Kankakee Podcast

In this week’s episode of Kankakee Podcast News, Drew Raisor covers the top headlines from across the region. A 69-year-old Aroma Park man was arrested after deputies responded to a shots-fired call early Friday morning, with no injuries reported. Kankakee School District 111 approved a plan to use certified virtual teachers through Edmentum for certain junior high courses, drawing both support and concern from parents. In a major development for the future of the Chicago Bears, the Indiana Senate approved legislation creating a stadium authority in Hammond, while Illinois lawmakers advanced their own proposal tied to Arlington Heights. A federal judge sentenced an Onarga man to five years in prison after a bomb-related standoff last year. And the Kankakee County Recorder’s Office is warning homeowners about misleading solicitation letters offering overpriced copies of public property records.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

In this edition of Yarn Factory Listeners on the Kankakee Podcast, another unforgettable evening of community storytelling unfolds — filled with honesty, humor, and the kinds of moments that quietly shape who we become. The stories shared explore family memories, unexpected life turns, small-town experiences, and the lessons learned along the way.From laughter that fills the room to reflections that linger long after the mic is set down, this episode captures the beauty of ordinary days and the resilience found in life’s in-between moments. It’s a reminder that every person carries a story worth hearing — and that when a community gathers to listen, something meaningful always happens.As this marks the final Yarn Factory for a little while, it’s a fitting celebration of the voices, connections, and shared experiences that make these nights so special.Send us Fan Mail Support the show

This week on Kankakee Podcast News, city leaders in Kankakee take steps toward bringing a full-service grocery store to the east side, approving a feasibility study aimed at addressing the long-standing food desert. In Bradley, U.S. Representative Robin Kelly joined local officials to celebrate major improvements at the historic David Bradley Industrial Park after $4.1 million in federal funding helped preserve the site. Officials have also identified the source of a recent sudsy discharge that overwhelmed part of Kankakee’s sewer system, tracing it to a processing issue at a local soap manufacturer. In eastern Kankakee County, tragedy struck after one of two children critically injured in a single-vehicle crash on Route 17 has died. And Kankakee police have made an arrest in an armed robbery on East Court Street, with the investigation still ongoing.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Host Drew Raisor sits down with a very special guest — his fiancée, Hannah Hudgins — for an honest, funny, and deeply personal conversation. The two talk through wedding planning, big life transitions, and the possibility of moving from Kankakee to Nashville. Hannah shares her journey from CNA training and pre-med aspirations to finding her footing through different careers and community work in Kankakee County. Along the way, they reflect on growing up locally, navigating early adulthood, surviving COVID college life, and why sometimes the best answer really is “why not?”Send us Fan Mail Support the show