Afternoon News Update: April 9

This evening will mark an important moment for Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. He will deliver his ninth State of the City address at 6pm at the Coronado Theatre. His speech entitled “A Better Rockford Today” will focus on the positive direction the city has been moving in over the past year despite challenges. The event is free to attend. If you are unable to make it downtown our news partner, Eyewitness News will air the speech in its entirety on Rockford My Network Television beginning at 6pm.
A Rockford man has been accused of attempted murder after allegedly shooting a teen. 20-year-old Brandon McMahon faces several charges with 1^st degree murder topping the list. Police say he shot 19-year-old Wyatt Ackerson at a party last month in Byron. The victim is still recovering. McMahon was arrested hours after the shooting occurred. He is due in court on April 21.
An officer involved shooting has happened near Freeport High School. Police were dispatched to a report of shots fired Tuesday evening in the 600 block of Elk Street. Officials say when police arrived on scene the gunman refused to give up his firearm which led the officers to shoot him. He’s now at a local hospital. A female victim who police found lying on the sidewalk with gunshots wounds had to be airlifted to Madison, WI.
District 205 has extended the contracts of two charter schools. The Rockford Public School Board has approved five-year contract extensions for Galapagos Rockford and Legacy Academy of Excellence. The city’s third charter school, CICS Jackson, is up for renewal next year.
Rock Valley College didn’t have to look far for its new leader. The school selected Mike Mastroianni to be its new president. Mastroianni who has been with RVC since 1998 was serving as the Interim President before he received the great news. He is a lifelong Rockford resident.
A bill that would allow law enforcement officials to use GPS tracking on people with a restraining order is advancing in the Illinois Legislature. State law only lets a judge order GPS monitoring after a suspect has violated an order of protection. The proposal would let authorities monitor someone as soon as a protective order is issued.
The FBI is asking for help with tracking down a bank robbery suspect dubbed the "Hooded Bandit." Authorities believe the suspect is responsible for at least six robberies in the Chicago suburbs. Officials say the most recent crime occurred Monday night in Bensenville.
Illinois is set to receive millions of dollars from a federal agency for fish and wildlife conservation efforts. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it’s giving $22 million to the state. They're distributing more than $1 billion nationwide. The money comes from tax revenues on fishers, hunters, and boaters.

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