in Xandria Harris Trial, Sex Arrest in Kankakee County, and Local Weekend Events - Friday, August 7th, 2026

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, local coverage begins in Kankakee County Circuit Court as opening statements are set for the murder trial of 30-year-old Xandria Harris. Harris is accused in the December 2021 shooting death of Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and the wounding of Officer Tyler Bailey. Following the selection of 12 jurors and six alternates, trial proceedings are expected to continue through August 21.In law enforcement news, Kankakee County Sheriff's Police report the arrest of Jason A. Reid of rural Kankakee on charges including grooming and indecent solicitation of a minor following an investigation prompted by an out-of-state group. Meanwhile, Kankakee City Police are investigating a workplace altercation on East Maple Street that sent two employees to the hospital, and Monee Police are seeking information on three suspects involved in an early-morning theft at a gaming cafe on Monee-Manhattan Road.Additional state and regional coverage includes an Illinois House Ethics Committee investigation into State Representative Carol Ammons following federal wire fraud indictments, as well as the lifting of water conservation restrictions in Braidwood. The update also covers falling regional gas prices across Illinois and Indiana, along with details on local summer events including the 88th Momence Gladiolus Festival, the Lake County Indiana Fair, Fridays After 5 in Bourbonnais, Boathouse Rock in Kankakee, and Wings & Wheels at the Greater Kankakee Airport. The report concludes with a complete breakdown of scores and schedules for Chicago and regional sports teams.Listen to the full episode for complete reporting, audio clips, and detailed coverage on all of these stories.Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)The voices you trust, beyond the dial.